Rome | aaarticle.com

Rome is the eternal city, capital of Italy and once of an empire, where three thousand years of history stand layered in the open air. The Colosseum, the Vatican and the Pantheon share its streets with fountains, piazzas and everyday life.

Overview

Rome wears its past on the surface: ancient ruins, Renaissance palaces and Baroque churches crowd a living capital of nearly three million. The centre is compact and made for walking, from the ancient core around the Forum to the Baroque squares and the river, with the independent Vatican City on the west bank. It is hot and busy in summer, and its pleasures are as much the fountain, the espresso and the plate of pasta as the great monuments.

Highlights

The Colosseum and the Roman Forum trace the ancient city, and the domed Pantheon still stands nearly intact in the centre. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican Museums, while the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps gather the crowds. A wander through Trastevere and the piazzas, plate of carbonara in hand, completes the Roman day.