A trip to Rome is a real test for the curious. It is impossible to see all the attractions of Rome for one visit, and it is equally impossible to choose what exactly is worth looking first, the city is so diverse and interesting in any corner.
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Rome is an unusually eclectic city. Catholic churches and modern buildings, medieval markets and ancient ruins, history and modernity, majestic buildings and terrible slums, modest monks and bright freaks are mixed here ... - all this creates an inimitable, amazing modern Rome. In a sense, this eternal city remains the center of the world.
The main attractions of Rome
Roman forum
Perhaps this is the oldest part of the city, which remembers the wheels of chariots and the tread of the Roman emperors, thousands of years ago. This area of \u200b\u200bRome was built during the mysterious tribe of the Etruscans - the predecessors of the ancient Romans.
Here they gave honors to the heroes and arranged triumphal processions in their honor, held elections to the Senate and declared the most important news to the townspeople. Today, the forum looks like a pile of ruins, but if there is an imagination and a minimum knowledge of history, you can imagine how everything looked 2.5 thousand years ago. The place of the forum is simply dotted with the remnants of temples, basil and triumphal arches.
The most notable forum buildings are listed below.
- Triumphal arches They were built by emperors in honor of the victories over enemies. The best Titus arch in honor of the victory in the Jewish war and the Arch of Septimium of the North in honor of the Victory over the Parthians are most well preserved
- Kuria Julia - This is the place where the Senate was going. A rectangular brick building contained up to 200 senators. Unfortunately, the initial building of the Curia was not preserved. What tourists see today is the reconstruction of the building. Nothing was preserved from the interior
- Roster's rostrum - This is the tribune built for the performance of the speakers. Rostra had 3 meters in height, so that the speaker was high above the crowd and was clearly visible from anywhere in the area. Rostra received its name in honor of the growth (nasal parts of ancient ships) belonging to enemy ships captured in the battle of Anition in 338 BC.
- Temple of Saturn. The current ruins are dated 42 BC. The temple was used as a state treasury (Erarii). It also contains the banners of the legions and senatorial decrees (decrees). The temple also served as the starting point of reference for all distances in the Roman Empire
- Basilica Emilia - The oldest on the forum of the basilica was built in 179 BC. It is noteworthy that initially the basilica was erected as a place where noble townspeople could take refuge from bad weather and have a comfortable time. There were shopping rows, state banks and exchange offices. The basilica was completely destroyed during the siege of Rome by the Westgotes in 410 of our era
- Temple of Vesta. Vesta is the patroness of the family and the state in ancient Rome, one of the main goddesses of Pantheon. In this temple, Vestalki (ministers of the West cult) guarded the sacred eternal flame personifying eternal life. Vestalka became a girl from an aristocratic family, which was chosen by the Priests Council
- The service life of a girl in the temple was 30 years during which she was obliged to remain a virgin, otherwise the vestal was buried alive. At the end of the service, Vestalki received lifelong content from the state (very not small), as well as many benefits and privileges. The remnants of the house of Vestals can be seen next to the Temple of Vesta
- The temple of the Romulus Divine. Opposite the Vestalo House, a round temple of Romulus is located, which has been perfectly preserved since the initial construction due to the fact that it was included in the complex of buildings of the basilica of saints Domian and Kozma. The temple has never been rebuilt, and even a massive iron front door is original
- Basilica Maxentia - The last of the temples, built during the time of ancient Rome. Construction was launched by Emperor Maxencia and completed by Konstantin. The temple had a very impressive size and a huge 12-term statue of Constantine, the wreckage of which can now be seen in the courtyard of the Palazzo-E-conservatories in the Vatican
- Temple of Venus and Roma - This is the largest religious building of the times of ancient Rome. The temple would be built under Adrian and occupy a huge area from Basilica Maxentia to Coliseum
- Column Foki -a 13-meter column, which was built in honor of the Byzantine emperor Foki on the occasion of his visit to Rome. At the top of the column, a statue of Foki was installed, which is now lost
- Coliseum It was originally called the amphitheater of the Flavias (dynasty of the Roman emperors) and was built under Vespasian, the founder of the dynasty. The amphitheater received the name from the giant statue of Nero, in the place of which it was built. The statue was called Colossus (Colossus), the name of the Coliseum in Italian sounds like colosseo
- The Colosseum contained up to 55,000 spectators, there were 80 entrances for the public, 4 upper floors were used for spectator places (the lower classes occupied the highest rows), and in the underground floors there were office rooms and cells with wild animals. To protect the audience from the Sun, the Colosseum was covered with a huge awning, for the installation of which a command of 1000 strong men was used
- The Coliseum was used to conduct free games, the number and entertainment of which was measured by the greatness of the emperor. Usually the games were held for several days and ended with gladiatorial battles and the fight against wild animals. The longest games took 100 days in a row and were dedicated to the Emperor of Titus
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is one of the most famous, and perhaps the most beautiful of all the areas of Rome. It was built on the site of the Domitian stadium and repeats its contours. There are several independent tourist facilities on Navon Square: the fountain of four rivers (Nile, Gang, Danube and Rio de La-pay), the Nettono fountain, the deltan del era and the Church of the Holy Agnes of the Roman, early Christian martyr.
