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| Rome, Italy |
Rome, Italy
Ancient Rome extended to the banks of the Tiber River between the famous seven hills, an area which subsequently became flooded.
Rome is the headquarters of the italian executive, legislative and judicial powers, and the capital of the autonomous region of Lazio and Catholic Christianity. It is the only city which governs two states at the same time - Italy and the The Vatican - and has served as the capital throughout three very distinct territorial entities: the Roman Empire, the Papal states and Italy itself.
The Vatican City
The Pope has controlled the central territory of the Italian peninsula since the 16th century. After the unification of Italy, the Vatican State was limited to St Peter's Basilica and the surrounding areas, within the city of Rome.
The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain
The largest Baroque fountain in Rome, the Trevi Fountain is located at the end of the old aqueduct, the sources for which, according to legend, were found with the help of the Virgin Mary. The monument is the work of 17th century Neapolitan sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The Colosseum
With a capacity of 50,000 spectators, the largest amphitheatre of Imperial Rome was built in the 1st century AD to house wild beasts, gladiatorial fights, mock sea battles and other public spectacles usually held to celebrate great military victories. Called the Colosseum after the colossal statue of Nero erected at the same time as the facade,in subsequent centuries it was the scene of the martyrdom of Christains, which is why it was later converted into a shrine.This action also served to halt the plundering which the population had subjected it to since it fell into disuse in the 6th century. It is still spectacular today and is one of the city's main tourist attractions.
St Peters's Basilica
Built between 1506 and 1626, some of the best artists of the Renaissance and Italian Baroque periods helped with the construction.
