Top 10 places to Relish Your Roman Holiday

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Rome, the capital of Italy, is like a magnet to millions of visitors around the world. It has a status of a global city which attracts students, architects, scholars and tourists of all sorts.

The Eternal City is considered as one of the birthplaces of western civilizations. World renowned artists and architects resided over here and its historic centre is listed by UNESCO and World Heritage Site. Recent surveys reveal that it is the 10^th most visited city in the world, 3^rd most- visited in European Union and the most popular tourist destination in Italy.

With packed catalog of tourist attractions and world famous sites, it is sometimes intricate for newcomers to choose from what to see.

Focus on these sites to minimize the confusions and make most of your planned trip to Rome, Italy. Get yourself a travel guide here for better planning of your trip to Rome.

The Colosseum:

The visit to Rome is incomplete if you haven’t seen the Colosseum site. This colossal monument of epic proportion is a testament to the architectural skills of the ancient Rome and provides insight into the culture that celebrated the gladiator games at this huge ancient arena. With a seating capacity of around 50,000, this monument is a witness to a tradition of battles between men and beasts in a public forum. It offers a great insight into the lives of Roman citizens and those who had the misfortune of fighting there. Visit the underground hallways and corridors where the gladiators would prepare to fight and ponder their mortality.

Capitoline Museums

Musei Capitolini constitutes the oldest public gallery in the world, hosting a huge collection of artifacts and exhibits from the ancient, medieval and renaissance periods and breathtaking paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and Caravaggio, and beautifully crafted statues by the Baroque genius Bernin. There are wonderful collections of classical sculptures and statues, exhibits on ancient mythology, medieval and renaissance artworks as well as many bronzes and portraits.

Roman Forum:

The Forum served as the center of political, civic and religious life of ancient Roman civilization. It played host to several festivals, celebrations, funerals and rituals. Its varying nature echoed upon the constant shifting in the fortunes of the religious, military and political nature of the Roman times. Visit to Rome is incomplete without a stroll around the Roman Forum and it is a must see for anyone visiting the city.

Palentine Hill:

One of Rome’s seven hills, the Palatine Hill is considered to be the place where Rome was born. According to a Legend, Romulus killed his twin brother Remus at the Palatine Hill, over the dispute of the ownership and hence, Romulus thus became the namesake of Rome. Today it offers some of Rome’s best ancient sites and is a must-see, especially for history enthusiasts.

Pantheon:

Originally constructed in 27 B.C. and was later rebuilt in the early 2nd century A.D., Rome’s temple to the gods is one of the most famous and well-preserved ancient buildings in the world. Its vast structure is topped by the spectacular original domed roof which contains a circular opening (oculus) at the peak. Made of cast concrete, it is a colossal engineering accomplishment that is a testament to the technical proficiency of the Roman Empire.

Gardens of the Villa Borghese:

The city’s most central public park is popular with joggers, dog-walkers and pleasure seekers. Galleria Borghese is home to Bernini sculptures including Apollo and Daphne. The impressive collection also includes works by master artists Correggio, Raphael, Rubens and Caravaggio. You can feed turtles at the pond and ride ponies in the park.

St Peter’s Basilica:

It is one of the holiest Christian sites of the world. St. Peter’s Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter – the apostle, who is considered the first pope – was crucified and buried. St. Peter’s tomb is under the main altar and where many other popes were buried as well. Originally founded by Emperor Constantine in 324 AD, St. Peter’s Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. Inside St Peter’s Basilica, visitors can view a wealth of historical art, mostly Renaissance, and the tombs of popes.

Vatican City:

With its own flag, coins and stamps, Vatican City is an independent state since 1929, even though it is located in Rome. With Its own militia, the Swiss Guards protects this state, the Pope and the 800 citizens and visiting residents, it is considered to be the holiest of the holies for Christians.

Trevi Fountain:

The largest and most iconic fountain in the city, the Trevi Fountain is a stunning depiction of several ancient deities and resplendent with murals of legends and myths and is one of Rome’s top tourist attractions. Tourist flock at the Trevi Fountain to throw coins in the fountain at the marvelous Trevi and make wishes with benefits ranging from finding true love to returning to the city.

Spanish Steps:

A grand staircase with 138 steps, the Spanish Steps may be the longest and widest staircase in all of Europe. This beautiful staircase is always buzzing with tourists and leads to Rome’s most up market shopping area. People go up and down, take pictures or sit in the middle of the wide staircase and watch the city go by, as beautiful people hurry into the nearby high-end shops, designer boutiques and restaurants. A Barcaccia fountain bubbles at the foot of the steps while the Trinità dei Monti church rises at the top of the steps.