ROME
Welcome to the most beautiful historical place in Italy. After 10 days spent back home in Serbia, we decided to have an extended vacation on our way back to Canada. Since our stop was in Rome, we booked another free day in advance to explore this amazing place. Due to the busyness in Serbia, we didn’t have much time to plan our schedule for this day, but it ended up being an unforgettable experience.
We didn't rent any car this time, and after reaching very late to the airport, we struggled a little bit to find the shuttle bus. Anyways, it was very interesting roaming through the airport, bus stations and busy streets full of people engaged in their activities, whether they are tourists or residents. Fortunately, the bakery shop was very close to the apartment, and we had grabbed sandwiches and water, it was even after 12am and we preferred to sleep as soon as possible and get ready for the next day.
As is already known, Rome is the capital of Italy, located in the Lazio region, on the Tiber River. Rome is one of the oldest and most famous cities in the world. It was founded, according to legend, in 753 BC, and over the centuries it became the center of the powerful Roman Empire that shaped the history of Europe and the world. Today, Rome is a place where ancient ruins, magnificent churches and the bustling life of modern Italy meet at every corner.
The Roman Empire was one of the largest in history. It began as a small kingdom, then became a republic, and then a powerful empire that stretched from Britain to Egypt. Rulers such as Caesar, Augustus, and Constantine left a profound influence on the world - in politics, law, architecture, and language. Many of the roads, laws, and buildings we use today have their roots in Rome.
Known as the "eternal city", it has its beginnings in one of the most famous legends. According to the story, the city was founded by two twin brothers, Romulus and Remus, who were suckled by a she-wolf. The image of the She-Wolf suckling the twins has been a symbol of Rome since ancient times and is one of the most recognizable icons of ancient mythology. Later they decided to found the city, but they quarreled, and Romulus became the first ruler of the new city - Rome, in 753 BC. This legend is just the beginning of a long and rich history that has left its mark on the whole world.
Our next day started very early, and we were the first ones came in for the breakfast. This is exactly the charm of the traveling, slowly drinking coffee early in the morning, wearing your favorite clothes, taking the camera (Milos), and emerging in the exploring.
We left our room and went toward Piazza Navona. Although deeply rooted in the past, Rome is also a modern city full of life. The streets are filled with cafes, restaurants, art and fashion. Romans proudly preserve their history but live in the present - blending the old and the new in a unique way. Walking through the streets of Rome is like traveling back in time, but with the smell of espresso and the sounds of a bustling city.
Roaming through the beautiful streets, we came across a hill and wondered where the path might take us. Our intuition was right, we reached a huge public park and enjoyed in the panoramic view.
Continuing on, we came across the authentic Trastevere district. It is located on the west bank of the Tiber River (the name Trastevere literally means "across the Tiber"). The streets of Trastevere are narrow, paved with stone and surrounded by old buildings in warm colors. The district is full of small squares, fountains, local restaurants, galleries and handicraft shops. The most famous landmark is the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, known for its mosaics from the early Christian period.
Walking through the narrow streets, we finally reached the Fontana Di Trevi. The Fontana Di Trevi is one of the most famous and beautiful fountains in the world, and a must-see attraction in Rome. The fountain was completed in 1762 and designed by architect Nicola Salvi in the Baroque style. The central figure of the fountain is the god of the sea, Oceanus (Neptune), who rides a shell-shaped chariot pulled by seahorses. Around him are figures representing abundance and health, and the whole scene symbolizes the power of nature and water.
According to legend, if you throw a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder into the fountain:
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One coin – you will return to Rome.
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Two coins – you will fall in love.
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Three coins – you will get married.
Every year, more than a million euros in coins are collected from the fountain, and all the money goes to charity, most often to help the poor in Rome.
Just 500 meters down the street, on the Piazza Della Rotonda in the city center, is the Pantheon.
The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and a true architectural wonder. It was built around 126 AD, during the reign of Emperor Hadrian, on the site of an earlier temple. The word "Pantheon" means "temple of all the gods", because it was originally dedicated to the Roman deities. The most famous part of the Pantheon is its dome, which is still the largest unopposed concrete dome in the world. In the center of the dome there is an oculus - an opening with a diameter of 9 meters, which lets in natural light and creates a special effect inside the temple. When it rains, water passes through the oculus, but the floor is slightly sloped and has drainage. In the 7th century, the Pantheon was converted into a Christian church, which saved it from decay. Today it is a place of both history and religion. Inside are the tombs of famous Italians, including the artist Raphael and several Italian kings.
Not far from the Pantheon, walking slowly, we reached Piazza Venezia. The first place that caught our eye was the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II – Altare della Patria. This was one of the most impressive and memorable monuments in Rome. It's easily recognized by its white marble and large columns.
The monument is dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy, who successfully united many Italian states into one nation in 1861. Construction of the monument began in 1885 and was completed in 1925.
The central part of the monument is adorned with a huge equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II, while behind it rise stairs leading to a panoramic terrace. There is also the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a symbolic tribute to all fallen Italian soldiers, with an eternal flame and an honor guard.
From the top, there is a fantastic view of the Forum Romanum and the Colosseum, making it an ideal place for taking photos and taking a short break during sightseeing.
