ABOUT ROME
Rome, the Eternal City, seat
of one of history´s greatest empires and
centre of western culture, is quite simply
like no other city on earth. Founded over
2500 years ago, no other city has such a
wealth of history and historic buildings;
from Etruscan tombs to baroque basilicas;
the Colosseum, the Forum, the Vatican City,
if stones could talk, the story of Rome
would be an epic. But Rome is more than
just old buildings and long dead legends,
Rome today is a bustling cosmopolitan metropolis,
much as it always has been, in which the
modern rubs shoulders with the ancient to
create a unique city that has to be experienced
to be believed.
Vatican
The Vatican is the world´s
smallest sovereign state and is located
on the sacred Vatican Hill - believed to
have held some form of sacred status before
the coming of Christianity. The first church
erected on the site was the Basilica of
Constantine in 326 over the spot on which
Saint Peter is reputed to be buried. The
main sights in the Vatican are Saint Peter´s
Square - which is in fact elliptical - which
leads on to the majestic Saint Peter´s Basilica
which was consecrated in 1626. On the roof
of St Peter´s there is a coffee bar with
understandably wonderful views. Of course
a visit to the sublime Sistine Chapel is
essential. Built in the 15th Century, using
the same dimensions as Solomon´s Temple
in the Old Testament and with incredible
Last Judgement by Micheangelo, it is the
scene of many of the Vatican´s official
ceremonies.
The Colosseum
Built in the First Century
of the Common Era, by the emperors Vespasian
and Titus at the site of Hero's palace which
itself was built after the fire of 64CE.
Some historians believe that its construction
was financed by the sacking of Jerusalem
in 70CE. When it opened there were 100 days
of celebration - which involved the slaughter
of 9000 animals and the arena floor being
cover with sand in order to soak up the
blood. The Colosseum was used as a venue
for animal fights, executions, gladitorial
games and by flooding the arena, even re-acting
naval battles. The building was, in its
hey-day, a wonder of engineering, including
an awning system that guaranteed the masses
a breeze in the hot Roman sun. Eventually
the Colosseum fell out of its original use,
over the years becomin a fortress and more
often a quarry from which stone and marble
was plundered by various popes for building
the Vatican.
Today the Colosseum again echoes
to the cries of animals, having a huge population
of cats.
The Pantheon
Originally built in 27BCE,
during the era of the Roman Republic, the
building was destroyed in by fire in 80CE
and then rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian
in 125CE. The building is uniqie in that
it is the only remaining Greco-Roman building
to have remained in continuous use since
its construction. Built as a unifying shrine
to the gods of Rome, the building was given
to Pope Boniface IV and it was converted
to a Christian church - Santa Maria ad Martyres,
still the official name of the building.
The original interior of the pantheon is
still intact, as are, although oft repaired,
the bronze doors.
The building has been
used since the Renaissance as a tomb, the
painters Raphael and Annibale Caracci are
buried here as are two kings of Italy. The
building itself is circular and until 1436
boasted Europe´s largest dome.
Piazza
Navona
Piazza Navona is the jewel
in the crown of Baroque Rome, enjoying sculptural
and architectural masterpieces.
Following the outline of an ancient circus,
the Piazza was built over the ruins of the
Stadium of Domitian dating from the 1st
Century. At the centre of the square is
the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Bernini,
representing the Nile, Rio della Plata,
Ganges and Danube topped with an Egyptian
obelisk. Rainaldi´s Church of Sant´Agnese
in Agone and the Pamphilj Palace also adorn
the Piazza. At the northern end of the Piazza
Navona is the Fountain of Neptune, and the
Moor Fountain to the south, sculpted by
Giacomo della Porta.
Piazza
Campo dei Fiori
This jaunty square plays
host to a flower and vegetable market every
morning except Sunday and is lined with
trendy bars and eateries. Prior to the execution
of Giordano Bruno for heresy during the
Inquisition, he denied that the universe
has a centre and was promptly burnt at the
stake, piazza campo dei fiori was little
more than a meadow.
This charming square
is a real taste of real Italian life and
worth stopping by for a drink and to watch
the bustle of the market.
Spanish Steps
These 138 steps connect the
Piazza di Spagna at the bottom with the
Trinta dei Monti church at the top and are
the result of many years of argument as
to how the steep slope on the side of the
Pincio could be effectively used. The Steps
were built primarily to connect the Spanish
Embassy with the church and were paid for
by a French diplomat. At Christmas a nativity
scene is built on the Steps and in spring
they are a blaze of flowers. The square
at the base of the Steps includes the Baroque
fountain "Barcaccia" and on the
right as you ascend the Steps is the house
that John Keats lived in until his death
in 1821.
Trastevere
Once the quarter that house
Rome´s Syrian and the Jewish communities,
the whole area fell into disrepair as Rome
shed its population and the Jews moved closer
to the city centre. It wasn´t until the
14th Century that Trastevere re-entered
Rome´s consciousness, with an increase in
its population. The area is famous for its
wonderful architecture and incredible views
over the rest of Rome. In particular is
the sumptuous Villa Farnesina, the building
has frescos by Raphael and was owned at
one time by the Farnese family, who had
plans to build a bridge from the villa to
their mansion on the other side of the river.
Trastevere is a veritable warren of delightful
streets with excellent restaurants, and
in July is the site for one of Rome´s most
vivacious festivals.
The Roman Forum
The Forum, as it is known
to Romans, is the heart around which ancient
Rome formed. In this area almost everything
of note took place, whether it be administration
or trade. Among the ruins are still to be
seen the travertine paving which dates from
the time of Caesar Augustus, as well as
several temples, arches and basilicae. Eventually
the whole area fell into disrepair, becoming
a cattle field. It was only with the return
of the Papacy from Avignon that led to the
area being re-discovered as a potential
source of materials for the new buildings
being raised at the time. The area was fully
excavated during the 20th Century and today
is an incredible reminder of of the power
and glory that was Rome.
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