Rome is the most. For more than two millennia, the Eternal City has been attracting everyone's attention

More than two millennia The eternal City attracts everyone's attention. Rome is one of the most romantic and magnificent cities in the world.

The very first and most important date in the history of the Eternal City was April 21, 753 BC. On this day, Romulus, who killed his twin brother Remus, founded the city of Rome. A few centuries later, from a small city-state, Rome grows into a powerful empire.

The most famous emperors of Rome are Lucius Cornelius Sulla, Gnaeus Pompey, Gaius Julius Caesar, Octavian Augustus, the Flavian dynasty, Trajan. Each of the emperors contributed not only to the political life of the state, but also to the appearance of the city, its architecture, and borders.

In 410 the Visigoths conquered and ravaged Rome, and in 455 the city was plundered by vandals. Since then, the city has experienced many attacks and seizures.

In 1943-1944, Rome was occupied by the Germans, but, fortunately, major destruction World War did not bring it to the city.

Climate and weather

Summer here is quite long and hot with average temperature air + 25 ° С, almost no precipitation. At the beginning of summer, sirocco blows in the city - winds that bring hot, suffocating air.

The average air temperature in winter is +5 ° С. The winter is quite mild, with almost no frost and snowfall. The fallen snow can stay for no more than two days, and then it melts. In winter, the city is sometimes visited by the cold winds of Trimontana.

Nature

Rome is located in the center of the Apennine Peninsula and lies on seven hills: Viminal, Quirinal, Celia, Aventine, Capitoline, Palatine and Esquiline. Located in a hilly lowland, Rome is surrounded on three sides by small mountains: Prenestani, Sabini, Albani and Sabatini. The plain between these mountains is called the Roman Campania. In the city itself, there is Mount Mario, 141 meters high, as well as the hills of Pincho and Yanikolo.

Rome is divided in two by the Tiber River. Previously, the river was quite full-flowing, which caused floods and floods in the city. In the 19th century, high stone parapets were erected on the embankments of the city, and there was no more flood threat.

There are not many green spaces in Rome. All greenery is concentrated mainly in private villas and gardens of local aristocrats, but there are also public squares and parks. It cannot be said that the Eternal City is buried in the greenery of vineyards and olive groves, but nevertheless, these representatives of the flora are often found here.

The Romans themselves prefer to rest in scenic spots not far from Rome. For example, to the east of the city are the Tiburtin Mountains, where flows beautiful river Aniene and there are luxurious waterfalls.

sights

The most important Roman landmark is the Colosseum, or the Flavian Amphitheater. The largest amphitheater in the Roman Empire was built in 80 on the site of the artificial sea of ​​Nero. Flavius ​​built the Colosseum to destroy the Romans' memories of the cruel Nero.

The Trevi Fountain is located on the square of the same name. The sculptural composition of the fountain shows the god of the sea, Neptune, who moves towards the ocean in his chariot drawn by winged horses and young sea gods.

Not far from Via dei Fori Imperiali is the Forum Romanum, which was the most important religious and political center of the entire Roman Empire. On the Piazza della Rotonda square is the main Roman temple - the Pantheon (translated as "dedicated to all the gods").

The world famous Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museum. It was built between 1473 and 1481 by order of Pope Sixtus IV. Here you can see the fresco " The last judgment»Michelangelo and many other frescoes by famous artists. It is here that, since the 15th century, conclaves have been held, secret meetings of cardinals about the choice of a new pope.

One of the largest Roman churches, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (431 years old), is located in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Not far from the Spanish Steps is the Villa Borghese Museum of Art, which displays the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, Raphael, Titian.

No less popular city attractions are the Arch of Constantine (first mentioned in 315), whose height reaches 21 meters, the Castel Sant'Angelo (II century) with its magnificent armory, and St. Peter's Cathedral (16th century). And don't forget to visit the most small state in the world - the Vatican.

Nutrition

In Rome, both fast and inexpensive food lovers, and gourmets will find establishments to their liking. The most famous Roman restaurant is Agata e Romeo, where you will be offered completely unique dishes: rabbit with spices, caramel-glazed tomatoes, cucumber sorbet and a rather large list of culinary exotics. Il Convivio restaurant also offers its visitors a unique menu, where you can taste exotic meat dishes and desserts, ricotta and pumpkin flowers with filling, as well as get acquainted with the restaurant's richest wine list.

Classic homemade cuisine can be sampled at the Spinosi Alberto restaurant. Specialties include traditional homemade cakes and fish prepared according to ancient recipes.

Vegetarians will fall in love with Margutta Vegetariano-RistorArte, which features live music on weekends. Seafood lovers should visit La Rosetta restaurant for platter of fish. The menu of the family restaurant Vicolo delle Grotte is European cuisine. The La Taverna del Ghetto restaurant serves the finest traditional Italian cuisine.

The Gusto restaurant is divided into a pizzeria and a European restaurant. And at the Glass Hostaria restaurant you will enjoy not only excellent Italian cuisine, but also interesting modern design.

Residence

The cost of living in hotels in Rome has been one of the highest in Europe for many years. But believe me, in Rome the price will justify the quality. Many hotels here are created on the basis of a former ancient castle or mansion, which gives a certain zest to the stay. An interesting fact is that the prices in hotels in Italy are set by the state.

