- Tourist Information
- Map
- What is the history of Rome?
- What are the main tourist attractions in Rome?
- Colosseum
- The Romanian Forum
- Vatican
- The Pantheon
- Trevi Fountain
- Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna)
- Castel Sant’Angelo
- Navona Square
- Mausoleum of Augustus
- Piazza Venezia
- Borghese Gallery
- Basilica San Paolo (Saint Paul’s Basilica) outside the Walls
- How can I get skip-the-line tickets to museums and tourist attractions?
- What are the most beautiful neighborhoods in Rome?
- What are the best ways to explore the history and architecture of Rome?
- Is there any area or tourist attraction with free access?
- What are the most useful travel tips in Rome?
- What legends does Rome, the Eternal City have?
- The legend of the brothers Romulus and Remus
- The legend of Aeneas
- The legend of the abducted Sabines
- What secrets does Rome hide?
- The undergrounds of Rome
- The Hidden Beauty of Doria Pamphilj House
- Via Appia Antica street
- The statue of Pasquino
- The city under the city
- The secret passages of the Vatican
- The Alchemical Gate
Tourist Information
| Year | 753 BC |
| Type | City, Capital of Italy |
| Getting there | Plane Leonardo da Vinci International Airport / Fiumicino Airport Rome Ciampino International Airport Train The main train station in Rome is Roma Termini Bus Eurolines buses |
| When to visit | Spring (April-June): The weather is pleasant, without extreme temperatures, and the city is thriving. Autumn (September-November): The weather is comfortable and the tourist crowds are smaller. Avoid Summer (July-August): This is the hottest and busiest time of the year. If you go in summer you need light-colored clothes, sun hats, sunscreen solution, espadrilles or other types of light shoes. Boots are everywhere. Take empty bottles and refill them with fresh, cold water from the fountains you come across. |
| Location | Italy, Europe |
Map
What is the history of Rome?
Rome was founded around 753 BC. In 509 BC, Rome boldly declared itself a republic and embarked on a relentless campaign to expand its territory. In 27 BC, it became an empire under Augustus and experienced a period of glory known as the “Pax Romana”. With time, the empire suffered decay and was divided into two parts.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Rome entered a period of fragmentation and disintegration. In the 14th century, the city became the center of the Catholic Church and experienced the Renaissance, an era of cultural revitalization.
By the beginning of the 4th century, the Romans had built a network of 53,000 miles of roads throughout the empire. Each Roman mile was about 1,000 paces and was marked by a milestone. Hence the proverb “All roads lead to Rome”.
The word “palace” comes from Palace Hill, where Augustus established the tradition of emperors building their palaces.
Every evening, in the Trevi Fountain, about 3,000 euros are squeezed from the water of the pool. The money is donated to a Catholic foundation, which uses the money to provide aid to needy families in Rome.
The modern city has 280 fountains and over 900 churches.
Rome is also known as the “Eternal City” and “Caput Mundi”, coming from Latin and meaning the capital of the world.
Rome became the capital of a unified Italy in 1870 after taking the title from the city of Florence.
Concrete was a Roman invention used in the construction of many buildings, such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum, which still stand today thanks to Roman cement and concrete. The Romans started building with concrete over 2100 years ago and used it throughout the Mediterranean basin in everything they built, from aqueducts and buildings to bridges and monuments.
SPQR stands for “Senatus Populusque Romanus” (Senate and People of Rome). The symbol is still seen throughout the city today.
When the Roman Empire reached its territorial peak in AD 117, it exceeded 2.5 million square kilometers.
What are the main tourist attractions in Rome?
Colosseum
The city’s icon, this ancient amphitheater was the site of famous gladiator fights and represents one of the greatest achievements of Roman architecture.
The Romanian Forum
An archaeological site that houses the ruins of ancient Roman squares and temples, including Trajan’s Column and the Arch of Septimius Severus.
Vatican
An independent country in the heart of Rome, with St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum. The Sistine Chapel is home to the famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
The Pantheon
An ancient Roman temple-turned-church, famous for its impressive dome and the fact that it has an “oculus” or circular opening in the middle of the ceiling.
Trevi Fountain
A famous baroque fountain, famous for the tradition of throwing a coin into the water to ensure a return to Rome. Fontana di Trevi is one of the most famous and beautiful fountains in the world
Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna)
Known for the famous Spanish Steps and fashion and luxury shopping.
Castel Sant’Angelo
A monumental castle located on the banks of the Tiber River, which was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian.
Navona Square
A circular square famous for its three fountains, especially the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Mausoleum of Augustus
An ancient structure containing the tomb of Emperor Augustus, the founder of Rome.
Piazza Venezia
Known for the monument of Victor Emmanuel II and the Palace of Venice, a historically important place.
Borghese Gallery
The Borghese Gallery is one of the most prestigious art galleries in the world, located inside the park. Here you can admire an impressive collection of works of art, including famous sculptures by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and paintings by Caravaggio, Raffaello, Tiziano, and many more. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance on the website.
Basilica San Paolo (Saint Paul’s Basilica) outside the Walls
It is one of the four great basilicas of Rome and is one of the most important churches in Christianity.
