The main arena of Ancient Rome, a theater for gladiatorial fights, the baiting of captives with wild animals and other equally bloody performances of the annual Games of the capital of the Empire. In honor of the opening of the Colosseum in 80 AD, Great Games were staged, which lasted more than 3 months. The ancient stones of the Arena still remember gladiators killed for the amusement of the public and slaves from the captured provinces torn to pieces for pleasure.

The building of the II century BC, "the temple of all the gods" translated from Greek. The Pantheon was created during the period of the highest heyday of ancient Roman architecture. For many centuries, pagan gods were worshipped under the dome of the building, until at the beginning of the VII century the Pantheon was turned into a Christian temple. The building has survived to this day in good condition thanks to numerous restorations that began before the advent of our era.

The city-state, the stronghold and main bastion of the Catholic Church, the residence of the Pope. In total, about 800 people are citizens of the Vatican, mostly priests and church officials. The Vatican is famous for its museums, where outstanding collections of paintings, sculptures and applied arts are collected. This is a real treasure trove of humanity. Tourists are also attracted by the main Catholic church – St. Peter's Cathedral.

Cathedral of St. Petra is the spiritual center of the Catholic branch of Christianity. The Pope himself holds festive masses here. The temple appeared on the site of the former circus of Nero in the IV century. At first it was a small basilica where the relics of the Apostle Peter were kept. In the XV century it was rebuilt into a grandiose building. Above the Cathedral of St. Peter was worked by Raphael, Michelangelo, Peruzzi, Maderno and others. In front of the temple there is a wide square with a colonnade of 284 Doric columns.

Museum collections were collected at different times by popes. They were founded in the XVI century by Pope Julius II. An extensive exhibition of paintings of the XI – XIX centuries is collected in the Vatican Pinacoteca. You can get acquainted with the tapestries and frescoes by the great masters by visiting the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Stanzas. Antique statues, sarcophagi from Ancient Rome are represented in the Chiaramonti and Pio Cristiano museums. The history of religions around the world is described by the exhibits of the Ethnological Missionary Museum. The history of the Vatican is presented in the Historical Museum. The Vatican Library has collected more than one and a half million books. Admission is open daily, except Sundays and Catholic holidays.

A memorable architectural complex of the XVIII-XIX centuries. in honor of King Victor Emmanuel, the first ruler of the united Italy. An Eternal Flame is burning on the platform in front of the monumental palace and an honor guard is on duty. The inhabitants of Rome do not like this white marble hulk too much, as they believe that it does not fit into the architecture of the city. Some Romans call Vittoriano a ridiculous "wedding cake".

A bright and colorful Roman quarter across the Tiber River. The Etruscan tribe settled here in the XVIII century BC, with which the history of the Eternal City began. In the era of the Empire, there were luxurious patrician villas here. There are many buildings and residential buildings in the area for many hundreds of years, so they look very authentic and attractive to tourists. People continue to live in dilapidated houses.

Oval square in the central part of Rome, located on the site of the former Circus Domitian. Since the XVI century, ambassadors, cardinals, bankers and other wealthy representatives of society began to settle in this area. From the XV century to the middle of the XIX century, there was a market here. In the middle of the square is the Fountain of the Four Rivers – a sculptural group with a deep symbolic meaning. In the middle of the composition stands an obelisk symbolizing the power of the Pope. Around the obelisk there are sculptures representing the rivers of the four continents.

Loosely translated into Italian, the name of this place sounds like "people's square". Piazza del Popolo played an important role in the life of Rome, as the road to the northern provinces began from here. The square is decorated with the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo and the Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II. The piazza received its modern look at the beginning of the XIX century, the architect D. Valadier worked on it.

The structure began to be built in the era of the Roman Empire in the II century AD. During its existence, it served as a papal dwelling, prison, warehouse and even a tomb. Nowadays, the fortress houses a Military History Museum. The castle got its name in the VI century A.D. after the image of the Archangel Michael appeared to Pope Gregory. A picturesque bridge, which was built under the Emperor Hadrian, spans the Tiber River directly from the castle. It was possible to get to the Field of Mars by the shortest way over the bridge.

The very heart of Ancient Rome, where important state and public events took place – the fate of laws was decided, consuls were elected, the triumphs of emperors after victorious wars took place. After the fall of the Empire, the forum was destroyed and ruined, and time was doing its job, so only fragments have survived to this day. The remains of the forum are part of a protected archaeological zone, where an open-air museum operates.