Pantheon
Pantheon is a temple of all gods built more than 1800 years ago. In 609 of our era, the temple was turned into a Christian church of Holy Mary and Martyrs and donated to Pope Boniface IV. Interpreters within the temple for a long history have been reconstructed several times, but the marble floor has remained since the time of the ancient Roman construction. In the temple are the graves of several kings of Italy, as well as the tombstone of the great Italian painter Raphael.
Trevi Fountain
The Trev fountain is one of Rome's business cards, it can often be seen on advertising cards and booklets. It is located on a small area of \u200b\u200bthe same area and occupies more than half of its space. The fountain adjoins one side to the Paul Palace and visually makes it a single whole.
The Trevi fountain is one of the favorite places of tourists. At any time of the year and day, here do not push through those who want to capture themselves against the background of the famous fountain. There is a belief that if you throw a coin into the Trevi fountain, you will certainly return to Rome again.
Vittoriano
Vittoriano is a monument in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II, who managed to unite all the lands of Italy in modern borders. It occupies the entire northern slope of the Capitol Hill and looks more like a palace than a monument with its sizes. The monument is also often called the altar of the nation, and Viktor Emmnuil II himself, the father of the nation.
At the foot of the monument is the grave of an unknown soldier, from which since 1921 the best representatives of the Armed Forces of Italy have been carried by a 24 -hour honorary guard. The premises inside the monument are used as halls for the exposure of the Rimerjimeno Museum (Italian Association Museum of the History). Locals do not love this monument too much for its appearance and size, it is knocked out of the general panorama of the city, it is even called a “wedding cake” for excessive whiteness and too pompous appearance.
Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus is the largest stadium of ancient Rome. He contained up to 250 thousand spectators and was intended for competitions in chariots. The very first structure of the circus was built of wood back in the 6th century BC, but it was destroyed several times by a fire until a marble stadium was erected in its place.
In the 6th century, the last race was held in the circus, after which the stadium began to come into desolation. The local residents dismantled the marble bricks for other buildings, and today little reminds that the most grand stadium of all time was in this place.
Capitol Hill
The Capitol Hill is the smallest, but the most important of the seven hills of Rome. The first buildings of a person discovered here during excavations are also belonging to the Iron Age. The hill was an ideal place for the first settlers, since its rocky steep slopes provided natural protection against external enemies, right next to the hill was the smallest part of the Tiber River, which was perfect for crossing.
In ancient times, the most massive and significant temples were built here, symbolizing the position of ancient Rome as the center of the world. In the period from the early Middle Ages to the era of the Renaissance, the Capitol Hill was depopulated, fell into decay, the temples were destroyed to the foundation. For some time, the Capitol Hill was even used as a pasture for goats. In the era of the Renaissance, the Capitol Hill was re -built according to the projects of Myelangelo. Today, the city hall and the Capitol Museum are located here.
Palatine
Palatine is the central of the seven hills of Rome. According to legend, it was here that the founders of Rome Rem and Romulus were found in the cave. It is believed that it was here that Romulus laid the first stone in the construction of Rome, and it is from here that the eternal city originates. In ancient times, the Palatine was the most prestigious area for residence, thanks to beautiful views of the city and the cleanest air in the district (the hill rises above the city of 70 meters).
It is not surprising that by the end of the era of the Roman emperors, Hill was built exclusively by the houses and palaces of representatives of the highest caste. In the Middle Ages, the Palatine was built exclusively by monasteries and churches. Today, the Palatine is a ruin of ruins and the best place to study the archaeological history of the city.
Vatican
Vatican is the smallest country in the world, the state in the state. About 800 inhabitants live here, and not one of them is permanent. The population of this tiny region consists of clergymen, monasticism, guards, statesmen. The throne of the world is the pope. The Vatican has his own army - he is guarded exclusively by the Swiss guards, dressed in national uniform.
St. Peter's Square is the main gate of the Vatican, as well as the place of mass meetings of Catholics on large religious holidays.
Saint Paul's Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Peter is the world's largest church. The cathedral is dedicated to one of the main apostles of Christ and is built on the place where St. Peter took martyrdom. The construction of the temple stretched for one and a half centuries, during which several architects were replaced, each of which made significant adjustments to the initial project. Construction was completed in 1626, and since then the Cathedral of St. Peter is considered the center of Christianity around the world.
