Rome

It is possible to visit the Eternal City in just two days, you just have to know where to go! Start with a good breakfast and wear comfortable shoes - and Rome will ensure you emotions, culture, amazement and fun. You will fall in love with Rome already after the first day.

Even our ways of exploring and travelling are adapting to the times and must evolve. Attention to sustainability is at the top of the list of requirements for those who travel, in order to preserve the many treasures that make our Bel Paese unique. No more wild and irresponsible tourism as in the past, but more respect for territories, cultures, natural areas and traditions that protect the growth of places of interest and their populations. As well as attentiveness on the part of travellers, policies in step with the times that facilitate responsible tourism are also widespread. Rome is an example from which to draw inspiration. Even our ways of exploring and travelling are adapting to the times and must evolve. Attention to sustainability is at the top of the list of requirements for those who travel, in order to preserve the many treasures that make our Bel Paese unique. No more wild and irresponsible tourism as in the past, but more respect for territories, cultures, natural areas and traditions that protect the growth of places of interest and their populations. As well as attentiveness on the part of travellers, policies in step with the times that facilitate responsible tourism are also widespread. Rome is an example from which to draw inspiration.

The centre boasts legendary sites such as the Colosseum, the Fori Imperiali, the Pantheon or the Fountain of Trevi, but also charming neighbourhoods where you can breathe all the authentic Romanness, full of local culture and good food. Without forgetting about the Vatican and Piazza San Pietro, among the most visited religious destinations in the world.

The Imperial Fora in Rome include a series of monumental piazzas built between 46 B.C.E. and 113 A.D. They are considered to have been the hub of Ancient Rome’s political activities, and they were eventually accompanied by other structures over the course of centuries.

Just as the stories of the group of teenagers at the centre of the story, grappling with their discovery of love and sex and the difficulties of growing up and making choices, are relatable to the audience of fellow teens, so too are the settings in which the various seasons of this teen drama were filmed: squares, meeting places, and urban and natural landscapes very familiar in particular to the young people of Rome, the city in which this Italian series is set.

Rome is magical and so are the experiences you can enjoy if you decide to visit Italy's capital. Aperitifs with splendid views, amazing rooftops and star dinners make "the eternal city" an excellent choice for exclusive and unforgettable moments.

A prime example is the MAXXI in Rome, the futuristic National Museum of 21st Century Arts and the masterpiece of architectural icon, Zaha Hadid. Here, a revolutionary urban regeneration plan, christened GRANDE MAXXI, promises to transform it while respecting the principles of sustainability, inclusion and innovation. This museum dedicated to contemporary arts is thus preparing to adopt a new look in step with the times, becoming an even more compulsory destination for those passing through the Eternal City.

The Vatican Museums house one of the most important art collections in the world. A collection created by the popes throughout history with around 20,000 works of art, archaeology and ethno-anthropology on display, and more than 50,000 stored in the rich repositories. The collections include masterpieces from the Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek and Roman civilisations, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, through to contemporary art. The tour includes the works commissioned by the popes in the apostolic palaces, from Raphael's Rooms to the Borgia Apartment to the monumental Sistine Chapel.

Tucked away in the beautiful Rione Monti, in Rome, in the quaint church of San Pietro in Vincoli, there is one of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art, Michelangelo's Moses, an example of superb craftsmanship and incomparable beauty.

After so many famous monuments built on commission, Antonio da Sangallo, the celebrated Florentine architect who designed Palazzo Farnese and teamed up with Raphael on the building site of St. Peter's Basilica, conceived and built Palazzo Sacchetti, one of the most beautiful Renaissance residences in Rome, for himself, dedicating the last years of his life to creating the perfect building. After having been owned by the Sacchetti family for more than three centuries and having recently changed hands several times, this historic palace, which was the set for Paolo Sorrentino's Oscar winning film La Grande Bellezza ('The Great Beauty') and, before that, had inspired the settings steeped in history and spirituality of Émile Zola's novel ‘Rome', has now been put up for sale by Sotheby's.

For the first time, the material representation of data breaks away from the two-dimensionality of paper and digital graphics, to take shape and give visitors the chance not only to read, but also to touch what the numbers say about current issues such as greenwashing and carbon neutrality. This is the visual exhibition titled 'Studio Visit. Alcantara-Maxxi Project', with great impact and communicative potential, open to visitors until 23 October in the beautiful setting of the hall dedicated to Claudia Gian Ferrari.