How can I get skip-the-line tickets to museums and tourist attractions?
Buy tickets in advance online from the official websites of museums and attractions to avoid waiting at the entrance.
First day in Rome? Get a Roma Pass (72h or 48h). This card will give you some important benefits: free entry to one or two museums of your choice, free transport, discounts, and a map of Rome. Buy a Roma Pass, online, here: www.romapass.it/ or here: https://romesite.com/discount-cards.html?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwj5mpBhDJARIsAOVjBdpEZyOtV-7A39qz3qiDxUYef_pBvi2f28aWye8b1WD0pC68nbfXmPIaAoc6EALw_wcB
What are the most beautiful neighborhoods in Rome?
Trastevere district: A picturesque district, full of narrow streets, restaurants, and a bohemian atmosphere.
Campo de’ Fiori Market: A lively flower and food market during the day.
Monti District: A bohemian and modern neighborhood with picturesque streets.
What are the best ways to explore the history and architecture of Rome?
Take a walk through the historic center to admire the ancient monuments and famous architecture.
Visit museums and archaeological sites such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, or the Vatican to understand the richness of Rome’s history.
Take guided tours or travel with a local guide to learn more about Rome’s history and culture.
Go on a circuit with a hop-off bus and see all the tourist attractions, then you can more easily decide what to visit.
Is there any area or tourist attraction with free access?
Yes, there are several sights and places in Rome with free access. For example, Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps), Piazza Venezia, Fontana di Trevi, and Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Square) in the Vatican offer free entry.
What are the most useful travel tips in Rome?
Restaurants and cafes in front of the sights are very expensive. Eat on the side streets or from street vendors.
Avoid buying souvenirs in the center or near tourist attractions. They are more expensive than in less popular places.
Eat gelato or ice cream. Italy is famous for this delicious dessert.
Stay near a metro station. In the center, it is quite expensive but worth it for the proximity to the tourist attractions, but you can find good accommodation further from the center.
If you want to visit basilicas, the attire with knees and shoulders covered is mandatory.
Study the menus outside the restaurants before entering. In certain restaurants, tips or mandatory service charges are charged, which can reach 10-15% of the value of the bill.
What legends does Rome, the Eternal City have?
The legend of the brothers Romulus and Remus
Rome was founded in 753 BC by Romulus. Legend has it that Romulus had a twin brother named Remus. As babies, they were abandoned in the area that later became Rome. A wolf found them and raised them. After they grew up, Romulus killed Remus in battle and became the first ruler of Rome!
The legend of Aeneas
In Roman mythology, Aeneas was a Trojan hero who survived the Trojan War and traveled to Italy, where he became the ancestor of the Roman people. The legend of Aeneas was popularized by the poet Virgil in his epic, “Aeneid”.
The legend of the abducted Sabines
After the founding of Rome by the twins Romulus and Remus, the city was inhabited mainly by men, since the twins and their offspring did not have wives and families. As a result, the desire to increase the city’s population was born. To this end, Romulus and the other Romans organized games and ceremonies called “Ludi Martiales” and invited the population of neighboring cities, especially the Sabines, an Italic ethnic group, to these events.
During such a ceremony, the Romans forcibly took Sabine women, especially young and beautiful girls, to take them as wives. Romulus himself is said to have kidnapped a woman named Hersilia. This led to a war between the Romans and the Sabines, as the Sabine families demanded the kidnapped women back.
The legend goes on to tell how Hersilia and other kidnapped women intervened between the two warring parties, pleading with their husbands and brothers to stop the war. Eventually, the Sabines and Romans came to an understanding, joining forces and forming a single people under the leadership of Romulus.
What secrets does Rome hide?
The undergrounds of Rome
Beneath the current city is a vast underground world that includes tunnels, crypts, cemeteries, and even some ancient houses. Some of these undergrounds can be visited, such as the Catacombs of Rome, which served as burial sites in ancient times.
The Hidden Beauty of Doria Pamphilj House
Casa Doria Pamphilj is a private residence of an Italian noble family. Visitors can explore the amazing art galleries, but few know that inside the house there is also a secret inner courtyard where they can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Via Appia Antica street
This ancient street, also known as the “Queen of Roads,” is one of the oldest and most important access routes to Rome. It is full of archaeological sites and has a quiet and rural atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The statue of Pasquino
The statue of Pasquino, located in the piazza of the same name, is one of the most famous “talking statues” in Rome. People used to leave critical political messages for others to find.
The city under the city
A few meters below the current street level, Rome has another hidden world. As the city was built and rebuilt over the centuries, the ancient levels were often buried. Some of these levels can be seen in places like the Basilica di San Clemente.
The secret passages of the Vatican
Inside the Vatican, there are secret passages and reserved access ways, used by the popes to move safely within the complex. They have also been used in recent history to protect popes during conflicts.
The Alchemical Gate
In the early 17th century, Hermeticism and alchemy were popular in Rome. The Porta Alchemica, a mysterious gate covered with alchemical symbols, is an interesting site associated with this period.
