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She never hides her years, but still wears them well: after all, Rome is the Eternal City

A walk through the streets of Rome is a stroll through History with a capital H. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it offers and almost demands endless new discoveries, thanks to the enormity of its artistic heritage. As a matter of fact, it is home to two capitals in one city: the Italian capital and the home of the Pope in the Vatican, a place of universal pilgrimage to St Peter's Square.

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Spirituality
basilica di san pietro

St Peter’s Basilica

City
The heart of the Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is the most majestic basilica in Christianity, built on the site where St. Peter was buried. Covering an area of 22,067 square metres, it is 218 metres long (including the portico) and 136 metres high from the ground to the cross on the dome. The ancient imperial basilica was built by Constantine on the burial site of the apostle Peter. Like many other early Christian churches, it was left in a state of decay until the 15th century when, first by the decision of Nicholas V and then under the pontificate of Julius II, reconstruction work began in 1506, following a design by Bramante. Following Bramante's death, other famous architects followed, including Michelangelo, commissioned at the age of 72 in 1547, who simplified Bramante's original design and created what was to be his absolute architectural masterpiece: the dome. Unfortunately, Michelangelo died before seeing it finished, and it was left to Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana to complete it. The façade of the basilica, made by Carlo Maderno in 1614, can now be seen in its original colours after careful restoration in 1999. Preceded by a three-tiered staircase, it is divided by eight columns and pillars that support a trabeation crowned by a balustrade. The central balcony above the portico is the Loggia of Blessings, where the pope blesses the city and the election of the new pontiff is announced. Michelangelo's dome is an immense double-shell structure covered in mosaics. Five bronze doors serve as the entrance to the basilica: the last on the right is the Holy Door, which is only opened in Jubilee years, the middle door has magnificent panels taken from the Constantinian basilica, created by Filarete (1439-45). The doors in the other entrances are modern; the last one on the left (the Door of Death) is by Giacomo Manzù. In the central nave, near the door, is the disc where Charlemagne and the other emperors knelt to be crowned by the pope. The bronze statue of St Peter, probably from the 13th century, ushers in the grandiose area below the luminous Michelangelo dome, supported by four pillars, at the base of which stand the statues commissioned by Urban VIII. Above, four Bernini balconies hold precious relics of the Church. An ideal view of the interior and the perception of space and proportions can be captured well from here, near the papal altar. In the middle, above the altar, rises the bronze Baldachin by Bernini (1624-33), who, according to popular opinion, melted down the Pantheon bronzes to make it. Francesco Borromini also collaborated on the architectural features of the majestic structure (29 metres in height). Barberini's bees rest among the tendrils of the twisted columns, while above, four angels hold festoons and four volutes are joined to support a golden globe surmounted by the cross. Behind the altar, in the apse, the background is occupied by the Chair of St Peter, by Bernini (1656-65), which is a large gilded bronze throne supported by four 5 m tall statues of the church fathers. To the right of the throne is the monument of Urban VIII by Bernini (1627-47) and to the left, that of Paul III by Guglielmo della Porta (1551-75). In the passage between the third and second chapels in the left nave, stands the gilded bronze tomb of Innocent VIII by Pollaiolo (1498), which was moved from the ancient basilica in 1621. In the left transept, in the Madonna delle Colonne Chapel, a marble altarpiece by Alessandro Algardi (The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila, 1646–50) stands above the altar with the pope's relics. In the next arch is the funeral monument of Alexander VII (1672–78), a lavish work by Bernini in polychrome marble. Halfway down the nave, the Presentazione Chapel houses two of the basilica's most recent works: monuments to John XXIII by Emilio Greco (right) and to Benedict XV by Pietro Canonica (left). Under the next arch are monuments to the Stuarts, designed by Filippo Barigioni, and a somewhat erotic memorial stone by Canova in the form of a stele (1817–19). The lid of an ancient porphyry sarcophagus, possibly belonging to tomb of Hadrian and later to that of Otto II, forms the basin of the baptistery. In the first chapel of the right nave we find the beautiful and touching marble group of Michelangelo's Pietà, which has continued to impress for centuries and is the only work that bears Michelangelo's signature (you will find it on the band across the Virgin's chest). It is a youthful work by Michelangelo (1498-99): he was only 23 when he created it, but already in full possession of his technical virtuosity and expressive maturity. On the pillar immediately after the Pietà is the funeral monument to Christina of Sweden by Carlo Fontana. Continuing on, you arrive at the chapel of San Sebastiano, which houses the tomb of Pope John Paul II and, then, to the opulent baroque Blessed Sacrament Chapel with works by Bernini, Borromini and Pietro da Cortona. Beyond the chapel, near the imposing monument of Gregory XIII, Camillo Rusconi, you will find the tomb of Gregory XIV. In the right transept, the monument to Clement XIII (1784–92), with the statue of the pope kneeling in prayer, is one of the most accomplished pieces of work by Antonio Canova.
Museums and monuments
pantheon

