Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city of Italy. It is located in central Italy, in the Lazio region, at the confluence of the Anien and Tiber rivers. It covers an area of 1,285 square kilometers, and about 2,700,000 inhabitants live in it. Rome is the economic, political, and cultural center of Italy, and one of the most important cities in Europe and the world.

The Mediterranean climate prevails in the area of Rome, with long and warm summers and very mild winters. The average annual temperature is around 20.4 degrees Celsius.

Rome is also known as the center of the world, or the Eternal City. It is widely known for the expression “all roads lead to Rome”. One of the most powerful states in history emerged from Rome, which shaped the world as it exists today. According to legend, Rome was founded in 753 by the brothers Romulus, after whom the city was named, and Remus. Over the centuries, Rome became the center of the Roman state, which extended over most of the then known world. Roman kings, senators, consuls, and other magistrates, and finally emperors, stayed in it. It began to lose its importance in the Roman Empire with the establishment of Constantinople, and the relocation of the center of the empire to the east. Later, Rome became the capital of the Papal States, and remained within its borders until 1870, when the troops of King Victor Emmanuel II entered the city. The very next year, in 1871, Rome was declared the capital of the newly established Kingdom of Italy. Since 1946, it has had the status of the capital of the Republic of Italy. Today, Rome is one of the most important European and world centers, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Tourist attractions in Rome are:

Sant’Angelo Fortress is one of the symbols of Rome’s turbulent past. It was built by Emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum, but its main role was as a papal residence. Later it served as a prison, and today it is a museum. The most significant was at the time when it was used by the Pope. It was connected to the Vatican by secret passages, so it was a kind of papal refuge in case of danger. On the fortress there is a monument to the angel, who, according to legend, appeared at that place in 590 and stopped the ravages of the plague.

The Colosseum is the most famous building in Rome. It is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world, and was created by order of the Roman emperor Vespasian in 72 AD . Construction was completed eight years later by his son Titus. It had a capacity of 60,000 seats, and famous gladiatorial fights were held in it. For a long time, the Colosseum was neglected, until the Pope declared it a holy place in 1780.

The Pantheon is one of the architectural wonders, built with unprecedented care and precision. Greek it means “temple of all gods”, and it was intended to serve as a holy place of all pagan gods. Since the seventh century, the Pantheon had the role of a Christian church, which saved this building from destruction.

The Trevi Fountain is also known as the queen of all Roman fountains, and there are about 280 of them. It was built in the eighteenth century by order of Pope Clement XII, but an older fountain from the fifteenth century stood in its place. The fountain is dominated by Neptune driving a chariot drawn by two sea horses. The sculpture on the left symbolizes abundance, and the one on the right symbolizes health. Water is normally supplied from the Aqua virgo aqueduct, and from a source some twenty kilometers from the city. This aqueduct also fills other Roman fountains.

The Roman Forum was the center of imperial Rome. Elections were held here, the senate met, and famous speakers gave some of their best speeches at the forum. Today, the square where the forum is located is full of temples, churches and triumphal arches. There are triumphal arches built in honor of great victories in battles, such as that of the emperor Titus and the triumphal arch of Septimius Severus.

Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular gathering places in Rome, and one of the most beautiful Roman squares. It owes its name to the Spaniards, whose mission to the Roman Church was located here, and during the seventeenth century it was even considered Spanish territory. The Trinita dei Monti Church was built by the French, as well as the famous 137 steps, which are mistakenly called the Spanish Steps. In front of the church there is an obelisk in honor of the Immaculate Conception. The Fontana della Barcaccia is located at the bottom of the stairs, and was built to commemorate the flooding of the Tiber in the sixteenth century. At the place where the fountain is after the flood, there was a stranded ship.

Piazza Navona is an oval-shaped square, and it got its present shape during the seventeenth century, when the church of Sant’Agnes was built by order of Pope Innocent X. In front of the church is the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), which represents the rivers Nile, Danube, Ganges, and Rio de la Plata.

The Vatican occupies an area of 44 hectares, and about 1,000 people live there. We are talking about the sovereign state of the Holy See, surrounded by Rome. St. Peter’s Square is the central gathering place in the Vatican. Hundreds of thousands of people come here to welcome the election of a new Roman Catholic leader. There is also the Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s famous version of the creation of the world. Michelangelo began painting this building in 1508 and finished it in 1512 . The Vatican Museum is also a must, which can take a lot of time to visit.

St. Peter’s Basilica was built on the site of an older structure, by order of Pope Julian II in 1506 . The construction lasted 120 years, and some of the greatest artists worked on it. The remains of Saint Peter are located in Nacropolis, and the basilica itself is filled with numerous motifs and symbols from Christian themes.

Via Condotti is the most expensive street in Rome. Here you can find shops of all famous Italian brands, such as Prada, Gucci, Versace, Armani, and others.

Rome is a city of countless cultures. But this is also a city of entertainment, shopping, restaurants and cafes. Visitors can enjoy the unique atmosphere while trying the most delicious Italian dishes, or drinking the best Italian coffee. Rome is a city of cheerful people, foreigners from all over the world. Here, fun and enjoyment are guaranteed, and time is filled from morning to late evening.

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