The most popular hotels in Rome are Archimede 3 *, Polo 4 *, Savoy 4 * and Majestic 5 *.

Entertainment and recreation

The capital of Italy will appeal to both shopaholics and lovers of nightlife, and curious fans of excursions, and lovers of natural beauty.

The most famous club in the city is Gilda. The Piazza Siena Art Café nightclub often hosts music concerts, various presentations and fashion shows, and in the afternoon - cinema lunches, when you can dine under good movie... In the Chiariti Café you can enjoy aromatic coffee during the day and jazz and blues in the evening.

The Escopazzo Club boasts its own bar with highly original cocktails and snacks. A wide variety of parties are held at the Alien Club. Great music, interior and great conditions for relaxation await you at the Piper and Radio Londra clubs.

Purchases

The main shopping street in Rome is considered to be the central Via del Corso, which runs through the entire center and consists entirely of shops.

The boutique streets are Via Condotti, Frattina, Sistina, Borgognona and Gregoriana. There you can buy the latest models of clothing, footwear and accessories from leading European designers. Showcases of the world famous brands Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Gucci, Valentine, Trussardi, Giantranco Ferre, Rocco Barocco, Laura Biagiotti and many others are full here.

For more economical shopping, we recommend heading to the Via Nazionale area or the already mentioned Via del Corso. Here, next to the boutiques, there are more modest stores with affordable prices for everyone, and the quality of the goods in them is quite decent.

The large department stores Coin, La Standa, La Rinascenta and Upini are very popular with Romans and tourists. But it is still cheaper to shop in small private shops, most of them are located in the Termini station area.

Transport

You can get around Rome on public transport: metro, tram or bus. There is also an "undecided trolleybus" in Rome - it travels part of the route like a trolleybus on wires, and the other part like a bus, having lowered its "horns".

The Rome Metro was opened in 1955 and today it has two lines. It is planned to build two more lines, but so far it is not possible to do archaeological excavations.

All urban public transport is owned by one company, so all types of transport are subject to unified tickets. They can be purchased at metro ticket offices, newspaper and tobacco kiosks, as well as vending machines at bus stops. When entering a bus or tram, do not forget to validate your ticket. If the composter does not work, write the date and time of boarding on the ticket with a pen. Try to buy your pass in advance, as drivers don't always sell them.

In Rome, a one-trip ticket for up to 75 minutes costs 1 euro, while you can manage to ride several routes during this time (by changing, for example, a bus to a tram). In Rome, you can buy tickets for one day, three days and a week. They cost 4.1 euros, 11 euros and 16 euros, respectively. There are travel cards for a longer period of time, but for this you will have to issue a special certificate. Students of European universities enjoy discounted fares.

Don't be surprised if the taxi driver doesn't stop at your wave of the hand. The fact is that in Rome taxi drivers stop only in specially designated places. So you will have to look for their stop.

Connection

The capital of Italy, the country with the most developed mobile communications, also has good telephone coverage. There are four mobile operators operating in the country: TIM, Tre, Vodafone and I WIND. The cost of the services provided is almost the same, regardless of the operator. Only special promotions and suggestions. You can buy a SIM card at the office of a communications company representative, at a post office or even in a regular store. Prepaid cards are also sold there. The card seller can give you good advice on choosing an operator.

You can use a regular landline telephone not only from a hotel or bar, but also from a street phone booth. For such a call, you will also need a prepaid card, but of a different type. It is quite easy to buy it in the city: in most shops and kiosks. It is most profitable to make international calls on weekdays from 22:00 to 8:00 and during Sunday, this time is preferential.

There are many internet cafes in Rome, as well as free hotspots in various public places. On some maps of the city, such places are marked.

Safety

Rome is considered a very safe city, and tourists rarely get into trouble here. You can safely walk in the historical part of Rome both day and night. But still, don't be completely careless - don't forget about the elementary rules of caution.

The greatest danger is posed by pickpockets and shippators (moped thieves) who rip bags off passers-by on the go. You can come across such robbers in the Termini station area and other crowded places: at the Colosseum, on the Spanish Steps, at the Trevi Fountain. They act very professionally - you definitely won't be able to react in time. Their objects are handbags, cameras, camcorders. Try to hold or hang such things in front, and not on the shoulder.

Pickpockets, on the other hand, take out wallets, take off watches and jewelry. Therefore, try to leave your valuables at the hotel. In addition, pickpockets often hunt on public transport, and the most popular routes are buses 40 and 64, which run from St. Peter's Basilica to Termini Station.

Also, do not forget your bags on car seats - this is a very big temptation for street thieves.

Beware of the little gypsies, they were also taught to work professionally. While some will distract you, others will quickly "rob" you.

Business climate

Rome is home to two of the largest exhibition centers: Fiera di Roma and Nuova Fiera.

The most important and oldest in Rome is the Fiera di Roma exhibition center. It hosts various exhibitions, forums, business meetings, seminars, conferences and presentations of national and international scale.

The Nuova Fiera exhibition center was built relatively recently. It became one of the main exhibition centers not only in Italy, but also in Europe, Nuova Fiera quickly reached the world level. The exhibition center has an area of ​​186,000 square meters, located a couple of kilometers from the center of Rome.

