Colosseum, visiting card of ancient Rome. What to see in rome

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“While the Colosseum stands, Rome also stands; as soon as the Colosseum is gone, Rome will disappear, and the whole world will follow it.” Each prosperous city or resort has its own attraction, which is equivalent to a visiting card. For example, in the Crimea bird home, in Paris - the Eiffel Tower, and the majestic capital, ancient city, famous for its by the Colosseum. Even with a schematic representation of a map of Europe, very often you can see the image of the Colosseum on the site of Rome, it perfectly reflects all the splendor and bloodthirstiness of the greatest empire of the ancient world.

The primitive arena for thousands of spectacles got its name from the Latin word colosseus, which means "huge" or "colossal", but this name was approved only eight centuries after the construction. The reason for this name was not only the bulkiness of the structure, but also the Colossus - huge statue Emperor Nero - located nearby. This majestic building was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater because of the ruling dynasty that built the building (72-80 AD). The thought that it took only eight years to build this splendor is shuddering and awe-inspiring.

The fashion for sports competitions of gladiators in Rome has gone since the reign of Julius Caesar, and the project for a grandiose amphitheater in Rome was developed by Augustus, but a completely different emperor began construction. The ancient Roman historian Suetonius, who lived at that time, mentions in his writings that the construction began by the emperor Vespasian, just after his inspiring victories in the Kingdom of Judea. However, Vespasian was not destined to see the finished result of his plan. The construction was completed already during the reign of another Roman ruler - Titus. The son of Vespasian staged grandiose games and gladiator fights during the opening of the Colosseum (Flavian Amphitheatre). There is historical evidence of battles on land, sea battles, more than five thousand animals were released in a hundred days!

Not only the inhabitants of the capital, but the inhabitants of the entire ancient empire came to look at the gladiator fights on land and sea. Some historical sources say that rape of women by animals took place here. Such a spectacle in ancient Rome was in great demand, because the pages of Roman mythology tell of Jupiter, who loved to take possession of women in the form of animals. The woman was dressed in a special robe, soaked in the smells of the female, and released into the arena, where the beast was waiting for her. For a long time such amusements of the rich citizens of Rome were amused. In 246, Rome broke out with grandiose feasts and festivities on the occasion of the millennium of the city, comparable in its grandeur only with the opening of the amphitheater.

The first negative mention of the gladiator games and the blood feast of the Colosseum was made in the 5th century. Honorius. He was outraged by such cruelty, which is forbidden even by the elementary dogmas of Christianity and humanity. However, Rome wanted circuses, so she got them. Gladiator competitions stopped, but the animals continued to be released onto the stage. In the arena of the Roman amphitheater, battles for life continued for a very long time, until the death of Theodoric the Great in 526. After his death, not only for the Colosseum, but for the entire Roman worldview, terrible times come.

The barbarians who came to Rome did not touch grand building, the heads of the Catholic Church inflicted the greatest damage. Starting from the distant fifteenth century for those times. Before these sad events, it is known that the amphitheater belonged to the noble families of the patricians (Frangipanni, Annibaldi), who fought for power over the city. The Annibaldi were forced to give up their ancient fortress in favor of Henry VII, who left the Colosseum to the judgment and power of the citizens of Rome. There were no more chic and bloodthirsty fights here, but the local aristocracy still indulged in bullfights. If we talk about the damage done to the Colosseum by the Catholic Church, then we must admit it is great. Popes and cardinals used it as an inexhaustible source of building material such as: the Venetian Palace of Paul II, the Palace of Chancery, St. Peter's Cathedral, Palazzo Fernese, Sixtus V's cloth factory, and Clement IX completely equipped the Colosseum as a saltpeter factory. This was true until the ordination of Benedict XIV in 1740, who called the Colosseum the site of the martyrdom of many honest Christians.

A huge crucifix and several altars, which were removed in 1874, because the idea was strongly supported by Pius VII and Leo XII. During their rule over the church, the Colosseum was somewhat restored, the internal stairs and walls were corrected and strengthened. Today, the Colosseum is one of the leading attractions of Rome and all of Italy.

On the territory of the Colosseum there were long archaeological excavations, and the found fragments of the building were inserted into their original places. Despite all its grandeur, the Colosseum is still in need of restoration. It is known that in 1991 the Italian Ministry and the Bank of Rome reached an agreement under which the bank transferred 40 billion lire for the restoration and maintenance of the monument for the planned waterproofing of the arcades and the reconstruction of the wooden floor of the arena. In Italy, never before has such a significant agreement been concluded between the government and the bank for the preservation of a cultural monument. For the first time, the Roman Colosseum was included in the list of the Seven Wonders of the World in the first century by the Roman poet Martial, and he did not escape his fate in 2007, when he was also rightfully recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

During the reign of brother Titus Dominican, extensive basements were built here. A little later, under Emperor Macron, the Colosseum burned down almost to the ground, but within a short time was restored by order of Alexander Severus. This majestic building is located between three hills: Caelievsky, Esquiline and Palatine. Once upon a time, on this very spot where the Colosseum stands, there was a pond of the Golden House of Emperor Nero. The amphitheater was built in the shape of an ellipse (the outer ellipse is 524 m, the major axis is 188 m, and the minor axis is 156 m), like other amphitheatres of Ancient Rome, the places for spectators are made in the form of concentric rings that surround the figure of the building. The thickness of the foundation of the building reaches thirteen meters, and the height of the walls of travertine marble is 50 m. The Colosseum was designed for 50,000 spectators of gladiator fights. Around the perimeter there are 80 entrances and exits, which facilitate the movement of spectators and prevent crowding.

