Pantheon is a former Roman temple constructed
in the 2nd century A.D. by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. In 609, Pantheon was given to the pope
and converted into a church. Its impressive concrete dome features
an oculus in the center, which serves as the primary source
of natural light. Did you know that since there is no glass
covering the oculus when it rains, the floor gets wet? Because of an ingenious system of
22 well-hidden holes, the water quickly drains away. Piazza Navona was built in the 1st century
on a former Dominitian's stadium. The stadium was used for athletics competitions and
was known as "Circus Agonalis" (agones/games) or the competition arena. You can still recognize the square's unique shape
and visit the ruins of the stadium 4.5 meters (15 ft.) under Piazza Navona,
now a Unesco World Heritage Site. Later in history, the square became a lake
during the summer to stage naval battles. Rome, the capital of Italy, is the most popular tourist destination
in Italy and one of Europe's most visited cities. Around nine million tourists
visit Rome every year. Ponte Sant'Angelo is a Roman bridge completed
in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian to connects the city center to his
newly constructed mausoleum, Castel Sant'Angelo. During its rich and diverse history, Romans were always
exploring new places to bury their dignitaries. As a result, Rome is full of mausoleums,
crypts, and catacombs. Castel Sant'Angelo or was a Hadrian Mausoleum and
later used by popes and as a fortress and a castle. The building is now an impressive museum. Covering an area of 110 acres (44 ha)
and with only about 1,000 people, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world
by both area and population. The official name is Vatican City State
and has been the residence of the pope since 1377. While the central area is closed to the public,
there are many attractions to see, for example, St. Peter's Square and Basilica,
impressive examples of Renaissance architecture, Vatican Museums, displaying
a collection of 20,000 works of art. Don't skip the Sistine Chapel
and one of the most famous frescos in the world, The Creation of Adam from the 16th century
by Michelangelo. Trastevere is a colorful and bohemian area known
for its restaurants, bars, hotels, buzzing streets, and promenades, especially popular
for its nightlife. The name Trastevere comes from the Latin "trans Tiberim"
that translated "beyond the Tiber" (Tiber river). The area was known as Ripa Etrusca (Etruscan bank)
during Rome's Regal period (753–509 BC). It was conquered by Rome to gain control of the river from both banks,
connected by only one small wooden bridge at the time. Around 500 BC (time of the Republic), many fishermen
and sailors who made a living from the river and Immigrants from the East
(Jews and Syrians) resided in Trastevere. There was also a synagogue (14, Vicolo dell'Atleta) used until
Jews were forced to move to the Roman Ghetto in the 16th century. Many wealthy figures decided to build villas in Trastevere
during Imperial Age, including Julius Caesar. The area is also home to two of the most
ancient churches in Rome, including Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere you could
see right at the beginning of this part of the walking tour. In the Middle Ages, at first,
Trastevere had no pavement. The area was constructed with narrow streets;
not even carriages could pass. Still to this day, you can admire the maze of narrow streets,
making this neighborhood even more charming. Because Trasteverini (people who lived in Trastevere)
were so isolated, they developed their own culture. Benedict XIV gave Trastevere its current limits
in the middle of the 18th century. Tiber Island is the only island on the Tiber River
which runs through the city. The island was once used as a hospital as well as a temple
and was commonly linked to medicine and healing. The Great Synagogue of Rome
is the largest Synagogue in the city. The present Synagogue was constructed in the late 19th century when
Roman Ghetto was demolished, and the Jews received citizenship. Marcello Theater is an ancient open-air theatre
built in 13 B.C. It was the most important theatre and the largest in Ancient Rome,
where visitors could watch drama and song performances. Portico of Octavia is an ancient structure
enclosed the temple and a library. In the medieval period up to the 19th century,
it was also used as a fish market. Roman Ghetto was a Jewish ghetto
controlled by the papacy until 1870. It is supposed to be the oldest in the world
outside of the Middle East. The first record of Jews in Rome
dates back to 161 BC. The papal bull (public decree) re-quired the Jews to live in the
walled ghetto that was situated in undesirable quarters of the city with the Tiber river constantly flooding. Around 3,500 Jews lived there
under inhuman conditions. During the 1656 epidemic, 800 Jews died. They also faced many restrictions, including the prohibition
of property ownership or practicing medicine. They had to wear yellow cloth (men) or a yellow
veil (women) when they went outside the ghetto. The ghetto walls were torn down in 1888. Because they were isolated for hundreds of years, they
developed their own dialect, known as Giudeo-romanesco. Fontana delle Tartarughe is a Turtle Fountain
from the 16th century. Like other Renaissance fountains, it was designed
to supply drinking water to the people in the city. Campo de' Fiori (Eng. Field of flowers) is a square
hosting a daily farmers market. The name derives from the Italian word
"campo," translating to "meadow." The area was a meadow
in the Middle Ages. Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth is a famous
marble mask connected to a mysterious Roman legend. It is believed to depict the face
of the sea god Oceanus. While historians are not sure about
