Sights of Rome. Description of the sights of Rome. Map of Rome with attractions in Russian. Roma Pass tourist card – do you need to buy it? Rome map history

Rome is the capital of Italy and also the ancient capital of the Roman Empire.

It is one of the largest cities in the country, with a population of almost 3 million people.

When traveling to Italy, do not forget to take with you one of the detailed maps of Rome.

Interactive map of Rome

Below is an interactive map of Rome in Russian from Google. You can move the map left and right, up and down with the mouse, and also change the scale of the map using the “+” and “-” icons, which are located at the bottom on the right side of the map, or using the mouse wheel. In order to find out where Rome is located on a world map or on a map of Europe, use the same method to reduce the scale of the map even further.

In addition to the map with the names of objects, you can look at Rome from a satellite if you click on the “Show satellite map” switch in the lower left corner of the map.

Map of Rome with landmarks

Below is a map of Rome with landmarks (central part of the city). To see the map in full size, click on it and it will open in a new window. You can also print it out and take it with you on the road.

Vacationing in Rome? Now let your friends and acquaintances know. After all, you can’t go home without souvenirs!

You have been presented with the most basic and detailed maps of Rome, which you can always use to find an object of interest to you or for any other purposes. Have a nice trip!

Rome is the capital of Italy, located on the Tiber River. This is one of the oldest cities in the world. A map of Rome shows that the city has largely retained its historical layout. The area of ​​the city is 1507 km2.

Rome goes by several unofficial names: “The Eternal City” and “The City on 7 Hills.”

Today Rome is the cultural, educational and financial center of Italy. The city is home to numerous universities, 2 airports, financial institutions, theaters, museums, restaurants and sports facilities.

Historical reference

According to legend, Rome was founded by the brothers Romulus and Remus in 753 BC. e. Rome was the capital of the Ancient Roman Empire. In 410 the city was sacked by the Visigoths, and in 455 by the Vandals. During the 5th-6th centuries the city constantly changed hands.

The rise of the papacy in Italy began in the Middle Ages. Popes claimed their supremacy over secular power. In 1798, the French captured Rome and founded the Roman Republic. In 1811, Napoleon I wanted to make his son king of Rome. In 1814 the papal state was restored.

In 1848, a revolution occurred and the Roman Republic was created. But soon the city was captured by the French. In 1870, the city was captured by the troops of the Kingdom of Italy, and Rome became the capital.

In 1929, the Vatican State was formed. In 1943-44, Rome was subject to German occupation.

Must Visit

On a detailed map of Rome in Russian, literally every few meters you can see one or another attraction. Must-sees include the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican), Piazza Navona, the Spanish Steps in Piazza di Spagna and the Trevi Fountain.

It is recommended to visit the Villa Borghese, Piazza del Popolo, Castel Sant'Angelo, the Imperial Forums, the Pigorini Museum, Palazzo Venezia, the Roman Catacombs, the Aurelian Wall, the Roman Baths, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the Villa Medici.

How to save money when traveling around Rome? Is there a way to get benefits for visiting museums and using public transport at the same time? One possible way to save time and money is with Roma Pass tourist cards, which promise to make traveling on public transport and exploring cities cheaper. In fact, in fact, the savings are not so clear-cut, let's look at all the nuances.

If you are too lazy to read the whole article, then briefly my opinion is not to buy the Roma Pass. If your budget is limited, then you can see the sights for the first time in Rome for free from the outside, and spend the money saved on dinner or on an individual excursion from. If you are a museum fan, are ready to devote 2 or 3 days only to visiting museums and live far from the center, then the Roma Pass is definitely your choice. Buying similar cards from , and much more profitable.

What is included in the list of features provided by Roma Pass cards?

Do I need to buy?

When deciding to buy Roma Pass cards in Rome, you need to know some subtleties.