The highest nobility, as a rule, was located separately in the lower rows, and four entrances were separate for it. The entire first floor was intended for one spectator - the emperor of the Roman Empire, for whom a special throne and places for his inner circle were also intended. For security reasons, the imperial family, vestals and senators were separated from the arena by a high parapet, the rest of the visual places were built in three tiers, depending on the social and financial situation of the spectators. The richest patricians sat on the first tier, the citizens of Rome sat on the second tier, and the third tier was intended for the plebeians. In order to give viewers on the third tier a better view of the games, the stones were arranged in a steeper inclination.

During bad weather, a huge awning was stretched around the roof of the Colosseum; sailors of the imperial fleet were invited especially to control this process during gladiatorial performances. A huge awning was attached to the masts, traces of which have survived to this day. The architectural plan of the Colosseum, which was built in ancient times, still remotely resembles our today's stadiums. Unfortunately, during its existence, it has lost two-thirds of its mass, but at the same time, it still has not lost its solidity. The architects of the 18th century calculated the approximate cost that was spent on the construction of the already impoverished and dilapidated Colosseum - 8 million francs.

Despite the fact that the Colosseum is open annually to hundreds of thousands of tourists flocking to, and the colossal government costs to maintain a historical monument, its appearance still leaves much to be desired. It is also not suitable for filming cinema, all films mentioning gladiators and the Colosseum were filmed in Tunisia, where the second largest amphitheater of antiquity is located, which turned out to be much more resistant than today's Colosseum.

Rome - the capital of the Republic of Italy since 1871, administrative center the region of Lazio and the Roman province - spread over an area of ​​150 sq. km. It is a hilly area: the eternal city occupies 12 hills, and the historical center is located on seven of them: Capitoline, Palatina, Viminal, Esquilina, Caelia, Aventina and Quirina. The Tiber River crosses Rome from north to south. Once it was a full-flowing, navigable river that threatened the inhabitants with floods. Today she is chained in stone parapets and does not pose a danger.

Population.

Rome - densely populated city. The number of inhabitants, since 1870 - when Rome became the capital - has grown from 200 thousand to 3 million. However, there are almost no real, original Romans left here: the city has hospitably opened its arms to residents of other regions and states. Almost all Romans are Catholics. But there are very few true believers among them. There are also representatives of other faiths: Muslims, Christians.

Transport.

In Rome, the underground is not so well developed. transport system like, for example, in Moscow. This is probably due to certain difficulties in laying communications under the historical part of the city. The metro has only two lines - they are fastened by the Termini platform - the stations of which are not always located near historical sites and attractions. For a tourist, line A, which starts at the Vatican, should be of particular interest. Tickets are sold at the Tabacchi kiosks with a large white beech T.

Buses run long enough (from 6 to 24 hours), but not regularly. Therefore, it is better to explore seven-hill Rome not on foot, but by buying a route map and bus schedules, tickets for which are sold at newsstands.

There are three airports in Rome: the Leonardo da Vinci airport, which is located 26 km from the city center, at the mouth of the Tiber River, and Chiampino Airport and Urbe Airport.

The only central Train Station- this is the station Stazione Termini, which is on Piazza di Cinquecento, where trains come from all directions. Taxis in Rome are only yellow cars with a servizo pablico sign - it is better to order by phone, for example, in any restaurant or hotel, or find them at official parking lots - in the central squares of the city.

On the territory of Rome there is a separate city-state - the Vatican, occupying an area of ​​40 hectares.

Sights of Rome

For all my centuries of history Rome has accumulated a large number of attractions: historical monuments and majestic squares, ancient buildings and ruins, gothic cathedrals And magnificent palaces, Catholic churches and Christian churches - all this can be found in the city literally at every step. Therefore, the most important recommendation that can be given to tourists when exploring Roman sights, and especially historical center Rome - buy detailed map and walk around the city on foot. To get a good view of Rome from above, you need to climb one of its hills: Gianicolo, Aventine or Pincho.