The property

Real estate in Rome is similar to that of most European capitals... There are pluses and minuses here. The disadvantages can be safely attributed to the low level of profitability from investments in Roman real estate, a high level of gas pollution in the Italian capital, as well as the difficult economic situation in Italy (growing unemployment and a decrease in GDP per capita). Do not forget that Rome is landlocked, and this significantly limits the tourism sector.

Despite such prerequisites for the absence of investments and transactions in general, the real estate market in Rome has remained attractive to investors for many decades. Rome is one of the world's oldest capitals and combines the cultures of several eras. Housing in the central part of the city is rarely put up for sale, and if such an event happens, then the demand for it is extremely high. He, as they say, is snapped up like hot cakes. In the center of Rome, there have been no building sites for a long time. In the entire city, new housing is built extremely rarely, so transactions are more often made with old housing stock.

We recommend tourists to move around the city on foot, since the sights of Rome are literally at every step. In this case, it will not be superfluous to have a phrasebook with you, since local residents the situation with foreign languages ​​is not very good. It is better to change currency in large banks or in a hotel.

If you are going on an excursion to the Vatican, wear closed clothes - no short skirts or shorts and tops with a deep neckline and short sleeves. And if you are going to the catacombs of St. Callistus, dress warmly, because the maximum temperature there is + 15 ° C.

In cafes and restaurants, it is customary to leave a tip in the amount of 10% of the total order.

Most government offices and shops are closed for lunch between 13:00 and 16:00.

Rome is known by many names, one of which is the "Eternal City". So it began to be called back in the 1st century BC, because, despite its "age", the city continued to develop - its size, power, splendor and influence on the whole world grew. Throughout its existence, it attracted the attention of politicians, historians, artisans, musicians, artists and travelers. Here, like no other place on earth, many monuments of architecture, culture and art are concentrated. In Rome, ancient artifacts and modern buildings, material goods and spiritual values, new trends in culture and old traditions are combined in the most charming way. Undoubtedly, the capital of Italy can deservedly be called one of the most interesting cities in Europe.

Italians are considered to be quite impulsive people, so on weekends, during the games of local football clubs in the city, you can see lively crowds of fans. To fully experience what it means to root for Italian football, you need to attend any of the matches, and especially during the confrontation between the teams of Lazio and Roma. Surprisingly, the stadium itself, where the competitions are held, is an architectural monument of the twentieth century.

Having walked a lot in historical sights, temples, museums and parks, having received a charge of positive energy at a football match, it's time to refresh yourself, especially since Rome is famous for its cuisine and wine. Here are located the best restaurants countries serving a variety of Italian delicacies.

Lovers of shopping in the city will not be bored either. You can find boutiques, large chain stores, shopping centers and small shops. They sell clothes, accessories, shoes and many other products from well-known brands and local fashion designers.

Rome is the largest center for international tourism

Until 1945, the main source of income for the city treasury was donations from pilgrims and profits from the tourism industry. The surrounding lands are not fertile, therefore Agriculture it is poorly developed here. Local authorities have long been against the construction of industrial facilities. In the second half of the last century, numerous enterprises for the production of paper, food products, jewelry, metal and leather products appeared in the city.

Today Rome has become the largest transport hub in the country, its industrial and financial center. The main sectors of the economy are mechanical engineering, chemical, printing, furniture and food industries. However, tourism is still the main source of income. More than 10 million people come here every year, thanks to which Rome is considered one of the largest centers international tourism. Here are concentrated government agencies, governing bodies of mass organizations and political parties, the main offices of insurance companies and banks.

City on seven hills

The history of Rome goes back several millennia. It was originally a small village located on seven high hills at the point where the Tiber River flows into the sea. The close location of water transport routes contributed to the development of trade of the local population with Greece and others. Eastern countries, and the hills protected from sea robbers. Rome has been the capital of Italy since 1871.

The official date of the foundation of the city is considered to be 753 BC, and one is connected with the event itself. ancient legend... By order of the cruel ruler Amulius, two twin boys were to be drowned in the Tiber River, who could in the future overthrow him from the throne. However, the slave took pity on the kids and let the basket float on the water with them. The mighty waters of the Tiber carried her away from the Palatine Hill, where a she-wolf heard the cry of children. She licked them affectionately and fed them with milk. Soon the royal shepherd saw the basket, who raised the boys. One he gave the name Rem, and the other - Romulus. When the brothers grew up, the shepherd told them the secret of their origin. They took revenge on Amulius, returned the reins of government to their grandfather Numitor, and they themselves founded their own city on the Palatine Hill - Rome.

Transport

The local metro has only two lines, so it is better to get around the city by tram or bus. Also, tourist buses run along the streets, which are equipped with panoramic windows and an audio guide.

Safety

Rome is a relatively safe city, but you should avoid walking in the “expatriate” quarters. Pickpockets pose the main threat to tourists.

A well-planned route is a guarantee of a successful journey that will leave vivid memories. Therefore, think in advance which sights of Rome you want to see. Number of known historical sites and architectural monuments in the capital of Italy are so great that it is simply unrealistic to see them in one trip. Below is a small list of the most interesting places in Rome, once you visit which, you will fall in love with this city forever.