The pieces created by Michelangelo Merisi known as Caravaggio will always leave an impression: realistic, dramatic and provocative, they reflect the myth of a proud and exuberant character. The scenes depicted are able to engage us in a direct manner, as if we were witnesses to events which seem to be taking place here and now. During the course of his adventurous life, the artist lived in many places, but Rome is the city which holds the greatest number of his works - no less than 26 pieces - distributed among museums, churches and private collections. On this itinerary, we offer a small guide to the discovery of several of the works of art by Caravaggio kept in the churches and in the museums of the Eternal City.

Colosseum one of the 7 Wonders of the World The symbol of the Roman Empire recognized as one of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Flavian Amphitheatre - also known as the Colosseum - is a must-see for anyone visiting Rome. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world, telling the story of the magnificent deeds of gladiators and Ancient Rome. This imposing and evocative place is the most representative icon of Rome and Italy as a whole all over the world; having survived until now, it is a human masterpiece and has always stood out in all its splendour, ensuring unforgettable views and glimpses of the city. The Colosseum today is a dynamic and multi-function place and is used every year to host numerous temporary exhibitions and modern shows for its visitors.

Roman Forum the political, civil and administrative history of ancient Rome. The Forum was the beating heart of the political and civil life of Ancient Rome. It was the administrative centre of the city comprising a series of buildings, monuments, streets and squares where the public life of Rome took place. The Forum is home to the remains of the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the imposing Basilica on the Velia built by Emperor Maxentius and the Column of Phocas. A truly unique and evocative archaeological area immersed in the heart of the modern city, where ancient history testifies to everyday life in ancient Rome.

The heart of the Catholic world, St. Peter's Basilica is the most majestic basilica in Christianity, built on the site where St. Peter was buried. Covering an area of 22,067 square metres, it is 218 metres long (including the portico) and 136 metres high from the ground to the cross on the dome. The ancient imperial basilica was built by Constantine on the burial site of the apostle Peter. Like many other early Christian churches, it was left in a state of decay until the 15th century when, first by the decision of Nicholas V and then under the pontificate of Julius II, reconstruction work began in 1506, following a design by Bramante. Following Bramante's death, other famous architects followed, including Michelangelo, commissioned at the age of 72 in 1547, who simplified Bramante's original design and created what was to be his absolute architectural masterpiece: the dome. Unfortunately, Michelangelo died before seeing it finished, and it was left to Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana to complete it. The façade of the basilica, made by Carlo Maderno in 1614, can now be seen in its original colours after careful restoration in 1999. Preceded by a three-tiered staircase, it is divided by eight columns and pillars that support a trabeation crowned by a balustrade. The central balcony above the portico is the Loggia of Blessings, where the pope blesses the city and the election of the new pontiff is announced. Michelangelo's dome is an immense double-shell structure covered in mosaics. Five bronze doors serve as the entrance to the basilica: the last on the right is the Holy Door, which is only opened in Jubilee years, the middle door has magnificent panels taken from the Constantinian basilica, created by Filarete (1439-45). The doors in the other entrances are modern; the last one on the left (the Door of Death) is by Giacomo Manzù. In the central nave, near the door, is the disc where Charlemagne and the other emperors knelt to be crowned by the pope. The bronze statue of St Peter, probably from the 13th century, ushers in the grandiose area below the luminous Michelangelo dome, supported by four pillars, at the base of which stand the statues commissioned by Urban VIII. Above, four Bernini balconies hold precious relics of the Church. An ideal view of the interior and the perception of space and proportions can be captured well from here, near the papal altar. In the middle, above the altar, rises the bronze Baldachin by Bernini (1624-33), who, according to popular opinion, melted down the Pantheon bronzes to make it. Francesco Borromini also collaborated on the architectural features of the majestic structure (29 metres in height). Barberini's bees rest among the tendrils of the twisted columns, while above, four angels hold festoons and four volutes are joined to support a golden globe surmounted by the cross. Behind the altar, in the apse, the background is occupied by the Chair of St Peter, by Bernini (1656-65), which is a large gilded bronze throne supported by four 5 m tall statues of the church fathers. To the right of the throne is the monument of Urban VIII by Bernini (1627-47) and to the left, that of Paul III by Guglielmo della Porta (1551-75). In the passage between the third and second chapels in the left nave, stands the gilded bronze tomb of Innocent VIII by Pollaiolo (1498), which was moved from the ancient basilica in 1621. In the left transept, in the Madonna delle Colonne Chapel, a marble altarpiece by Alessandro Algardi (The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila, 1646–50) stands above the altar with the pope's relics. In the next arch is the funeral monument of Alexander VII (1672–78), a lavish work by Bernini in polychrome marble. Halfway down the nave, the Presentazione Chapel houses two of the basilica's most recent works: monuments to John XXIII by Emilio Greco (right) and to Benedict XV by Pietro Canonica (left). Under the next arch are monuments to the Stuarts, designed by Filippo Barigioni, and a somewhat erotic memorial stone by Canova in the form of a stele (1817–19). The lid of an ancient porphyry sarcophagus, possibly belonging to tomb of Hadrian and later to that of Otto II, forms the basin of the baptistery. In the first chapel of the right nave we find the beautiful and touching marble group of Michelangelo's Pietà, which has continued to impress for centuries and is the only work that bears Michelangelo's signature (you will find it on the band across the Virgin's chest). It is a youthful work by Michelangelo (1498-99): he was only 23 when he created it, but already in full possession of his technical virtuosity and expressive maturity. On the pillar immediately after the Pietà is the funeral monument to Christina of Sweden by Carlo Fontana. Continuing on, you arrive at the chapel of San Sebastiano, which houses the tomb of Pope John Paul II and, then, to the opulent baroque Blessed Sacrament Chapel with works by Bernini, Borromini and Pietro da Cortona. Beyond the chapel, near the imposing monument of Gregory XIII, Camillo Rusconi, you will find the tomb of Gregory XIV. In the right transept, the monument to Clement XIII (1784–92), with the statue of the pope kneeling in prayer, is one of the most accomplished pieces of work by Antonio Canova.