So Rome is:

Architectural monuments

Roman forum

Castle of the Holy Angel

Arch of Constantine

spanish stairs

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

Santa Maria Maggiore

Imperial forums

appian way

Aqua Paola (or Gianicolo)

Barkachcha (Boat)

Della Villa Medici

Delle Api

Del Pantheon

quattro fountaine

On the squares of Arakoeli, Campitellina, Colonna, Kviriti

Four Rivers

Museums (main):

Archaeological

Baron Baracco

vatican

urban zoological

Jewish art

capitol

Folk art and traditions

Roman culture

Napoleon's families

Rome on Trastevere

Folklore and folk art

Churches and basilicas (some):

Il Gesu

San Agnese in Agone

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

Santa Ceciliana in Trastevere

San Clemente

Santa Constanza

San Giorgio in Velabro

The listed attractions, of course, introduce only that small part of Rome, which is most visited by tourists and is known to a wide range of admirers of this city.

The Roman Colosseum, formerly called the Flavian Amphitheater, is the most famous ancient building and personifies ancient Rome and Italy in general. The Colosseum got its name from the Latin word for colossus. It perfectly reflects the monumentality of the structure. The amphitheater got its current name because of the gigantic statue of Emperor Nero, installed in front of it, but disappeared without a trace in the Middle Ages.

The Colosseum is located in the center of Rome, not far from the Golden Palace of Nero. The building can accommodate about 50,000 people, which is much more than modern stadiums can accommodate. This once again confirms the grandeur of the construction plan and the greatness of the Colosseum, even many centuries after its construction.

Along with other attractions of ancient Rome, the Colosseum will always be a reminder of the cruel past, when crowds of visitors came to the stands for the bloody spectacle. Here, many centuries ago, captive warriors, slaves and even animals fought desperately and ingloriously died for the spectacular recreation of free and wealthy Romans. And now, many centuries later, the memory of those inhuman times attracts many tourists to the Colosseum.

How the Colosseum was built

Construction began in 72 by Emperor Vespasian. The grandiose construction was completed in 80 by Emperor Titus. Thus, the Colosseum was built for a relatively short time for such a large-scale structure - 9 years. Not only a large number of specially brought slaves took part in the construction, but also architects, sculptors, professional engineers and builders. Therefore, the building came out so majestic and pompous.

On the very first day of the grand opening of the games, the amphitheater began to collect its victims - thousands of gladiators and animals were killed. The games then lasted almost a hundred days. Gladiator fights and animal hunting are the main entertainments for the blood-demanding public. And throughout the history of the Colosseum, the death toll is in the hundreds of thousands.

In 81-96, Emperor Domitian decided to improve the building. Underground tunnels had to be built to keep gladiators and animals. So that the amphitheater could accommodate even more spectators, a fourth tier was built.

The killing of people in the Colosseum stopped only with the advent of Christianity, and they also stopped hunting animals.

Completion of cruel glory

The main reasons for the end of the bloody games were:

• spread of Christianity
• financial and military crisis
• frequent barbarian invasions

Huge expenses were needed to organize the games, and in the absence of them, the Colosseum was no longer needed ...

The glory of imperial Rome has sunk into history, the Colosseum has ceased to be a place of entertainment. The amphitheater began to be used as a dwelling, as a fortress, but no longer as an arena for the bloodthirsty pastime of the Romans. But now the walls of the amphitheater have been destroyed by the elements and people taking bricks from the walls to build other buildings.

As a result of the merciless action of time, the elements and people, after 2000 years, two thirds of the amphitheater was destroyed. From the former greatness of the Colosseum, only ruins remained. But since it was declared a public church in 1749, people have ceased barbarously destroying the walls, removing stones from there.

They even decided to restore the amphitheater, and since then they have been periodically reconstructed, up to the present day. Modern look The Colosseum received during the reign of Benito Mussolini, the famous Duce.

Today it is one of the most famous sights of the city of Rome. Every day, the surroundings and the amphitheater itself are the object of pilgrimage for thousands of tourists, it is not surprising that the number of visitors is estimated at several million annually.

A trip to Rome is a real test for the curious. It is impossible to see all the sights of Rome in one visit, and it is equally impossible to choose what exactly is worth seeing in the first place, the city is so diverse and interesting in any corner.

Rome is an extraordinarily eclectic city. Here mixed catholic churches and modern buildings, medieval markets and ancient ruins, history and modernity, majestic buildings and the most terrible slums, modest monks and bright freaks ... - all this creates an inimitable, amazing modern Rome. In a sense, this eternal city remains the center of the world.

Rome - the eternal city

The main attractions of Rome

Perhaps this is the oldest part of the city, which remembers the wheels of chariots and the pace of the Roman emperors, a thousand years ago. This area of ​​Rome was built back in the days of the mysterious Etruscan tribe - the predecessors of the ancient Romans.

Heroes were honored here and triumphal processions were held in their honor, elections to the Senate were held here and the most important news was announced to the townspeople. Today, the forum looks like a heap of ruins, but with imagination and a minimal knowledge of history, you can imagine how everything looked like 2.5 thousand years ago. The place of the forum is simply dotted with the remains of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches.

The most notable buildings of the forum are listed below.

