Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Rome is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its characterful narrow streets give way to expansive piazzas adorned by glittering fountains, and you are never far from a market stall overflowing with vibrant flowers, fruits, and vegetables. 

However, the real magnificence comes from the ornate architecture of the heritage buildings that line the streets, capturing only a brief blink of the vast timeline of Italy’s capital city. 

As the birthplace of the Ancient Roman empire, Rome has thousands of years of history behind it. For your holiday, it is worth investigating escorted Italy tours with expert guides that enable you to truly immerse yourself in the city’s rich past. Whether you decide to explore in a group or independently, make sure your itinerary includes these five unmissablehistoric sites in Rome.

Colosseum

One of the new ‘Seven Wonders of the World’, the colosseum is a must-visit site for tourists in Rome. Built as an amphitheatre to provide a space for live entertainment, construction of the colosseum began almost 2,000 years ago and took eight years to complete. Although the site now stands empty, it is easy to imagine the gladiator battles and criminal trials that once took place here. 

Pantheon

Of equal historic significance is the Pantheon, one of the most iconic buildings in Rome’s city centre. This old Roman temple, characterised by stately pillars, bronze-adorned façade, and immense dome, is in astonishingly good condition considering that it has stood since the 2^nd century AD. This is thought to be because it has been in continuous use since its conception. 

Trevi Fountain 

More modern than the Colosseum and Pantheon but no less striking is the spectacular Trevi Foundation. This masterpiece of 18^th-century architecture is embellished with intricate Baroque decoration detailing Oceanus, Greek Titan God of the earth-encircling River Ocean, flanked by Abundance and Health. Modern-day visitors throw coins over their shoulder into the Trevi Fountain to bring good luck.

St Peter’s Basilica

No visit to Rome is complete without experiencing Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and permanent residence of the Pope. This microstate exists independently of Italy and contains an extraordinary array of historic buildings. 

Most eye-catching is St. Peter’s Basilica, an exquisite Renaissance-style church set in the heart of Vatican City. It took a staggering 120 years to finish, finally reaching completion in 1626. If its sheer size does not take your breath away, the lavish interiors including sculptures by Michelangelo will.

Vatican Museums

You should also take time to explore the Vatican Museums which house incredible ancient artefacts and precious paintings and tapestries. Entry to the Vatican Museums also gives you access to the Sistine Chapel, known all over the world for the sensational frescos that cover its walls and ceiling.