"I found Rome a city of bricks and left it a city of marble" – Augustus
As rightly once portrayed as “The Capital of the World”, Rome is a city packed with cultural heritage which dates almost 3000 years back…! A visit to Rome and you will realise that only a few cities in the world can rival its astonishing creative legacy.
As they say, Rome was not built in one day… the result of more than a few centuries of artistic development… A city awash with priceless treasures!!!
So when was Rome actually built?
As one of the oldest continuously occupied sites in Europe, the history of Rome dates back to around 753 BC; that’s as per Roman mythology. The eternal city or “Roma Aeterna” is also widely regarded not only as one of the birthplaces of the Western civilisation but also as the First ever Metropolis, by some historians!
To walk through the streets of Rome, taking a look at the unconquerable Colosseum and the Roman Forum, The Pantheon and the Vatican City is amongst one of the most memorable sights one can have!
How to Go about in Rome?
One of the best ways to travel in Rome in a shoestring budget is avail the Hop on Hop off buses. These buses are exclusively meant for the millions of tourists flocking to Rome. What’s more... they come with a relatively inexpensive price tag ranging from 20 – 40 EUR for a day. There are many operators; however I have personally used the Green Line Tours and found them to be amazing. The daily ticket for the “Panoramic Open Tour” costs about 20-40 EUR (without the entrance fees for the respective sightseeing points) and you can use the services throughout the day.
A few points of interest covered during the day are (you can get off at any destination of your choice , spend some time there and board the next available bus from the bus stop nearby – the frequency is generally every 10-15 minutes)
• Terminal (Roma Termini)
• Santa Maria Maggiore
• Colosseum
• Bocca della Vertita/Circus Maximus
• Piazza Venezia/Campidoglio
• Piazza Navona/Pantheon/Castel Sant’ Angelo
• Peters/Vatican Museums
• Piazza di Spagna/Piazza del Popolo
• Trevi Fountain
• Piazza Barberini
Click here for more information on various types of buses and latest fares
Vatican City
Vatican City (Citta Del Vaticano), or the Vatican City State, is a walled enclave within the city of Rome.
With an area of approximately 110 acres, and a population of 842, Vatican City is the smallest internationally recognised independent state in the world by both area and population
It is a church or sacerdotal-monarchical, state ruled by the Bishop of Rome – the Pope.
There are about 11 Vatican museums, dating back to the medieval times, inside the smallest state of the world….absolutely Remarkable!
Spend some time in the Vatican City to experience fabulous sunsets!
The Colosseum
You should not leave Rome without a visit to The Colosseum … One of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, receiving millions of visitors annually…. Indeed a true Engineering Marvel!!!
The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an oval Amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome. Truly, the Flavius Amphitheatre is not only the biggest and the most imposing structure in the Roman world, but also the most famous monument in Rome!
Located just east of the Roman Forum, The Colosseum was built to accommodate more than 55,000 Roman spectators, to experience the thrill of Roman gladiatorial contests and wild animal fights
Commissioned in AD 72 by Emperor Vespasian, the impregnable Flavius Amphitheatre was completed by his son, Titus, in AD 80, with later enhancements by Domitian
Trevi Fountain or Fontana Di Trevi
The largest Baroque fountain in the Rome and one of the most beautiful in the world, Trevi Fountain is a top draw for visitors in the Eternal City
Designed by the famous Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci - Trevi Fountain stands approximately 26.3 meters (86 ft.) high and 49.15 meters (161.3 ft.) wide, and is said to have been inspired from Roman triumphal arches
The central figure of the fountain is Neptune, said to the God of the sea in Roman mythology, flanked by two Tritons, the messengers of the sea.
What’s special about Trevi Fountain?
Legend has it that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome.
The catch…?? You’ll have stand with your back facing the Fountain and throw the coin with your right hand crossing over your left shoulder ! Piece of cake… Huh… Try it out man!!!!
The Pantheon
One of the most preserved and influential buildings in Rome, The Pantheon served as a temple dedicated to all the gods of pagan Rome.
Built during the period of A.D 118 and 125, the Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to “St. Mary and the Martyrs” (Santa Maria ad Martyres) but informally known as “Santa Maria Rotonda”
The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda
It is believed that The Pantheon also serves as a burial for The Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I. The famous Renaissance painter Raphael and his fiancée are also said to have been buried here … well very important destination I must say!
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy, from whence size it receives the appellation “major”
The Basilica is located at 34 Piazza del Esquilino, about five blocks southwest of Stazione Termini.
One of the most centrally located , Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is also a must visit church in Rome
So – what is given above is below are the Top 5 must visit places that once must in Rome in 48 hours …. (although the list is unending and set in random order)
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