Rome the must see Capital in Europe
- Wanderer
- Dec 13, 2017
- 7 min read
Updated: Sep 19, 2021
When it comes to the list of the must see cities in Europe, than "Rome" will rank in one of the first three places. It is a must see City for all citizens on Earth. Every part, corner, square of the city even the native citizens are a part of the history and are reflecting it in some way. Rome, has the potential to be the Capital of the World. It was the center of Power and Empire for centuries and with the Religious privilege.
Every site of the city is a must see place therefore we will list the most popular ones so that you get a brief idea. While touring through the city we recommend to do it by foot so that you wont miss any place to see and experience any occasion. Since the important places are close to each other you will see the not listed once automatically while exploring the city.
Rome with a population of 2.868 million (2014,UN data) is Italy's capital and is a cosmopolitan city for around 3.000 years therefore it was influenced by many arts, architectures and culture. All these can be seen on every single stone within the City.
Rome is located in the central part of the Italian Peninsula where the River Tiber and the seven hills, Palatine, Capitoline Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Caelian and the Aventine has been the right place to erect the capital of the Roman Empire and nowadays Italy.
Must See Places in Rome
1 - Colesseum
The Colosseum also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is in the centre of the city of Rome. The construction of the Colosseum was begun between 70 and 72 AD during the reign of Vespasian. Building the structure took many years and was finished in 80 AD. The Colosseum is made of concrete and stone and it is representing the largest amphitheatre ever built. The site was the place for gladiatorial fights, the Colosseum, which hosted about 50.000 spectators of every show is situated in the east of the Palatine Hill.
2 - Roman Forum
Right in the center of Rome you will see the Roman Forum which is a collection of ruins of buildings of the ancient Rome. It was the center and hosted temples, markets, courts, and government buildings. The construction of the Forum lasted for more the hundreds of years it started in 27 BC with the first Emperor Augustus and lasted until the 4th century AD.
The Forum is situated between the Palatine and Capitoline hills just starting with the Colosseum in the west and ending in the east. It was a place where meetings were held and gladiatorial events in the Colosseum, open-air market, and shops.
The structures which survived until now in whole or in a part are the followings, the Temple of Deified Caesar, Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Curia, the Mamertime Prison, the Temple of Romulus, the Arch of Titus, the Arc of Septimius, and the Cloaca Maxima.
3 - Pantheon
The Roman Temple which is now used as a church was constructed as a Temple to All Gods (Pantheon, Greek origin) during the Reign of Augustus (27BC-14AD). The now standing structure was completed by the Emperor Hadrian about 126 AD. It is the best preserved ancient Roman monument and is a phenomenon because it is the only structure which survived all the centuries and years though the natural gravity, damage of weathering, and wars.
The most impressive part of the Pantheon is the giant dome with the hole in the top which is called the Eye or the Oculus. There are many architectural features of the dome, the diameter of the dome is 43.30 meters (142 ft) which is the same distance from the floor to the top of the dome. The Oculus (Hole) is 7.8 meters in diameter and is the only source of light for the inner part.
4 - St. Peter's Basilica
The Renaissance Church is in the Vatican City. It is built on the Vatican Hill, across the Tiber river from the historic center of Rome. It is the Basilica of St.Peter, Pope Julius II (1506) started to construct the Basilica and was completed by Paul V in 1615. It took more than 150 years to complete the masterpiece and many famous artists like Raphael Sanzio, Antonio da Sangallo and Michelangelo directed to complete the basilica.
Saint Peter's Basilica has the capacity to host 20.000 people. It is well design and is 190 meters long. The aisles are 58 meters wide and the dome is about 136 meters high. The interiors is worked out with immense mosaics and is decorated with large monuments, most of them were created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The St.Peter's Basilica has been the center of Christianity, attracting pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Visitors who are on their way to the Basilica pass along the St. Peter's square. The square has an elliptical form where it is bordered with massive colonnades. Bernini, has sculpted the 140 statues of the colonnades which are surrounding the square and are embracing the visitors ad welcoming them. In addition, the square is decorated with fountains and an Obelisk (egyptian origin) in the center which brought to Rome in 37 AD.