The crown of St. Peter's Cathedral is a magnificent dome built according to the Michelangelo project. At the top of the dome is an observation deck, from where an exciting view of the city opens. The entrance to the observation deck is paid, visiting the Cathedral of St. Peter for free, but there is a strict dress code, according to which the clothes should cover the knees and elbows of the incoming, the ladies should additionally cover the neckline.
Museums of the Vatican
Museums of the Vatican boast of one of the most impressive works of art of art in the world. Most of the exhibits were presented to dads over many years of government, or acquired by dads at the funds of the church. The Vatican has its own tourist office, which is located on St. Peter's Square. Here you can order audio guides, purchase ready -made excursions, cards, booklets and much more.
You can also send a postcard to your family and friends with the image of the best views of the Vatican.
Today, the Vatican has thirteen museums located in two palace complexes. Do not even hope to see all this splendor in one day. The collection of artistic and historical values \u200b\u200bis so huge that you will have more than one day for a full examination. In a few hours, you can try to see at least the most basic.
Pinakothek Contains the canvases of Rafael, Caravagio, Michelangelo, Perujino and other painters.
The historical museum shows the centuries -old history of the Roman papacy, it is represented by household items, religious relics, documents, photographs and other important exhibits.
AT museum of Pius-Click Ancient statues, frescoes and sculptures found in the vicinity of Rome during excavations are exhibited.
AT shiaramonti Museum Portrait busts and sculptures of noble citizens of Rome of ancient times are exhibited.
The Gregorian Museum of the Etruscans It has a richest collection of objects of the times of the Etorski, who lived in the territory of Rome to the era of ancient emperors.
AT Egyptian museum The arts of the art of ancient Egypt from steles with hieroglyphs to copies of the Egyptian statues of the second century BC are exhibited. It also contains a collection of Egyptian mummies, which were found during the excavations of the necropolis of Deir El-Bahri in Thebes.
AT Museum of modern religious art You can see the canvases of Dali, Kandinsky, Kokoshki, Le Corbusier, Matisse, Munk, Picasso, Roden and Van Gogh.
The Christian Museum of Pius Contains a collection of sculptures, sarcophagi and mosaics from the early Christian era. The most famous object here is the statue of a good shepherd, created in the third century of our era.
Ethnological missionary museum It has objects of religious character from Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Among the main ones: the statue of the god Ketzalcoatl from Mexico, the masks from Sierra Leone and the wooden sculpture of the Tumatauenga deity from French Polynesia.
The Vatican library is one of the most important libraries in the world, includes more than 500 thousand books and more than 60 thousand manuscripts, as well as ancient Christian objects found in Roman catacombs, medieval glassware and objects of precious materials and ivory.
The Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly the most famous attraction of the Vatican. The chapel was built in the fifteenth century as a private chapel for Pope Sikst IV. In 1508, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to repaint the ceiling. However, Michelangelo decided to decorate the ceiling with nine scenes from the Old Testament. The most famous is the composition “Creation of Adam”, which shows how the creator descends from heaven in order to breathe life into Adam. The walls of the chapel are also completely covered with micks of Michelangelo. The most famous of the paintings is the Last Judgment on the altar wall.
Triumphal arch Konstantin
Right next to the Coliseum is an arch of Constantine, built at the beginning of the fourth century in honor of the victory of Constantine over Emperor Maxencia. The arch, decorated with statues and bas -reliefs, has survived to our times relatively unharmed. Konstantin believed that to win dinner over Maxencia (which was originally considered unlikely) to him by the Christian god. As a result, during the reign of Konstantin, the persecution of Christians ended, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the capital of the empire in 325 of our era was transferred from Rome to Constantinople (the then capital of Byzantium, now Istanbul).
Spanish area
Piazza di Spany is one of the most popular places among tourists. The central place of the square is occupied by the famous Spanish staircase connecting the square with the Church of Trinita-de-Monti. The Spanish staircase is especially beautiful in the spring, during the flowering of the azalia decorating the steps. The Spanish staircase is considered a favorite meeting place for tourists and citizens.
At the foot of the stairs is the Barkachch fountain, which depicts a small fishing boat that survived at this place during a tiber’s destructive flood in 1598. On the opposite side of the square is the Spanish palace and a column of Immacolat, erected in honor of the doctrine of the immaculate conception of Christ. The top of the column is crowned by the statue of the Virgin Mary.
Appievo Road
Via Appia Antica was once one of the most important roads in the world and the most famous of all roads emanating from Rome in the direction of the distant borders of the empire. Initially, the road was built in 312 BC by the Decree of APPIA Claudius Tseka, the then censor of Rome, which became famous for the construction of numerous objects of urban infrastructure, which helped to facilitate the life of the Romans.
