Rome, Italy's capital is a manifestation of sheer indomitable power that renders you speechless. They say Rome wasn't built in a day. And you can see why. History is waiting for you at every corner, speaking of Roman myths and ancient miracles. Here is a list of relics that have stood the test of time and other landmarks you should see on your next trip to discover Rome.
1. Colosseum One of the seven wonders of the world, the Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheater in central Rome. Remember Gladiator? This is where the Emperor Commodus organized 150 days of games to honor his late father. The Colosseum could hold up to 80,000 people. The amphitheater was used for gladiatorial contests and public entertainment.
2. Sistine Chapel Is where the Pope lives. The great tragedy is that you aren't allowed to take pictures. But even in pictures you cannot fathom the power of visual ecstasy. Especially when it comes to The Last Judgment by Michelangelo. It's all about the fresco's in the interiors and magnanimous hand painted ceilings.
3. Roman Forum Dating up to 2000 years, the Roman forum is surrounded by the ruins of history's most prolific chapters including royal homes, temples, shrines and ancient government buildings in central Rome. It was indeed the meeting place that hosted emperors and statesmen for public speeches, others for criminal trials and even processions.
4. St. Peter's Basilica One of the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the two largest churches in the world. The Late Renaissance church is located within Vatican City. It was designed by legends like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Donato Bramante.
5. Pantheon The ancient roman temple was built 118-128 AD during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD). The 2000 year old structure still has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. Unfortunately all the artifacts were destroyed, but Pantheon was the only temple that preserved all idols of worship in pagan Rome. The dome is supported by a series of arches that run horizontally around. The details of the architecture are extraordinary. If the dome of the rotundra were flipped upside down it would fit perfectly inside the rotunda. Even though from the outside it appears rectangular in shape. Lined with bronze, the oculus remains to be an engineering wonder and is the main source of light for the whole building. So what happens when it rains? The rain falls in but runs off the convex floor to drainpipes underneath. The square facing the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda which is a great spot to chill out with Gelatos.
6. Vatican museums This has got to be better than any art show or gallery you have been to. Ready to be mesmerized? Multiple galleries of classical and Renaissance art masterpieces are located in the Vatican museums in Vatican City. This is where you will witness the rich collections (or wealth amassed by the Popes) preserved throughout the centuries. The Vatican museums are home to some of the most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world. With over 5.5 million visitors in just 2013, it became the 5th most visited art museum in the world.
7. The Trevi Fountain A romantic destination, Trevi fountain is a tourist attraction for millions. It was designed by Italian architects Nicola Salvi and Pietro Bracci. It is the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and one of the most famous fountains in the world that has also been featured in the famous ‘La Dolce Vita'.
8. Palatine Hill Ruined and torn apart, this beautiful structure will blow your mind. Part of the Seven Hills of Rome, you can see the forum from 40 meters above ground level. It is one of the most ancient parts of the city. Myth says Palatine Hill was where Romulus and Remus were found by the she-wolf Lupa that kept them alive in the cave of Lupercal. Recent revelations show that people have lived there since 1000 BC.
9. Piazza Navona The square was built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, which was built in 1st century AD. As a tourist attraction spot, it includes street art, coffee shops, and a classical fountain, facing baroque architecture. Its masterpiece is of course Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. Bernini's design was selected in competition and the fountain depicts personifications of the rivers Nile, Ganges, Danube and Plate. The 17th-century Palazzo Pamphilj is the largest building in Piazza Navona, which was built for Pope Innocent X.
10. Spanish steps This baroque architecture extends into a set of steps on a slope between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti church. Located in a commercial district facing high-end fashion boutiques, this is a favorite tourist spot for shoppers. The Piazza di Spagna at the bottom of the steps is the Early Baroque fountain called ‘Fountain of the ugly Boat' which was built in 1627–29 and is credited to Gian Lorenzo Bernini's father Pietro Bernini. Pietro had been the pope's architect since 1623.
