The Coliseum. It is a marvellous architectural complex on the Via dei Fori Imperiali, the greatest amphitheatre of the Roman world, with a 500 meters perimeter. Its real name is Flavian Amphitheatre, and it was built in 80 A.D. by an unknown architect. The Coliseum consists of three floors of holes shaped like arches. The arches are separated by pillars with semi-columns of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian order. As you will already know, gladiatorial shows, consisting in fights to the death between men and beasts, took place in the amphitheatre until 404.
It might be interesting to add a few words on the Arch of Constantine, that rises next to the Coliseum. It was built in 315 A.D. to celebrate emperor Constantine's victory over Maxentius, and was realized with marble taken out from pre-existing monuments. It is the most important of the Roman triumphal arches.

St. Peter’s Basilica. The original basilica was built in 324 A.D. by Constantine, on the place were the Apostle’s tomb was placed. This basilica has always been the spiritual centre of the Christendom, and in 1452 Pope Niccolò V wanted it to be re-built. The works which give the present shape to the basilica began in 1506 with Bramante, who devised a Greek cross plan for the church, with a big central vault and four lateral small domes. In 1594, when the architect died, the four central pillars and the big supporting arches of the vault were finished. Antonio from Sangallo undertook the works direction until 1546, when Michelangelo took over. He devised a new grandiose image for the Basilica, and realized the Greek cross apse and the imposing dome, which represents the greatest masonry work never built. When Michelangelo died in 1564, Giacomo Della Porta took his place. Later on, Maderno erected the basilica's façade, added three more chapels next to each aisle and, by order of the Pope, changed the Greek cross plan of the church into the current Latin cross. On the 18 November 1626 the Basilica was solemnly consecrated by Pope Urban VIII. Bernini was then entrusted with the completion of the work, and we owe him the impressive baroque decoration of the inside.
In the right aisle you can admire "La Pietà" the famous Michelangelo's marble complex, accomplished by the artist when he was only 21. In the middle of the church under the luminous dome, adorned by mosaics, over the papal altar, you can admire the Bernini's bronze canopy. On its right you can see St. Peter's bronze statue, sculptured by Arnolfo di Cambio, while on its left side you can enter the rooms dedicated to St. Peter’s Treasure, and a Museum where inestimable goods, spared by the Saracen attack, Rome’s sacking and Napoleon spoliation are kept. If you want, you can visit the basilica's dome from where you will enjoy an exceptional view of Rome, or go down the Vatican caves.

St. Paul's Basilica. It is also known as St. Paul's outside the walls Basilica. Emperor Constantine wanted it to be built over the burial place of the Apostle of the Gentiles. The church was then consecrated into a basilica. A great St. Paul’s statue stands out in the middle of the porch. Behind, the imposing façade of the church is made in two levels. In the lower part, ten monolithic columns by Baveno, ten metres in height, support the upper part of the façade, adorned with golden mosaics representing the Blessing Christ between the apostles Peter and Paul, the Agnus Dei on the hill from which four rivers gush forth, to quench the thirst of the Christian flock that is awaiting between the two Sacred Cities. Below the images of four prophets.

St. John Lateran Basilica. It is Rome's cathedral, founded by Constantine in the IV century. It was destroyed and reconstructed several times, and in the course of the centuries many artists such as Borromini, Della Porta, Fontana and Alessandro Galilei added spaces, decorations and works of art to increase its splendour. Among the great complex of statues, monuments and decorations, it is worth to point out the Basilica’s sumptuous wooden ceiling dating back to the 16 century and its beautiful floor, which recalls the style of the Cosmati Family, as well as its statues, monuments, frescoes (one of which is attributed to Giotto). The cloister by Vasselletto (XIII century) is a remarkable piece of art, and includes the remains of the ancient IV century Basilica, as well as Roman and early Christian inscriptions and foundlings. In the Treasure Museum, accessible from the Basilica, two precious ancient crosses are kept. The Basilica's most ancient façade overlooks "Piazza di Porta San Giovanni”, from which you will have a beautiful sight of the bell towers dating back to the XIV century, the Lateran Palace and the Basilica’s baptistery. In the middle of the square you can admire the first and greatest Egyptian obelisk in Rome.