The stones with which the road beged is so well fitted to each other that it is almost impossible to insert a knife between them. Since during the construction of the road it was forbidden to bury the dead in the city, aristocrats erected their tombs along the most important roads. VIA APPIA was also dotted with similar structures, some of them have survived to this day.
Villa Borgeze
Villa Borgeze is the largest public park in Rome. In addition to walking areas there are temples, fountains, statues and several museums. In ancient times and the early Middle Ages, numerous vineyards were defeated here, but in 1605, Cardinal Scipio Borgeze, Pope Paul V, turned the vineyards into the park.
At the end of the eighteenth century, an artificial lake was created in the center of the park. On the island in the center of the lake, a small Ionny Temple, dedicated to Asclepius, and the god of healing, was built. In 1911, a World Trade Exhibition was held in the park. Some of the pavilions built by the participating countries are still preserved. Of the museums, the most famous is the Borgez Gallery, in which the works of famous masters, including Titian, Rubens and Raphael are exhibited.
The terms of the Karakalla
The terms of the Karakalla were built in 217 AD, during the reign of Emperor Karakalla, as the largest bath complex in the world. Baths functioned for more than three hundred years, in total there were from 6,000 to 8000 visitors daily. The terms played a huge role in terms of hygiene, since in ancient times Rome was so overpopulated that there was simply no room for sanitary facilities within the city.
The terms also performed an important entertainment and communicative role, since the Romans came here to talk, listen to gossip and relax. There were sports halls, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. The Caracalla complex was known for its rich interior, for example, marble seats, mosaic walls and floors, as well as fountains and statues.
The mouth of the truth
The mouth of the truth is an ancient Roman marble disk with a relief thread in the shape of a person’s face. According to legend, if you put your hand in the bas -relief’s mouth and tell a lie, the mouth will immediately close and the liar will lose their hands. Historians are not sure that the initial purpose of the disk was just that, however, in the Middle Ages, the bas -relief began to be used as a lie detector.
The legend has so grown into the daily life of the Romans that even today parents scare the mouths of the truth of their children. In the legendary film "Roman Holidays" there is an episode when the heroine Audrey Hepburn tries to put her hand in the mouth of truth. The bas -relief is located on the left wall of the portico of the church of Santa Maria Cosmedine.
Santa Church Maria Maggozhore
Basilica Santa Maria-Majore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church, which goes back to the fifth century, has a magnificent interior with a very impressive gilded ceiling and a chapel. The church is located at the top of the Eskville hill. Its name means that it is the most important of the eighty churches in Rome dedicated to Mary.
The church is sometimes called Santa Maria-Dladla-Neva (Holy Maria Snezhnaya). According to the legend, the Virgin Mary came to the local landowner in a dream and told him to build a church in the place where he would see the snow. The next day, in the midst of summer, snow in the form of a floor plan for the Church was hilled on Eskvilinsky. Despite the beautiful legend, however, there are no documents confirming this story.
Campo de-Fjori
The name of the area is translated as a “field of flowers”, since once there was a meadow on the site of the square. Despite the fact that the meadow was located in the very center of the city, it was never built up, since it was in this place that the Tiber would be prone to flooding the coast every spring. In the 15th century, the shopping rows began to appear on the site of the meadow, and gradually the place turned into a bazaar square. On Campo de Fiori, the buildings are somewhat chaotic, since it never built up according to plan.
In the Middle Ages, Kampo de Fjori Square acquired the sad glory of the place of public executions. Criminals and heretics took death here, while the methods of killing were the most sophisticated and painful. In 1600, it was here by decree of the Inquisition that the great astronomer Jordano Bruno was burned for the idea that the Earth revolves around the sun. In 1887, a monument to Jordano Bruno was erected on the square.
Roman catacombs
Rome’s catacombs were used in the era of early Christianity as a place where Christians took refuge from the persecution of the Romans for faith. Here they safely committed their religious rites, here they arranged the first secret burials of the deceased Christians. Subsequently, the catacombs began to be used for burials everywhere in the city, since there was no place for cemeteries and tombstones upstairs due to overpopulation.
By the 5th century, the burial in the catacombs ceased, but the catacombs gained popularity as places for pilgrimage and worshiping the holy relics of the first Christians. The catacombs began to decline after the church began to gradually remove the relics of the saints and place them in numerous temples and basilica built upstairs. Since the end of the 9th century, the catacombs have been forgotten for the long 10 centuries and are re -opened only in the 19th century.
Look at the location of the attractions described in the article, as well as find other objects for visits while traveling to Rome, you can rome map in Russianwhich can be downloaded here
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