Source: PICSFAB.COM

The Colosseum is the hallmark of the Eternal City

To visit Rome and not visit the Colosseum is a kind of bad manners. This is the opinion of most tourists, therefore, a huge multinational queue usually lines up at the Flavian amphitheater (as the Colosseum is also called). The majestic ruins are all that remains of the largest antique amphitheater, erected by the emperors Vespasian and Titus, and intended for gladiatorial battles. However, even in a dilapidated state, this place is awe-inspiring.

Finding the Colosseum is easy: any guide to Rome will tell you how to get there.

Source: rome-italy.ru

The address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1.
Working hours :

• from 9.00 to 19.00 - from April to early October)
• from 9.00 to 15.00 - from January to March).

Ticket price: 12 euros (if you are not a resident of the European Union). This is the price of a general ticket, valid for two days, and allowing you to visit not only the Colosseum, but also the Roman Forum and the Palatine.
Guided tour cost : 4.5 euros.

Source: youraudioguide.com

Trevi Fountain - a must have when visiting Rome

Rome is the city of fountains. But the most famous and largest of them is the Trevi Fountain. Almost every tourist who travels to the capital of Italy brings home a photograph taken against its background.

Aged in the Baroque style, this fountain is distinguished by its inherent pomp and majesty. The masterfully executed figures of gods, newts, pegasus and other representatives of ancient mythology look so grandiose and monumental that this place cannot be ignored.

The address: Piazza de Trevi.

Source: dolcevita-magazine.com

Photo: Hernán Piñera. License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Photo: Steve Johnson. License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Source: evraziya.at.ua

The Roman Forum is a magnet for tourists

The forum was originally a part of the city located in the lowlands between the hills and reserved for trade, but over time it has developed into a place of more social and political importance. The ancient Romans came here to listen to rhetoricians, to be present during the consideration of criminal cases, executions, and disputes. Over time, sanctuaries were built here in honor of the ancient gods, arches and basilicas, which over time fell into decay and today are ruins.

The address: Via della Salaria Vecchia, 5/6.
Ticket price :

• adult ticket - 12 euros,
• children and preferential treatment - 8 euros.

Working hours :

• in March from 8.30 to 17.00;
• from April to August - until 19.15;
• in October - until 18.30;
• from November to February - until 16.30.

Photo: Jacob Surland, Licensed Creative Commons non-commercial v4.0.

Villa Borghese - a green oasis in a vibrant city

In the 17th century, by order of the Cardinal Borghese in the northern part of the capital, on the Pincho hill, it was defeated landscape park... It houses the villa itself and many antique statues, and a little later a lake was artificially created here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the territory of the park became the property of the city - since then this place has become one of the most visited by both the residents of the capital and tourists. There are a number of museums in the park, as well as a theater.

Source: travelermap.ru

How to get there : Climbing the steps of the Spanish Steps.
The address: Piazzale Flaminio.
Ticket price :

• Usual entrance ticket- 8.5 euros;
• for beneficiaries - 5.25 euros.

Working hours: from 9.00 to 19.00 on all days except Mondays.

Source: youraudioguide.com

Source: travelermap.ru

The Borghese Gallery is an interesting place for art lovers

When visiting Villa Borghese, admirers of beauty usually go to the gallery located here - a building erected in the spirit of classicism, where canvases and sculptures of such great painters and sculptors as Claude Monet, Lorenzo Lotto, Van Gogh, Rubens, Titian, Luigi Valadier, Giovanni Lorenzo are collected Bernini and many others.

Source: snovadoma.ru

Working hours : from 9.00 to 19.00,
Ticket price: 13 euros.
Borghese gallery website : www.galleriaborghese.it

Source: rimtravel.com

Source: saporitours.com

Spanish Steps - a sign of friendship between the Spanish and French peoples in Rome

Taking pictures of the majestic Spanish Steps is one of the top priorities on the list of all tourists visiting Rome. At the foot of the stairs is the Plaza de España, and if you climb the steps to the very top, you can go to the Trinità dei Monti church.

Source: guidesmart.tv

How to get there : Get off at the Spagna metro station.
The address: Piazza di Spagna

Source: hipolletto.com

Source: hipolletto.com

Source: strana-italiya.ru

Baths of Caracalla - a monument of architecture and "bath art"

Baths occupied in the ancient world important place... The citizens of Rome came here not only for swimming, but also to communicate and make business acquaintances. The Baths of Caracalla, with their marble cladding, mosaics and niches, were considered one of the most magnificent buildings of this kind, therefore, even in antiquity, they were recognized as a miracle of the Eternal City.

Today, ruins remain from the baths. Since 1937, it has hosted performances by opera singers, theatrical performances and concerts by contemporary world-renowned performers.

Source: blog.bourse-des-vols.com

Working hours : from 9.00 to the end of daylight hours.
The address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52.

Source: studyblue.com

Source: quotidianamente.net

Piazza del Popolo - a place with a relaxed atmosphere

Translated from Italian, Piazza del Popolo means "People's Square". Despite the fact that until the 20s of the XIX century it acted as a place of public executions, today a festive atmosphere reigns here, setting you up for relaxation. Piazza del Popolo periodically hosts public events, there are always a lot of townspeople and visitors.

