The Ancient City of Rome

Rome, the "Eternal City", is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio (Latium) region. It's the famed city of the Seven Hills, La Dolce Vita, Vatican City and Three Coins in the Fountain. Its Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you visit Rome, Italy, you will have plenty of chances to see all sorts of great sights. Rome is a very historical city. Currently, almost 3 million people live in the main area, with another 2 million in the surrounding area.

Rome can trace its roots all the way back to a specific date that it was founded on – it’s actually a famous legend. They say that the twins of Roman mythology, Romulus and Remus, founded the city in 753 BC, on the date of April 21st. They are believed to be the descendants of Æneas, the famous character from the legends of Iliad and Æneid. This corresponds fairly closely to archaeological evidence, which shows farming communities in the area, then a sudden development into a full-fledged city around the 8th century BC. It’s hard to say why it underwent such huge growth, but people moved in from all around the countryside. Eventually it became the capital of the Roman territories.

As the Catholic Church grew, Rome became more and more important in both religion and politics. Constantine I was the Bishop of Rome, and would eventually become the first pope. Since he was based in Rome, it quickly became the most important geographical region for the Catholic church. Since then, it has remained the home of the Vatican, which is essentially the headquarters of the Catholic Church.

Rome is well known for its architecture, which brings millions of visitors. The colosseum is a famous Roman structure. It was once a grand, ground-breaking amphitheatre, and was at the forefront of architectural advancements in 70 AD, when it was built. Since then it has fallen apart slightly, but it still an astounding and imposing structure.

Italians are very fond of their landmark and their ancient culture and in order to make it more accessible every year there is a week during which every publicly managed place is free. This nice happening which typically is in mid-May is "La settimana dei beni culturali", i.e. 7 to 10 days all landmark, archaeological places and museums belonging to public management (including Colosseum and all the areas of the ancient Foro) are free.

Walk and feel the energy of the place, sights are everywhere waiting to be discovered. Explore the Trastevere neighbourhood for some great cafes and trattorie, and a glimpse at a hip Roman neighbourhood.

Partying in Rome is a pretty easy thing to do. Given a heart for exploration, Testaccio is the place to wander. Head down there around 11pm and listen for music. The outsides of the clubs will give you NO idea what the insides are like. There are usually loads of people simply walking through the street or looking for parking. Be brave, walk in, meet some wonderful Romans, but never buy them drinks unless you are looking for sex (in this case, better to be sure you are inviting the right person). This area is best in the summer when the dancing moves outside. In the winter, most clubs close.

Rome was one of the central leading cities in the Renaissance, and that is apparent when you walk through the streets and see the various buildings. The style was profoundly affected by the work of the artists of the time. You can see evidence of all sorts of artistic influences, such as the Baroque palaces, the huge squares and obelisks, and other structures throughout the city.

Modern Rome is a very busy place to go. It is considered a cultural centre for the region, and offers all the arts in various forms. It has a thriving music scene, with several major concert halls. Rome puts out a lot of movies every year, more so than any other region of Italy. It is home to Cinecittà studios, the biggest facility in Europe.

So, plan your trip to Rome, and see all of these things in person!