| Anyone who wanders the streets of Rome | | | | word meaning 'Temple of all the Gods' and was |
| cannot fail to be amazed or impressed by its | | | | originally built as a temple to the seven deities in |
| stunning architecture. In fact, countless people | | | | the state religion of Ancient Rome. It has, |
| have argued that Rome is 'the most beautiful city | | | | however, been a Christian church since the 7th |
| in the world' - a claim that's hard to refute. The | | | | century. |
| Colosseum, for example, is one of the most | | | | No visit to Rome would be complete without a |
| impressive structures in the city. As the largest | | | | visit to the State of the Vatican City - the |
| amphitheatre ever built by the Roman Empire, the | | | | smallest nation in the world. Here, you can see the |
| Colosseum played host to Gladiatorial combat and | | | | majestic Saint Peter's Square and Basilica, as well |
| was originally capable of seating 50,000 | | | | as the Sistine Chapel with its legendary ceiling |
| spectators. Today, visitors can step back into | | | | painted by Michelangelo. |
| history and walk within its walls; just as | | | | Although Rome is a bustling city, it has a number |
| spectators did from 80AD onwards. Another | | | | of serene parks and gardens - many of which are |
| masterpiece of architecture to be found in the | | | | found within villas. The Villa Doria Pamphili, for |
| city is The Piazza del Campidoglio, which was | | | | example, is the largest landscaped park in Rome; |
| designed by Michelangelo Buonaroti and is another | | | | while Villa Borghese houses a gorgeous garden |
| example of the architecture that exemplifies | | | | alongside the famous Borghese Gallery. Also |
| Rome's role as a world centre of the Renaissance. | | | | recommended to visit is the Villa Torlonia - a |
| However, there are also other grandiose squares | | | | remarkable example of Art Nouveau in the city, |
| in Rome, which includes the Piazza del Popolo, | | | | which was also the former Roman residence of |
| Piazza Navona and Piazza Venezia among others. | | | | Benito Mussolini. |
| Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Trevi Fountain - another | | | | While a walk around the city provides an indication |
| structural masterpiece - is a spectacular example | | | | of the various artistic eras in which Rome played |
| of baroque art, as is the Palazzo Madama, which | | | | a part, its grandiose museums and galleries are |
| now seats the Italian Senate. This baroque style is | | | | also well worth visiting. Among the most famous |
| also present in the Piazza di Spagna, which holds | | | | of these are the National Museum of Rome, The |
| the Barcaccia Fountain and the Spanish Steps - | | | | Museum of Roman Civilization, the Borghese |
| made famous in the Gregory Peck and Audrey | | | | Gallery, the Museum of Castel Sant'Angelo and |
| Hepburn film, Roman Holiday. | | | | the Capitoline Museums. |
| The city is also home to a number of | | | | There are various travel sites and travel agents |
| neoclassic-style buildings; the most famous of | | | | that offer fantastic deals on hotels in Rome. So |
| which is the Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, | | | | whether you're interested in taking an extended |
| which represents the 650,000 Italians who fell in | | | | cultural tour or simply want get away for the |
| conflict during World War I. Yet another | | | | weekend, Rome is the perfect place to go - and, |
| spectacular architectural attraction is The | | | | besides, you'll see just what makes it 'the most |
| Pantheon; the name is derived from the Greek | | | | beautiful city in the world'. |