Rome Adventures

At last, this is the last city I'll be visiting on my summer Europe trip, the Ancient city of Rome. Here are some top things I plan on visiting:

Arcibasilica di San Giovanni in Laterano 

Commonly known as St. John Lateran's Archbasilica, St. John Lateran's Basilica, St. John Lateran, or just The Lateran Basilica, is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope. It is the oldest and ranks first among the five Papal Basilicas of the world.

The official dedication of the Archbasilica and the neighboring Lateran Palace was led by Pope Sylvester I in 324, declaring both to be a Domus Dei or "House of God." The church was residence of the popes coming back from the exile in Avignone during 1377 when it was moved to the Vatican.

Sculptors of the late baroque made the great statues of the Apostles in 1700 and are featured throughout the church. Above the sacramental altar there’s a fragment of the table on which Jesus consumed the last supper.

Colosseum

Rome’s great gladiatorial arena is the most iconic sight in the city of Rome. Inaugurated in AD 80, the 50,000-seat Colosseum, was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. Inside, tiered seating surrounded the arena. It is built over an underground complex (the hypogeum) where animals were caged and stage sets were prepared. Entertainment such as gladiators fighting wild animals or each other was taken place at the arena.

The arena was originally named after Vespasian's family (Flavian), and although it was Rome’s most fearful arena, it wasn’t the biggest. The Circo Massimo could hold 5 times more, up to 250,000 people. The name Colosseum was  introduced in medieval times and was not a reference to its size but to the Colosso di Nerone, a giant statue of Nero that stood nearby the site.

The outer walls have three levels of arches, jointed by columns. The external walls were originally covered in travertine and marble statues filled the niches on the 2nd and 3rd stories. The 80 entrance arches, known as vomitoria, allowed the viewers to enter and be seated in a matter of minutes.

During the fall of the empire in the 6th century, the Colosseum was abandoned. In the Middle Ages, it became a fortress occupied by two of the city's warrior families: the Frangipani and the Annibaldi.

Pantheon 

A striking 2000-year-old temple, now church, the Pantheon is considered the best-preserved ancient monument of Rome. It is also considered one of the most influential buildings in the Western world.

The church was built by Hadrian over Marcus Agrippa’s earlier 27 BC temple and has stood since AD 120.  It exhibits bronze doors and it features the largest unreinforced concrete dome ever built.

Hadrian's temple was dedicated to the classical gods, hence the name Pantheon (a derivation of the Greek words pan (all) and theos (god)). In AD 608 it was blessed as a Christian church. Because of this dedication, it was spared the worst of the medieval times that took down many of Rome's ancient buildings.

The real fascination of the Pantheon is in its massive dimensions and awe-inspiring dome. Considered the ancient Romans' greatest architectural achievement, it was the largest dome in the world until the 15th century and is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in existence.

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica was built over an earlier 4th-century church, and was completed in 1626 after 150 years of construction. It contains many spectacular works of art, including three of Italy’s most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini’s 29m-high baldachin over the papal altar. The basilica attracts up to 20,000 people on a busy day, and it one of Rome’s most popular sights.

The original church was commissioned by the emperor Constantine and built around 349 on the site where St. Peter was said to be buried between AD 64 and 67. But like many medieval churches, it eventually fell into disrepair. In the mid-15th century it was restored by Pope Nicholas V and then more successfully, Julius II.

Michelangelo simplified Bramante’s plans and drew up designs for what became his greatest architectural achievement: the dome. He never lived to see it built. It was left to Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana to finish it in 1590. With the dome in place, Carlo Maderno inherited the project in 1605. He designed the monumental facade and lengthened the nave towards the piazza.

St Peter's Square

The Vatican’s central square overlooks St Peter's Basilica. Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini formed it between 1656 and 1667 to a design. From above, it resembles a giant keyhole with two semicircular walkways, each consisting of four rows of Doric columns, encircling a giant ellipse that straightens out to funnel believers into the basilica. Bernini described the colonnades as representing ‘the motherly arms of the church’.

Vatican Museums

It was founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century and made famous by successful popes. Vatican Museums features some of the world's greatest art collections. Exhibits, which are displayed along about 7km of halls and corridors, range from Egyptian mummies and Etruscan bronzes to ancient busts, old masters and modern paintings. 

Highlights include the spectacular collection of classical statuary in the Museo Pio-Clementino, a suite of frescoed rooms by Raphael, and the Michelangelo-painted Sistine Chapel.

On the inside are three courtyards: the Cortile della Pigna, the Cortile della Biblioteca and, to the south, the Cortile del Belvedere.

On the whole, exhibits are not well labeled, so an audioguide or buying the Guide to the Vatican Museums and City is the best options for visitors.

Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti) is perfect for people watching. Piazza di Spagna was named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, although the staircase was designed by Italian Francesco de Sanctis and built in 1725 with a legacy from the French.

At the foot of the steps, the Barcaccia (the ‘sinking boat’ fountain) is believed to be by Pietro Bernini, father of the more famous Gian Lorenzo.

Trevi Fountain

The Fontana di Trevi is Rome's largest and most famous fountain. An extravagant baroque of mythical figures, wild horses, and cascading rock falls. It takes up the entire side of the 17th-century Palazzo Poli.

The famous tradition is to toss a coin into the water, promising that one day you'll return to the Eternal City.

The fountain's design, was work of Nicola Salvi in 1732 and portrays Neptune's chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses – one wild, one docile – representing the moods of the sea.

Museo e Galleria Borghese

This museum houses what is considered the ‘queen of all private art collections’. It features paintings by Caravaggio, Botticelli and Raphael, as well as some spectacular sculptures by Bernini. Bernini's Ratto di Proserpina (Rape of Persephone) and Canova's Venere vincitrice (Conquering Venus) are some highlights.

To limit numbers, visitors are admitted at two-hourly intervals, so visitors need to book tickets and get an entry time.

The villa is divided into two parts: the ground-floor gallery, with its superb sculptures, complex Roman floor mosaics and over-the-top frescoes; and the upstairs picture gallery.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Dungeons, tombs, papal chambers, canons, armor, temporary exhibits, and an angel at the top are all to explore in this round castle. It began as Emperor Hadrian's design for his own tomb. A secret passageway, the 'passetto,' links the castle with the Vatican apartments. Summer evenings offer concerts on the terraces. In winter, an ice skating rink goes up outside.

I used http://www.lonelyplanet.com and http://www.tripadvisor.com

To check out more top spots to visit in Europe on my travel and lifestyle blog posts check out: Florence Adventures, Venice Adventures, or Paris Adventures