St. Mary Major. It is one of the patriarchal basilicas of Rome. Its construction is due to Pope Liberio, who had had a vision of a summer snow on the place where the basilica is placed today, in its homonymous square. The basilica was erected in the IV century but underwent many remakings in the course of the years, resulting in the union of different architectonic styles. Nevertheless, it internal structure, unique among the patriarchal basilicas, has kept a shape similar to the original one, in the early Christian style. On its inside, you can find valuable works of art such as a mosaic frieze of the V century on the trabeation, and other works by artists Fuga, Fontana, Di Cambio, Cosma, Ponzio, Reni, Della Porta. It is also worth mentioning the lacunar ceiling dating back to the VI century, attributed to Giuliano from Sangallo and the floor, which recalls the style of the Cosmati Family. The Sistine Chapel by Domenico Fontana and the Pauline Chapel by Flaminio Ponzio are also of remarkable artistic value. The rear façade (piazza dell'Esquilino) with its scenographic steps by Ponzio and Rainaldi is also worth a visit.

Catacombs of Domitilla. These are probably the largest catacombs in Rome, spreading for kilometres through a network of subterranean galleries. Among the many religious and worshipping reasons why the tradition of digging tombs underground was so popular among the first Christians, we should also take into account a cheaper costs of the underground, than the surface ground, as a burial space. These catacombs are named after St. Domitilla, who belonged to the family of the emperors Vespasiano and Domiziano, and were discovered only in 1874. The excavations showed how the structure had collapsed for an earthquake, probably in 897.

Trevi fountain. It is one of the city’s symbols, made by architect Nicolò Salvi in 1735 in a peculiar baroque and neoclassical style. The fountain has recently been given back to its former splendour thanks to a lengthy restoration work. If you want to follow the tradition and toss a coin into the fountain, please, don’t miss the target!

Monument to Vittorio Emmanuele II. It is called also 'Victorian', and rises in Piazza Venezia just at the end of Via de Fori Imperiali. It was built in 1885 and was inaugurated in 1911. An enormous flight of steps, flanked with winged lions and two bronze 'Vittorie', leads to the altar of the Italian land; in the middle of this monument there is the gigantic equestrian statue of the king, Vittorio Emmanuele II. Behind, the monument shows a grandiose porch with columns 15 metres high. Just below the statue, since 1921, two sentries of honour continuously watch the tomb the Unknown Soldier which keeps the remains of an unknown soldier died during the World War. The porch can be accessed, and you will enjoy a wide and beautiful sight of the city from it.

Roman Forum. It was the centre of the civic, juridical and economic life in Republican and Imperial times. In its monumental ruins, crossed by the "Via Sacra", you can admire the ruins of the Basilica Emilia, the Curia, which was the Forum’s first civic centre, and the Basilica of Maxentius. In addition, you can notice the temple of Vesta, and the Arch of Titus. A night visit (to be booked in advance) will reveal the splendour of this symbol of antiquity lighted with a spectacular luminous effect.

Circus Maximus. This oval basin, nearly 600 meters long, is now almost entirely filled in with earth. The Circus was the track where the chariot races took place. It was built in the time of the Etruscan kings and restored during Emperor Constantine reign, when the Circus could hold more than 200,000 spectators. Today only the outline remains; the area that the Circus used to occupy is now a public garden, and walking there during the night might prove unsafe.

The Capitol. It is one of the most interesting architectural areas in Rome. The whole complex (square and buildings) was built in the sixteenth century according to Michelangelo's designs. You can admire in the middle of the trapezoidal square Marcus Aurelius’s statue, on its left the Palazzo Nuovo, seat of Capitoline museums, on its right the Palazzo dei Conservatori and behind the statue the Palazzo Senatorio. On the fourth side of the square a great flight of steps, the Cordonata, leads you down to piazza d'Aracoeli. The original Marcus Aurelius’s statue has been kept on the ground floor of the Capitoline museums since 1981, when the copy that is now placed in the middle of the square was realized.