5 - Trevi Fountain
Fontana di Trevi as it is called by the Italian is an impressive fountain which is located in the Trevi (Quirinale) district of Rome. It is a very famous place and is visited by all tourists which are coming to Rome. The Fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by architect Pietro Bracci. The fountain is the largest in city Rome and is made in Baroque Style and was a part of the oldest water source of Rome.
The Fountains is made of the same material as the Colosseum, the Travertine Stone. A mineral made of calcium carbonate formed from hot spring waters.
There is an other attraction of the Fountain which moves the visitors to this place and let put their hands in to their pockets for a coin. 3.000 EUR is thrown into it every day as people follow the tradition of throwing coins over their shoulder into the fountain.
The legend says that a coin thrown in to the fountain will ensure a return to Rome.
6 - Spanish Step (Piazza di Spagna)
During the Renaissance period the square was the most popular tourist attraction in the city. Hotels, inns and residences were forming the district which was visited by many famous artists and writers. In the end of the 17th century it was called "Trinita dei Monti", after the church which is located at the top of the steps. Later on the name "Spanish Steps" was according to the Spanish Ambassador who lived there.
Actually, the steps are connecting "Spanish Square" (Piazza di Spagna) at the bottom and at the top "Trinita Monti Square" (Piazza Trinita dei Monti) where the Church is located.
It is a square where many artists occupy every corner and are painting portraits. Especially during spring time when the stairs are flowered as seen in the picture on left it becomes a picturesque place.
The Trinita dei Monti Church is a 16th century French Church which has a Gothic style with a Renaissance facade. Inside the church there are many artworks of paintings and famous two works of Daniele da Volterra and a pupil of Michenangelo.
7 - Vatican Museum & Sistine Chapel
While you are visiting The Vatican Museum You will understand why "Rome"
The Vatican Museum is a must see place on Earth for every human being. You will see the potential of mankind and the secret of our existence. Every collection of the masterpieces are unique and representing the life span of the reason being here on this Planet.
The Museums contain masterpieces of painting, sculpture and other works of art collected by the popes through the centuries. Within the Museum there are monumental works of art, such as the Sistine Chapel, the Chapel of Beato Angelico, the Raphael Rooms and Loggia and the Borgia Apartment.
The Picture Gallery which is called "The Pinacoteca", is situated in a building that dates back to 1932 and that was designed by the architect Beltrami. It is connected to the total Museum complex at the entrance "Quattro Cancelli by a fascinating porch leading to the building.
The collection of artistic and archaeological objects which some them are of an ethnological nature, are The Christian, Profane and Missionary-Ethnological Museum that were once hosted in the "Lateran Palace".
8 - Castello Sant'Angelo (Castle of Angels)
Close to the Vatican City, Castle Sant'Angelo the Fortress is located on the right bank of the River Tiber. Known as the "Hadrian's Tomb", the construction of the building began in 135 under command of Emperor Hadrian. After a four year work the fortress finished in 139 and it became a military use building where the first intention was to be a mausoleum for himself and family.
The epidemic plague in 590 devastated the city Rome. According to a vision of Pope Gregory, Saint Michael Archangel was announcing the end of the epidemic on the top of the castle. Therefore, the fortress is crowned with an Angel.
In 1277 the castle was connected with a fortified corridor to the Vatican City so that the Pope could escape in case of Danger.
9 - Altare della Patria
Also known as the National Monument of Vittorio Emanuele, the Altare della Patria is a impressive monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel. He was the first King of the unified Italy.
The building hosts the Institute for the History of Italian Risorgimento and the Central Museum of the Risorgimento.
Source from Britanica - Risorgimento : 19th-century movement for Italian unification that culminated in the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. The Risorgimento was an ideological and literary movement that helped to arouse the national consciousness of the Italian people, and it led to a series of political events that freed the Italian states from foreign domination and united them politically.
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