Campidoglio The political and cultural center of the city, designed by Michelangelo From Piazza Venezia going up the famous Cordonata, the wide steps that lead to the Capitoline Hill, you will find yourself in Piazza del Campidoglio, created in large part by the artist Michelangelo. In the center stands a copy of the statue of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. The piazza is completed by Palazzo Senatorio with its double ramp of stairs, headquarters of the Municipal Council of Rome, which contains the historic bell, La Patarina, taken from the city of Viterbo by the Romans and used to announce important events. On the right is Palazzo dei Conservatori and on the left, Palazzo Nuovo, the two buildings that house the Capitoline Museums, the first public museum in the world where you can discover the true history of Ancient Rome. You will find the bronze statue of the Capitoline Wolf, protagonist of the legend of Romulus and Remus, the original statue of Marcus Aurelius, Bernini's Head of Medusa and paintings by Caravaggio, Guercino, Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian.

Trevi Fountain The fountain of Fellini's "La Dolce Vita" The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous and visited fountains in Rome. The statue in the center represents the Greek deity Oceanus on a triumphal chariot pulled by two horses, one calm, the other agitated to indicate the dual nature of the sea. On the sides, the goddess of Salubrity holds a cup from which a snake drinks and the goddess of Abundance with a horn full of fruit, a symbol of wealth. An evocative and romantic place, the Trevi Fountain is known for one of the most famous scenes of the film "La Dolce Vita" by Federico Fellini in which Anita Ekberg wades in the fountain and invites Marcello Mastroianni to join her. With your back to the fountain, you must remember to throw a coin and make a wish that you’ll return to Rome! A tradition respected by tourists who line up to throw their coin and take a souvenir photo. On the right side of Piazza Trevi there is a smaller fountain, the Fontanella degli Innamorati. Legend has it that couples who drink from it will stay together forever. Try it to believe it!

The most beautiful baroque square in Rome Symbol of the Baroque age and of the "Agonalian" games, Piazza Navona is one of the wonders of Rome and one of the most beautiful squares in the world. Built on the track of the Stadium of Domitian, it is close to Campo de’ Fiori and the historic Via dei Coronari. An open-air museum, where you can admire the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini, the Fontana del Moro, the Fontana del Nettuno, or the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone by Borromini, a place of culture and nightlife, where you can stroll among canvases by painters and shows by street artists. In the morning, for a coffee or in the evening for an aperitif, the square is always a fantastic meeting point to enjoy delicious drinks with a view, surrounded by the magnificent setting.

