Rome in Italian is Roma and is the capital of Italy. Rome city is a large museum; it’s a tourist attraction with many historical ruins, unique architecture, restaurants, statues everywhere, and over 900 churches of the Catholic faith.

History

According to Unesco World Heritage List, Rome was discovered by Romulus twins and Remus in 753 BCE. Its city sits on the banks of the Tiber river on top of seven hills; Palatine Hill, Aventine Hill, Capitoline Hill, Caelian Hill, Esquiline Hill, Quirinal Hill, and Viminal Hill.

The Roman Empire was a bustling city, the center of power around Palatine Hill and Capitoline Hill. It is why the area has so many ruins and excavations uncovering the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum used for a theater battle of the gladiators.

The Pantheon also has unique architecture, which is now a round church with an open roof. Rome has four papal basilicas, seven pilgrimage churches, and the beautiful Vatican, where you may see Pope Jorge Mario Bergoglio coming out of a top window giving a blessing and certain days.

The churches are stunning with works of art by Bernini, Raphael, Caravaggio, and Michelangelo. If you love art, visit the Galleria Borghese and the Trastevere and Trevi fountain, and sample an array of trattorias. There are many trendy fashion stores and a busy city of places to see.

Must-sees in Rome

St. Peters’ Basilica, home of Pope Bergoglio’s located in the Vatican City’s independent state. The Vatican Museum with countless paintings, and the famous Sistine Chapel with frescos of Michelangelo.

The Piazza Navona has several fountains, such ‘La Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi’ by Bernini, a fascinating obelisk.

Visit the Trastevere neighborhood with narrow streets, medieval architecture, restaurants, and bars. The Castel Sant’ Angelo, or Castel of the Holy Angel, built in the 2nd century, was a defense structure to protect Pope and was connected by a tunnel and a mausoleum for emperor Hadrian.

Rome’s landmark Monument of Vittorio Emanuele housed the first Italian King. Archbasilica di Giovanni in Laterano, the most important church in Rome, Italy, is one of the four papal basilicas.

Piazza del Popolo is a 19th-century neoclassical square. It has two twin churches, the ‘Porta del Popolo’, and the sizeable Egyptian obelisk with steps climbing Pincio Hill for spectacular views.

Visit Domus Romane, which is the remains of roman houses and baths. The Basilica di San Clemente al Laterano a 4th-century church dedicated to Pope Clement I with a breathtaking interior.

If you are interested in Anthropology and bizarre art, visit the Rome Capuchin crypt, which is in five chapels in the Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccino church with bones and skulls of about 3,600 Capuchin brothers designed in works of art in the crypts as well as learning about the Capuchin Brothers.

Outside Rome is Ostia Antica, an archaeological park of excavation digs of the old Roman harbor town of Ostia Antica.

Tips for getting around Rome

Besides walking, there are several ways to see Rome’s landscape. You can hop on the city bus, metro, or tram. Taking a taxi or hiring a private driver, a Vespa, motorcycle, bicycle, or electric scooter is a fun way to see the city and make stops at several places. Also, take the segway, rent a golf car, or ride a horse-driven carriage.