Rome

Description

Rome, also known as the "Eternal City", is the capital city of Italy and the administrative centre of the Lazio region. Founded in 753 A.C. by Romulus according to legend, Rome was the cradle of western civilization and the heart of Catholicism. Inside the city is the Vatican City State, represented by the Cathedral and Square of St. Peter’s. The ancient heart of the city is located on the seven hills: Palatine, Aventine, Capitoline, Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, Celio. The historic centre, its ancient architectural and artistic heritage enclosed within the Aurelian walls, bears witness to 3000 years of history.
The Colosseum, the greatest amphitheatre of Ancient Rome, is recognised as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. The feats of imperial Rome also include the Imperial Forums, the Domus Aurea, the Pantheon and Circus Maximus.
The city experienced a period of great artistic ferment during the Renaissance which led to the building of squares like the Capitoline, elegant palaces such as Palazzo Farnese, Palazzo della Cancelleria, Villa Farnesina, and the restructuring of religious centres such as the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.
The Baroque period, with its greatest exponents Bernini and Borromini, brought the city jewels including Palazzo del Quirinale (official residence of the President of Italy), piazza Navona and its Fountain of 4 Rivers, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and Palazzo Spada.
Points of interest include piazza del Popolo, the Vittoriano, the 20^th century neighbourhoods of Coppedè and EUR, the Foro Italico, the Olympic Stadium and the numerous museums including galleria Borghese, galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna and the Capitoline Museums.

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