How to get there : you need to get off at the Flaminio metro station.

Photo: Fred PO, licensed at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Source: thousandwonders.net

Fountain of the Four Rivers - a magnificent construction by architect Bernini

The second most famous fountain in Rome (after Trevi) is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, located in Piazza Navona. The sculptural group is represented by allegorical images of four great rivers - Danube, Nile, Ganges, La Plata, which are located at the foot of an Egyptian-style obelisk.

The fountain is located almost in the very center of the capital, so it is convenient to get here from almost every corner of the city.

The address: Piazza Navona

Source: italyguides.it

Capitoline Hill - the center of ancient and modern Rome

The Capitoline Hill is the flatter and lowest of the seven hills on which Rome was built. At its foot, the ruins of insula Arakoeli have survived to this day - a multi-apartment building from antiquity, which was built for renting out housing. The Capitol Hill is adorned with the works of the genius Michelangelo Buonarotti - the Palace of the Senators reconstructed by him, the Cordonata staircase and a number of other buildings.

Is free: inspection of the Capitol Hill itself.
Paid: visit the objects placed on it.

Source: intornoroma.ru

Capitoline Museums and Their Priceless Collections

Walking along the Capitol Hill, it is worth looking into the museums located on it - Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatory, Central Montemartini. They display masterpieces of world art - paintings by Rubens, Titian and other artists, famous antique statues, a collection of Greek ceramics and many other must-see exhibits.

Source: travel.rambler.ru

The address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1.
Working hours :

• daily, except Mondays - from 9.00 to 13.00,
• on Saturday and Tuesday there is additional time for visits - from 17.00 to 20.00.

Ticket price :

• 6, 5 + 1.5 euros for visiting selected exhibitions;
• free for visitors under 18 and over 65 years old.

Which in the III century BC began to be called "the greatest eternal city" - this is the dream of millions of travelers from different parts of our planet who dream of seeing with their own eyes a lot of ancient sights.

Short description

Attractions, including a huge number of historical and architectural monuments, which reflect the former greatness and power of the Great Roman Empire. Thanks to sociological research, experts concluded that it is Rome that is considered the most visited city in the world... The legend of the Roman Empire, its capital, where passions seethed, the fate of many states was decided, is located on seven hills. Rome stretches on both sides of the well-known Tiber River. The climate in the capital is Mediterranean: in summer it is quite hot here, the temperature sometimes exceeds +40 degrees Celsius, and winters are mild and mostly rainy.

Santa Maria Maggiore

On the territory of modern Rome, in addition to sights, ancient ruins, the stones of which still remember the voices of Caesar, Nero and other emperors, there is a state within a state, the name of which every Catholic knows - the Vatican. Even the most experienced guides who conduct excursions around the "eternal city" often work out the route for a long time, because it is very difficult to understand what exactly I would like to show to the guest of the capital.

In Rome, literally everything causes genuine delight even among travelers who come to this city not for the first time. Here, literally at every step, you can stumble upon a unique landmark, which is centuries old. The Roman Forum or the grandeur, wealth and luxury of the Vatican, or maybe the dome of St. Peter, in the image of which the dome of the Capitol in Washington was built, Piazza Navona or the Altar of the Fatherland - all this will certainly leave an indelible impression on any guest of the Italian capital.

Trajan's market

A bit of history

You can talk about the ups and downs, about the destruction and rebirth of Rome for an infinitely long time. And how is it possible, even in three or five materials, to reflect at least some part of the history of not only the city, but also the entire huge, at one time, empire, the fate of which has always been inextricably linked with the capital. The only thing I would like to dwell on is that in the 19th century, great Rome was still conquered by the most talented strategist and conqueror Napoleon.

It was he who decided to expel the Pope and "put on the throne" his newborn son. However, already in 1870, the Italians regained Rome and once again proclaimed it the capital, however, now not an empire, but a kingdom. It is also worth paying special attention to the fact that it was on the capital of Italy that the Nazis' march took place for the first time, this event took place in 1922. Soon after, the fascist plague spread throughout the world.

Arch of Titus

Fortunately, the city-monument escaped massive bombing and almost all the sights remained intact. It is unlikely that the allies of the USSR would dare to bombard the city where the Vatican is located, which is the main spiritual center for all Catholics in the world. Although there were fears that the Germans, who occupied Rome in 1943, would decide to destroy all historical and architectural monuments and simply plunder the “eternal city”. Fortunately, the tragedy did not happen, even the greatest tyrant and despot of all times and peoples, Adolf Hitler, did not dare to remain in the memory as the destroyer of the “eternal city”. Already in 1944, Rome again became free and independent, now from fascism and the power of Benito Mussolini, who, by the way, suffered from a mental disorder and wanted to destroy all buildings in the capital in order to build a “new city”.

Palace of the Augustus

Modern Rome

As mentioned above, Rome is currently considered the most visited city by tourists. However, the population of the capital of the country, which resembles a woman's boot with an elegant heel on the world map, cannot be called large by today's standards. The city is home to about three million people. However, this figure does not include the number of people who come to Rome to work, and, by the way, there are quite a few of them.