• triumphal arches erected by emperors in honor of victories over enemies. The best preserved arch of Titus in honor of the victory in the Jewish War and the arch of Septimius Severus in honor of the victory over the Parthians

• Curia Julia This is where the Senate met. The rectangular brick building accommodated up to 200 senators. Unfortunately, the original curia building has not been preserved. What tourists see today is the reconstruction of the building. None of the interior decoration has been preserved either.

• Tribune Rostra- This is a tribune built for speakers. The rostra was 3 meters high, so that the speaker was high above the crowd and was clearly visible from anywhere in the square. Rostra got its name in honor of the rostra (bows of ancient ships) that belonged to enemy ships captured at the Battle of Antium in 338 BC.

• Temple of Saturn. The current ruins date back to 42 BC. The temple was used as the state treasury (Erarium). It also houses the banners of legions and senatorial decrees (decrees). The temple also served as the starting point for all distances in the Roman Empire.

• Basilica Emilia- the oldest basilica on the forum was built in 179 BC. It is noteworthy that the original basilica was erected as a place where noble citizens could hide from the weather and spend time comfortably. Here were located malls, state banks and change offices. The basilica was completely destroyed during the siege of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD.

• Temple of Vesta. Vesta is the patroness of the family and the state in ancient Rome, one of the main goddesses of the pantheon. In this temple, the Vestals (servants of the cult of Vesta) guarded the sacred eternal fire, personifying eternal life. A girl from an aristocratic family, who was chosen by a council of priests, became a Vestal Virgin.

• The service life of the girl in the temple was 30 years, during which she was obliged to remain a virgin, otherwise the vestal was buried alive. At the end of the service, the vestals received life support from the state (not a very small one), as well as many benefits and privileges. The remains of the House of the Vestals can be seen next to the Temple of Vesta

• Temple of Romulus the Divine. Opposite the house of the Vestals is the round temple of Romulus, which has been perfectly preserved from the time of the original construction due to the fact that it was included in the complex of buildings of the Basilica of Saints Domian and Cosmas. The temple has never been rebuilt and even the massive iron front door is original.

• Basilica of Maxentius- the last of the temples, built in ancient Rome. The construction was begun by Emperor Maxentius and completed by Constantine. The temple had a very impressive size and a huge 12-meter statue of Constantine, the fragments of which can now be seen in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori in the Vatican

• Temple of Venus and Roma- This is the largest religious building of the times of Ancient Rome. The temple would have been built under Hadrian and occupied huge area from the Basilica of Maxentius to the Colosseum

• Phocas column- A 13-meter column, which was built in honor of the Byzantine emperor Phocas on the occasion of his visit to Rome. At the top of the column was a gilded statue of Phocas, which is now lost.

• Coliseum originally called the Flavian amphitheater (the dynasty of Roman emperors) and was built under Vespasian, the founder of the dynasty. The amphitheater got its name from giant statue Nero, on the site of which it was built. The statue was called Colossus (colossus), the name of the Colosseum in Italian sounds like Colosseo

• The Colosseum accommodated up to 55,000 spectators, there were 80 entrances for the public, the 4 upper floors were used for spectator seats (the lower classes occupied the uppermost rows), and the underground floors housed service rooms and cages with wild animals. To protect the spectators from the sun, the Colosseum was covered with a huge awning, for the installation of which a team of 1000 strong men was used.

• The Colosseum was used for free games, the number and spectacle of which measured the greatness of the emperor. The games were usually played over several days and ended with gladiator fights and wrestling with wild animals. The longest games took 100 days in a row and were dedicated to the accession to the throne of Emperor Titus

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and perhaps the most beautiful of all the squares in Rome. It was built on the site of the stadium of Domitian and follows its contours. There are several independent tourist sites on Piazza Navona: the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata), the Nettuno Fountain, the Fountain del Moro and the Church of St. Agnes of Rome, an early Christian martyr.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is the temple of all the gods, built over 1800 years ago. In 609 AD, the temple was turned into a Christian church of St. Mary and the Martyrs and presented to Pope Boniface IV. Interiors inside the temple behind long history were reconstructed several times, but the marble floor remained from the time of ancient Roman construction. The temple contains the graves of several kings of Italy, as well as the tombstone of the great Italian painter Raphael.

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the hallmarks of Rome, it can often be seen on advertising postcards and booklets. It is located on a small square of the same name and occupies more than half of its space. The fountain adjoins one side to the Poli Palace and visually forms a single whole with it.

The Trevi Fountain is one of the favorite places for tourists. At any time of the year and day, there are no crowds of people who want to capture themselves against the backdrop of the famous fountain. There is a belief that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will certainly return to Rome again.

Vittoriano

Vittoriano is a monument in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II, who managed to unite all the lands of Italy within modern borders. It occupies the entire northern slope of Capitol Hill and is more like a palace than a monument in size. The monument is also often called the Altar of the Nation, and Victor Emmnuel II himself is called the father of the nation.

