The beautiful Italian city of Rome offers a great destination for a few days. If you are visiting for the first time you’ll want to know some of the best attractions,. Here are several not to miss.
Trevi Fountain & Spanish Steps
Centro Storico is the historic centre of Rome, with churches, palaces and lively squares to stroll past and through. There’s a great atmosphere in this area and lots to see.
Make sure you visit Piazza di Spagna and its notorious Spanish Steps, and a few 100 metres along, the Trevi Fountain, which is the biggest fountains in Rome.
The Trevi Fountain is a 17th century masterpiece and many tourists will have seen it before in numerous films. Throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi) is a tradition that is supposed to assure your return to Rome.
The fountain is supplied by an aqueduct originally constructed by Agrippa, the great art patron of the first century BC to bring water to his baths. The fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolò Salvi and built against the rear wall of the palace of the Dukes of Poli. 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.
The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine
The huge Colosseum is an impressive structure and was built for showcasing sporting events. It is also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre and was built in Roman times and at the time was the largest ever amphitheatre. The oval construction held some 50,000 spectators.
Beside the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine, which was erected by the Senate to honour the emperor as “liberator of the city and bringer of peace” after his victory in the battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312.
The Vatican City
Although measuring only half a square kilometre, The Vatican is an independent state and the world’s smallest. It is almost entirely enclosed by the Vatican walls. Inside you can see the Vatican palace and gardens, St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square, an area ruled by the Pope, the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. Michelangelo’s famous art masterpiece, Pieta, is found inside St Peter’s Basilica.
The Pantheon
Some 2000 years old, The Pantheon boasts a 43m dome and a nine metre central opening, which is the building’s only light source. Did you know that the height of The Pantheon is the same as the diameter? It is also the burial place of Italian kings and other famous Italians, including the painter Raphael.