The Forum appeared at the turn of the II-I centuries BC. At that time it was a large square surrounded by a market, the temple of Emperor Trajan, Greek and Latin libraries. Trajan's 38-meter column of Carrara marble has reached our time. Inside the column is the tomb of the emperor and his wife. Trajan's Forum is the last structure of this type built in Rome.

The remains of ancient Roman baths near the Appian Way. The culture of visiting the baths was well developed in the Roman Empire. People came here to chat, find out the latest news or conduct business negotiations. The baths of Caracalla were erected in the III century AD under the Emperor Septimius Bassian Caracalla. Already in the V century AD, this architectural complex began to be considered a real wonder of the world. In addition to the baths and pools, there was a library.

The triumphal arch erected by Emperor Constantine in honor of the victory in the civil war over the troops of his rival Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius. It was under Constantine that Christianity became the official religion (the ruler believed that God himself helped him come to power), the capital of the Empire was moved to Constantinople, and Rome gradually began to lose its former power and decline.

One of the most ancient Christian churches, the first temple of Rome. In the church hierarchy, she is above all others, even above St. Peter's Cathedral. Catholic hierarchs gave her the title of "Basilica major", that is, "senior". She is recognized as "the head and mother of all churches." The temple appeared during the reign of Constantine under Pope Sylvester I in the IV century AD. Six Popes are buried in the basilica and the relics of the Apostles St. Paul and St. Peter are kept.

The temple of the IV century A.D., erected on the burial place of the Apostle St. Peter, who was executed at the behest of Emperor Nero in the I century A.D. The building was rebuilt several times under the emperors Theodosius I and Valentian II. Almost every Catholic Pope tried to bring something of himself into the temple complex, so over time, San Paolo Fuori le Mura expanded in size and grew with new additions.

One of the four main Catholic churches in Rome. It has a very high status in the ecclesiastical rank of cathedrals (the highest status is assigned to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano). The foundation stone of Santa Maria Maggiore was laid in the middle of the IV century. In the XIV century, the church had a 75-meter bell tower. The facade, which has survived to the present day, is a mixture of Romanesque and Baroque styles.

The main Jesuit church in Rome, where Grand Master Ignatius Loyola is buried. The first project of the temple was designed by Michelangelo, but the head of the order did not like it. In 1561, another architect, Giacomo Barozzi, began construction according to his own plan. Until the abolition of the Jesuit Order at the end of the XVIII century, considerable wealth was stored in the church of Il-Jesu. The temple building itself was taken away from the organization. Only after 1814 it was returned back.

A unique archaeological monument. The church consists of three levels. The lowest one was discovered in the XIX century and represents the buildings of the I century AD. Frescoes and remnants of the decor have been preserved here. The second level is an early Christian church of the IV century. The upper level is a 12th–century basilica, with a Baroque facade, atrium and fountain inside. The interior is richly decorated, the walls are painted with frescoes of the XVIII century.

The name of the church translates as "Saint Peter in chains". It is located on the square of the same name and was founded in the 5th century as a storage place for the chains that bound the holy apostle. Here is the tomb of Pope Julius II, designed by Michelangelo. One of the main decorations of the tomb is rightfully considered the famous sculpture "Moses". The artist Antonio Polaiolo is also buried in the church.

The cult building of the Jesuit Order in the Baroque style was built in 1626. It is located on Ignatius Loyola Square and is dedicated to this saint who founded the order (he served as the prototype of Don Quixote). The church consists of many chapels decorated with columns, arches and voluminous stucco. Numerous frescoes tell about the life of St. Ignatius. The flat ceiling is decorated with a fresco so that the illusion of its domed structure is created.

According to the alleged data, this church was the first Christian church in Rome. The time of its foundation is attributed to the III century AD. It is located on the square of the same name in the Trastevere district. The building is rightfully considered a pearl of medieval architecture: the facade with arches and columns is decorated with colorful mosaics of the XII century. Inside, the church is arranged according to the principle of a classical basilica. In addition to Catholic icons, Christian icons are also kept here.

