Top Attractions in Rome that you must see.
Rome, the capital of Italy, is one of the most fascinating cities in the world. Its rich history, incredible landmarks, and unique atmosphere attract millions of tourists from around the globe every year. It is a city that captures the hearts of visitors with its beauty, monumental ruins of ancient buildings, and a rich cultural heritage. Every step in Rome leads to the discovery of mysterious stories, breathtaking historical monuments, and unforgettable attractions.
Our trip to Ancient Rome
The history of Rome stretches back over two thousand years. It was not only the centre of the mighty Roman Empire but also the cradle of Western civilization. From the legendary founder, Romulus, to the peak of the empire’s glory, Rome witnessed many significant events and pivotal moments. Over the centuries, it has left countless traces of its long history, which can be admired today in the form of spectacular monuments.
The city of Rome is literally filled to the brim with tourist attractions. One of the most iconic places is the Colosseum, an ancient amphitheatre where legendary gladiatorial battles took place. This incredible architectural masterpiece impresses with its monumental size and serves as a reminder of Roman traditions and culture.
Another must-visit on the tourist map of Rome is the Vatican. The seat of the Pope and the centre of the Catholic world is an extraordinary place that attracts both pilgrims and art enthusiasts. St. Peter’s Basilica with its majestic dome and the Sistine Chapel adorned with unbelievable frescoes by Michelangelo leaves an unforgettable impression on every visitor.
Wandering through the streets of Rome, you will also encounter many other remarkable landmarks, such as the Pantheon, the Roman Forum, the Trevi Fountain, or the Spanish Steps. Each of these places has its unique history and rich heritage, attracting not only history enthusiasts but anyone captivated by the city’s charm.
What to do and what to see in Rome and how much it costs
- Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Basilica Tour; Enjoy the Vatican Museums’ immense art collection on this guided tour. Admire the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel and the masterpieces of St. Peter’s Basilica, and uncover the history behind each turn.
- Priority Access Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Tour; Enjoy exclusive priority access to the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill on a guided tour. Walk in the footsteps of gladiators and emperors as you travel back to the era of ancient Rome.
- Roma Pass: 48 or 72-Hour City Card with Transport; See more of the Eternal City and save money with a 48 or 72 hour Roma Pass. This city card offers free skip-the-line admission to 1 or 2 attractions, free use of the city’s public transport system, and discounts on services and activities.
- Vatican Pass, Top Attractions and Free Transport; Save time and money with a 2-in-1 city card. Enjoy skip-the-line entry to Rome’s top historic sites, including the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and Colosseum. Free public transport card included.
- Find a hotel in a simple and pleasant way and, most importantly, do not overpay.
- Rent a car; The rented car will help you realize travel plans faster and more efficiently.
Top Attractions in Rome, ancient monuments and places recommended by us in the Eternal City
During our stroll through Rome, we visited many places, but unfortunately, we had to skip just as many. Time constraints limit us all. The list of monuments we still plan to see is long, and I am certain that we will return to the Eternal City multiple times to explore and share our experiences.
Below, you’ll find a list of places we highly recommend, ones that should not be missed when in Rome. Our compilation of attractions in the Eternal City is purely subjective, and you would probably create a different list yourself. However, our experiences suggest that the following places have contributed to what Rome was and what it is today.
To avoid further delay, let’s hit the streets of the Italian capital to uncover the secrets of the city and its attractions—a city that was the heart of the ancient world.
Top Attractions in Rome – Trevi Fountain in Rome
It all began with the construction of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct at the end of the ancient era. Mark Agrippa, a talented architect, geographer, and strategist, was the benefactor behind the aqueduct that brought water to Rome. He contributed to the construction of many extraordinary urban installations in Rome, including the famous Pantheon, intended to commemorate the victorious naval battle at Actium, and modern, for that time, baths—Rome’s first public baths.
Top Attractions in Rome – Pantheon, the former temple of all the gods in Rome
The word “pantheon” in Greek literally means “a temple of all gods.” The Roman Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient monuments not only in Rome but also throughout Europe. It was erected on the Campus Martius, a site in Rome dedicated entirely to one of the most important Roman gods, Mars.
Top Attractions in Rome – The Colosseum in Rome, a bloody arena in the heart of the Eternal City
The Colosseum in Rome is undoubtedly one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the Eternal City. Along with the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the ancient Roman Forum, it forms a set of attractions in Rome that no tourist visiting the capital of Italy would miss.
Top Attractions in Rome – Saint Peter’s Square in Rome as the gate to the Vatican
Saint Peter’s Square in Rome is, right after St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most recognizable places in the Vatican. Bernini, who designed the two spaces united into one square, demonstrated his architectural genius in this masterpiece. The first part of the square, shaped like a trapezoid, meets the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. The second part, in the form of an ellipse, is capable of accommodating over 300,000 people.
Top Attractions in Rome – Stone Mouth of Truth in Rome ancient lie detector
The Mouth of Truth in Rome is an ancient artifact that, according to legend, has the power to detect lies. According to tales, anyone who places their hand into the open, stone mouth and tells a lie will lose their hand. The marble disc, shaped like a medallion, has sparked the curiosity of researchers for centuries, yet its history and function remain unexplained.
Top Attractions in Rome – Spanish Steps in Rome
The popularity of the Spanish Steps in Rome is clearly evident from the constant stream of tourists in the adjacent Spanish Square. Often, this makes strolling around this fascinating landmark quite challenging, especially during the summer when you can encounter visitors from literally all over the world, each wanting to capture a photo or shoot a TikTok video.