The interior of the monument is very interesting and picturesque. It houses the Museum of Italian Unification (Museo del Risorgimento), which depicts the process of Italian unification through exhibits, weapons, uniforms, documents and portraits of important figures, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Cavour, Mazzini and King Victor Emmanuel II himself.
You can also visit:
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Sala della Bandiera – hall dedicated to the Italian flag and state symbols.
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Memorial - a place of silence and respect, with an eternal flame and an honor guard.
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Elevator for a panoramic view - a glass elevator leads to the top of the monument (Terrazza delle Quadrighe), from where one of the best views of Rome is offered: the Forum, the Colosseum, Piazza Venezia, and the Vatican in the distance.
We didn't take the elevator this time, but we did take a detailed tour of the interior of the monument and noted what it looked like.
Admission is completely free for visitors, except for the elevator, which has a price (about 12 Euros for adults).
Continuing towards the Colosseum, we descended the hill from which we could see the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Since we only had one day to visit the whole of Rome, unfortunately we did not have enough time for a detailed tour and buying tickets. But still, we were able to see all these parts of Rome from the outside, which looked no less beautiful.
The Roman Forum (Forum Romanum) was the center of public, political, religious and economic life in ancient Rome. It is located between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, and for centuries it was the place where the most important decisions of the Roman Empire were made.
The forum was created gradually, starting from the 7th century BC. Here were temples, basilicas, courtrooms, squares and monuments - everything that made up the daily life of the Romans. It was a space where speeches, senate debates, religious ceremonies and public gatherings were held.
Today, the remains of the Forum are one of the most important archaeological sites in Rome.
Palatine Hill (Palatino) is one of the seven famous Roman hills and the most important in the history of Rome. According to legend, it was here that Romulus founded Rome in 753 BC, after killing his brother Remus. That is why Palatino is considered the cradle of the city. In ancient Rome, the Palatine Hill became the most prestigious place to live. Here, rich Roman families and emperors built their villas and palaces - in fact, the word "palace" comes from the Palatine. The remains of these buildings can still be seen today.
On the way to the Colosseum, we could spot several singers and entertainers located on the extended parts of the promenade, attracting the attention of tourists with their talents. The atmosphere was so vibrant and cheerful all the time.
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is the most famous Roman monument and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. It is located in the heart of Rome and is a symbol of power, engineering and spectacular entertainment from the time of the Roman Empire.
Construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian, and was completed a few years later under Emperor Titus. The amphitheater could accommodate about 50,000 spectators, who came to watch gladiatorial fights, wild animal fights and even simulated sea battles.
Built of stone and concrete, its oval shape and layered construction allowed for rapid filling and emptying of the audience - a true example of Roman architectural genius.
Our morning tour ended right here. On the way back to the hotel, we were trying to find the best gelato. And that's exactly what we got at a nearby gelateria, also beautifully decorated.
After ice cream, lunch and an afternoon nap, we set off on a new exploration round. This time, in the opposite direction, towards to the Vatican City.
It was maybe 6 pm, so it was a nice weather for a walk, not as hot as in the morning. Our map took us 20 minutes to our destination. The road there was an amazing, narrow streets with mostly small buildings, with beige or yellow facades, and the terraces decorated with flowers made an even more beautiful impression. Of course, Milos couldn't wait to catch the sunset for the perfect photos.
Not knowing that Vatican City closes to visitors at 7PM, we thought we wouldn't be able to fully enter that part of the city. However, passing by the huge walls of the city and people who had already headed back, we finally saw from afar the main part of the city that is actually accessible to people.
Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world - both in terms of area and population - but at the same time one of the most important places for the Catholic Church and world history. Although it is located in the center of Rome, the Vatican is a separate country with its own borders, laws and even a postal system. The Vatican is the residence of the Pope, the spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church, and home to some of the world's greatest artistic and religious treasures.
The Vatican is guarded by members of the Swiss Guard, one of the oldest military formations in the world. It was founded in 1506 by order of Pope Julius II.
Their colorful uniforms, designed in the Renaissance style, are today a recognizable symbol of the Vatican, but also a functional force for the protection of the Pope and the Vatican territory.
Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the Vatican's landmarks due to time constraints. But the accessible landmarks during the open hours are:
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Basilica di San Pietro - The largest church in the world and one of the holiest places in Christianity. It was built in the 16th century, and the dome was designed by Michelangelo. Inside is his famous sculpture - Pieta.
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Musei Vaticani - A huge museum complex with thousands of works of art from ancient, Renaissance and modern times.
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Cappella Sistina - Famous for Michelangelo's frescoes, including the masterpiece "Creation of Adam" on the ceiling and the "Last Judgment" behind the altar. The chapel is also the place where the new pope is elected - during the conclave.
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Vatican Gardens - A peaceful and carefully landscaped green oasis that occupies almost half of the Vatican's territory.
We hope that our trip will bring us back to Rome to better explore this beautiful and significant place.
We spent about an hour in the Vatican, and it was already getting dark. Then, we slowly walked back in looking for a nice place to have dinner and took a few more nice photos along the way.
After a beautiful dinner, of course pizza and wine, we gained enough energy to revisit the sights of Rome in the night atmosphere. You can see what we captured below.
That's it for this time. Goodbye Italy, we hope to see you soon! We are grateful for this amazing trip and experience!