ROME ITALY
By Nadia Ali
Known as the eternal and capital city of Italy, Rome offers
history literally beneath your feet from Etruscan tombs,
imperial temples, medieval bell towers and palaces. Along
the cobbled, narrow streets you can buy Gelato ice cream
and authentic pizza as you visit the dozens of sights
Rome has to offer.
The Pantheon
Built in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa, the Pantheon is one of
the best-preserved buildings that is symbolic of ancient
Rome. It is also a renowned architectural wonder because
of the dome that rests on a series of columns. Once inside
through the bronze entrance doors that weigh 20 tons
each, you will see the inside of the dome is beautifully
decorated with fine marble. Be sure to visit the historic
tombs of Raffaello, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto
The Colosseum
Located on Piazza del Colosseo, the Colosseum was
completed in 80 AD by Titus and is still regarded as the
greatest architectural inheritance from ancient Rome. In its
day, it could have easily seated 50,000 people, which at
that time was a staggering amount. It first known as the
“Flavian Amphitheatre” and was home to gladiator fights
with ferocious lions, which were finally banned in 404AD.
The Colosseum went through a lot of changes including
weathering and destruction by a lightening storm, but
Emperor Alexander Severus restored all.
http://www.the-colosseum.net/
The Trevi Fountain
This is the original fountain made famous in the film Three
Coins in the Fountain. Designed by architect Francesco
Salvi in the 17th century, this baroque fountain took 30
years to build. It features characters from sea mythology
such as Neptune on his winged chariot, winged steeds
and tritons. Visitors cannot resist throwing a coin in this
fountain which means they will return to Rome someday.
The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna)
This is one of the must see sights in Rome. Built in 1725
by the Frenchman, Alessandro Specchi. The 135 steep
steps lead from the Piazza di Spagna to the French
church, Trinità dei Monti. There is also an elevator to the
edge should you be unable to climb. It is very elegant
looking and in May every year the steps are adorned with
pink flowers..
The Vatican
The home of Roman Catholicism and the Pope since
1920, it is an independent state with just 750 residents, it
lies in the heart of Rome. It is also the richest country per
square foot in the world, as it houses priceless art
treasures amidst its private collection. The Sistine Chapel
in the Vatican Palace is where works by Michelangelo,
Botticelli, and Perugino adorn the wall with the most
famous ceiling in the world painted by Michelangelo.
http://www.vatican.va/
St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
Located in the Vatican itself, St Peter’s Basilica is
described as the largest church ever built and one of the
holiest sites in Christendom. The church was built on the
spot where St Peter was burned or crucified and upon
completion in 1626, it was named after him. Nearly every
aspect of this church offers artistic or historic significance
in every corner of this massive structure.
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus
The catacombs or underground tunnels with recesses
where bodies were buried were once the place where
Christians celebrated funerals. St.Callixtus looked after
this 12-mile stretch of catacombs, that holds about half a
million tombs. Although this may sound morbid, it offers
information about life dating back to the second century,
through the numerous paintings, and sculptures.
http://www.catacombe.roma.it/en/cal.html
The Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
Nothing beats the thermal spa baths of Caracella, which
nowadays is a huge complex that houses fountains,
restaurants, gym, gardens, playing fields and a host of
other facilities. In ancient Rome, the baths occupied 27
acres of land and was a meeting place for aristocrats who
would have bathed here.
http://www.inforoma.it/terme.htm
The Roman Forum
The Forum was originally a booming city in it’s day and
built over 900 years. It can be found between Colloseo
and Capitol Hill where visitors can access it through the
Via Sacra, which is the roadway that runs east to west
through it. This once commercial, political and religious
center of ancient Rome has remains of buildings and
temples that were erected through various eras. Be sure
you see the Temple of Saturn, the House of the Vestals,
the Temple of Antoninus & Faustina and the Arch of Titus.
Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna)
This is the square that lies before the Spanish Steps, but
its shape is far from square, it is almost like a butterfly
shape. It is known as Piazza di Spagna as it is named after
the 17th century Spanish Embassy to the Holy See that is
located here. Nowadays, it is one of those places where
lots of tourists are, milling around between points of
interests and just taking in the sights such as the Early
Baroque fountain called the Barcaccia. From the square
you can view the house of poets Keats and Shelley.
