Thursday 19 January 2017

Chronicles from Rome | 7 Must Go Places in the Eternal City





Rome is known to be the Eternal City and visiting it is like making a voyage in time, stepping from an era to the next. From the Imperial Rome, to the Medieval, through the Renaissance Rome to the Baroque we can find the impressive marks of architecture and art.

The city has so much to see and enjoy that we can stay for weeks without running out of places to visit. Unfortunately, for most of the visitors the time is limited and choices have to be done. If you don't have that many days to stay in Rome, plan your visit to check all of this unmissable places.


THE ROMAN FORUMS

The Forum was the center of the political, juridical and comercial life of the Ancient Rome. As the Roman population grow, the original Forum get too small and in 46BC Julius Cesar ordered the construction of a new one. Several Emperors after him did the same.  Today, the archaeological sites of the several Forums constitute an organic complex renamed in the modern era the “Imperial Forums”, reaching from Capitol Hill  (Campidoglio) to the foot of the Quirinale Hill. Walking around those ancient stones is an unforgettable experience that no visitor can miss.





THE COLOSSEUM

The construction of the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire was commissioned  by Vespasian in 72 AD in a swamp area of the city. It was used for gladiator fights and hunting simulations involving ferocious and exotic animals. With almost two thousand years, the Colosseum is still the symbol of the eternal city, drawing thousands of visitors every year. This means long queues and an endless wait, but don't despair, you can avoid it buying the tickets online. The visit to its interior is really worthwhile.





THE PANTHEON

The Pantheon, built by the Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD  is a true master piece of Roman engineering.  As we enter, our eyes are drawn to the central round aperture at the very top of the dome that illuminates the entire building. Built over the ruins of a previous  temple
commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, to a whom was made a dedicatory inscription on the portico, the Pantheon was transformed in a charge in the Middle Age. There you can find the tombs of Raphael and of several Italian kings.





PIAZZA NAVONA

Piazza Navona is an elegant square, full of people and animation. Built on the site of Stadium of Domitian, still preserves its outline while presenting a predominantly Baroque style.  The main focal point is undoubtedly the Fontana dei Quatro Fiumi or Fountain of the Four Rivers, placed in the center of the square. The piazza is a highly popular meeting place for Romans and tourists alike, and a nice place to have a meal in one of its numerous restaurants.





FONTANA DI TREVI

Inspired by the Roman triumphal arches, the Fontana di Trevi was built in the 18th-century. This beautiful Baroque fountain is one of the most crowded spots in Rome and is not easy to get close to its edge. If you fantasize with a reenactment of the iconic scene of the movie La Dolce Vita, think twice as entering the basin of the fountain is strictly forbidden. Nevertheless, you can drop a coin in the water, guaranteeing a future return to Rome.






PIAZZA DE SPAGNA

The area around this square is a must go place. From having a meal (or a gelato!) at one of the Cafés in the square, to appreciating the view from the scalinatta, to  take a walk in the Pincio Gardens or a visit to the Villa Medici, not to say, for the most fashionable of you, a shopping tour to some of the most famous fashion stores streets in Rome (Via Condotti rings any bell?), there is a lot to do around this beautiful square.





VATICAN

A visit to the Vatican City is mandatory, not only to Piazza San Pedro and the Basilica but also to the Vatican Museums. To visit the Basilica di San Pedro beware you must be wearing suitable clothes. Shorts and mini skirts or even sleeveless dresses or blouses are not allowed. The magnificent Vatican Museums are among the greatest and most important in the world. Its magnificence and popularity explains the extremely long queues tailing back from the the entrance. But rest assured, once inside you'll find your patience to be totally rewarded. There is so much to see that you should allow at least half a day to check the most important exhibits.



















33 comments:

  1. Great tips for things to see!

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  2. Great list! I can honestly say that I visited all of these stops during my Rome trip :) Loved the Spanish Steps and plaza.

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    1. Thank you for your comment! The Spanish Steps are such a great place, so full of life and color. Love it too :)

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  3. I would love to see Rome someday soon. I love the historical sites!