If a tourist has arrived in the capital of Italy and does not want to take advantage of the offers of travel agencies, but develops tourist route on his own, he should first of all visit the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, Piazza del Popolo, St. Peter's Basilica. Naturally, this is only a hundredth of those sights that will forever remain in your memory. To learn more about Rome and find for yourself those places that you would like to visit immediately after arrival, you need to familiarize yourself with the tourist brochures available in almost every hotel or read about the sights of the city on the World Wide Web.

Roman Coliseum

Going to Rome, you should not count on the fact that on the first trip you can see all the most interesting and mysterious places v ancient city... Rome probably resembles Paris in some way. At least the fact that in order to truly get to know this city, you need to be born and die in it. It is difficult even to imagine how long it may take to visit even a small part of the sights of Rome, because there are more than 900 churches alone.

Rome occupies a special place among European capitals. It is a symbolic city, a city of origin, where Western civilization was born. The mighty Roman Empire, which conquered the entire Mediterranean, began here - on the banks of the Tiber River. Historical and cultural heritage Rome is priceless, with architectural and cultural masterpieces waiting for tourists at every step.

Rome is the legendary Colosseum and treasures of museums, the historic ruins of the Capitol and the magnificent facades of baroque villas. The whole city can be seen as a museum under open air, its streets and squares are home to the history of three thousand years of development of civilization, thought, art and culture.

The best hotels and hotels at affordable prices.

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What to see and where to go in Rome?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

1. Colosseum

The main arena of Ancient Rome, a theater for gladiatorial fights, persecution of captives by wild animals and other equally bloody performances of the annual Games of the capital of the Empire. In honor of the opening of the Colosseum in 80 AD. the Great Games were arranged, which lasted more than 3 months. The ancient stones of the Arena still remember gladiators killed for the amusement of the public and slaves torn to pieces for pleasure from the captured provinces.

2. Pantheon

Construction of the II century BC, "temple of all gods" in translation from Greek. The Pantheon was created during the heyday of ancient Roman architecture. For many centuries, pagan gods were worshiped under the dome of the building, until at the beginning of the 7th century the Pantheon was turned into a Christian temple. The building has survived to this day in good condition thanks to numerous restorations that began before our era.

3. Vatican

City-state, stronghold and main bastion Catholic Church, the residence of the Pope. In total, about 800 people are citizens of the Vatican, mainly priests and church officials. The Vatican is famous for its museums, which contain outstanding collections of painting, sculpture and applied arts. This real treasure humanity. Also, tourists are attracted by the main Catholic church - St. Peter's Cathedral.

4. Cathedral and St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Cathedral is spiritual center the Catholic branch of Christianity. The Pope himself holds celebratory masses here. The temple was built on the site of the former circus of Nero in the 4th century. At first it was a small basilica where the relics of the Apostle Peter were kept. In the 15th century, it was rebuilt into a grandiose building. Raphael, Michelangelo, Peruzzi, Maderno and others worked on the Cathedral of St. Peter. In front of the temple there is a wide square with a colonnade of 284 Doric columns.

5. Vatican Museums

Museum collections were collected at different times by the popes. They were founded in the 16th century by Pope Julius II. An extensive exhibition of paintings from the 11th - 19th centuries is collected in the Vatican's Pinacoteca. You can get acquainted with tapestries and frescoes by the great masters by visiting the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Stanzas. Antique statues, sarcophagi from Ancient Rome are presented in the Chiaramonti and Pio Cristiano museums. The history of religions around the world is described by exhibits at the Ethnological Missionary Museum. The history of the Vatican is presented in the Historical Museum. The Vatican Library contains over one and a half million books. The visit is open daily except Sundays and Catholic holidays.

6. Vittoriano

Memorable architectural complex XVIII-XIX centuries in honor of King Victor Emmanuel - the first ruler of a united Italy. On the site in front of the monumental palace, the Eternal Flame is burning and an honor guard is on duty. The inhabitants of Rome do not really like this bulk of white marble, as they believe that it does not fit into the architecture of the city. Some Romans call Vittoriano a ridiculous "wedding cake".

7. Trastevere

A vibrant and colorful Roman quarter across the Tiber River. Here in the 18th century BC. the Etruscan tribe settled, from which the history of the Eternal City began. In the era of the Empire, there were luxurious patrician villas here. Many buildings and residential buildings in the area are many hundreds of years old, so they look very authentic and attractive to tourists. People continue to live in dilapidated houses.

8. Piazza Navona

Oval square in the central part of Rome, located on the site of the former circus of Domitian. Since the 16th century, ambassadors, cardinals, bankers and other wealthy members of society began to settle in this area. From the 15th century to the middle of the 19th century, there was a market here. In the middle of the square is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, a sculptural group with deep symbolic meaning. In the middle of the composition there is an obelisk symbolizing the power of the Pope. Around the obelisk there are sculptures representing the rivers of four continents.

9. Piazza del Popolo

Freely translated into Italian, the name of this place sounds like "People's Square". Piazza del Popolo played an important role in the life of Rome, as the road to the northern provinces began from here. The square is decorated with the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo and the Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II. The piazza got its modern look at the beginning of the 19th century; the architect D. Valadier worked on it.

