Taking a vacation in Europe can be a fantastic experience and, whether you intend to tour around or visit one place, there are many great destinations on offer. Italy is one of these and most people that travel to the country want to take in the sights of its capital city, Rome. The “Eternal City” as it is nicknamed is the largest city in Italy and is located on the west coast. It has a history that is said to date back around 2,800 years and it has many beautiful sights and attractions to offer tourists. The following are some of the best things to do and see while in Rome.
Walk around the Coliseum
This ancient amphitheatre stands in the centre of Rome and is testament to the great Roman nation that once ruled over much of Europe. It was the largest amphitheatre built by the Roman Empire and displays the excellence of Roman engineering and architecture. The Coliseum was used for gladiatorial games and other major events and could accommodate up to 50,000 spectators. It was one of the marvels of the Roman Empire and if you are in Rome it is a must to see it. You can walk around the outside to get an impression of the sheer scale of the Coliseum and also take a tour of the interior to see where gladiators, spectators and the elite of Roman society would have spent their time during an event. The Coliseum is a spectacular sight in Rome and one that tourist must get a view of.
View the Sistene Chapel
Taking a tour of the Vatican City is an excellent way to spend a day when in Rome and it affords the opportunity to view the Sistene Chapel. This is located in the official residence of the Pope which is known as the Apostolic Palace and is well worth seeing. The decoration in it was painted by some of the greatest Italian renaissance painters, with the most famous area being the ceiling of the chapel which was painted by Michelangelo. This is now considered one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements and was completed over a 4 year period. This and the other paintings in the chapel are a spectacular sight to see. The Vatican City itself has many attractions for tourists to enjoy and taking this in is an interesting way to spend some time in Rome.
Walk up the Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps is a famous location in Rome. They were constructed in the early 1700’s in a steep area of land which ran from the Piazza di Spagna at their foot to the Trinita dei Monti at their top. In total the stairway has 138 steps and they form one of the widest and longest staircases in Continental Europe. On a visit you can have a walk up the steps to admire the scene below. The Piazza di Spagna at their base is a famous square in Rome and an attraction to see in this is a Baroque fountain known as the “Fountain of the Old Boat” which was built in the early 1600’s. The square is also the location of a house where the famous poet John Keats lived during the time he spent in Rome. There is much to take in at the Spanish Steps and it is a good location to visit in Rome.
Visit the Trevi Fountain
Rome is full of spectacular fountains, although the Trevi Fountain must rank as one of the best and is a popular destination to visit in Rome. It is certainly one of the biggest fountains in Rome measuring in at 85 feet high and 65 feet wide. Built in the Baroque style it was commissioned by Pope Clement XII in 1730 and was finally completed in 1762. It is an impressive sight to see and the legend goes that if you take the time to throw a coin in the fountain you will be sure to return to Rome. This activity is so popular that it is estimated that around 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain on a daily basis. Whether you throw a coin or not, a visit to the Trevi Fountain is a must-do in Rome.
Visit the Pantheon
While many of the ancient buildings in Rome are a pale shadow of their former glory, this is not true of the Pantheon. The structure was built before the time of Christ and is now more than 2,000 years old. It is a historic site and an impressive building to see in Rome. Circular in shape, it has an impressive portico at the front which features 3 rows of huge granite columns. Inside you can view the impressive dome ceiling which has a central opening that lets the sunlight flood in. The Pantheon is one of the most popular attractions in Rome and is a location well worth visiting in the city.
Rome is a beautiful city and, with thousands of years of history on offer, it can be an excellent location to choose for a vacation in Europe. The attractions named above are a few of the best that the city has to offer, although its size means there are also many others. Spending a day or spending a few weeks in Rome is a worthwhile experience and is something that everyone who does it is sure to enjoy.
Sources - Wikipedia