The largest temple in Rome The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved Roman monuments in the world. It was built in 27 BC at the behest of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Between 112 and 125 A.D., Hadrian had it rebuilt, enlarging it, reversing its orientation and opening a large porticoed square in front of the new temple. Its dome, with its 43.44 m internal diameter, is still the widest hemispherical dome ever built in unreinforced concrete, larger than that of St. Peter’s. What is most surprising about the architecture of the Pantheon is its size: the height of the building is equal to the diameter of the dome, just over 43 meters, a feature that reflects the classic canons of rational Roman architecture. The inner part of the dome is decorated with five rows of 28 coffers that narrow upwards. An 8.95-meter-diameter oculus opens in the center, allowing natural light to penetrate and illuminate the entire building. In case of rain, the water enters the Pantheon and disappears into the 22 near-invisible holes in the floor. The oculus creates a spectacular astronomical effect whereby every 21 April at midday, a beam of light enters the Pantheon at such an angle as to perfectly hit the center of the entrance. At that exact hour, the Emperor Hadrian crossed the threshold of the temple so that the people could admire his whole figure surrounded by light, like a god. Having fallen into a state of abandonment and looted, the Pantheon was saved from the Barbarian incursions by Byzantine emperor Foca who donated it to Pope Boniface IV. It was consecrated in 609 to Santa Maria dei Martiri and unknown Christian martyrs were buried in its basement. Later it became a burial place. Raphael and the Kings of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita of Savoy were laid to rest here. On the day of Pentecost, every year, a shower of rose petals descends from the oculus inside the Pantheon at the conclusion of the celebration of Corpus Christi.

Borghese Gallery Delightful Rome The gallery of wonders right in the heart of the capital Set in the heart of the Roman villa par excellence of the same name, the Borghese Gallery has 20 frescoed rooms, a wonderful portico and an imposing entrance hall. The museum is a treasure trove of art: Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Correggio, Bernini and Canova are among the artists whose works are displayed in the gallery and its vast collection of paintings, sculptures, mosaics and bas-reliefs that each year attract multitudes of visitors. The Borghese Gallery is the only museum in the world with a store room organized as a picture gallery with about 260 paintings and works - all to be discovered.

The district of remembrance where you can experience Jewish culture and try traditional Roman Jewish cuisine. Located on Lungotevere de' Cenci, one of the oldest in the world, second only to that of Venice, the Ghetto of Rome was founded in 1555 at the behest of Pope Paul IV. Jews who lived here were required to wear a distinctive sign and could not trade or own real estate. Decommissioned several times, it was finally closed in 1870. In 1904, the Great Synagogue of Rome was inaugurated and even today it is a place of worship but also a reference point for the cultural and social life of the entire community. The Temple is one of the most charming places in the district and inside you can visit the Jewish Museum and the Spanish Temple. In addition to the Synagogue, other monuments of interest are the Church of Sant'Angelo in Pescheria, derived from the ancient fish market, where you can admire the Chapel of St. Andrew or even the Church of San Gregorio in Divina Pietà, in honor of Pope Gregory I who granted freedom of worship to Jews, and the Portico d'Ottavia. In the Ghetto is the Turtle Fountain with four bronze ephebes and dolphins resting on shells and on the edge the four turtles, made by Bernini who completed the work. Strolling through these narrow streets, you will notice that some of the cobblestones are covered with brass plaques, the Memorie d'inciampo, with the names of the deportees who, during the round-up of October 16, 1943, never returned from the extermination camps. This is the ideal place where to enjoy a gastronomy stop where you can taste the typical kosher cuisine but also the traditional Judaic-Roman cuisine such as artichokes "alla giudia", anchovies and endive pie, fish broth and cod fillets.

Trastevere History, traditions and nightlife in one of the most famous districts of Rome. The heart of Rome and Roman Age, a characteristic district that among its alleys full of history hides churches, squares and museums. It was the inspiration of poets such as Belli and Trilussa to whom the squares by the same name are dedicated. And starting from Piazza Trilussa you can walk the streets of sampietrini that will guide you to Santa Maria in Trastevere, a hidden treasure, enclosed within the walls of the slightly Bohemian-style buildings. The large fountain in the middle of the square, in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, is a meeting place for young people, tourists and street artists. Around Piazza San Callisto in the evening you will have many choices among breweries and venues where you can enjoy traditional dishes, perfect to meet the needs of even the most demanding palates! History, architecture and nightlife make it definitely the most interesting district to experience in Rome.

