COLOSSEUM

The greatest inheritance from ancient Rome.
Vespasian had it built in AD 72, inaugurated it in AD 80; at its peak,
it could seat 50.000 people for its bloody spectacles and mock naval battles.

THE TREVI FOUNTAIN

Supplied by water from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct and a triumph of the baroque
style, it was based on the design of Nicolo' Salvi and was completed in 1762.
The design centers around the triumphant figure of Neptunus Rex, standing
on a shell chariot drawn by winged seahorse and led by a pair of tritons;
two allegorical figures in the side niches represent good health and fertility.

CASTEL S.ANGELO

This massive fortress takes its name from the statue of the Archangel Michael
on its summit. It began in AD 139 as the Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum.
Since then it has had many roles: as part of the Emperor Aurelian's city wall,
as a medieval citadel and prison and as a residence of the popes in times of political
unrest; A 58-room museum covers all aspects of the castle's history.

PANTHEON

Of all ancient Rome's great building, only the Pantheon, the Temple of all Gods,
remains intact, outstanding in Piazza della Rotonda. Built in 27 B.C. by Marcus
Agrippa and rebuilt by Hadrian in early 2nd century, is one of the world's architectural wonder because of its dome and concept of space. Animals were
sacrifices and burned in the center of the Pantheon, and the smoke escaped
through the 18ft oculus at the top. Master painter Raffaello as well
as monarchs Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I are interred here.

THE SPANISH STEPS

Commissioned by the French owners of Trinita' dei Monti, this magnificient piece
of art was designed by italian architect Francesco De Santis and built from 1723 to
1725; the steps and the piazza take their names from the Spanish Embassy,
who used to be headquartered there; The steps combine straight sections, curves
and terraces to create one of the city's most dramatic and distinctive landmarks.

THE FORUMS

As an immaginary walk through the centuries of the Romans main trading site,
the Forum was the center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome;
as the city's population boomed, the Emperors kept on adding sections
and triumphal arches to themselves. The Colosseum on the east was the center
of entertainment after the business of the day...

SISTINE CHAPEL

On its ceiling, master painter Michelangelo frescoed nine panels with scenes
from Genesis and surrounded them with prophets and sybils;
one of the most notable panels is the creation of Adam
(God's outstretched hand is imbuing Adam with Spirit).

PIAZZA NAVONA

Its oval shape results from the ruins of the Stadium of Domitian, lying underneath;
great chariot races were once held here, while in medieval times the popes
used to flood the piazza to stage mock naval encounters.
The predominant style of the area its Baroque, with many of its finest
buildings dating from the reign of Innocent X Panfili.