If you have read Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons or have seen its movie adaptation, you will be familiar with the majestic circular castle, known as Castel Sant Angelo. Yes, this same hide out of the Hassassin and said to be the last church of the Illuminati. Castel Sant Angelo or the Mausoleum of Hadrian is the magnificent circular castle along the banks of the Tiber River and is Rome’s famous landmarks. Built in the earlier years of the second century, it was commissioned to be the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian and his family. It is also the final resting place of the subsequent Roman emperors the last emperor interred was Caracalla in the third century. What we see today is the product of numerous renovations throughout the course of history. It was originally built as a beautifully decorated cylinder with a top garden and a golden quadriga. During the […]
Among the world’s famous ancient ruins is the Roman Forum. Ancient Roman civilization is among the most advanced and most admired societies in the world. In school we learned about it mainly through pictures of dwellings, temples, roads and forts which span across hundreds of kilometers of the Italian countryside. In fact, ancient ruins all over the world also have their fair share of tourists who explore and appreciate the ingenuity of the Romans. Considered to be the oldest section of the eternal city of Rome, the Roman Forum is found between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. The valley holds a wide area of ancient building ruins and roads. While in Rome, you can re-live your school book texts about the ancient Roman civilization by visiting and experiencing firsthand the grandeur and the genius of the ancient Romans. The Roman Forum illustrates the life and times of the ancient Romans. […]
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most famous landmarks in the world. The church is located within the Vatican City, west of Tiber River and next to the Hadrian’s Mausoleum and Janiculum Hill. Visitors can approach the Basilica through the St. Peter’s Piazza. It is officially called Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and considered to be the largest Catholic Church in the world. It covers an area of 2.3 hectares and the interior can hold 60,000 people simultaneously. According to the Catholic tradition, St. Peter is the first Bishop of Rome and the first Pope, the Basilica is named after him. Also, based from historical evidence, the remains of the Saint can be found underneath the altar. The Basilica is also a famous pilgrimage site and host for liturgical functions. As such, it holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics, being one of the holiest […]
Rome’s Piazza Navona is perhaps the most famous and beautiful among the city’s many piazzas. You will truly enjoy the beautiful Roman sunshine as you walk along this scenic and historic baroque masterpiece. The place is also one of the city’s liveliest places, with its outdoor cafes, elegant restaurants, night clubs and local art market. The Piazza was built on the long ruins of the Stadium of Domitian or Circus Domitianus, where the ancient Romans watched games or agones. Part of the remains of the stadium can be seen when you exit the piazza on the northern part and by turning left. Subsequently, upon the transfer of the city market from Campidoglio the piazza was declared a public space in the latter part of the 15th century. The Piazza holds important architectural and artistic treasure. Right at the piazza’s heart is the Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s 17th century masterpiece the legendary […]
The Pantheon is one of Rome’s most fascinating landmarks. The temple was built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC, dedicated to the gods of the Ancient Romans and to remember Actium’s victory over Antony and Cleopatra. The temple was burned down in 80 AD. It was subsequently rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD and was thereafter maintained and renovated under the rule of Emperors Septimus Severus and Caracalla. In 346 pagan worship was banned and most temples were closed by 356. A decree in 408 made the temples like the Pantheon a secular building. It remained unused until the 7th century when the Byzantine Emperor Phocas gave the temple to Pope Boniface who transformed it to a Roman Catholic Church and consecrated it to St. Mary and the Martyrs. The Pantheon also known as Santa Maria Rotunda is one of the best conserved Roman structures. As such, one can […]
The Eternal city of Rome is home to antiquated churches, piazzas, palaces and statues. Countless works of art and artifacts can be seen in the city’s old buildings and museums. The cobbled streets, beautiful plazas and fascinating fountains of its neighborhoods are truly inspirational. Most famous among the city’s fountains, is the Trevi Fountain. Known by Italians as Fontana di Trevi, the Trevi Fountain is the most beautiful fountain in the city of Rome. Located in Trevi Square within the Quirinale district, its inviting and soothing sounds will reach you even as you walk through nearby streets. Simply breathtaking, it is sure to captivate your senses. The story of the fountain is depicted in its baroque art and structure. The smooth and natural lines of the marble structures complement the nearby palace and the plaza itself. The fountain traces its origin from ancient Roman times. Trevi Fountain is at the […]
Many of Italy’s finest works of art are in its architecture. Discovering the history of its origins and the fascinating evolution of its styles, will open up an entirely new world as you tour through the intoxicating landscape. To study the architects of Italian life, from early Roman civilization to the breathtaking style of today is to study the art of living. With its vast array of architectural designs, a day-long tour of Rome is not enough. The reason? The variety of style in Italian architecture is is such that it can be classified not just by chronological period, but also by region. From the earliest times, the Romans were stimulated by ideas from Greece, then began to develop their own authentic architectural styles and designs. Look closely as you make your way around the ancient ruins of the Roman era for signs of this adaptation from the Greek influence […]
