Rome, Italy

Entrance to the Roman Forum archaeological museum.

Did you know that the Roman Forum shows remains from several centuries all together, due to the Roman practice of building over earlier ruins.

Colosseum in Rome, considered as one of the greatest work of Roman architecture and engineering.

Colosseum is an elliptical building measuring 189 meters long and 156 m wide with a base area of 24,000 m² with a height of more than 48 m and can accommodate about 50,000 spectators. It is thought that over 500,000 people lost their lives and over a million wild animals were killed throughout the duration of the Colosseum hosted people vs. beast games.

Panoramic view of old part of Rome.

By the early fourth century, the Romans had built a road network of 53,000 miles throughout the empire. Each Roman mile was about 1,000 paces (about 4,800 feet) and was marked by a milestone. Hence the proverb "All roads lead to Rome."

Roman Forum - piece of heritage.

When the Roman Empire fell, the Roman Forum became abondoned and many of the monuments and buildings were plundered and used in other areas of the city including the walls of the Vatican and many of Rome's churches. The area became known as 'Campo Vaccino', or 'cattle field' and an overgrown derelict field.

View to ancient arch of Septimius Severus, ruins and temple.

Not all of the temples in the Roman Forum are dedicated to gods some are dedicated to people. The Romans believed that by building a temple and dedicating it to themselves they became deity.

Ponte sant'Angelo reflecting in Tiber

The Castel has a long and interesting history, let’s suffice to say it has been looted and ransacked by just about every invader that entered Rome. Legend holds that the Archangel Michael appeared on top of Castel Sant’Angelo sheathing his sword as a sign of the end of the plague of 590. In 1536 Raffaello da Montelup created a marble statue of Saint Michael holding his sword after the plague.

Way to the Castel Sant’Angelo.

Castel Sant’Angelo is the round building near the Vatican with the angel on top that looks like it is about to take a flying leap into the Tiber River.

Castel Sant’Angelo

Castel Sant’Angelo was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian (AD 130-139). That was just the start. It has been both a prison and a papal residence, sometimes both at the same time. There is a secret (though it is no secret now) passageway that connects Castel Sant’Angelo to the Vatican. Popes used to go to Castel Sant’Angel through the passageway if they felt they were in danger at the Vatican.

Banks of the Tiber

One of the most famous bridge in Rome, built in the 239 AD. Large number of medieval pilgrims making their way to St. Peter's walked along it to cross the Tiber at Ponte sant'Angelo (with its Bernini Angels).

Romantic evening with the view.

The Colosseum is a popular destination for botanists. As catalog began to be compiled of the the flora in 1643 and over 337 different species have taken root amongst the ruins.