By Nadia Ali
Known as the eternal and capital city of Italy, Rome offers
history literally beneath your feet from Etruscan tombs,
imperial temples, medieval bell towers and palaces. Along
the cobbled, narrow streets you can buy Gelato ice cream
and authentic pizza as you visit the dozens of sights
Rome has to offer.
The Pantheon
Built in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa, the Pantheon is one of
the best-preserved buildings that is symbolic of ancient
Rome. It is also a renowned architectural wonder because
of the dome that rests on a series of columns. Once inside
through the bronze entrance doors that weigh 20 tons
each, you will see the inside of the dome is beautifully
decorated with fine marble. Be sure to visit the historic
tombs of Raffaello, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto
The Colosseum
Located on Piazza del Colosseo, the Colosseum was
completed in 80 AD by Titus and is still regarded as the
greatest architectural inheritance from ancient Rome. In its
day, it could have easily seated 50,000 people, which at
that time was a staggering amount. It first known as the
“Flavian Amphitheatre” and was home to gladiator fights
with ferocious lions, which were finally banned in 404AD.
The Colosseum went through a lot of changes including
weathering and destruction by a lightening storm, but
Emperor Alexander Severus restored all.
http://www.the-colosseum.net/
The Trevi Fountain
This is the original fountain made famous in the film Three
Coins in the Fountain. Designed by architect Francesco
Salvi in the 17th century, this baroque fountain took 30
years to build. It features characters from sea mythology
such as Neptune on his winged chariot, winged steeds
and tritons. Visitors cannot resist throwing a coin in this
fountain which means they will return to Rome someday.
The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna)
This is one of the must see sights in Rome. Built in 1725
by the Frenchman, Alessandro Specchi. The 135 steep
steps lead from the Piazza di Spagna to the French
church, Trinità dei Monti. There is also an elevator to the
edge should you be unable to climb. It is very elegant
looking and in May every year the steps are adorned with
pink flowers..
The Vatican
The home of Roman Catholicism and the Pope since
1920, it is an independent state with just 750 residents, it
lies in the heart of Rome. It is also the richest country per
square foot in the world, as it houses priceless art
treasures amidst its private collection. The Sistine Chapel
in the Vatican Palace is where works by Michelangelo,
Botticelli, and Perugino adorn the wall with the most
famous ceiling in the world painted by Michelangelo.
http://www.vatican.va/
St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
Located in the Vatican itself, St Peter’s Basilica is
described as the largest church ever built and one of the
holiest sites in Christendom. The church was built on the
spot where St Peter was burned or crucified and upon
completion in 1626, it was named after him. Nearly every
aspect of this church offers artistic or historic significance
in every corner of this massive structure.
The Catacombs of St. Callixtus
The catacombs or underground tunnels with recesses
where bodies were buried were once the place where
Christians celebrated funerals. St.Callixtus looked after
this 12-mile stretch of catacombs, that holds about half a
million tombs. Although this may sound morbid, it offers
information about life dating back to the second century,
through the numerous paintings, and sculptures.
http://www.catacombe.roma.it/en/cal.html
The Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla)
Nothing beats the thermal spa baths of Caracella, which
nowadays is a huge complex that houses fountains,
restaurants, gym, gardens, playing fields and a host of
other facilities. In ancient Rome, the baths occupied 27
acres of land and was a meeting place for aristocrats who
would have bathed here.
http://www.inforoma.it/terme.htm
The Roman Forum
The Forum was originally a booming city in it’s day and
built over 900 years. It can be found between Colloseo
and Capitol Hill where visitors can access it through the
Via Sacra, which is the roadway that runs east to west
through it. This once commercial, political and religious
center of ancient Rome has remains of buildings and
temples that were erected through various eras. Be sure
you see the Temple of Saturn, the House of the Vestals,
the Temple of Antoninus & Faustina and the Arch of Titus.
Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna)
This is the square that lies before the Spanish Steps, but
its shape is far from square, it is almost like a butterfly
shape. It is known as Piazza di Spagna as it is named after
the 17th century Spanish Embassy to the Holy See that is
located here. Nowadays, it is one of those places where
lots of tourists are, milling around between points of
interests and just taking in the sights such as the Early
Baroque fountain called the Barcaccia. From the square
you can view the house of poets Keats and Shelley.
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