At the foot of the monument is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which has been guarded around the clock since 1921. the best representatives armed forces of Italy. The rooms inside the monument are used as halls for the exposition of the Risorgimento Museum (museum of the history of the unification of Italy). Local residents do not like this monument too much because its appearance and size stand out from the general panorama of the city, it is even called the “wedding cake” for its excessive whiteness and too pompous appearance.

Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus is the largest stadium in Ancient Rome. It could accommodate up to 250,000 spectators and was intended for chariot racing competitions. The very first building of the circus was built of wood as early as the 6th century BC, but it was destroyed several times by fire until a marble stadium was erected in its place.

In the 6th century AD, the last race was held in the circus, after which the stadium began to fall into disrepair. marble bricks locals dismantled for other buildings, and today there is little reminder that this place was the most grandiose stadium of all time.

capitol hill

The Capitoline Hill is the smallest but most important of the seven hills of Rome. The first human buildings discovered here during excavations date back to the Iron Age. The hill was an ideal place for the first settlers, since its rocky steep slopes provided natural protection from external enemies, right next to the hill was the shallowest part of the Tiber River, excellent for crossing.

In ancient times, the most massive and significant temples were built here, symbolizing the position of Ancient Rome as the center of the world. In the period from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance, the Capitoline Hill was depopulated, fell into decay, the temples were destroyed to the ground. For a time, Capitol Hill was even used as a pasture for goats. During the Renaissance, Capitol Hill was rebuilt according to the designs of Mielangelo. Today it houses the City Hall and the Capitol Museum.

Palatine

Palatine is the central of the seven hills of Rome. According to legend, it was here that the founders of Rome, Remus and Romulus, were found in a cave. It is believed that it was here that Romulus laid the first stone in the construction of Rome, and it is from here that the Eternal City originates. In ancient times, the Palatine was the most prestigious area to live, thanks to beautiful views the city and the cleanest air in the area (the hill rises 70 meters above the city).

It is not surprising that by the end of the era of the Roman emperors, the hill was built up exclusively with houses and palaces of the representatives of the highest caste. In the Middle Ages, the Palatine was built up exclusively with monasteries and churches. Today, the Palatine is a collection of ruins and the best place to study the archaeological history of the city.

The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, a state within a state. About 800 inhabitants live here, and none of them is permanent. The population of this tiny area consists of clergy, monastics, guards, statesmen. The Pope of Rome heads the Throne of the World. The Vatican has its own army - it is guarded exclusively by the Swiss guards, dressed in national uniforms.

St. Peter's Square is the main gate of the Vatican, as well as a place of mass gatherings of Catholics on major religious holidays.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world. The cathedral is dedicated to one of the main apostles of Christ and was built on the spot where St. Peter was martyred. The construction of the temple lasted for a century and a half, during which several architects changed, each of which made significant adjustments to the original project. Construction was completed in 1626, and since then, St. Peter's Basilica has been considered the center of Christianity throughout the world.

The crown of St. Peter's Basilica is a majestic dome designed by Michelangelo. At the top of the dome is an observation deck that offers a breathtaking view of the city. Login to observation deck paid, visiting St. Peter's Cathedral itself is free, but there is a strict dress code, according to which clothes must cover the knees and elbows of those entering, ladies additionally need to cover the neckline.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums boast one of the most impressive collection works of art in the world. Most of the exhibits were donated to the popes during the long years of government, or purchased by the popes at the expense of the Church. The Vatican has its own tourist office, which is located in St. Peter's Square. Here you can order audio guides, purchase ready-made excursions, maps, booklets and much more.

You can also send a postcard to family and friends with the image of the best views of the Vatican.
Today, the Vatican has thirteen museums located in two palace complexes. Do not even expect to see all this splendor in one day. The collection of art and historical values ​​is so huge that it will take you more than one day to fully explore. In a few hours, you can try to see at least the most basic.

Pinakothek contains paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Perugino and many other painters.
The Historical Museum shows the centuries-old history of the Roman papacy, here are household items, cult relics, documents, photographs and other important exhibits.

IN Pius Clementine Museum exhibited antique statues, frescoes and sculptures discovered in the vicinity of Rome during excavations.

IN Shiaramonti Museum portrait busts and sculptures of noble citizens of Rome of ancient times are exhibited.

Etruscan Gregorian Museum has the richest collection of items from the time of the Eturians, who lived on the territory of Rome until the era of the ancient emperors.

IN Egyptian Museum art objects on display ancient egypt from stelae with hieroglyphs to copies of Egyptian statues from the second century BC. It also contains a collection Egyptian mummies, which were found during excavations of the Deir el-Bahri necropolis in Thebes.

IN Museum of Contemporary Religious Art you can see paintings by Dali, Kandinsky, Kokoschka, Le Corbusier, Matisse, Munch, Picasso, Rodin and Van Gogh.