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    1. I hope you will Amanda. Italy is great and Rome is a fantastic city! Its a real history lesson. Thank you for your comment :)

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  4. I felt as if I'd stepped back in time just reading this. Impressive sites. I hope I get to see Rome for myself some day.

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    1. I hope so Donna! I'm sure you will love it. There is so much more to see! I will post some more articles on Rome soon.

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  5. You definitely captured all the main highlights of Rome. One by one must-see landmarks. But there is so much more to Rome than this, it's a pity not many tourists have/take the time to explore more.

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    1. Jury you are absolutely right. I'll be writing a series of articles on Rome soon. Hope to see you back here :) Thank you for your comment.

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  6. A great list of historic sites to visit in Rome!

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    1. Yes it is Cathy, and the best is yet to come ;) Thank you for your comment!

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  7. Before traveling to Rome the first time I thought it was cliche and probably overrated. Notice I said "the first time." Obviously, on my first visit I fell in love. It is like traveling back in time and there is so much we can learn from the past that still holds true today.

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    1. That happen to me too! We see Rome in films and in TV shows or read about it in books and the first time we get there all our expectations are surpassed. Thank you for your comment!

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  8. Planning to visit Rome soon and this post/guide would come in very handy.

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    1. Thank you for commenting Ash. I'll be publishing some more posts on Rome soon so pay us a visit before planning your visit to check if is there any thing new.

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  9. Your list is spot on and a good one for first-time visitors to Rome. I have been there several times and agree that these sites should not be missed. Very nice and informative post.

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    1. Thank you Christine! These sites should not be missed, but there is so much more in this wonderful city.

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  10. I absolutely adore Rome. It was my first of many travel love at first sights, but I never feel as happy as I am in Rome. I'd love to spend more time there and maybe live in Rome for a couple of months. thanks for awaking the flame!

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    1. I have the same feeling about Rome (and Florence, and Paris...) Would love to spend there some more time to enjoy it like a local. Who knows, maybe we will be neighbors in Rome someday :)

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  11. Rome is crazy and awesome. I'd love to go back as I haven't been since I was 17!

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  12. I want to target at least these in our Rome trip. I know there is a lot to Rome in terms of beauty and history, I hope to cover as much as possible in 4 days.

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  13. The Spanish steps and plaza is something I love the most visiting! Thanks for sharing this piece I see some new places in this, May be I can visit them on my next trip in March! Cheers :)

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  14. I traveled to Rome recently and I came to check if I'd missed something. I actually went to all 7 sites you mentioned so I am very pleased. Did you hear that the Trevi fountain froze over in winter? It would have been cool to see it frozen!

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  15. I absolutely loved Rome. We didn't make it inside the Vatican though, as we had a bag with us and there was no lockers to put it in. It was an honour system where you left it outside and hoped it was still there when you finished exploring. Other than that we completed your list! :)

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  16. This is making me really want to revisit Rome. The Trevi fountain is one of my favourite spots :)

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  17. This is such an informative post. Rome has been on our bucket list from long.
    Now due to this post, we have a checklist for the city as well. Thanks.

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  18. Ah such a perfect list of the classic Roman must-do's! Makes me want to go back!

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  19. Gladiator fights with Lions are one of the reasons there are no Lions in north Africa now apparently. We just HAVE to go and see the colosseum, i imagine it would be such a surreal, visceral feeling standing on top of so much history!

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  20. A great round-up of the best of Rome! Thanks!

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  21. Rome is one of my favourite places in Europe. I love walking down those beautiful little streets, watching the world go by in one of the cute cafes and oh my the FOOD is just too good.

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  22. I have to be honest. Rome isn't one of my favorite cities. But I seem to be in the minority. I think I should give it another chance after reading your tips.

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  23. Rome has been on my list of places to visit all my life. I mean, I am from Rome, Georgia and everytime I tell someone I'm from Rome they automatically think I'm referring to Rome the country hahaa. So, It's only fitting I at least visit the place, right? I'd love to visit all of these places when I do finally make it there.

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