Rome Italy Attractions – A Snapshot

Unlike other historic cities, one need not bury oneself in museums to appreciate the wonders of Rome. They are laid out in the open, for all the world to see. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, all stand magnificent and proud, waiting for you to trip out of the right by lane to behold their splendors. Any city can be wandered around but few will reward you with one priceless treasure after another, just awaiting discovery by you. Truly appreciating Rome is hard to accomplish in a single trip, but listed below are chief of Rome’s attractions to help you get started.

The Colosseum Rome

The ancient arena holds echoes of cheering crowds and brings forth glimpses of glorious Gladiator battles. Its façade may be falling into ruin, but one close look and you will be overwhelmed by the sheer size, history and glory of this magnificent Roman attraction.

The Pantheon Rome

Its name literally translating to "all Gods", the Pantheon is a temple to all the great Gods of Rome. A masterpiece in geometrical precision, the dome of the Pantheon remains the largest unfortified dome in the world to date. The dome is designed to signify the heavens and light shining through the opening in the dome moves across the temple like a sundial. The oculus is not only the source of light to the temple but also serves for ventilation and temperature control.

Vatican Museums

Any trip to Rome is incomplete without a visit to the seat of the Catholic Church, the Vatican City. The Vatican Museums take visitors on a tour of numerous exhibits housed within the city, and this alone will need a day of your time in the city. Taking in all the exhibits in their entirety is almost impossible and you would be well advised to earmark the highlights for yourself before beginning the tour. The museums abound with a wealth of artistic treasures, on the walls, on the ceilings and even on the floors, but the crème de la crème among these are the gallery of maps, the Raphael Rooms and of course, Michelangelo’s inimitable work in the Sistine Chapel.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The jewel in Vatican City’s crown, St. Peter’s Basilica is the masterpiece of several artists’ genius spanning centuries. Magnificent from the proportions of its plazas, down to the details of its interiors, Michelangelo’s La Pieta is only one of the outstanding pieces of work you will be glimpsing in here.

Trevi Fountain

Rome’s largest fountain is a marvel in the Baroque style depicting Neptune’s chariot pulled by sea horses. Tradition is to toss a coin into the fountain over your shoulder to ensure a return to the city. It is believed two coins will bring romance while three guarantee wedding bells, which explains why this is one of the most visited Roman attraction.

Villa Borghese

The gardens of the Villa Borghese form one of the largest public parks in Rome and provide a perfect respite from the heat and noise of the city. Also housed within is the Galleria Borghese, home to a lavish art collection by Italian masters.