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The ancient ruins and historical sites in Rome bring back the life of the great Roman Empire and their endearing interest in monuments and buildings with precise details. These marvelous monuments depict the rich cultural heritage and architectural skills of people during the Roman Era. You can’t help but be awed by the landmarks and historic ruins you can see all over Rome.
Read more to find out the 7 attractions you must-visit during your travels to Rome.
The Roman Forum
One of the Eternal City’s most emblematic sites, the Roman Forum stretches out between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills. The various ruins span almost 900 years, from around 500 BC to AD 400 and there are no signs marking what they once used for.
The Colosseum
Perhaps the monument most symbolic of ancient Rome is the Colosseum, one of the city’s most fascinating and popular tourist attractions. Commissioned to construct during Emperor Vespasian’s regime was the largest amphitheater in the Roman world.
The Pantheon
Another favorite ancient attraction among tourists is the Pantheon, Rome’s best-preserved ancient site now consecrated as a church. It was originally constructed by Augustus’s son-in-law Agrippa in 27 BC and was later rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian around AD 120.
Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla (terme di Caracalla) are some of the best preserved ancient buildings of the Roman times. The Roman thermal baths can be found along the ancient Appian Way, and in their time they were Rome’s second largest public baths, accommodating some 1600 bathers.
Ara Pacis Augustae
Now housed in a modern glass-and-travertine building designed by American architect Richard Meier, the Ara Pacis Augustae has some of the most incredible reliefs you’ll see on any ancient monument. It was commissioned to celebrate the Emperor Augustus’s victories in battle and the Pax Romana, a peaceful period that followed.
Palazzo Colonna
One of the oldest and largest private palaces of Rome, its construction began in the fourteenth century by the Colonna family, who still resides there since eight centuries. The Colonna family dates back to the twelfth century and comes from the town of Colonna, near Rome, from which it takes its name. The Galleria Colonna has masterpieces of absolute excellence painted by leading Italian and foreign artists between the XV and XVI century. Among the artists are Pinturicchio, Cosmè Tura, Carracci, Guido Reni, Tintoretto, Salvator Rosa, Bronzino, Guercino, Veronese, Vanvitelli and many others.
Vatican City
What is a trip to Rome without visiting the Pope? Officially governed as an independent city state, a visit to the Vatican City will count as going to another country. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter’s Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno.
