Italy - Rome the eternal city

It is perhaps the city in the world with the greatest amount of historical per square meter. So is Rome , a veritable compendium of ancient history that last one was setting. Among Etruscan tombs, imperial temples, medieval churches, Renaissance palaces and baroque basilicas, the succession of architectural and artistic treasures is stunning. This is the ideal destination for diving and other times in other stories but also to experience a city that has a vibrant modern side.

Velha and modern, to Rome of chaotic traffic is one fascinating city, where reigns a delicious eclecticism between the precious testimonies of its long history.

Just 28 km from the sea, the capital of Italy is a giant city, however, its historic center is small. Most places of interest are close to each other, inviting to walking, after all, the best way to penetrate the secrets of the Eternal City.

As a center of Christianity, has loads of Churches: from the great basilicas of the powerful Catholic Church Medieval and Renaissance, the modest buildings, where early Christians met in secret. The St. Peter's Basilica is the most famous but there are numerous worth visiting to admire architecture and unique collections of religious art.

The museums of Rome are among the richest in the world and may be lost long hours to meet them without feeling the least boredom. The Vatican alone houses fabulous collections of artifacts Egyptians, Etruscans, Greeks, Romans, early Christians, as well as masterpieces by famous artists. It is the sacred atmosphere that dominates, but Rome is also light and bright, with its elegant mansions squares framed by a sky so often intensely blue.

Made famous in the light of Rome, also shines a city of icons, fonts. Many are works of the greatest Renaissance and Baroque sculptors, other millennial. It is in this world from time overlapping that rise impressive Roman ruins, to defy modern buildings. The ex-libris are the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. And after so many miles calcorreados walk, the city offers its generous terraces, which spread in graceful Renaissance squares.

Relaxing moments also pave the way for other facets not least famous of Rome: the ritual of shopping has a long tradition in a metropolis where they are present the best of fashion and "design" Italian antique dealers and also the color vibrant markets and fairs.

The Eternal City was born as a modest village in the mid-eighth century BC. The Etruscans conquered the town in 616, but would be expelled one century later, when Rome if proclaimed one Republic.

By the second century BC, Rome controlled the central and southern Italy, defeated the Empire of Carthage and was poised to dominate the entire Mediterranean. As that the empire expanded, the city suffered several wars civilians that would eventually result in the end of the Republic. The emperors have been given absolute power, and each of them wanted to leave his mark on the great city.

The Imperial Rome was then covered with magnificent buildings and monuments, many of which still preserves. The emergence of Christianity in century IV would weaken in very the secular power of Rome, however, would maintain one role of prominence by becoming the center of a new empire, the of Christendom.

From the eighth century, is now under the absolute dominion of the popes and Rome is filled with churches and basilicas. The fifteenth century opens a new chapter, perhaps the most glorious in their history: the prosperity of the Church offers some of the best works that produced the Renaissance and Baroque.

In 1870, Rome becomes the capital of Italy newly unified, is the end of papal power. Under the new administration, the city grew beyond its walls. In the decades of 20 and 30, take the air with its vast Fascist avenues and grand buildings.

The republican regime settles in Rome in 1946 and the post-war expands physically at the same time plays a central role in the booming Italian film industry. The last decades of the twentieth century brought a mixture of economic success and corruption at the highest level.
Were exacerbated political tensions that still persist, but Rome has always seemed far more earthly these quarrels. Preserves proud all its magnificence it shares with the crowds of tourists that annually invade it.

From 1800, the French occupation and the British blockade refer it to the mere role of the local market. Forced to turn back from the sea, is developed industrially, are established rail links, is invested in the steel industry and the population grows. The neutrality of the Netherlands spared his capital to the horrors of World War I, however, that neutrality was no longer possible to maintain the Second World War: in May 1940, the Nazis invade Countries Baixos.Durante occupation, community Jewish Amsterdam is almost entirely massacred, only 1 in 16 Jews of the city survive the war.

In May 1945, the city is finally released. In the post-war rebuilding quietly until, in the 60, awaken to the new times. It is the era of student protests and women's movements of anarchists, the "hippies". Amsterdam became the radical heart of Europe , where anything could happen. The legacy of that time still reflected today in Amsterdam, it is more peaceful but still tantalizingly cosmopolitan and liberal.

Roman Forum
Main entrance on Via dei Fori Imperiali
Once the center of political, commercial and judicial of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum is one of the ex-libris. Archaeological excavations began in the eighteenth century revealed impressive ruins dating from different periods of Roman history. Among the places of greatest interest are the ruins of the Basilica of Constantine, the house of the Vestal Virgins, the Temple of Vesta, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina and the Arch of Titus. In the background one can see the impressive Colosseum, even decadent, is still a magnificent work. From the Forum, up to the Palatine, where the powerful of ancient Rome built their palaces and personal temples. Medieval churches, gardens and Renaissance villas provide a magical atmosphere to the ruins. The House of House of Augustus and Livia are among the best preserved, highlighting also the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana, the two wings of the palace built by Domitian and Septimius Severus Annex.
Pantheon
Piazza della Rotonda
This beautiful building with its impressive vaulted interior was the symbol of Rome. In the Middle Ages, "The Temple of all Gods" would be transformed into a church. Today, its true size and beauty can only be appreciated from the inside. An engineering marvel built in the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian (118-125 AD). The shrines that now line up along the wall of the Pantheon ranging from the tomb of Raphael to the kings of modern Italy.

