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The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum, the most important archaeological area in Rome, extends from the Capitol Hill to the Palatine. As far back as the 7th century [...]
Continue reading...The Vatican City
Arriving at St. Peter’s Square, the visitor is immediately impressed by the size of the memorable square facing St. Peter’s, surrounded by the magnificent four-row [...]
Continue reading...San Giovanni in Laterano
What is the highest ranking church in the world which at the same time holds the title of ecumenical mother church? If your answer is ‘Duh, St. Peter’s Basilica’, then you are absolutely, undoubtedly incorrect. Basilica San Giovanni in Laterano translated Basilica of St. John Lateran, is the oldest and highest ranking of the [...]
Continue reading...Colosseum
Perhaps no other monument is a truer symbol of the majesty and grandeur of Rome like that of the Colosseum. This icon like the city itself has endured the destructive forces of mother nature and man, but remains a resilient testimony of Roman engineering and architecture. The Colosseum christened ‘Flavian Ampitheatre’ - the [...]
Continue reading...Piazza Navona
Walk from the Boutique Hotel Trevi, Hotel Genio, Hotel Sistina or Hotel Eliseo, to this piazza, which like so many in Rome, is overflowing with cafés and bars, allowing you to sit and admire the sumptuous sculptures or numerous artisans. Daily plying their trade here, some have immortalized the surrounding apartments and the piazza itself, [...]
Continue reading...Castel St. Angelo
Castel St. Angelo silently observes you as you cross one of the many bridges of Lungotevere. Its imposing facade is in total juxtoposition to the welcoming arms of St. Peter’s Basilica. Its somber brown walls speak of a history which was anything less than joyful, at best, modestly pleasant. CASTEL (not castle) St. [...]
Continue reading...The Spanish Steps
You may ask yourself what is the allure of the 138 steps which functionally link the Spanish Embassy below with the Trinita dei Monti above? Maybe it is because these steps proclaimed as “ without a doubt the longest and widest staircase in all Europe”, are simply beautiful and can also serve as the perfect [...]
Continue reading...The Pantheon
St. Mary of the Martyrs might seem like another church amongst the hundreds in Rome. However this church has been described as a tomb for the illustrious dead, best preserved Roman building, mathematical wonder, celebrated temple for gods. If you still haven’t guessed, this is none other than the Pantheon. Smaller and more modest than its [...]
Continue reading...San Pietro in Vincoli
Also known as the Basilica Eudoxiana, it was first built in 432-440 to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. According to legend, when the Empress Eudoxia (wife of Emperor Valentinian III) gifted the chains to Pope Leo I, while he compared them to the chains [...]
Continue reading...Santa Maria Maggiore
One of the five major basilicas in Rome, it holds an esteemed position not only because it is a papal basilica, but also because it is the largest church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rome. Like most churches, the history of Santa Maria Maggiore is based on legend and fact. The legend of [...]
Continue reading...Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme (Holy Cross in Jerusalem), is one of the often forgotten gems admist the treasury of churches in the Eternal City. Forgotten not amongst dedicated pilgrims, but amongst your average tourist. It does not carry the same bragging rights as its cousins- Santa Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano - but [...]
Continue reading...The Vittoriano
‘Typewriter’, ‘Wedding Cake’, ‘Zuppa Inglese’ are all names devotedly, or in many cases disparagingly used, to describe the monument honoring the first king of unified Italy, Victor Emmanuel II. This monument, ostentatiously displays itself for all of Rome to see, between Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. With nothing subtle in the design or construction [...]
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