Rome
seems to have its own gravitational pull, attracting not only
millions of tourists each year, but also the most creative
artists and thinkers of every era. All that surrounds a visitor
in Rome -- the stunning art and architecture, the terrible
traffic, the grandeur of scale and the lively (almost hyperanimated)
citizens -- guarantees an unforgettable visit. Rome as we
find it is a supreme palimpsest. The ruins of pagan temples
have become the foundation of Christian churches, ancient
theaters have been made into medieval family fortresses, and
Corinthian columns have become part of new walls. Layers of
the ages exist, one on top of the other, but the flow of Roman
life is ever forward, with a respect for its glorious past.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and don't expect to see it in
one. You could spend a full day seeing everything in the area
of the ancient center: the Michelangelo-designed Campidoglio,
the Palatine Hill (with its charming little museum) and the
Roman Forum, as well as the nearby Colosseum. The basilicas
take a little longer because they are spread out around the
city. If it's views you're after, climb the dome of St. Peter's
or admire the panorama from the top of the Spanish Steps (better
yet, from the Pincio Gardens above it) at sunset, or walk
around the Colosseum to catch a glimpse of the Forum. From
these vantage points you'd well understand why Rome is called
the Eternal City. Bustling, beautiful Rome, sprawling among
its seven hills, is fascinating for both its ancient and its
modern wonders.
This
is not to say that everyone will like Rome: Some people are
put off by the city's untidiness and seeming disorganization.
Keep in mind that most lovers of Rome fall in love with what
they see along the way to the grand sights. Either you'll
never go back or you'll plan your return trip on the way home.
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Pantheon
Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, restored by Domitian, and
subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian (who added the dome) before
being turned into a church in the early 7th century by Pope
Boniface IV. The building's sole source of light is the
opening at the dome's apex (the oculus); according to popular
legend, this formed the base for the bronze pinecone that
is now in the Vatican's 'Pigna' courtyard, where it is used
as a fountain. Many famous Italians are buried in the Pantheon,
including Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio
Emanuele I.
Piazza di Spagna
An incredible, almost theatrical square with the lovely
Spanish steps leading up to the chiesa di Trinità
dei Monti. One of the most important fashion shows is held
here, the steps being used as a catwalk. It is now an international
meeting point. The fountain known as the 'Barcaccia' (boat)
was commissioned by Urbano Barberini to commemorate the
alliance made with the King of France, whose coat of arms
can be seen on Trinità dei Monti. The square leads
into several famous streets, via dei Condotti, Via Frattina
and Via Borgognona with their luxurious boutiques, and via
del Babuino with its antique shops.
Fontana di Trevi
Tradition has it that throwing a coin over your left shoulder
into the fountain guarantees a swift return to the world's
most beautiful city. Anita Ekberg's dip in it was immortalized
in Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', and Italian actor Toto even
sold it to an American, passing himself off as its owner.
Earlier it was the setting for the award-winning "Three
Coins in the Fountain" motion picture, ensuring its
popularity worldwide. Designed by Nicola Salvi for Pope
Clemente XII, it was completed in the second half of the
1700s. The statues in the centre represent Neptune supported
by Tritons on either side while rococo-style Poli Palace
provides the perfect backdrop.
Trastevere
It is strange to think that this area of Rome was originally
built to be a city port where storehouses held goods at
the time of Augustus and continued to do so until the end
of the 19th century. Trastevere then became a downmarket
residential quarter and has now developed into a very desirable
quarter. The heart of the district is Piazza di Santa Maria
in Trastevere with its lovely church, a 17th century palazzo
and a fountain in the middle which is probably Rome's oldest,
having been designed by architects such as Bernini, Fontana
and Della Porta. There are still some well-conserved medieval
houses. On Sunday mornings, you can visit the 7th Corte
dei Vigili in Via dei Salumi, and if you enter the guards'
rooms, you will see grafitti on the walls written by Roman
soldiers who served the emperors from Septimus Severus to
Caracalla, in addition to notations of their guard duty.
Colosseum (The)
No visit to Rome is complete without having seen its magnificent
Colosseum, a vast amphitheatre with seating for 55,000 that
was designed as a horse racing circuit and arena for animal
fighting and gladiatorial battles. Upon its completion,
spectacular 100-day celebrations were organized as part
of the opening ceremony in 72 AD. Its name is believed to
come from Nero's enormous statue of Colossus that stood
close by.
Roman Forum
The Forum was designed to be the centre of social, political
and economic life in the city. The innumerable remains include
the well-conserved triumphal arch of Emperor Septimius Severus,
with reliefs depicting his victories and the base of the
Temple of Saturn with its eight columns and their splendid
Ionic capitals. The 'Rostrum' is the famous platform from
which Mark Antony gave his oration in Shakespeare's play
after Julius Caesar's assassination. The platform became
the setting for many important events in Rome's history.
It was named the 'rostrum' after the bows of the ships that
form the decorative motif. The Temple of Vesta was the home
of the Vestal Virgins, charged with keeping the sacred flame
alight. The circular foundations still remain, near to a
garden in which traces of the House of the Vestal Virgins
can still be seen. The Basilica of Constantine and Massentius
was used as the court, and the three remaining barrel-vaulted
naves give an idea of its gigantic structure. The Arch of
Titus celebrates victories in Judea, and in the reliefs
you can see the spoils of war, including an altar and a
seven-armed chandelier. Admission is free; guide tours in
Italian, English, German, French or Spanish cost EUR3.20
San Pietro
People come by the millions each year to receive the Pope's
blessing, traditionally given on Sundays at noon. St Peter's
has undergone many transformations since the original Constantine
basilica of AD320. The top of its majestic dome (designed
by Michelangelo). provides the best vantage point from which
to marvel at Bernini's magnificent colonnade surrounding
the square, the gilded bronze canopy above the altar and
Michelangelo's Pietà. Bramante, Pietro da Cortona
and Canova are just a handful of the many other artists
who worked together on this monumental basilica's decoration
and design.
Piazza Navona
During the Christmas season this square is packed with stalls
selling toys, sweets and decorations for the Nativity scene
or Christmas tree, making it a favourite spot for children.
Its unusual shape recalls the time of Domitian, who built
a stadium for equestrian displays here. The Fountain of
the Rivers, with the obelisk, and the Fountain of the Moor,
with the god of the sea, at the centre of the square, are
both by Bernini.
Circo Massimo
In the 4th century B.C., the Circus Maximus was one of the
largest stadia in Rome, with a capacity of 250,000 seated
spectators. It was the venue for horse racing, athletics
tournaments and animal fighting. The last races held there
were in 549 A.D. Another very popular sport was marine battling:
the arena was filled with water and fights between light
boats took place. The tower is from medieval times.
Capitoline Museums
The Capitoline Museums are housed in two palaces that face
each other. The one on the left of Michelangelo's steps
is the New Palace, which houses one of Europe's most important
collections of sculpture. It was designed by Michelangelo
and became the world's first public museum in 1734 by order
of Pope Clement XII. The other palace, the 'Conservatori,'
houses important paintings such as Caravaggio's "St
John the Baptist" and works by Titian, Veronese, Rubens
and Tintoretto. A sculpture of an enormous foot that was
once part of a statue of Emperor Constantine stands in the
courtyard. One of the most famous pieces is unquestionably
the "She-wolf", a bronze Etruscan sculpture from
the 5th century BC to which the twins Romulus and Remus
were added by Antonio del Pollaiolo during the Renaissance.
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