Pantheon

City
The largest temple in Rome The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. It was built in 27 BC at the behest of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Between 112 and 125 A.D., Hadrian had it rebuilt, enlarging it, reversing its orientation and opening a large porticoed square in front of the new temple. Its dome, with its 43.44 m internal diameter, is still the widest hemispherical dome ever built in unreinforced concrete, larger than that of St. Peter’s. What is most surprising about the architecture of the Pantheon is its size: the height of the building is equal to the diameter of the dome, just over 43 meters, a feature that reflects the classic canons of rational Roman architecture. The inner part of the dome is decorated with five rows of 28 coffers that narrow upwards. An 8.95-meter-diameter oculus opens in the center, allowing natural light to penetrate and illuminate the entire building. In case of rain, the water enters the Pantheon and disappears into the 22 near-invisible holes in the floor. The oculus creates a spectacular astronomical effect whereby every 21 April at midday, a beam of light enters the Pantheon at such an angle as to perfectly hit the center of the entrance. At that exact hour, the Emperor Hadrian crossed the threshold of the temple so that the people could admire his whole figure surrounded by light, like a god. Having fallen into a state of abandonment and looted, the Pantheon was saved from the Barbarian incursions by Byzantine emperor Foca who donated it to Pope Boniface IV. It was consecrated in 609 to Santa Maria dei Martiri and unknown Christian martyrs were buried in its basement. Later it became a burial place. Raphael and the Kings of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy were laid to rest here. On the day of Pentecost, every year, a shower of rose petals descends from the oculus inside the Pantheon at the conclusion of the celebration of Corpus Christi.
Historical sites
Jewish Ghetto of Rome

Jewish Ghetto of Rome

City
The district of remembrance where you can experience Jewish culture and try traditional Roman Jewish cuisine. Located on Lungotevere de' Cenci, one of the oldest in the world, second only to that of Venice, the Ghetto of Rome was founded in 1555 at the behest of Pope Paul IV. Jews who lived here were required to wear a distinctive sign and could not trade or own real estate. Decommissioned several times, it was finally closed in 1870. In 1904, the Great Synagogue of Rome was inaugurated and even today it is a place of worship but also a reference point for the cultural and social life of the entire community. The Temple is one of the most charming places in the district and inside you can visit the Jewish Museum and the Spanish Temple. In addition to the Synagogue, other monuments of interest are the Church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria, derived from the ancient fish market, where you can admire the Chapel of St. Andrew or even the Church of San Gregorio in Divina Pietà, in honor of Pope Gregory I who granted freedom of worship to Jews, and the Portico d'Ottavia. In the Ghetto is the Turtle Fountain with four bronze ephebes and dolphins resting on shells and on the edge the four turtles, made by Bernini who completed the work. Strolling through these narrow streets, you will notice that some of the cobblestones are covered with brass plaques, the Memorie d'inciampo, with the names of the deportees who, during the round-up of October 16, 1943, never returned from the extermination camps. This is the ideal place where to enjoy a gastronomy stop where you can taste the typical kosher cuisine but also the traditional Judaic-Roman cuisine such as artichokes "alla giudia", anchovies and endive pie, fish broth and cod fillets.
City

The irresistible allure of the Eternal City

The beauty of Rome and its 3,000 years of existence is that it always knows how to surprise, including with unusual places to explore, such as the Coppedé Quarter, the Orange Garden or the Jewish Ghetto, some of the oldest in the world. To be immersed in the Roman way of life, you of course also have to sample the typical cuisine of the capital, and it never disappoints; after all, humble but delicious dishes such as cacio e pepe, carbonara, and gricia were born here.

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Rome Viterbo Rieti Latina Frosinone
Rome
Rome

She never hides her years, but still wears them well: after all, Rome is the Eternal City. A walk through the streets of Rome is a stroll through History with a capital H. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, it offers and almost demands endless new discoveries, thanks to the enormity of its artistic heritage. As a matter of fact, it is home to two capitals in one city: the Italian capital and the home of the Pope in the Vatican, a place of universal pilgrimage to St Peter's Square.

