Greatness of Rome : 16 best photos
Rome is a city steeped in history, and I tried to capture its essence in a recent tour there.
Completed in 80AD under Titus, some 500,000 people and over a million animals ended their lives in the Colosseum. |
Part of the Roman Forum with the Vittorio Emanuele II monument in the background. |
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The Piazza della Madonna di Loreto, Santa Maria di Loreto on the right (a church) |
Saint Peter's Basillica in the Vatican City, where the Roman Catholic Popes are buried. |
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Arch of Septimius Severus in the Roman Forum, dedicated in 203AD to his Parthian victories. |
The most overrated of Rome's tourist attractions - the 138 Spanish Steps (completed 1717). Called "Scalinata di Spagna" in Italian, the Spanish Steps were Tienne Gueffier, a French diplomat. |
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Temple of Antoninus Pius & his wife Faustina in the Roman Forum. |
Temple of Venus & Roma, as seen from the Colosseum (the largest Temple in ancient Rome). |
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The Theatre of Marcellus (completed 13 BC) as seen from the roof of the Vittorio Emanuelle II monument. |
Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum, commemorating the sack of Jerusalem in 70AD. |
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In the foreground is part of the Vittorio Emanuele II monument, and in the background Trajan's Column and the Santa Maria di Loreto church. |
Trevi Fountain in Rome, where legend has it that if you throw a coin in you will return to Rome (some 3000 euros are thrown in each day). |
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The Vatican City state is situated in Rome. Here is Saint Peter's Square from the top of Saint Peters. |
Inside the Colosseum could seat 50,000 people. |
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Statue of Vittorio Emanuele II (the first king of a united Italy) on horseback. |
The Vittorio Emanuele II monument in Rome, dedicated to a united Italy (completed 1935). |
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Sister Cities
Paris is Rome's only sister City (only Paris is worthy of Rome, only Rome is worthy of Paris).
Partner cities
Achacachi |
Beijing |
Belgrade |
Brasilia |
Cairo |
Cincinnati |
Kiev |
Marbella |
Montreal |
New York City |
Plovdiv |
Seoul |
Sydney |
Tokyo |
Tongeren |
Top photo-blogs of Rome
Daniel |
A fantastic series of photos of Rome by Daniel Houghton, including the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain.
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Jessica |
After falling in love with Italian culture & history, Jessica moved to Rome in 2005, and each day she shares another photo of the City. Below is a photo of the monument to the Bersaglieri corps who stormed Rome in 1870 to bring an end to the power of the Pope and unifying Rome with Italy
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Angela |
Angela is a navy wife based in Sicily, and had a mission to see the less touristy part of Rome. She stayed at the Residenza Belli in the Trastevere suburb of Rome and in the best tradition wondered the streets taking photos of the Orto Botanico (Botanical Gardens), Church of Saint Celia, Church of Saint Mary, Gianicolo Hill, the Jewish Ghetto (including Turtle Fountain), the Piazzale Garibaldi, Portico d'Ottavia and the Piazza Navona. My favourite was this photo she took of the Piazza Navona:
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Top 5 things to see in Rome
Colosseum |
Roman Forum |
Vatican City |
Fontana di Trevi |
Vittorio Emanuele II monument |
Top 5 family-friendly attactions in Rome
Villa Borghese |
St. Peter’s Basilica |
Explora Museum |
Bioparco (Rome’s Zoo) |
Villa Ada |
Free attractions in Rome
Visit the Pantheon, a former pagan temple converted into a church, see the Trevi Fountain (throwing coins in for good luck is optional), scale the Spanish Steps, , and spend time in the Piazza Campo dei Fiori and the Piazza Navona.
Save money by seeing the free attractions. On the last Sunday of the month, the Vatican Museums and the Capitoline Museums on Piazza del Campidoglio offer free entrance. The Galleria Nazionale Di San Luca on Piazza dell'Accademia di San Luca offers free entrance on the last Sunday of the month as well as all Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Wander the Appia Antica, the old road out of Rome. No cars are allowed on Sundays and there are plenty of ancient things to see on this stroll. Enjoy the free guided tours of the Appian Way Park.
Worst things about Rome
Many walls, windows and even ruins have been defaced with graffiti. |
Petty theft |
Having to watch out for the numerous dog poop landmines |
Selected Roman history
1946 |
The new year tradition of diving into the Tiber River begins, when a lifeguard trying to find work leaps into the river from the Cavour Bridge to advertise his skills. |
536 |
The Roman Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius occup Rome, taking it from the barbarians. |
476 |
The barbarians depose the Roman Emperor, Romulus Augustulus. |
21 Apr 753BC |
According to Roman legend, Romulus starts digging a trench to build a wall along Rome's boundaries. |
Accommodation in Rome
Save money by staying in one of the convents in Rome that take paying guests. The rooms are spartan, but often well located and peaceful, and give you a unique experience. Some only take Catholic guests, but many welcome all travellers. Many have a curfew, usually around 11pm.
Eating in Rome
Save your budget by avoiding the temptation to eat at sit-down restaurants - they are pricey in Rome. Instead drink coffee and eat breakfast standing up, buy pizzas by the slice from vendors, eat cheap ice-cream and shop at the food stores or markets, picnic as much as possible. When you do eat at sit-down restaurants, remember that lunch menus are the best value.