the origin and purpose of the disc, according to the legend, if you lie when placing your hand
inside the mask, the mouth will cut your hand. Circus Maximus is a former chariot racing stadium
of ancient Rome. Circus Maximus was used for ludi (public games)
connected to Roman religious festivals. It was used as a mass entertainment venue
and could host 150,000 people at once. Circus Maximus is 2,037 feet (621 m) long
and 387 feet (118 m) wide. The archeological site is well preserved,
and you can experience it in its eternity. Palatine Hill is one of seven hills of Rome,
located above the Roman Forum. It is supposed to be "the first nucleus
of the Roman Empire." According to a legend, the she-wolf that
took care of Romulus and Remus lived here. The settlements on Palatine Hill date back
as far as the 10th century B.C. Today you can visit an impressive collection of
archaeological sites from different eras of ancient Rome. Colosseum completed in the year 80
is the largest amphitheater ever built. It was made using limestone, tuff, and concrete to demonstrate
Roman building techniques to the entire world. Only 1/3 of the building is still visible today - earthquakes,
fire, and vandalism damaged it over the years. It was a gift from the people of Rome by the Flavian Dynasty
to gain their popularity, hence the name "Flavian Amphitheatre." The emperors organized events that were free to attend
and sometimes even provided free food for the visitors. Colosseum was used for gladiatorial combats,
animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, a stage for
performances, and other public spectacles. It could hold over 50,000 spectators. Roman Forum was the center of public life
in ancient Rome. Located next to the Colosseum and surrounded by
government buildings and other important buildings, it was the venue of significant public events such as elections,
criminal trials, processions, or public speeches. After the fall of the Empire, the Forum was neglected. Later it was also used as a meadow for livestock
and got its nickname Cow Field (it. Campo Vaccino). The site was first excavated in the 18th century. The area is now a big open-air museum featuring
relatively well-preserved ruins of old buildings. The legend says that Romulus, the founder of Rome,
is buried under the Roman Forum. Piazza del Campidoglio, located on Capitoline Hill,
is home to Capitoline museum – one museum consisting of a group of art
and archaeological museums. The Altar of the Fatherland or Altare della Patria completed in 1935
is a large monument built on top of a part of Capitoline Hill. The monument was built in honor of the first king of unified Italy,
Victor Emanuel II, and is the largest monument in Rome. The construction of Il Vittoriano was controversial because it
destroyed a large part of the Capitoline Hills Medieval neighborhood. Complete your tour by visiting its impressive terrace
with amazing views of Rome in all directions. Temple of Hadrian, previously known as the Basilica of Neptune,
is a Former Roman temple with Corinthian columns. It was dedicated to the adored emperor Hadrian
by his successor Antoninus Pius in 145 C.E. Piazza Colonna is a square named after its marble Column
of Marcus Aurelius, that stands there since 193 AD. Trevi Fountain was built on the facade of a palace in 1751, and it is
one of the most famous fountains in the world. It stretches 86 feet (26 m) in the air
and 161 feet (50 m). The water for the fountain was delivered from Acuqa Vergine,
one of Rome's aqueducts, and was considered to be the purest water
one can drink in Rome (it is not safe to drink anymore). The legend says that whoever drinks the water from the
fountain or throws a coin in it will return to Rome. Nearly 700,000 euros worth of coins
are tossed into Trevi Fountain each year. Located below Trevi Fountain in the Trevi district, there is a system
of underground labyrinths from the Roman Times, offering an insight into the life, engineering,
and ingenuity of ancient Rome – Vicus Caprarius. At the bottom of the Spanish Steps
lies Piazza di Spagna with the famous Fontana della Barcaccia,
dating back to the early Baroque period. Spanish Steps are a colossal stairway of 135 steps connecting
the Spanish Embassy with the Trinita dei Monti church. The steps were built in the 18th century by French diplomat
Etienne Gueffier and took only two years to complete. As the widest stairway in Europe, Spanish Steps quickly gained
recognition and eventually became one of the main Roman attractions. Terrazza Viale del Belvedere offers
amazing panoramic views of Rome. It is located on one side of Villa Borghese,
a large public park with many attractions. Villa Borghese features numerous fountains, villas,
museums, and other attractions, like a zoo. The garden was created in 1605
from a former vineyard. In the 19th century, the park was designed to its current form
and was purchased by the city of Rome for public use. Villa Borghese offers an array of activities: you can rent a boat on one of the lakes and row
around the inspiring 18th-century Temple of Asclepius. Don't skip Terrazza del Pincio that offers one of the best
panoramic views of Piazza del Popolo and the rest of Rome. Located under Villa Borghese gardens, you will find
Piazza del Popolo, which translates to People's Square. But the actual name comes from the word populous – a Latin name
for a type of tree that is believed to have been growing there. It is one of the largest open areas in the historic
city center and was the location of public executions. The square features an impressive Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II,
which was transported to Rome in 10 B.C. Piazza del Popolo is located on the inside
of the Porta del Popolo, the gates to Rome, and was the first thing
travelers would see when entering Rome.
