Rome Sightseeing ? An Easy Way to Learn About the Eternal City

Added: 10/01/2006
It's been said that you can't have a present or future without having a past. That phrase can best sum up the city of Rome. Present-day Rome can trace its origin back to the time when the city was the administrative center of the Roman Empire. While the sands of time have buried the Roman Empire to the ages, Rome is still the focal point of all that happens in Italian government, in addition to being home to a number of high profile offices and firms. Rome sightseeing is the easiest way for tourists to see the road Rome has traveled throughout history until modern times.

Rome sightseeing offers you a unique experience to witness the significant
historical events of the past and look to the city's future. And as a tourist, you're offered the opportunity to become a part of its majesty and antiquity.

Currently, Rome sightseeing is offered by a number of travel companies which ensure the best opportunity to view the city's attractions. A variety of
excursions in and around Rome are organized daily, drawing tourists from
nearly every part of the world. Among the world famous Roman sights are the Coliseum, the Pantheon, Palatine Hill, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican
Museums, the Basilica of Saint Peter, the Castel Sant'Angelo and others.

Rome sightseeing of the Coliseum is the most popular among foreign tourists
worldwide. With its 50,000 seating capacity, the Coliseum is seen as the
great amphitheatre of Rome, used once for gladiatorial combat. The construction was designed by Emperor Vespasian during the period of AD
72-81. Throughout its history the Coliseum hosted a wide variety of games,
including fights-to-the-death between gladiators, the killing of animals by
prisoners and mock naval battles.

The amphitheatre witnessed several thousands deaths as the result of the games. At present the arena floor doesn't exist any more, though it is possible to see the corridors and walls in the ruins of the construction. There exist nearly 80 entrances at the ground level, 76 of which were designed for ordinary spectators, two for the gladiators and two for the members of the imperial family.Beyond the Coliseum lies the Pantheon. Initially constructed as a temple to the seven deities of the seven planets, the Pantheon has served as a Christian church since the VII century. Today it is recognized as the oldest building of historical importance in the world and the best-preserved
building in Rome with its history dating back to 27-25 BC.

One of the most famous sights in Rome is the Trevi Fountain, which is the
largest and the most magnificent of Rome Baroque fountains in Italy. Its
construction was completed in 1762 by the prominent architect Giuseppe
Pannini, the author of sculptures of Trivia and Agrippa.

Established in the XVI century by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums feature works of the Roman Catholic Church collection. The museums have
always been regarded as the most popular Rome sightseeing with the art
lovers, displaying the largest art collection of the city.

The first Vatican museum Museo Pio-Clementino was established in 1771 by Pope Clement XIV, featuring initially antique and Renaissance works. Pius VI contributed to the development to the museum, enlarging its collection
significantly. Currently Museo Pio-Clementino houses the works of Roman and Greek art, the most famous of which are Apollo del Belvedere, Laocoon and his Sons and the Belvedere Torso.

Museo Chiaramonti was founded in the 1800s by Pope Pius VII, whose name was accepted by the museum. The collection of the museum is comprised of Roman statues mostly, some of them being inspired by Greek works. One of the museum parts Galleria Lapidaria houses about 3000 inscriptions and tablets, which is considered to be the largest collection of the kind in the world and makes this place one of the important excursions for Rome.

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