Pius Christian Museum contains a collection of sculptures, sarcophagi and mosaics from the early Christian era. The most famous object here is the statue of the Good Shepherd, created in the third century AD.

Ethnological Missionary Museum has objects of a religious nature from Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Among the main ones: a statue of the god Quetzalcoatl from Mexico, masks from Sierra Leone and wooden sculpture Tumatauenga deities from French Polynesia.

The Vatican Library is one of the world's most important libraries, with over 500,000 books and over 60,000 manuscripts, as well as ancient Christian objects found in the Roman catacombs, medieval glassware, and objects made from precious materials and ivory.

The Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly the most famous landmark of the Vatican. The chapel was built in the fifteenth century as a private chapel for Pope Sixtus IV. In 1508, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to repaint the ceiling. However, Michelangelo decided to decorate the ceiling with nine scenes from the Old Testament. The most famous is the composition "The Creation of Adam", which shows how the Creator descends from heaven to breathe life into Adam. The walls of the chapel are also completely covered with paintings by Michelangelo. The most famous of the paintings is the Last Judgment on the altar wall.

Triumphal Arch of Constantine

Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine, built in the early fourth century to commemorate Constantine's victory over Emperor Maxentius. The arch, decorated with statues and bas-reliefs, has survived relatively unscathed to our times. Constantine believed that the Christian God helped him to defeat Maxentius (which was initially considered unlikely). As a result, during the reign of Constantine, the persecution of Christians ended, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the capital of the empire in 325 AD was moved from Rome to Constantinople (then the capital of Byzantium, now Istanbul).

Plaza of Spain

Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular places at tourists. Central location The square is occupied by the famous Spanish Steps, which connects the square with the church of Trinita dei Monti. The Spanish Steps are especially beautiful in spring, when azaleas are in bloom. The Spanish Steps is considered a favorite meeting place for tourists and citizens.

At the foot of the stairs is the Barcaccia Fountain, which depicts a small fishing boat that survived on this site during the devastating flood of the Tiber in 1598. On opposite side the square is the Spanish Palace and the column of Immacolata, erected in honor of the doctrine immaculate conception Christ. The top of the column is crowned with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

appian way

Via Appia Antica was once one of the most important roads in the world and the most famous of all the roads that radiated from Rome towards the far reaches of the empire. The road was originally built in 312 BC by Appius Claudius Caecus, the then censor of Rome, who was famous for building numerous urban infrastructures that helped make life easier for the Romans.

The stones that pave the road are so well fitted to each other that it is almost impossible to insert a knife between them. Since during the construction of the road it was forbidden to bury the dead within the city, the aristocrats erected their tombs along the most important roads. The Via Appia was also dotted with similar structures, some of which have survived to this day.

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is the largest public park in Rome. In addition to walking areas, there are temples, fountains, statues and several museums. In ancient times and the early Middle Ages, numerous vineyards were laid out here, but in 1605 Cardinal Scipio Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V, turned the vineyards into a park.

At the end of the eighteenth century, an artificial lake was created in the center of the park. On an island in the center of the lake, a small Ionian temple was built, dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. In 1911, the World Trade Fair was held in the park. Some of the pavilions built by the participating countries still survive. Of the museums, the most famous is the Galleria Borghese, which exhibits the work of famous masters, including Titian, Rubens and Raphael.

Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were built in 217 AD, during the reign of Emperor Caracalla, as the largest bath complex in the world. The baths functioned for more than three hundred years, in total there were from 6,000 to 8,000 visitors daily. Baths played a huge role in terms of hygiene, since in ancient times Rome was so overpopulated that there was simply no room for sanitary facilities within the city.

Baths also played an important entertaining and communicative role, as the Romans came here to talk, listen to gossip and relax. There were sports halls, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels. The Caracalla complex was known for its rich interiors, such as marble seats, mosaic walls and floors, as well as fountains and statues.

Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth is an ancient Roman marble disc carved in relief in the shape of a human face. According to legend, if you put your hand in the mouth of the bas-relief and tell a lie, the mouth will immediately close and the liar will lose his hand. Historians are not sure that the original purpose of the disk was just that, but in the Middle Ages the bas-relief began to be used precisely as a lie detector.

The legend has become so rooted in the everyday life of the Romans that even today parents frighten their children with the Mouth of Truth. In the legendary film "Roman Holiday" there is an episode when the heroine Audrey Hepburn tries to put her hand in the Mouth of Truth. The bas-relief is on the left wall of the portico of the Church of Santa Maria Cosmedin.

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church, which dates back to the fifth century, has a magnificent interior with a very impressive gilded ceiling and a chapel. The church is located on the top of the Esquiline Hill. Its name means that it is the most important of the eighty churches in Rome dedicated to Mary.

The church is sometimes called Santa Maria della Neve (Saint Mary of the Snow). According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a local landowner in a dream and told him to build a church on the site where he would see snow. The next day, in the height of summer, snow fell on Esquiline Hill in the form of a floor plan for the church. Despite beautiful legend however, there is no documentation to support this story.

