Rome

Few cities in the world can boast of heritage and history as rich and as interesting as Rome. It is the capital of Italy, located within its Lazio region. Its central area, known as the Historic Center of Rome, is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Sights & Activities

There are far too many sights in Rome to see in just a few days of vacation. A week or more would be needed to truly experience the city’s entirety. However, there are several attractions that visitors shouldn’t miss. One of its most popular attractions is the Vatican City, an independent sovereign state headed by the Pope. Occupying a little more than a hundred acres, it is a famous pilgrimage destination of Catholics. Its most prominent structure is the St. Peter’s Basilica, built over the tomb of its namesake. The basilica opened its doors to the public in the 3rd century AD. Its famous dome was designed by Michelangelo and visitors can climb up to the dome and view some of the sights of Rome. Other highlights of the structure include the canopy over the high altar, the Chair of St. Peter, and the ‘Pieta’ sculpture by Michelangelo, who also painted the famed ceiling of the nearby Sistine Chapel.

At the Piazza Santa Maria in Cosmedin is the Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth. It is actually an ancient storm drain that has become popular due to a legend in which a person who puts his or her hand on the mouth and tells a lie will be unable to withdraw it.

Visitors also flock to the Fontana de Trevi or the Trevi Fountain. This water feature has an impressive marble centerpiece with a statue symbolizing the ocean. A lot of visitors toss coins into the fountain for good luck, making it one of the income-generating landmarks in the city.

Facing the Tiber River and located at the Lungotevere Castello is the Castel Sant’ Angelo. This circular structure started out as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian but was converted into a papal fortress during the 6th century AD because of its proximity to the Vatican. Its most striking feature is the bronze statue of Saint Michael perched on the top of the structure. The castle now houses a museum.

A visit to Rome will not be complete without a stopover at the Colosseum, located at the Piazza del Colosseo. This massive structure is the venue of gladiator games during the Roman times and now exists in ruin. Visitors are charged admission fee to explore this imposing structure that had once been the setting of gruesome deaths for public amusement.

Another remnant of Roman civilization can be explored a short distance west of the Colosseum, the Foro Romano, or simply called the Forum. Located along Via Sacre, there are numerous monuments and landmarks to be seen in the Forum, which witnessed the glorious years of the Roman Empire. Of particular interest are the remains of palaces and temples commissioned by the wealthy families of that time. And while in the area, visitors should also head to the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II or the National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II. It was completed in 1935 to honor the first king of unified Italy. The structure was built out of pure white marble with impressive statues of Victor Emmanuel as well as of the goddess Victoria.

At the Piazza della Rotunda is the Pantheon, considered to be the most well-preserved Roman monument in the country. Dedicated to the gods of Ancient Rome, it has long been converted into a Christian church that has provided services since 7th century AD.

Rome also boasts of several spectacular gardens that visitors can head out for leisurely strolls. Among the most notable outdoor destinations are the Gianicolo atop the Janiculum Hill, the estensive Villa Borgese in the northern part of the city, and the Villa Torlonia where Mussolini once lived.

Weather

Because of its proximity to the Mediterranean coast, Rome enjoys a climate that rarely gets uncomfortably cold during winter. Its coldest month is January, when temperature hovers just above the freezing point. The best times to visit Rome are during the spring and autumn seasons, when the temperatures get comfortable enough to stay outdoors the whole day. Summer, during June to August, can get hot with outdoor temperature sometimes reaching 32°C. In the past, most residents of Rome go on holidays during this time, though the present time saw more people preferring to stay within the city and more businesses remain open.