Vatican
Center of power of the Roman Catholic Church and sovereign state since 1929, the Vatican is ruled by the Pope. About a thousand people live and work in the premises of the smallest country on the globe. The magnificent St. Peter's Basilica attracts pilgrims from all over the Christian world. In the papal palaces, next to St. Peter, the Vatican Museums are the keepers of the largest collections of classical art and the Renaissance world. To these are added further treasures the wonderful frescoes by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel and Raphael in the private quarters of Pope Julius II, known today as Raphael Rooms.

Castel Sant'Angelo
This strong fortress owes its name to the statue of the archangel Michael, who is on top. Originally built as a mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD, was converted into a papal fortress in the sixth century and is connected to the palaces of the Vatican through underground passages. Today is a fabulous museum that covers all aspects of the history of the castle.

The Christian Rome
Among the thousand and one churches of Rome, pilgrims Catholics have always been attracted by the seven basilicas main: the Basilica of São Pedro arises at the top of list but also deserve reference San Giovanni em Laterano, San Paolo fuori le Mura, Santa Maria Maggiore, Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, San Lorenzo fuori le Mura and San Sebastian. Hold a large amount of relics, tombs and magnificent works of art from various periods.

Capitoline Hill
The main attraction of this place is, without doubt, the Piazza del Campiodoglio of Michelangelo. Designed in 1538, is a classic Renaissance. Around it, the Palazzo Nuovo and Palazzo dei Conservatori contain the Capitoline Museums with its fabulous collections of sculpture and painting. The temple of Jupiter in the southern part of the Capitoline Hill, was the most important in ancient Rome.

The Piazzas
One of the characteristics most enchanting of Rome, is its collection of "piazzas". The Piazza Navona, which was born from the ruins of the "stadium" of Domitian, is the most beautiful Baroque square of the city, with its center adorned by the beautiful Fontana dei Fiumi. With its tall houses with shutters painted in light shades of ocher, cream and maroon, the Piazza di Spagna is the most famous and the most lively of Rome. Stands to its original source in the form of the barge, the Fontana della Barcaccia. The Piazza del Quirinale, the Quirinale Hill, offers a unique view of the city. Down the hill by narrow streets and staircases, we find the famous Trevi Fountain, where it is tradition to throw a coin to ensure a return. The Via Veneto is the tourism center of modern Rome, with its hotels, bars and restaurants. In the 60's was the meeting point of the movie stars, lost its prestige but continues to be elected to the tourists. Perto, in Piazza Barberini, arise the very Fountains del Tritone and delle Api. Campo dei Fiori is a fascinating part of Renaissance Rome as well as lively shopping and nightlife.

The best seasons to visit Rome are spring and autumn when the weather is warmer and very sunny. It is best to avoid in November, particularly rainy months. Summer can be very pleasant but sometimes the heat too intense and the crowds become major drawbacks.
In addition to the fabulous journey through history that offers, Rome is also great for good dining experiences. Shopping is the activity of election, with the most interesting stores to focus in the old center. A diverse cultural program that ensures good cultural programs in the summer, have the favorite scenario of the outdoors. To escape from the busy center, nothing better than a stroll through one of the nicest city parks, Villa Borghese.
As the center of Rome is not very big, walking seems to be the best alternative in a city with chaotic traffic. Public transport can be quite slow through congested streets where, being a more peaceful meters to reach the farthest points of the city.

[Show as slideshow]

[View with PicLens]

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Related posts

• Italy - Venice to the city on water
• Italy - Florence Renaissance Capital
• 10 Best Business Hotels of the World
• Verona the city of Romeo and Juliet - Italy
• Principe Hotel Forte Dei Marmi - Italy
• The World's Best Restaurant is in Denmark
• Italy - Island of Sardinia
• Top 20 Eco Resorts of the World
• Sicily the beautiful island of the Mediterranean - Italy
• Top Ten Museums of Europe

Tags: frescoes , architecture , sacred art , artefacts , Artists , Beauty , Capital , Castle sant Roman , History , Hotels , Rome Hotels , Rome Hotel , Church , Emperor , Italy , Gardens , Shops , Wonder , Medieval , Best , Metropolis , Michael Angelo , Modern , Monte old , Crest Rome , Santa Croce , Shrine , Temple , Tourism , Tourist , Vatican , Veneto , Travel , Travel , Visit , Visit