The futuristic district of Rome A majestic and futuristic urban complex, created as a symbol of the new imperialist and colonial Rometo host the Universal Exhibition of Rome planned in 1942 and never held because of the outbreak of World War II. An expression of rationalist architecture, the district develops around Piazza Guglielmo Marconi, with its landmark modern obelisk. The Palace of Roman Civilization, inspired by metaphysical art and nicknamed the "Square Colosseum" by locals, is the symbol of this urban area, a huge 68-meter-high travertine mass adorned with 216 arches distributed across its four facades. Other buildings, such as the Palace of the Civilization of Labor and the Palazzo dei Congressi, are just as important. One of the most recent constructions is the Roma Convention Center, more commonly known as "La Nuvola" and designed by Studio Fuksas. The district also houses major museums belonging to the Museum of Civilizations’ circuit with five different sections: the Luigi Pigorini National Museum of Prehistory and Ethnography, the National Museum of Folk Art and Traditions, the Museum of Eastern Art, the National Museum of the Middle Ages and the African Museum.

The historical neighborhood market in Rome One of the most picturesque and folkloristic locations in the capital, and certainly the one that best represents the true soul of Rome: historic local market during the day, animated by vendors and shopkeepers, it becomes a crowded square at night, with all kinds of bars and restaurants. Its name originates from the flower meadow that occupied the entire area until 1400, when it was shortly after transformed into a square and became the setting for cultural activities, commerce and also public executions, including that of Giordano Bruno, whose statue stands at the center of the square. Adjacent to Piazza Farnese, between Piazza dei Giubbonari, Via dei Balestrari and Piazza della Cancelleria, today it is a crossroads for Roman citizens and tourists, as well as a top location for taking characteristic photos, exploring the stores and boutiques in the surrounding streets, and for enjoying an aperitif or dinner in the evening in the bars and restaurants overlooking the square.

Rome is wonderful and its surroundings are just as unique. Latium boasts an endless number of natural beauties and a broad range of cultural experiences. It is home to historic sites ideal for excursions and out-of-town trips starting from the Eternal City. Enjoy delightful occasions while touring ancient villages, the sea, stunning parks and splendid lakes.

Whether for a romantic stroll, time with the family, sport or simply out of curiosity, Rome - with its large parks and small oases - has a great deal to offer. Villas, parks, botanical gardens, panoramic terraces, residences and museums unique anywhere in the world: the green side of Rome always comes as a surprise, with ever new and unexpected experiences and discoveries. Before setting off, here's a curiosity: the Eternal City is one of the greenest cities in Europe, as well as the European city with the largest overall area of green spaces. This enormous heritage of green space is thanks to the Popes and noble Roman families in the past who commissioned residences and villas to be built surrounded by elegant and majestic gardens. Let's discover them together.

The Eternal City conquers and amazes not only tourists every day, but also Romans who know it like the back of their hands. With the arrival of winter, however, it is traditional to treat oneself to a few weekends in the snow near Rome and take a break from the city bustle. There is no shortage of options for those who wish to ski a stone's throw from Rome, from Terminillo to Monte Livata in Lazio to the small jewels of Abruzzo such as Campo Felice and Ovindoli. An honourable mention goes to Capracotta in the Campo Gentile district in Molise, very close to the border with Abruzzo. Here, we are in the highest municipality in the centre-south, and Romans can reach it in 2.30 hours by car to enjoy skiing and cross-country skiing. The ski resorts can be easily reached from the capital, in some cases even by direct bus, and they are also ideal for snowshoeing and hiking in nature. Want to find out where to ski near Rome? Here are 5 locations - plus a bonus one - not to be missed.

Villages, ancient towns, villas, Medieval castles, and archaeological ruins animate the Regional Park of the Castelli Romani, in the Province of Rome. Located in the Alban Hills, in the past the Castelli Romani were a favorite resort for the Capital's noble families as well as for Popes. 9,500 hectares of protected land, many animal species, such as badgers, martens, peregrine falcons, porcupines, and especially the wolf (a key component in the local ecosystem) also call this their habitat. Fifteen municipalities make up part of the Park of the Castelli Romani however, for an already-exhaustive window onto the area, organize a tour of just six of them, beginning with Lanuvio, a Medieval village near Velletri.

Rome is a unique city, rich in history and beauty, and its surroundings are just as wonderful. If you plan to take a trip outside the city, there are many not-to-be-missed places only a stone's throw from the capital. A heritage and an ancient tradition well-worth knowing, for a day or a weekend dedicated to culture.

Italy - a country with an immense artistic heritage - in recent years has experienced extraordinary expansion of the phenomenon of murals, so much so that there are more than 200 small towns and villages today whose streets are home to such works for the pleasure of residents and tourists. We take a look at some of them, found in very different contexts but sharing the common denominator of art and beauty for everyone: from those with themes inspired by local traditions to those that take a glance at contemporary culture.