Campo de' Fiori

The name of the square is translated as "field of flowers", as there was once a meadow on the site of the square. Despite the fact that the meadow was located in the very center of the city, it was never built up, since it was in this place that the Tiber would be prone to flooding the banks every spring. In the 15th century, shopping arcades gradually began to appear on the site of the meadow, and gradually the place turned into a market square. At Campo de Fiori, the buildings have a somewhat chaotic appearance, since it was never built according to plan.

In the Middle Ages, Campo de' Fiori acquired the notorious place of public executions. Here criminals and heretics accepted death, while the methods of killing were the most sophisticated and painful. In 1600, it was here that the great astronomer Giordano Bruno was burnt by order of the Inquisition for the idea that the earth revolves around the sun. In 1887, a monument to Giordano Bruno was erected on the square.

Roman catacombs

The catacombs of Rome were used in the era of early Christianity as a place where Christians took refuge from the persecution of the Romans for their faith. Here they performed their religious rites in safety, and here they arranged the first secret burials of the dead Christians. Subsequently, the catacombs began to be used for burials throughout the city, since there was no place for cemeteries and tombstones above due to overcrowding.

By the 5th century, burials in the catacombs had ceased, but the catacombs gained popularity as places for pilgrimage and worship of the holy relics of the early Christians. The catacombs began to fall into disrepair after the church began to gradually remove the relics of the saints and place them in the numerous temples and basilicas that were built above. From the end of the 9th century, the catacombs were forgotten for a long 10 centuries and were rediscovered only in the 19th century.

Video. 10 interesting places in Rome

A well-planned itinerary is a guarantee successful trip from which vivid memories will remain. Therefore, think in advance which sights of Rome you want to see. The number of famous historical sites and architectural monuments in the capital of Italy is so great that it is simply unrealistic to see them in one trip. The following is a small list of the most interesting places in Rome, once visiting which, you will fall in love with this city forever.

Source: PICSFAB.COM

Colosseum - visiting card of the Eternal City

To visit Rome and not visit the Colosseum is a kind of bad manners. Most tourists think so, so a huge multinational queue usually line up at the Flavian Amphitheater (as the Colosseum is also called). Majestic ruins are all that remains of the largest ancient amphitheater, erected by the emperors Vespasian and Titus, and intended for gladiator fights. However, even in a dilapidated state, this place is awe-inspiring.

Finding the Colosseum is not difficult: any guide to Rome will tell you how to get there.

Source: rome-italy.ru

Address : Piazza del Colosseo, 1.
Working hours :

• from 9.00 to 19.00 - from April to early October)
• from 9.00 to 15.00 - from January to March).

Ticket price: 12 euros (if you are not a resident of the European Union). This is how much a general ticket costs, valid for two days, and allows you to visit not only the Colosseum, but also the Roman Forum and the Palatine.
Guided tour cost : 4.5 euros.

Source: youraudioguide.com

The Trevi Fountain is a must have when visiting Rome

Rome is the city of fountains. But the most famous and largest of them is the Trevi Fountain. Almost every tourist who travels to the capital of Italy brings home a photograph taken against its background.

Aged in the Baroque style, this fountain is distinguished by the pomposity and majesty inherent in this direction. Masterfully executed figures of gods, tritons, pegasi and other representatives of ancient mythology look so grandiose and monumental that this place cannot be ignored.

Address: Piazza de Trevi.

Source: dolcevita-magazine.com

Photo: Hernán Pinera. License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Photo: Steve Johnson. License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Source: evraziya.at.ua

The Roman Forum is a magnet for tourists

Initially, the forum was a part of the city, located in a lowland between the hills and set aside for trade, but over time it turned into a place of more important from a social and political point of view. The ancient Romans came here to listen to rhetors, to be present during the consideration of criminal cases, executions, and the resolution of disputes. Over time, sanctuaries in honor of the ancient gods, arches and basilicas were built here, which eventually fell into disrepair and today are ruins.

Address: Via della Salaria Vecchia, 5/6.
Ticket price :

• adult ticket - 12 euros,
• children and preferential - 8 euros.

Working hours :

• in March from 8.30 to 17.00;
• from April to August - until 19.15;
• in October - until 18.30;
• from November to February - until 16.30.

Photo: Jacob Surland, Licensed Creative Commons non-commercial v4.0.

Villa Borghese - a green oasis in a vibrant city

In the 17th century, by order of Cardinal Borghese, in the northern part of the capital, on Pincho Hill, landscape park. The villa itself and many ancient statues were located in it, and a little later a lake was artificially created here. At the beginning of the 20th century, the territory of the park became the property of the city - since then this place has become one of the most visited places both by the residents of the capital and tourists. The park houses a number of museums, as well as a theater.

Source: travelermap.ru

How to get there : Climbing the steps of the Spanish Steps.
Address: Piazzale Flaminio.
Ticket price :

• Regular entrance ticket - 8.5 euros;
• for beneficiaries - 5.25 euros.