The first museum in the world was born in 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV presented the residents of Rome with a collection of antique bronze. It is located on Capitoline Square, designed by Michelangelo, in three palaces. An exposition of classical sculpture is presented in the New Palace. The Conservators' Palace houses world-famous ancient statues, a collection of Renaissance paintings, and a collection of coins. The main part of the Senators' Palace is occupied by the City Hall of Rome, the first floor is reserved for the museum.Text

It is a museum complex located in four buildings. Palazzo Massimo houses expositions of ancient Roman jewelry, coins, as well as sarcophagi, frescoes and mosaics. Palazzo Altemps bears the name of its first owner, Cardinal Altemps. His personal art collection is on display here, as well as a collection of antique sculptures and an Egyptian exposition. The crypt of Balbi preserves ancient Roman artifacts found during excavations. The building of the Term Deocliciana itself is already a unique architectural monument. Various exhibitions are held here, there is also a permanent exhibition of ancient sculptures, manuscripts and finds of archaeologists.

The private collection is on display in the Palazzo Doria Pamphili, on one of the main streets of old Rome. It began to be collected in 1651. The palace is the largest private palace in the city. The most widely represented paintings of Italian painters of the XVII century. An interesting sculpture gallery, a rich collection of antique furniture and fabrics. In total, more than 500 copies are presented here, in six main halls.

The first name is the Constanti Theater, after the name of its founder. The opening of the theater took place in 1880, in the XX century the building was acquired by the city authorities, partially rebuilt twice. The world premieres of great composers took place on this stage, the best voices of the world performed. Currently, both opera and ballet productions and concerts are held here. There is a ballet school at the theater.

Santa Maria della Cancezione is a small Roman church with a modest facade. However, the place is attractive for tourists. Cardinal Antonio Barberini of Rome, a member of the Capuchin Order, is buried here. Under the church there is a burial of monks, the walls of the crypt are decorated with bones and skulls of more than 4,000 thousand deceased from 1528 to 1780. Since 2012, a Capuchin museum has been organized here: exhibits tell about the history, traditions and secrets of the ancient Order.

Numerous underground galleries and labyrinths that are located under the surface of Rome. Many pre-Christian burials have been found here, but most of the underground passages were created in the era of early Christianity. The first companions of Jesus hid in these dungeons. Here they held religious rites, meetings, prayer services without danger of being discovered and caught.

It is believed that the structure was erected in the I century BC. It served for burial purposes — the tomb of the praetor Gaius Cestius Epulus is located here. The construction took place during the conquest of Egypt, when the fashion for the "Egyptian style" appeared in Ancient Rome. At that time, obelisks, sculptures and other monuments were exported from the Nile Valley. The pyramid of Cestius is 37 meters high and almost 30 meters wide.

The ancient hippodrome between the Palatine and Aventine hills. In the era of the Roman Empire, chariot races were held here. Under Emperor Gaius Julius Caesar, the circus was rebuilt and grew to a fairly large size. More than 250 thousand people could watch the spectacle at the same time. Boxes for patricians and standing places for plebeians were equipped in the spectator sector.

One of the most important roads of the Roman Empire, which led from the Eternal City to the south of the Apennine Peninsula. The total length of the route is more than 500 km. The road began to be built in the IV century. Thanks to the excellent quality of the masonry coating, the Appian Way made it possible to quickly reach places remote from the capital or to transfer troops in a fairly short time. The roadbed has reached our days in very good condition.

The palace of the XVI century, built for Cardinal Scipione Borghese on the site of former vineyards. The building is surrounded by a huge English-style park with numerous antique statues. There is a hippodrome, a zoo, a theater and several museums on the territory. Until the beginning of the XX century, the mansion with the park belonged to the Borghese family, then all the property went to the state.

It is located on the slope of Pincho Hill on the site of the former gardens of Lucullus. In the middle of the XVI century, the area near the hill became the domain of Cardinal Medici, who built a villa-residence for his family here. After the extinction of the Medici dynasty, the house and the surrounding lands went to the Lorraine family. Cardinal de' Medici acquired many works of ancient art to decorate the villa. Some specimens can be admired in the Uffizi Gallery.

Staircase in the Italian Baroque style in the center of Rome. It is recognized as one of the most picturesque in Europe. The staircase starts at the Piazza di Spagna and leads to the Pincho Hill. Spain Square itself is a very expressive place where it is always nice to walk among the blooming flower beds. In the XVII century, the Spanish embassy was located here. As a sign of the good relations between the two countries, the piazza was named after Spain.

The most famous Roman fountain of the XVIII century, where every guest of the city is simply obliged to throw a coin for luck. In a week, coins are thrown in the amount of several thousand euros. All the money is given to a charitable foundation. The sculptural composition of the fountain consists of the figure of the sea god Neptune on a chariot and his companions. 16 architects fought for the right to work on the construction of the fountain.