Rome: A City Overview

Rome, the eternal city, isn't literally eternal but it has endured for over 2,700 years. It is Italy's capital and largest city, offering far too much to see in one visit. The human, livable city is imbedded in centuries of history and culture, with an ambiance like no other. As you stroll through this remarkable city you are walking in the footsteps of the Caesars, St. Peter, Charlemagne, the Popes and Michelangelo! Whatever your interests are, Rome has something special for you. See the art and architecture of the ages, shop for the latest fashions or sit in a sidewalk cafe and drink in the atmosphere.

Rome is famed for its street-level attractions, from the sidewalk cafes to the Spanish Steps to the Trevi fountain (where a coin and a wish will ensure your eventual return to the city). Movie fans will remember the soothsaying "mouth of truth" from the film "Roman Holiday." A less romantic landmark is Santa Maria della Concezione dei Capuccini, with rococo decorations and pyramidal stacks created solely from the bones and skulls of monks.

Rome is a city that will keep you busy and entertained at all times. For people interested in art, music, history, and religion, there are few cities in the world that offer more. The city itself boasts over 900 churches. However, if you were to only visit one, spend a day at the Vatican. St. Peter's Cathedral is one of the largest and most ornately decorated cathedrals found anywhere in the world. In and around this exquisitely decorated church, you will finds works of art from Renaissance Masters such as Michelangelo, Bernini, and Raphael. In the Vatican Museums next to St. Peter's visitors have a chance to see one of the finest art collections in the world! Plan on spending a full day visiting the Vatican.

Another area of Rome that should be high on your list to visit is the Roman Forum. There you will have the chance to visit the massive Colosseum, home to some of the more bloody forms of Roman entertainment and which today stands as one of the most distinctive landmarks in Rome. In the Forum itself lie old triumphal arches, temples, shops, and the remains of old imperial palaces. In one of the newer parts of the Forum rises Trajan's Column. The carvings on the exterior if this imposing column tell the story of Trajan's many different campaigns throughout the empire.

When you get tired of visiting museums and churches, try strolling through the small and winding streets of Rome. Scattered throughout the city are hundreds of shops, markets, restaurants, and of course, some very relaxing piazzas. For many, the day is best spent sitting in one of the cafes lining these plazas getting a bite to eat, having a little wine, and conversing with some friends.

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