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Viterbo
Viterbo

Viterbo and surroundings The province of Viterbo lies in the Tuscia region, in northern Lazio. Renowned for its natural beauty dotted with Etruscan and Roman remains, this area also offers villages and towns perched atop hills. You can begin your exploration in Viterbo, the City of Popes. After admiring the majestic Palazzo dei Papi and the San Pellegrino quarter, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the spa. Among the local villages, we recommend visiting Bagnaia and the magnificent Villa Lante with its Italian-style gardens, the medieval Caprarola with its impressive Palazzo Farnese, and the abandoned villages of Celleno and Civita di Bagnoregio, “the dying town”. Not forgetting Sutri, perched on a tuff cliff. Further down is ancient Sutri, with a Roman amphitheatre and necropolis. Be sure to visit Bomarzo, famous for its Sacred Grove, nicknamed the Park of the Monsters, with sculptures of mythological and grotesque creatures. For nature walks, check out the volcanic Lake Vico, a nature reserve surrounded by the Monti Cimini hills, or the shores of Lake Bolsena. To explore the area’s Etruscan origins, head to Tarquinia. Today it is a medieval village, but it preserves splendid Etruscan treasures, like the Monterozzi Necropolis with tombs cut into the rock decorated with frescoes.

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Rieti
Rieti

In the footsteps of the Sabatini In the most authentic heart of Lazio, the province of Rieti stretches between rivers and lakes in a predominantly mountainous territory, surrounded by the Sabini and Reatini Mountains. Located in the north-east of the region, it borders, along the Tiber, the province of Viterbo, the capital and the region of Umbria. Unspoilt nature amidst parks and protected areas, history and ancient traditions, Franciscan sanctuaries, fortresses and castles come together in a province whose origins go back to the times of the ancient Italic people of the Sabines. Visiting the towns and villages that characterise the area is an experience not to be missed. Take a tour around the town of Sabina and be sure to visit the Abbey of Farfa, an ancient monastery named after the nearby river Farfarus. The regional capital, Rieti, is also called “the navel of Italy” due to its geographical location. Dominated by the summit of Terminillo, it is an excellent tourist destination particularly appreciated for its tranquillity and beauty. Among the monuments and main places of interest is the Basilica Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Once you have finished exploring the surroundings, refresh yourself with traditional cuisine. Typical dishes include spelt with Leonessa truffles, strangozzi alla reatina and sagne scandrigliesi.

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Latina
Latina

Testimony of 20th-century Italy The city of Latina lies in the heart of the Pontine Plain. Once known as Littoria, it still boasts rationalist architecture, bearing witness to the history of 20th-century Italy. The most iconic example is Palazzo M, built in the shape of Mussolini’s initial. For panoramic views of the city, you can climb the 32-metre-high civic tower. The province offers unexpected surprises: medieval villages, cliffs, caves and the beautiful Circeo National Park — what it lacks in size it makes up for in flourishing flora, fauna and architectural gems, like the ruins of the Villa di Domiziano. Near the capital are the towns of Formia and Gaeta. The latter still boasts an intact medieval historic centre (Gaeta Vecchia) and the Angevin-Aragonese Castle. We also recommend visiting the town of Sperlonga, on the Ulysses Riviera, surrounded by crystal-clear waters, with caves and breath-taking views around every corner. Don’t miss the Gardens of Ninfa, where plants grow among the ruins of an abandoned city. From the mainland, you can reach the Pontine Islands in a couple of hours by ferry. Ventotene, Ponza, Palmarola, Gavi, Zannone and Santo Stefano offer crystal-clear waters, beautiful beaches and wild nature.

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Frosinone
Frosinone

A thousand-year-old city, among ancient Roman ruins and traces of papal history Between Rome and Naples, Frosinone is a city with a history dating back thousands of years. Traces of its glorious past can be found at the Roman Amphitheatre built in the 1st-2nd century AD, the town’s archaeological museum and the Tomb of Sant’Angelo in Maniano. The province, known as Ciociaria, is home to countless picturesque villages steeped in history, as well as natural areas such as Lake Canterno, also known as the “ghost lake”, due to its karst origin dating back to the early 19th century. We also recommend stopping by the Monti Simbruini Regional Park, a protected natural area where mountains, majestic panoramas, valleys and rivers reign supreme. Fumone, home to the Rocca Longhi De-Paolis castle, is famous not only for having served as the prison and place of death of Pope Celestine V, but also for its extraordinary, 800-metre-high hanging garden, the highest in Europe. Another location closely linked to papal history is Anagni, remembered in books for the famous, humiliating “slap” inflicted by Philip IV of France on Pope Boniface VIII in 1303. Ferentino is also worth visiting, with its spectacular remains of megalithic walls, which have been attributed to the Cyclopes due to their sheer scale.

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