Top Attractions in Rome – Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome
The Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome is a titular church, meaning it has been assigned to a diocese directly by the pope. The temple was built in 1565 on the orders of the Roman aristocrat Vittori della Tolfa, who allocated her lands in the city for the construction of the church. She then donated the newly built church to the Jesuit order.
Top Attractions in Rome – The Roman Forum in Rome was once the very centre of the world
TThe Roman Forum in Rome, also known as the Forum Romanum or Forum Magnum, was the heart of Rome. It was the place where the most distinguished Roman community gathered to exchange goods and information, as well as to form alliances and plot conspiracies. Today, we say, “all roads lead to Rome,” but in ancient times, this maxim sounded more like, “all roads lead to the Roman Forum.”
Top Attractions in Rome – Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum in Rome
The Temple of Romulus and the Temple of Peace, later renamed by Christians as the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian, stand in the ancient part of Rome known as the Roman Forum. The basilica, once creating a whole with the Temple of Romulus, is, like the Church of Saint Ignatius in Rome, a titular church assigned to the local diocese by the pope himself.
Top Attractions in Rome – Palatine Hill in Rome
Palatine Hill is the name of one of the seven hills of Rome and the site of the oldest settlement known as Roma Quadrata, considered the nucleus of the future Eternal City. Legend has it that in one of the caves on Palatine Hill, called the Lupercal, the famous she-wolf nursed the mythical brothers Romulus and Remus.
Top Attractions in Rome – Palatine Museum in Rome
The Palatine Museum, known to Italians as Antiquarium del Palatino, is a collection of artefacts and exhibits unearthed during excavations and archaeological work on the Palatine Hill in the ancient part of Rome. This museum is an integral part of the Palatine Hill and is a must-visit while exploring the ancient wonders of the Eternal City.
Top Attractions in Rome – Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome
The Castle of the Holy Angel in Rome is a unique monument, and you can feel it immediately upon crossing the threshold of this ancient structure. As you ascend the old stone stairs of the Castle of the Holy Angel, time and space merge into one, revealing the secrets of bygone centuries.
Ancient Rome facts, information, and curiosities
- The civilization of ancient Rome began to develop in the 8th century BCE.
- Rome was founded in 735 BCE.
- In antiquity, the centre of Rome was the Roman Forum.
- During the height of ancient Rome, there were over 900 public baths and 145 municipal toilets.
- Rome has been called the Eternal City since ancient times. The inhabitants believed that whatever happened, Rome would endure and continue to prosper.
- One of the precious monuments of ancient Rome, the Colosseum, was a gift from Emperor Vespasian to the Roman people.
- The world’s first shopping centre was established in ancient Rome. In 107 CE, Emperor Trajan opened a shopping centre resembling today’s malls, called the Mercato di Traiano, with over 150 shops on multiple levels.
- In ancient Rome, city residents exclusively wore the toga.
- Constantine the Great was the first Roman emperor to adopt Christianity.
- In ancient Rome, women dyed their hair blonde or red, considered the most beautiful colours.
- Urine was highly valued in ancient Rome and used for tanning leather, cleaning streets and temples, and for medical purposes. Romans believed in its healing properties and used it on the battlefield to disinfect wounds. Interestingly, it was also used for sore throats, with physicians recommending rinsing the mouth with heated urine.
- Drinking turpentine was popular among ancient Roman women, and it was believed to make women’s urine smell like roses.
- Ancient Roman laundries used hot urine for cleaning clothes.
- Romans in antiquity worshipped numerous gods. Even plumbing, sinks, shoes, swords, and other everyday objects had their god to whom prayers were offered for their well-being.
- The Great Fire of Rome, a tragedy that occurred in 64 CE, lasted almost 6 days before it was brought under control. Fourteen districts of the city were destroyed.
- The Circus Maximus, built in 578 BCE, is the oldest circus and arena in ancient Rome.
- The oldest settlement that marked the beginning of Rome was called Roma Quadrata and stood on the Palatine, one of the seven hills surrounding present-day Rome.
- In Rome, meat was eaten, but this delicacy was usually slightly spoiled, so large amounts of herbs and spices were used in cooking.
- A delicacy on Roman tables was flamingo tongues.
- Feasts in Rome included various attractions, and food was abundant. Romans ate while reclining on couches, enjoying dishes brought by slaves. Over time, a tradition of inducing vomiting emerged to eat more.
- In gladiator schools, the sweat of gladiators was collected and sold in pots to wealthy women who believed it improved their complexion.
- Similarly, the blood of slain gladiators was sold. It was believed to cure potency and fertility issues.
- The average lifespan in ancient Rome ranged from 20 to 30 years.
- After the death of an emperor, an eagle was released from a cage to carry his soul directly to the god Jupiter.
- The status of a Roman could be identified by the colour of his clothing. Poor city residents wore gray and natural colours, while rich citizens wore colourful and bright attire.
- Roman dignitaries ingested small doses of popular poisons daily from childhood to build immunity against poisoning in the future.
- On the opening day of the Colosseum, over 5,000 animals were killed in the arena.
- Approximately 100 gladiators died in the Colosseum each month.
- Over 90 percent of ancient Rome remains buried in the ground and will remain so, as the present city was built on old ruins.
- Today we say, all roads lead to Rome, but in antiquity, it was said, all roads lead out of Rome. The road network was built so that Roman legions could quickly and conveniently exit the city and head into the world.
- Rome has existed for thousands of years, but it became the capital of Italy only in 1871. Before that, Turin and then Florence were the country’s capitals.
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