Index:
Art-filled explorations: sightseeing in Rome
Fewer ingredients, more flavor: What to eat in Rome
Let’s go: About Rome
Before we become entirely spellbound by Rome’s beauty, let us take a brief look at the long and storied history of the City of Seven Hills.
- The area in which Rome is located has been inhabited for ten thousand years.
- Rome’s history is generally divided along the following timeline: the Early Period, the Regal (Monarchy) and Republican periods, the Imperial Empire, the Medieval and Renaissance periods, the Early Modern Period and the Late Modern Period. *
- According to legend, the city was founded on April 21, 753 BC. *
- Some historians point to around 625 BC as the founding date, when a city-state alliance was formed by villagers in the Etruria and Latium areas to repel invaders.
- Around 510 BC, Rome entered the Republican period, in which the city was governed by elected officials drawn from the upper classes.
- Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire around 323 AD.
- During the Medieval Era, Rome diminished in importance and the Roman Empire began to break up into smaller independent states.
- During the Renaissance Era (16th century) Rome emerged as a center of art, culture and wealth. **
- In the Late Modern Period, Rome was annexed by Napoleon and became part of France. The city later came under Vatican rule. In 1871, Italian troops took over Rome, which became the capital of Italy. **
- Benito Mussolini came to power after the First World War and established a fascist government that joined the Axis powers during the Second World War. In 1943, Mussolini was arrested and in 1944, Rome was liberated. In 1946, Italy became a republic.
- In the 1950s, the city accelerated a reconstruction and modernization process and began to take its present form. **
- Rome is currently the capital of Italy and the country’s most populous city. The official residences of the Italian president and prime minister are in Rome. **
Art-filled explorations: sightseeing in Rome
Certainly ranking among the world’s great cities, Rome presents visitors with an abundance of historical sites and museums, stunning art and architecture and, of course, Italian cuisine. Built on the banks of the Tiber River, Rome is a fairly large city, with quite a lot to see and do.
Just to note: the city has a typical Mediterranean climate; it is less than an hour’s drive from the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea and summers tend to be hot. If you prefer milder weather, you can find flights to Rome for the winter and spring!
Historical sites in Rome
As the seat of the Imperial Roman Empire alone, Rome has a plethora of antiquities and historical sites – and it is impossible to see everything during a three-day trip. Thus, we offer some highlights of this great city – so keep reading.
The Colosseum
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Colosseum is the largest standing amphitheater in the world and is believed to have been the largest amphitheater built in antiquity, with capacity reaching up to 80,000 spectators. The structure was commissioned by the emperor Vespasian and finished about a decade later, under Titus.
Considered among the “New 7 Wonders of the World”, the Colosseum is one of the most visited sites in Rome.
Trevi Fountain (“Fountain of Love”)
Also known as the “Fountain of Love”, the ornate Trevi Fountain is the city’s largest Baroque-style fountain. Made of travertine stone, the Fountain also features carved marble sculptures, including the Titan god Oceanus, and the goddesses Abundance and Health. Although the Trevi Fountain was designed by architect Nicola Salvi in 1732 and its construction completed in 1762, its origins date to the second century BC, when it was the terminus of the Acqua Virgo aqueduct, which provided drinking water to Rome.
The Fountain is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rome and has appeared in numerous movies! It is now a tradition for visitors to toss coins into the Trevi Fountain – this money is collected each day and used to help city residents who are in need.
The Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
One of the largest archaeological sites in the world, the ancient Roman Forum served as a public square for the city’s residents: trade and commerce were conducted here, along with legal proceedings, public speeches, festivals and religious activities. The Forum also contained numerous structures, including the Temple of Saturn and the Arch of Septimus Severus. Today most of these structures are in ruins, but the site is fascinating in terms of the layers of history it contains.
Less than a five-minute walk from the Roman Forum is Palatine Hill – one of the city’s famous “seven hills”. In antiquity, Palatine Hill was an upscale neighborhood, home to aristocrats; it is also believed to be the location of the cave where Romulus and Remus were nursed by a wolf. Today, Palatine Hill offers splendid views of the city.
The Pantheon
Erected by the emperor, Hadrian, the Pantheon was a temple to all the gods. The structure is renowned for being the “the most preserved monument of ancient Rome”. The floors inside the Pantheon are the original marble; its dome features an oculus, which is the only source of external light. The structure is built on the site of a former temple and underwent numerous repairs. It was later converted into a church. The Renaissance painter, Raphael, is buried here.