10. Castel Sant'Angelo

The building began to be built back in the era of the Roman Empire in the II century A.D. During its existence, it served as a papal dwelling, a prison, a warehouse and even a burial vault. Today, the fortress houses the Military History Museum. The castle got its name in the 6th century A.D. after the image of the Archangel Michael appeared to Pope Gregory. Directly from the castle, a picturesque bridge is thrown across the Tiber River, which was built during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. On the bridge it was possible to get to the Field of Mars by the shortest route.

11. Roman Forum

The very heart of Ancient Rome, where important state and social events took place - the fate of laws was decided, consuls were elected, the triumphs of emperors after victorious wars took place. After the fall of the Empire, the forum was destroyed and ruined, and time did its job, so only fragments have survived to this day. The remains of the forum are included in the protected archaeological area, where an open-air museum operates.

12. Trajan's Forum

The forum appeared at the turn of the 2nd-1st centuries. BC. In those days, it was a large square, surrounded by a marketplace, the temple of Emperor Trajan, Greek and Latin libraries. Trajan's 38-meter column made of Carrara marble has survived to this day. Inside the column is the tomb of the emperor himself and his wife. Trajan's Forum is the last of its kind to be built in Rome.

13. Baths of Caracalla

Remains of ancient Roman baths on the Appian Way. The culture of visiting the baths was well developed in the Roman Empire. People came here to chat, learn the latest news or conduct business negotiations. Baths of Caracalla were built in the 3rd century AD. under the emperor Septimius Bassian Caracalla. Already in the 5th century A.D. this architectural complex has come to be considered a real wonder of the world. In addition to baths and pools, there was a library here.

14. Arch of Constantine

The Arc de Triomphe, erected by Emperor Constantine in honor of the victory in the civil war over the troops of his rival Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius. It was under Constantine that Christianity became the official religion (the ruler believed that God himself helped him to come to power), the capital of the Empire was transferred to Constantinople, and Rome gradually began to lose its former power and decline.

15. Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

One of the oldest Christian churches, the first temple in Rome. In the church hierarchy, she is above all others, even above St. Peter's Basilica. Catholic hierarchs gave her the title of "basilica major", that is, "senior". She is recognized as "the head and mother of all churches." The temple appeared during the reign of Constantine under Pope Sylvester I in the 4th century AD. Six popes are buried in the basilica and the relics of the apostles St. Paul and St. Peter are kept.

16. San Paolo Fuori le Mura

Temple of the IV century AD, erected on the burial place of the Apostle St. Peter, who was executed at the behest of Emperor Nero in the 1st century AD. The building was rebuilt several times under the emperors Theodosius I and Valentian II. Almost every Catholic Pope tried to add something of his own to the temple complex, so over time, San Paolo Fuori le Mura expanded in size and grew with new extensions.

17. Santa Maria Maggiore

One of the four main Catholic churches in Rome. It has a very high status in the ecclesiastical rank of cathedrals (the highest status was given to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano). The foundation stone of Santa Maria Maggiore was laid in the middle of the 4th century. In the XIV century, a 75-meter bell tower appeared near the church. The façade that has survived to this day is a mixture of Romanesque and Baroque styles.

18. Il-Jezu Church

The main Jesuit temple in Rome, where Grand Master Ignatius Loyola is buried. The first project of the temple was developed by Michelangelo, but the head of the order did not like it. In 1561, another architect, Giacomo Barozzi, began construction according to his plan. Until the abolition of the Jesuit Order at the end of the 18th century, considerable wealth was kept in the Ile-Jezu Church. The church building itself was taken away from the organization. Only after 1814 it was returned back.

19. Basilica of St. Clement

A unique archaeological site. The church has three levels. The lowest one was discovered in the 19th century and is a building of the 1st century AD. Frescoes and the remains of decor have been preserved here. The second level is an early Christian church of the 4th century. The upper level is a 12th century basilica, with a baroque façade, an atrium and a fountain inside. The interior decoration is rich, the walls are painted with frescoes of the 18th century.

20. San Pietro in Vincoli

The name of the church is translated as "St. Peter in chains". It is located on the square of the same name and was founded in the 5th century as a place for keeping the chains with which the holy apostle was bound. Here is the tomb of Pope Julius II, designed by Michelangelo. The famous sculpture "Moses" is rightfully considered one of the main decorations of the tomb. The artist Antonio Polaiolo is also buried in the church.

21. Church of Sant'Ignazio

The iconic building of the Jesuit Order in the Baroque style was built in 1626. It is located in Ignatius Layola Square and is dedicated to this saint who founded the order (he served as the prototype for Don Quixote). The church consists of many chapels, decorated with columns, arches and three-dimensional stucco. Numerous frescoes tell about the life of Saint Ignatius. The flat ceiling is frescoed to create the illusion of a domed structure.

22. Santa Maria in Trastevere

According to presumably, this church was the first in Rome Christian temple... Its foundation dates back to the 3rd century AD. It is located in the square of the same name in the Trastevere area. The building is rightfully considered a pearl medieval architecture: the facade with arches and columns is decorated with colorful mosaics from the 12th century. Inside, the church is arranged according to the principle of a classical basilica. In addition to Catholic ones, Christian icons are also kept here.

