University of Rome La Sapienza

About Rome, Guide and Top Tourist Attractions
(Rome, Italy)

As the capital of Italy and the headquarters of Catholicism, Rome is home to the Vatican, which is the wealthiest country in the world. Rome is also called the Eternal City, and rightly so - it is after all one of Europe's greatest religious, intellectual, and cultural centres, and has endless collections of invaluable art treasures.

Rome mixes old and new in a distinct style -- antique marble columns and ruins are right next to contemporary apartments, busy boulevards, and lavish villas.

What to do in Rome

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to its famous churches. Many walking and bus tours are offered in the city, most of which will take you to the most famous churches in the city. The churches are as much architectural wonders as they are places of worship, with stunning classical and Roman structures dominating much of the city centre.

The museums are also worth a visit. The National Museum of Rome is a must-see for anyone interested in culture and history, with some of the world's most important archaeological collections under its roof.

Tourist Attractions

Easily the biggest attraction in Rome is the Colosseum, an ancient amphitheatre capable of seating 45,000 people before it fell out of use after the Roman Empire. Once used for gladiator combats, the Colosseum occupies six hectares at its base and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

Rome is also popular for its churches, of which there are over 20. The most famous of these is Saint Peter's Basilica, which contains the tombs of 91 popes and several famous saints and martyrs, including Saint Peter himself. Saint Peter's Basilica is one of the four major basilicas in Rome, the others being Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major, and Saint Paul outside the Walls.