Rome Landmarks

1. Colosseum

The biggest amphitheatre in the world, the Colosseum is still today the centre of Rome. It became part of the UNESCO world heritage list only in the 1980. Originally in function for more than 4 hundred years is today visited by 7.5 million persons per year.

2. The Roman Forum

It's still possible to visit the remains of the ancient administrative and religious buildings or of the markets. Since it lacks of indications on the spot, it is recommended to consult a good book guide or just to get one on line.

3. The Palatine hill 

This landmark may be the one of the seven hills of Rome where Romulus and Remus founded the city. It is possible to visit cave in which those two twins were breastfed by the she wolf. The Palatine is a very large archaeological site.

4. Piazza Venezia

This landmark is the central point right behind the Forum that impresses with its constantly frenetic traffic and the majestic Altar of the homeland (it. Altare della Patria). This modern monument, dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, the first Italian king, is made of the purest white marble giving really an impressive sensation whether you are seeing it by day or by night. Not right in the centre, but just a few meters away, don’t miss the amazing Trajan’s column.

5. The Vatican

The Vatican is the smallest nation in the world and yet one of the most visited sites in Rome. Residence of the Pope, few priests and nuns and the Swiss guards. The magnificent San Peter’s Square is the point where the line for entering the Basilica starts, The Basilica is an impressive building full of precious altars and monuments and has to be visited for its high cultural artistic values.

6. Vatican Museums

13 museums in one, 7 km of walking distance, various trails to choose, based on the duration, from minimum 1,30 to maximum 5 hours. 

7. Castello Sant’Angelo

This landmark was built by Adriano to serve as his mausoleum, but later it assumed a more military character, becoming also a shelter for the Popes during various invasions. The Castle was accessible directly to the Vatican through a long corridor. Don’t miss to admire the bridge that crosses the Tevere, it was decorated by Bernini.

8. Il Pantheon

This magnificent ancient Roman building is maybe the one best preserved throughout the centuries. At first a Roman temple, then a Cristian church, the Pantheon is today visible for free and it hosts Raffaello’s tomb.

9. Piazza Navona

The first important thing about this Piazza is that it actually occupies the site of an ancient stadium. The second are its beautiful three fountains, then the Dimizian’s Obelisque, the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and Palazzo Braschi as a museum.

10. Piazza di Spagna

This landmark is a meeting point of very suggestive monuments and buildings. The monumental staircase La Trinità dei Monti, the Fontana della Barcaccia, a baroque fountain and the famous Condotti street, all flow together in this energetic triangular square. 

11. The Trevi Fountain

Due to tradition, legends or movies the Trevi Fountain is one of the most romantic sites in Rome. Though you might remain surprise by its position. It just appears unexpected behind a corner and the space around it is very thin and narrow. That is why, if you want a decent photo, chose the late night hours, when the fountains won’t be besieged by hundreds of tourists.

12. Via Condotti and Via del Corso

These lanmarks are two of the most famous shopping streets in Rome. A great destination to get to know the city's incredible verve, especially on Saturday afternoons.

13. Villa Borghese

This landmark is one of the biggest and the most famous public parks in Rome. Villa Borghese includes the National Gallery of Modern Arts, the beautiful Borghese Gallery and the Roman zoo, recently transformed in a Biopark. It has 9 entrances and a surface of 80 hectares.

14. Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is one of the biggest Roman squares. It's known for being the site for gathering of the Romans and Italians in general, for big and significant events, national concerts, like the one of the 1st of May, manifestations, processions and demonstrations. Taking the staircase up the hill a beautiful view will open from the piazza up to the Vatican.

15. Museo Nazionale Etrusco

This ancient Italian population, that might have given birth to Rome had an impressively rich and interesting tradition. The most memorable findings are the sarcophagus of the spouses, the statue of Apollo of Veii and the Pyrgi Tablets.

16. Trastevere

The rion Trastevere on the right side of the river is a very interesting part of the city. Even without big monumental attractions, it will capture you with its original fashion. A typical Italian neighbourhood with local shops and housings, so just get lost in its narrow streets and enjoy your time.

17. Ara Pacis 

The altar dedicated to Pace, the goddess of Peace, is nowadays possible to admire through the new controversial structure in glass and steel. The impact from the outside is significant though and it won’t let you indifferent.

18. Campo de’Fiori

Flowers’ field, origins its name from the Middle Ages, when this area, a meadow, was transformed in a popular urban square with palaces, hotels and markets. The statue of the famous philosopher Giordano Bruno, a heretic friar and scientist, reminds us that the piazza was also the site of public executions in the 16th and 17th century.

19. Catacombs 

Underground tunnels used for burial, the Catacombs aren't exclusively Cristian and are actually present in the whole the world. But the Roman catacombs attract for their beauty, artistic and archaeological value and a very good state of conservation.

20. La serratura

This landmark is a special and (not so much anymore) secret place from where to observe the San Peter’s dome: through the keyhole of the gate of the Villa dei Priorato di Malta.

21. Sweet Rome

At the ice-cream shops San Crispino, gelatteria Giolitti whenever you decide to try them, know that you will have to wait in line for a while. If talking about sweets and cakes the right place is the historical Pompi, the Reign of the tiramisù, but not only… 

22. The Baths of Caracalla 

Built at the beginning of the 3rd century, the Baths of Caracalle were, for almost 100 years, the most imposing thermal areas of the Roman Empire. They ceased to be active in the 6th century. Their rests were often used as building materials. Today they are one of the most visited sites in Rome, especially for their good conservation, since they remained isolated and not embodied in modern buildings.

23. Pyramid

Sometimes indicated as the meta Remi, this pyramid is actually the tomb of Gaio Cestio Euplone, roman magistrate, built in less than 330 days between the 18 and 12 BC. The presence of an Egyptian Pyramid in Rome shows the influence that the Egyptian culture was having at that time in the Caput mundi. Egypt became a roman province just some years ago (32 BC).

24. Eur 

This landmark was born as an ambitious architectural project. It had to become the headquarter of the Universal Exposition that had to be held in Rome in 1942, but never took place because of the Italian involvement in the II WW. The project was completed in the next decades and it offers today samples of monumental architecture, following the fascism ideology, classic roman urbanistic and some elements of the Italian rationalism. The investment in the 30ies was considerable, because the aim was to show to an international public the big success of the fascism.

25. Castelli Romani

This landmark is situated southeast from the city of Rome, in the area of the Alban Hills. Castel Gandolfo, Frascati, Grottaferrata, Velletri, Rocca di Papa are some of the towns where rich families used to escape the long and hot Roman summers. Castel Gandolfo is known as the Pope’s summer residence, Frascati with its Villas is a very attractive touristic destination. The area is also famous for its exquisite cuisine.