You have witnessed the beauty of Statue of Liberty in New York, the Louvre Museum in Paris, the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Golden Gate Bridge in the United States, and Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, and Canal Grande in Italy.
How about Rome? Have you gone to this capital city of Italy? Not yet? It’s about time to explore Rome, especially when the pandemic finally ends.
But with a lot of attractions and landmarks, where would you start? In this guide, we have gathered some of the most stunning places in Rome. Are you ready? Take a close look at the following:
The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine
What comes to your mind when you hear Paris? It’s probably the Eiffel Tower. How about Rome? It’s the silhouette of the Flavian Amphitheatre.
As the largest structure left by Roman antiquity, the Colosseum has been an inspiration for most sports arenas across the globe.
The Colosseum was large for festivals, theatrical performances, games, and circuses for the aristocratic Roman families.
Aside from the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine is another historical landmark you shouldn’t miss as a traveler.
Vatican City
As the smallest independent state around the globe, the Vatican has a total area of less than half a square kilometer. Enclosed by the Vatican walls, you can find St. Peter’s Basilica, St Peter’s Square, palaces, and other Vatican gardens.
In St. Peter’s Basilica, you can witness Pieta, Michelangelo’s Masterpiece. There are also other altars and statuary.
Aside from the Pieta, don’t forget to explore the Sistine Chapel. It’s where you can find most of Michelangelo’s famous work.
The Pantheon
The best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity, the Pantheon, is intact for around 2000 years.
After damage by fire during the AD 80, The Pantheon was delicately rebuilt. Its brickwork showcases the technical mastery of builders in Rome before.
While Christian emperors forbade the pagan temple as a place for worship, Pope Boniface IV dedicated it to the Christian martyrs.
It has also become the burial place of Victor Emmanuel II and the Painter, Raphael.
Roman Forum
What’s your purpose every time you travel? Explore the world for fun. Others want to dig into the past, learn the culture, and examine the history.
If you prefer a historical escapade, the Roman Forum got you covered. Before, Roman religious and political life was centered there. There were meeting places, markets, and courts in this historical site.
Mausoleum of Santa Costanza
A lot of people find history boring. If you are one of them, it’s all right. Not all history is boring, remember. The church of Santa Costanza, for example, has an intriguing story.
Aside from being one of Rome’s most ancient churches, it is also a mausoleum.
Based on tradition, Mausoleum of Santa Costanza was constructed for Constantina, the emperor Constantine’s daughter.
Now, many experts believed it might have been built for the emperor Julian’s wife, Helena.
When it comes to architecture, the mausoleum can compete with other historical landmarks in Rome. It has a striking circular structure with columns and an arched arcade.
The ambulatory and apses, on the other hand, are decorated with mosaics, including the early Christian art. There’s also a blend of pagan imagery and Christian symbols.
Other places where travelers flock include the Trevi Fountain, San Giovanni in Laterano, Centro Storico & The Spanish Steps, Santa Maria Maggiore, the Catacombs and Via Appia Antica, Piazza de Mercanti, Palazzo Massimo, Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Giardino degli Aranci, and many more.
Share your opinions and travel experiences below! We’d love to hear your future travel plans, too.