23. Capitoline Museum

The world's first museum was founded in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of antique bronze to the inhabitants of Rome. It is located on Capitol square designed by Michelangelo, in three palaces. An exposition of classical sculpture is presented in the New Palace. In the Palace of the Conservatives there are world famous ancient statues, a collection of paintings from the Renaissance, a collection of coins. The main part of the Palace of the Senators is occupied by the City Hall of Rome, the first floor is reserved for the museum.

24. National Museum of Rome

Represents museum complex located in four buildings. Palazzo Massimo houses exhibitions of ancient Roman jewelry, coins, as well as sarcophagi, frescoes and mosaics. Palazzo Altemps bears the name of its first owner, Cardinal Altemps. It houses his personal art collection, as well as a collection of antique sculptures and an Egyptian display. Crypt Balbi stores ancient Roman artifacts found during excavations. The building itself of the Thermal Deoclitsiana is already unique architectural monument... Various exhibitions are held here, there is also a permanent exhibition of ancient sculptures, manuscripts and archaeological finds.

25.Doria Pamphilj Gallery

A private collection is exhibited in Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, one of the main streets of old Rome. They began to collect it in 1651. The palace is the largest private palace in the city. The most widely represented are paintings by Italian painters of the 17th century. An interesting sculpture gallery, a rich collection of antique furniture and fabrics. In total, more than 500 copies are presented here, in six main halls.

26. Rome Opera House

The first name is the Konstanzi Theater, after the name of its founder. The opening of the theater took place in 1880; in the 20th century, the building was acquired by the city authorities, and was partially rebuilt twice. World premieres of great composers took place on this stage, the best voices of the world performed. Currently, both opera and ballet performances and concerts are held here. The theater has a ballet school.

27. Museum and crypt of the Capuchins

Santa Maria della Canchezione is a small Roman church with a modest façade. However, the place is attractive to tourists. Here is buried the Roman cardinal Antonio Barberini, a member of the Capuchin order. The burial place of monks is located under the church, the walls of the crypt are decorated with bones and skulls of more than 4,000 thousand who died from 1528 to 1780. Since 2012, a Capuchin Museum has been organized here: exhibits tell about the history, traditions and secrets of the ancient Order.

28. Catacombs of Rome

Numerous underground galleries and labyrinths that lie beneath the surface of Rome. Many pre-Christian burials have been discovered here, but the foundations of part of the underground passages were created in the era of early Christianity. The first companions of Jesus were hiding in these dungeons. Here they conducted religious rituals, meetings, prayers without the danger of being discovered and caught.

29. Pyramid of Cestius

It is believed that the structure was erected in the 1st century BC. It served for burial purposes - here is the tomb of the praetor Gaius Cestius Epulus. Construction fell on the period of the conquest of Egypt, when in Ancient rome there was a fashion for the "Egyptian style". At that time, obelisks, sculptures and other monuments were being taken out of the Nile Valley. The Cestius pyramid reaches 37 meters in height and almost 30 meters in width.

30. Circus Maximus

An antique hippodrome between the Palatine and Aventine hills. During the Roman era, chariot races were held here. Under Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, the circus was rebuilt and expanded to a fairly large size. More than 250 thousand people could watch the show at the same time. In the spectator sector, boxes for patricians and standing places for plebeians were equipped.

31. Appian Way

One of the most important roads of the Roman Empire, which led from the Eternal City to the south of the Apennine Peninsula. The total length of the path is more than 500 km. The construction of the road began in the 4th century. Due to the excellent quality of the pavement masonry, the Appian Way made it possible to quickly reach places remote from the capital or transfer troops in a fairly short time. The roadbed has survived to this day in very good condition.

32. Villa Borghese

A 16th century palace built for Cardinal Scipione Borghese on the site of a former vineyard. The building is surrounded by a huge English-style park with numerous antique statues. On the territory there is a hippodrome, a zoo, a theater and several museums. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the mansion with the park belonged to the Borghese family, then all the property went to the state.

33. Villa Medici

It is located on the slope of the Pincho Hill in the former Lucullus Gardens. In the middle of the 16th century, the area near the hill became the possession of the Medici Cardinal, who built a villa here for his family. After the extinction of the Medici dynasty, the house and adjacent lands were transferred to the Lorraine family. The Medici Cardinal acquired many works of antique art to decorate the villa. Some examples can be admired in the Uffizi Gallery.

34. Spanish Steps

Italian Baroque staircase in the center of Rome. It is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Europe. The staircase starts at Plaza de España and leads to the Pincho hill. The Plaza de España itself is a very expressive place where it is always pleasant to stroll among the flowering flower beds. In the 17th century, the Spanish embassy was located here. As a sign of good relations between the two countries, the piazza was named after Spain.

35. Trevi Fountain

The most famous Roman fountain of the 18th century, where every guest of the city is simply obliged to throw a coin for good luck. Several thousand euros worth of coins are thrown in a week. All money is donated to a charitable foundation. The sculptural composition of the fountain consists of the figure of the sea god Neptune on a chariot and his companions. 16 architects fought for the right to work on the construction of the fountain.