Working hours: from 9.00 to 19.00 every day except Monday.

Source: youraudioguide.com

Source: travelermap.ru

Galleria Borghese - an interesting place for art lovers

When visiting Villa Borghese, admirers of beauty usually go to the gallery located here - a building erected in the spirit of classicism, which contains paintings and sculptures of such great painters and sculptors as Claude Monet, Lorenzo Lotto, Van Gogh, Rubens, Titian, Luigi Valadier, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and many others.

Source: snovadoma.ru

Working hours : from 9.00 to 19.00,
Ticket price: 13 euros.
Gallery Borghese website : www.galleriaborghese.it

Source: rimtravel.com

Source: www.saporitours.com

Spanish Steps - a sign of friendship between the Spanish and French peoples in Rome

Taking pictures at the majestic Spanish Steps is one of the top things to do on the bucket list of all tourists visiting Rome. At the foot of the stairs is the Plaza de España, and if you climb the steps to the very top, you can go to the Trinità dei Monti church.

Source: guidesmart.tv

How to get there : get off at Spagna metro station.
Address: Piazza di Spagna

Source: hipolletto.com

Source: hipolletto.com

Source: strana-italiya.ru

Baths of Caracalla - a monument of architecture and "bathing art"

Baths occupied an important place in the ancient world. Citizens of Rome came here not only for swimming, but also to socialize and make business contacts. The Baths of Caracalla with their marble cladding, mosaics and niches were considered one of the most majestic buildings of this kind, therefore, even in antiquity, they were recognized as a miracle of the Eternal City.

Today, ruins remain from the baths. Since 1937, performances by opera singers, theatrical performances and concerts of contemporary world-famous performers have been held here.

Source: blog.bourse-des-vols.com

Working hours : from 9.00 to the end of daylight hours.
Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52.

Source: studyblue.com

Source: quotidianamente.net

Piazza del Popolo - a place with a relaxed atmosphere

Translated from Italian, Piazza del Popolo means "People's Square". Despite the fact that until the 20s of the 19th century it acted as a place of public executions, today a festive atmosphere reigns here, setting you up for relaxation. Piazza del Popolo is periodically held public events, there are always a lot of citizens and visitors.

How to get there : You must get off at the Flaminio metro station.

Photo: Fred PO, licensed at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Source: thousandwonders.net

Fountain of the Four Rivers - a magnificent building of the architect Bernini

The second most famous fountain in Rome (after Trevi) is the Fountain of the Four Rivers, located in Piazza Navona. The sculptural group is represented by allegorical images of the four great rivers - the Danube, the Nile, the Ganges, La Plata, which are located at the foot of the obelisk in the Egyptian style.

The fountain is located almost in the very center of the capital, so it is convenient to get here from almost every corner of the city.

Address: Piazza Navona

Source: chudesnyemesta.ru

Source: chudesnyemesta.ru

Source: italyguides.it

Capitoline Hill - the center of ancient and modern Rome

The Capitoline Hill is the flattest and lowest of the seven hills on which Rome was built. At its foot, the ruins of the insula Arakoeli have survived to this day - an apartment building from antiquity, which was built to rent out housing. The Capitol Hill is decorated with the works of the genius Michelangelo Buonarotti - the Senators' Palace reconstructed by him, the Cordonata stairs and a number of other buildings.

For free: inspection of the Capitol Hill itself.
Paid: Visit the objects placed on it.

Photo: Dino Quinzani, licensed at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Source: intornoroma.ru

Capitoline Museums and their priceless collections

Walking along capitol hill, it is worth looking into the museums located on it - Palazzo Nuovo, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Centrale Montemartini. They exhibit masterpieces of world art - paintings by Rubens, Titian and other artists, famous antique statues, a collection of Greek ceramics and many other must-see exhibits.

Source: travel.rambler.ru

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1.
Working hours :

• daily, except Monday - from 9.00 to 13.00,
• Saturday and Tuesday are Extra time for visits - from 17.00 to 20.00.

Ticket price :

• 6, 5 + 1.5 euros for visiting individual exhibitions;
• free for visitors under 18 and over 65.

Source: tisamsebegid.ru

Trastevere: welcome to the oldest district of Rome

If you're looking for something to see in Rome other than its advertised "front cover" and want to visit some of the less hyped places, head to Trastevere. This area, located beyond the Tiber, is considered one of the oldest in the city. It was here, far from the central part of the capital, that emigrants and commoners settled in antiquity.

Intricate labyrinths of narrow streets, masonry pavements, small trattorias with ivy-covered walls - this is how Trastevere opens up to tourists who decide to visit it. There are also a number of famous attractions here, including the Basilica of San Crisogono, the church of the first Christians Santa Maria, the Basilica of St. Cecilia, the botanical garden.

How to get there : by tram number 8 or bus line "H". You need to get off at the Belli stop.

Photo: Bruno, licensed at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/