For twenty-eight centuries, the capital of Italy has extended its cultural and political influence across the Mediterranean. Running in Rome means running through almost three millennia of architecture. You'll discover magnificently preserved ancient remains. They stand side by side with Baroque monuments and superb piazzas, since Rome was the home of the Italian Renaissance.
‘He who has seen it has seen it all’, declared Goethe, the famous German poet, about the Italian capital. Founded, according to legend, in 753 BC, Rome is one of the few megacities that has been continuously inhabited for almost three millennia.
It boasts one of the largest preserved ancient cities in the world. When you visit Rome, you'll discover a veritable open-air architectural museum.
Palatine Hill
The Colosseum stands at its centre, not far from the Tiber. From here, despite the electric atmosphere that reigns in the city until nightfall, the impression of serenity left by the countless ancient monuments will accompany you on your run. From the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla to the Temple of Apollo on Mount Palatine, you'll find unforgettable views and splendid buildings. You'll discover the remains of the Domus Aurea, the palace from which Nero watched the capital burn. But also the house of the Vestals, the sacred priestesses who took a vow of chastity. Legend has it that one of them, Rhea Silvia, gave birth to the future founder of Rome.
Finally, you won't want to miss the Pantheon, a building dating back to the first century AD, which houses the largest dome in Antiquity. At almost 45 metres in diameter, it has the distinction of being the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. It is an engineering marvel that has survived the centuries despite earthquakes and armed conflicts.
The Holy See
Built on the hill of the same name, the city-state of the Vatican takes its name from an ancient Etruscan town, Vaticum. St Peter's Basilica is built on the site of the cemetery where St Peter is said to have been buried. Vatican Hill is not, however, one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome.
In fact, it was only included within the boundaries of the city of Rome under the reign of Pope Leo VI, who extended the walls of the Leonine City in the 9th century to protect it from Muslim incursions.
As you stroll through Rome, you can cross St Peter's Square and visit the basilica free of charge. If you're there at noon on a Sunday, you should know that the Pope offers his blessing there every week. So there's a good chance you'll run into a crowd... There are also several museums in the Vatican itself, housing many works of art and archaeological remains. For example, the Holy See has a complete Egyptian collection, with steles, canopic vases and mummies.
From the Renaissance to Baroque art
Rome was a major cultural centre during the Renaissance, and papal commissions attracted many artists to the city. Michelangelo created the Piazza del Campidoglio, which includes the Palazzo Senatorio, the seat of the city's government. He also created the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The painter even included pagan references in his decor, despite the provenance of his funds!
Baroque art was also born in Rome in the 17th century. As a result, the city is dotted with large theatrical squares adorned with fountains and obelisks. The most famous is probably Piazza Navona, near the Pantheon. Based on the ruins of an ancient stadium, it retains its original shape. Here you can admire three majestic fountains, including that of the Four Rivers, which represents the four parts of the world known in the 17th century.
The famous Trevi Fountain is also representative of this trend, once again propelled by the will of successive popes, who called on Italy's most talented artists to embellish the city. Later, during the Mussolini era, a number of neoclassical buildings were added to the rich Roman panorama.
Beyond its architecture, Rome is a city in constant turmoil. One of the world's film capitals, with its own complex of film studios, it is also the motherland of sacred music, with one of the largest music complexes in the world. As a result, almost every month the city hosts a number of festivals and competitions. Carnival is held in February, and the birth of the city is celebrated on 21 April... Whatever the date of your visit to Rome, you'll be sure to enjoy it.
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