Rome is a potluck of culture and faith and the attractions here are so much that you will swoon just looking at the list. Rome may not be very big, but the number of places one can visit is overwhelming. If you have an agenda of your own you can stick to it. However, you have to make time to visit all time spots like the Colosseum. Even if you do have your own agenda, take care not to visit too many museums in a row. This will take away the actual sightseeing experience of Rome and make you feel bored. Make sure you visit as many tourist spots as serious museums. You must also remember to relax and take it all in.
Rome is more than just a tourist attraction. It is its own city with dark alleyways and sidewalk cafes. Take in Rome in all its glory and it will be a life changing experience
1. The Colosseum
Nothing will prepare you for the sheer scale of the Colosseum when you first see it. It is as iconic to Rome as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The Colosseum is simply massive and accurately depicts the height of Roman architectural methods and practices.. The building was begun by Vespasian in AD 72, and after his son Titus enlarged it by adding the fourth story. It was inaugurated in 80 AD with a series of spectacular games. The Colosseum was constructed to be large enough to hold theatre performances, festivals and circuses. The high ranking officials of Rome occupied the lower levels of the Colosseum while the general public was allowed to sit in the higher levels
2. The Vatican City, Rome
The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world. It has an area of less than half a square kilometer and has a huge wall running on its boundaries. This makes the Vatican City almost entirely enclosed. Inside are the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter’s Basilica, and St. Peter’s Square. The Vatican City is ruled by the Pope who is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Do not let the Vatican’s small size fool you as it has several tourist spots up its sleeves. Don’t panic seeing the long lines at the Vatican, you can easily get a skip line ticket and tour the Vatican with an informed guide.
3. The Pantheon
The Pantheon is among the oldest Roman structures. It is approximately 2000 years old and is still intact for the most part. This shows the skill level of the Romans when it came to architecture. In 80 AD, the Pantheon was destroyed almost completely by a fire. The Romans rebuilt it and it still stands even today. The Pantheon has no visible support to hold up the 43-meter dome. These are well hidden inside the walls and are an example of classic roman architecture. Another thing to look out for is the harmonious nature of the building. This is because the height is equal to the diameter. This is a must see spot in Rome for all the budding architects out there.
4. Trevi Fountain
Rome’s most popular attraction is the Trevi fountain and people flock from all over the world to catch a glimpse of it. The fountain is supplied with water from an aqueduct which was designed by Agrippa who was a well-known art patron. It is said that throwing a coin into the fountain will ensure your return to Rome. The fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolo Salvi. It depicts the sea god Oceanus (Neptune), with horses, tritons, and shells. The water swirls around the figures and the artificial rocks, and collects in a large basin, always filled with coins.
5. The Spanish Steps
Leading up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti, these steps may be called the Spanish Steps but were actually built by the French. The French ambassador commissioned and paid for the construction of this rather irregular flight of stairs. It is very popular as a tourist spot. It does not have as much history and culture associated to it as the the places mentioned earlier. The stairs themselves are a great hang out spot and you can find several tourists and locals enjoying an ice cream in the lazy summer days. At the bottom of the stairs is a boat-shaped sculpture called the Barcaccia which was sculpted by Pietro Bernini. The French church which the stairs lead to is full of Gothic structures and even one by Daniele da Volterra, a student of the damous Michelangelo.
Have you visited Rome? How was your experience? Does this article make you want to visit Rome? Comment below
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