Rome is known as the "Eternal City" because in her time seems to have stood for centuries. Its monuments and remains of imposing buildings make a walk through the streets becomes a journey back in time to the period of maximum splendor of the capital.
Why travel to Rome?
The Colosseum of Rome
Arch of Titus
With a long and interesting history behind it, Rome is a city that attracts visitors from around the world thanks to its impressive monuments and ruins from antiquity. There are plenty of reasons to visit Rome, falling in love with the city and want to return to it. The cuisine and lively atmosphere are some of them.
Walking through Rome is not only traverse a city full of ancient archaeological remains is the memory of Rome gladiators fighting for life or death in the Coliseum, the undertaking swift chariot races in the Circus Maximus, and the vision of the wise Romans strolling the forum while talking about democracy.
With over 16 million tourists a year, Rome is the third European city which attracts visitors, after London and Paris, with which it has an intense struggle for the position of Europe's most romantic city.
Since companies began offering low cost flights to the Italian capital, this figure has not stopped growing.
The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is the most beautiful fountain in Rome. With dimensions of 20 meters wide and 26 meters high, the Trevi Fountain is also the largest source of the city.
The origins of the power back to the year 19 BC, when the Fontana was the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. The first fountain was built during the Renaissance, under the orders of Pope Nicholas V.
The final aspect of the Trevi Fountain in 1762 when, after several years of work in the hands of Nicola Salvi, was finished by Giuseppe Pannini.
Curiously, the name derives from Tre Vie Trevi (three-way), and that the source was the meeting point of three streets.
The myth of the Trevi Fountain
Why there are always people throwing coins into the Trevi water and taking pictures?
The myth, born with the movie "Three Coins in the Fountain" in 1954, reads:
If you throw a coin: return to Rome.
If you throw two coins: find love with an attractive Italian (or Italian).
If you throw three coins: you shall marry the person you knew.
The Coliseum
The Coliseum is the main symbol of Rome, an imposing building, with almost 2,000 years old, I will go back in time to discover what was the ancient Roman society.
Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 under Vespasian's regime and ended in 80 AD during the reign of Emperor Titus. Upon completion of construction the Coliseum became the largest Roman amphitheater, with dimensions of 188 meters long, 156 meters wide and 57 meters high.
The Colosseum in Antiquity
During the Roman Empire, under the slogan of "Pan et Circus", the Roman Coliseum (then known as Flavian Amphitheatre) allowed over 50,000 people to enjoy their favorite shows. Samples of exotic animals, executions of prisoners, reenactments of battles and gladiator fights for years accompanied the Roman people.
The Colosseum remained in service for over 500 years. The last games were celebrated history in the sixth century.
From the sixth century the Colosseum suffered looting, earthquakes and even bombings during World War II. With a great instinct for survival, the Colosseum was used for decades as a store, church, cemetery and even as a castle for the nobility.
The Colosseum in the News
Remembering old times
Colosseum at dusk
Currently the Coliseum, along with the Vatican, the largest tourist attraction in Rome. Every year is visited by 6 million tourists. On 7 July 2007, the Coliseum became one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the area in which public life unfolded and religious in ancient Rome. The Forum, along with the Coliseum, the largest exhibition of greatness of the Roman Empire can be seen today.
At the end of the Empire, the Roman Forum was left in oblivion and slowly got buried. Although in the sixteenth century was known the existence and location of the Forum, it was not until the twentieth century when excavations were made.
Curiously, the area in which is located the Forum was initially a swamp. In the sixth century B.C. the area was drained by the Cloaca Maxima, one of the first sewer systems in the world.
Palatine Hills
Located 40 meters above the Roman Forum, Palatine Hill is the most central of the seven hills of Rome, and made one of the oldest parts of the city. The Palatine Hill is considered the birthplace of the Italian capital and is believed to have been inhabited since 1000 BC
During the Republican period, Roman citizens belonging to the upper class were installed on the Palatine Hill built sumptuous palaces, of which today still remain important reminders.
According to legend
Roman mythology has it that the cave where he lived Luperca, the wolf that nursed Romulus and Remus, was located on the Palatine Hill. According to legend, when the brothers decided to form a town grew up along the river but, not agree on some points of the decision, Romulus killed Remus and founded the city of Rome.
Attractions in the Palatine
In the Palatine can see numerous remains of the imposing buildings were built high in ancient Roman society. Although the set is impressive, these are some of the points that deserve special attention:
Domus Flavia: The Domus Flavia splendid palace was built in the year 81 BC commissioned by the emperor Domitian to be used as public and official residence. Today you can still see parts of the extensive building.
House of Livia: This modest-looking house built in the first century BC, is one of the best preserved buildings of the Palatine. It is still possible to see the remains of the mosaics and frescoes that one day gave joy to the ceilings and walls.
Augusto House: Built as the private residence of Octavian Augustus, the house built on two levels still retains much of the precious and colorful frescoes that decorated the walls.
Farnesiani Gardens: Projected mid XVI century on the ruins of the Palace of Tiberius, the Farnese Gardens were one of the first botanical gardens were created in Europe.
Hippodrome of Domitian: Equipped with the appearance of a Roman circus, not known for sure if the stadium was designed for conducting foot races, or to be used simply as a garden.
Palatine Museum: This small museum displays the different findings during the excavations on the Palatine. Contains sculptures, frescoes, mosaics and other objects belonging to the golden age of the Palatine.