St. Peter’s Basilica
The construction of St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world, was started in 1506 and was completed in 1626. The Basilica features a cupola designed by Michelangelo, as well as the artist’s sculpture, La Pietà. St. Peter’s Basilica is considered the center of the Catholic Church.
Piazza Venezia
Rome has extraordinary public spaces, of which the Piazza Venezia is one. Ranked among the city’s most famous squares, it is also considered the center of the city.
Inspired by the Venice Embassy Building, the square is named after the city of Venice, and is flanked by the monumental Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria), a memorial to Victor Emmanuel II.
Spanish Steps
The Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps are among the most photographed locations in Rome. The graceful, 300-year-old Steps were a popular meeting place, but, for preservation purposes, it is no longer permitted to sit on them.
Museums in Rome
Wandering through Rome’s museums could take weeks! Since we have limited time, we’ll start with a few of the must-sees…
Capitoline Museums
We truly believe that a trip to Rome is not complete without visiting the Capitoline Museum. Comprising four buildings, the Museum – adjacent to the Roman Forum and Piazza Campidoglio – was built with the support of the Vatican. The squares and buildings designed by Michelangelo started to be built in 1536, with construction completed in the 17th century and the fourth building added in the 20th century. Considered the world’s first museum, the Capitoline’s vast and rich collection includes valuable bronze statues and artifacts dating from the Roman era.
Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
The Vatican Museums, among the largest museums in the world, were erected by the Roman Catholic Church during the Renaissance period. The Museum’s fifty-four galleries include the stunning Sistine Chapel, as well as works from artists such as Da Vinci, Raphael, Giovanni Belli and Correggio.
Galleria Borghese
Like many museums in Rome, tickets should be purchased in advance for the Galleria Borghese. Housed in the main building of the 17th-century Villa Borghese, the Museum features the art collected by Scipione Borghese, an Italian cardinal, including a magnificent collection of Bernini sculptures. After visiting the museum, take a stroll around the lush gardens.
Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini)
The 16th-century Barberini Palace was purchased by Pope Maffeo Barberini in 1625. The Palace’s expansive gardens, with a courtyard and a fountain, can be visited free of charge.
Bee motifs, a symbol of the Barberini family, are present throughout the Palace. As well, the Museum includes pieces from the magnificent collection of Galleria Nazionale d ‘Arte Antica. Among the outstanding works are Pietro da Cortona’s huge fresco, the Allegory of Divine Providence and Barberini Power.
Fewer ingredients, more flavor: What to eat in Rome
Italian cuisine is legendary and, in Rome, fine dining culture dates from antiquity. Keep in mind that one of the earliest known cookbooks, On the Subject of Cooking, is attributed to Apicius, a Roman who allegedly lived in the first century AD.
The trademark of modern Roman cuisine is its seeming simplicity: few ingredients, but of the highest quality. Fresh tomatoes, rosemary, garlic and olive oil stand out in Roman cooking. Among our favorites:
- Pasta alla carbonara (spaghetti carbonara)
- Fiori di zucca (stuffed zucchini blossoms)
- Bruschetta (Italian toast)
- Suppli (fried rice balls)
- Gnocchi alla Romana (Roman-style gnocchi)
- Pizza alla Romana (Roman-style pizza)
- Gelato (Roman-style ice cream)
- Maritozzi (cream-filled doughnut)
A few notes on Rome
Keep reading for tips on accommodation and transportation in Rome.
Where to stay in Rome
As one of the world’s most touristed cities, Rome offers a diverse range of accommodations. Pensions and hostels, luxury and boutique hotels, modern chain hotels and more – there are options to suit every budget and preference. For easier access to the city center, we suggest looking for accommodation near the following sites: Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, Rione Monti, Piazza Spagna and Central Station.
If you want to plan your trip to Rome in an easy and practical way, check out Turkish Holidays holiday packages. These packages let you book the flights, reservations and transfers that are most convenient for you on one platform.
Transportation in Rome
Rome has an extensive urban transportation system that includes a metro, as well as buses. Taxis are also available, as are scooters.
Transportation from Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci Airport to the city center
The Rome city center is about 38 km from Fiumicino Airport. From the airport, buses and trains go to the city center, as do airport taxis. Car rentals are also available. The bus ride takes about 50 minutes. The train station is about a fifteen-minute walk from Terminal 3 and there are two options. The first, the Leonardo Express, arrives at Rome’s Termini Station in about thirty minutes. The second option is the FR1, known as the standard train.
We wish you a delicious, exploratory journey!
