One
of the most ancient cities in Europe, Rome was founded over 2,700
years ago. Since then it has been continously inhabited, and, as headquaters
first of the Roman Empire and then of the Catholic Church, it has
had an immense impact on the world. The city itself retains layers
of buildings spanning over two millenia.
Find out more about the History
of Rome
Take a
Virtual Tour of Rome
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Where
and What
Roma is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20km (12mi) inland.
It's a vast city, but the historic centre is quite small.
Rome seems to have its own gravitational pull, attracting, in addition
to travelers, some of the most creative artists and thinkers of every
era. All that surrounds a visitor in Rome - the art and architecture,
the traffic, the lively (almost hyperanimated) citizens - guarantees
an unforgettable visit.
This is not to say that everyone will like it: some people are put off
by the city's seeming disorganization. But we think it's important to
see the significant sights - after that, you'll either never go back
or you'll plan your return journey on the plane home.
A vision from old times to nowadays
Rome means history. There are layers of the stuff - Etruscan tombs,
Republican meeting rooms, Imperial temples, early Christian churches,
medieval bell towers, Renaissance palaces and baroque basilicas. A phenomenal
concentration of history, legend and monuments coexists with an equally
concentration of people busily going about their everyday life.
It's hard to say what you'll find most breathtaking about the eternal
city - the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of
a Ferrari or your real "capuccino".
Most of the major sights are within a reasonable distance from the central
railway station, "Stazione Termini". It is, for instance,
theorically possible to walk from the "Colosseum", through
the "Forum", up to "Piazza di Spagna" and across
to the Vatican in one day, but you wouldn't really want to ... what
will you see then ...
All the major monuments are west of the train station, but make sure
you use a map. The Palatine Hill and the Forum can be considered the
centre of ancient Rome. "Via del Corso" runs north from the
Forum to "Piazza del Popolo", with the Spanish Steps and the
Trevi Fountain just to its east. The Vatican is northwest of the Forum,
across the River Tiber.
If you had only one day in the city and you visited St. Peter's or admired
the panorama from the top of the Spanish Steps at sunset or walked around
the Colosseum to catch a glimpse of the Forum from the gates, you'd
well understand why Rome is called the Eternal City. Bustling, beautiful
Rome, sprawling among seven hills, fascinates for both its ancient and
its modern wonders.
Walking, Shopping and Eating
The main train Station, "Stazione Termini", is situated downtown,
just northeast of the Palatine Hill and the Forum; this area, as in
many other big cities around the world, cannot be considered as a touristic
place where to hang around: stay there only the time you need for your
business and do your best to look like you know where you're going.
Good-quality, reasonably priced meals can be found in the "trattorie":
a typical area to visit and enjoy it's for sure "Trastevere",
lately, with a lot of "in" places.
While you are in Italy you can taste some good wine, possibly "D.O.C."
o "D.O.P.", i.e. a chill white wine on fish dishes or white
meats or vegetables.
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