Capitoline Museums. They represent the most ancient collection in the world, and the sculptural works kept here have an inestimable artistic value: among the others it is worth to mention the Venere Capitolina, the Galata Morente, the group Amore and Psiche. The picture gallery is also worth a visit, where you will admire works by Caravaggio, Reni, Rubens, Guercino and Tiziano.

Pantheon. It is an imposing monument considered a masterpiece of the Roman architecture. Consul Agrippa had it built in 27 A.D., and Emperor Adrian ordered its complete reconstruction at the beginning of the second century A.D. Its façade presents a classical porch made of monolithic granite columns, and a triangular tympanum. Inside, the "Pantheon" has a circular plan and a stately lacunar dome. The only opening is in the middle of the dome, 9 metres wide, is the sole source of light for the whole building, and it creates a luminous effect that exalts the grandiosity and the harmony of this monument.

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Step). This is one of the best known and evocative places in Rome. It is characterized by the great steps of Trinità dei Monti, the elegant Fontana della Barcaccia realized by Pietro Bernini and a number of palaces built in 17th and 18th centuries.

Piazza Navona. One of the most frequented places in Rome, a meeting place for both tourist and Roman citizens. It rises on the ancient Domitian's Stadium, of which it still has the elliptic shape and dimensions. In it you can admire three splendid baroque fountains. Between the years 1600 and 1800 the square used to be closed and flooded with water in August, and a march-past of the princes’ troops took place at the same time. Piazza Navona is worth a visit over Christmas time, when many stands selling characteristic Christmas goods are placed in the square for about one month.

Piazza del Popolo. It is considered one of the best urban works in Rome. It is characterized by the Porta del Popolo realized by Bernini, on the north side, while on the east side you can walk up to the Pincio's terrace. Shows, fairs and games used to take place here in ancient times. The square’s scenography has changed a lot over the centuries, from 1400 to 1800; the current layout was planned by Giuseppe Valadier at the beginning of the XIX century, with the reconstruction of the church Santa Maria del Popolo and the collocation of the Flaminio obelisk in the middle of the square.

Roman National Museum. It represents one of the most ancient collections in the world, since the archaeological foundings kept here date back to the period from the founding of Rome to the Imperial Age, and have an inestimable artistic value. The museum is in Viale Enrico De Nicola, 79.

Borghese Gallery. After a lengthy restoration work that took 15 years to be completed, the Borghese Gallery is presently open to the public. You will admire works of arts by Raffaello, Antonello da Messina, Caravaggio, Tiziano e Bernini.

Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography. Many legacies of private collectors from different countries are kept in this museum. On the second floor you will find the prehistoric and primitive history sections. The museum’s collection is constantly updated with foundings coming from all over Italy. The museum is in Piazza Marconi, 14.

Sistine Chapel. The chapel was built in the time of Pope Sixtus IV, on the architectural plans made by architect Baccio Pontelli. The frescoes decorating the walls mark the evolution of the Renaissance style painting. The walls are divided into three orders by horizontal cornices, the central one having been frescoed by some of the most representative artists of the Umbrian and Senese School: Pinturicchio, Perugino, Botticelli, Signorelli. Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1506 to repaint the ceiling of the Chapel, earlier frescoed by Piero Matteo d'Amelia; Michelangelo also painted the Last Judgement over the altar, thirty years later. The work took him from 1536 to 1541 to be completed.

IMPORTANT. If you are a European Union citizen aged between 18 and 25, you are entitled a 50% reduction on the ticket price. Visitors from foreign countries can benefit the same facility provided that there is a specific agreement between and Italy their origin country. Students from some State Universities are entitled a free entrance: please, ask the museum reception.