The range of services provided to Roma Pass holders does not include visits to some historical and cultural sites and travel on the following types of transport in these directions:

1. temporary exhibitions at the Altar of Peace Museum (Ara Pacis);
2. attractions and ;
3. rail transport systems;
4. train Leonardo Express (Leonardo Express) connecting with Fiumicino;
5. any transport from Rome to (Fiumicino) and (Ciampino) and back;

When purchasing cards, please consider the following:

• children under 10 years old (from any country) use transport free of charge;
• disabled people and those accompanying them visit museums and historical and cultural complexes free of charge.

Most museums in Rome are closed on Mondays, December 25, January 1, May 1. When planning a trip, you need to check the opening hours of the museums you would like to visit.

• Library of the Academy of St. Luke (Accademia Nazionale di San Luca);
• Museum of Ancient History of Rome (Museo di Casal de’Pazzi);
• Napoleon Museum (Museo napoleonico)

How and where to buy

You can purchase Roma Pass transport cards in advance on-line on the official website www.tiqets.com, indicating the time of arrival in Rome (the card is valid for 6 months from the date of payment).

The Roma Pass card can be obtained at kiosks selling single cards or kiosks selling tickets for public transport PIT 5 days from the date of payment. They are located at a number of points:

• at railway stations and airports;
• ATAC ticket sales kiosks;
• at metro stations of lines A and B;
• near attractions in the central part of the city.

Here are some convenient addresses where you can pick up your card:

• Lungotevere Vaticano (Piazza Pia) from 9:30 to 19:00 - this is next to.
• At the exit from the baggage claim area from 8:30 to 18:00.
• Piazza delle Cinque Lune next to (Piazza Navona) from 9:30 to 19:00.
• Exit from the baggage claim area in Terminal 3 from 08:00 to 20:45.
• At the tourist center on Via dei Fori Imperiali from 09:30 to 19:00.
• Corner of Via Marco Minghetti and Via del Corso from 09:30 to 19:00.
• At Via Giovanni Giolitti, 3 from 08:00 to 18:45.

It is not necessary to purchase a card in advance, but buy it on the spot at the indicated points, since the cost of purchasing online and on the day of arrival is the same. But if you need to use public transport, then it makes sense to order a card in advance and pick it up immediately upon arrival at the airport or train station.

Card sales points are open every day, seven days a week, from 9.30 to 19.00.

The Roma Pass ticket can be paid with a MasterCard credit card or in cash.

If the card is lost or the trip to Rome is canceled after paying online, the funds will not be refunded.

How to use

Using the Roma Pass tourist card is very simple. First, indicate the owner's first and last name and the date of purchase on the back of the card. It comes into effect the first time it is activated in a museum or transport, if you apply it to the black circle on the composter and wait for a green signal.

When entering the museum, the museum employee must present the Roma Pass and passport.
Questions about using Roma Pass tickets can be asked in the comments to this article.

How to get to the Borghese Gallery using the Roma Pass

1. Call the gallery at +39 06 32 810 and reserve tickets in English or Italian under your name for the desired time and date. The last name must be the same as that which will be indicated on the Roma Pass. You can sign up before arriving in Rome.
2. Arrive at the gallery an hour before your scheduled time to receive tickets using your card.

Conclusions and mathematics

Let's calculate whether it is profitable to buy a Roma Pass, just mathematics, nothing personal.

Travel in Rome for 100 minutes by public transport costs 1.5 euros, for 48 hours - 12.5 euros, for 72 hours - 18 euros. All transport prices are taken from the official website www.atac.roma.it

We subtract these transport costs from the cost of Roma pass cards:

• Roma Pass 48 = 28-12.5 = 15.5 euros left for 1 attraction;
• Roma Pass 72 = 38-18 = 20 euros left for 2 attractions.

Cards are usually taken for the most popular attractions: a ticket to the Colosseum costs 14 euros, to the Borghese Gallery from 2019 - 15 euros. Moreover, you need to book a ticket to the Borghese Gallery in advance and in fact, during the season from March to November there are no seats 3-7 days in advance, and on super popular dates (May holidays, Christmas, etc.) 1-2 weeks in advance.

It turns out that if you actively use public transport and run around all the attractions, you will save 5-15 euros, provided that you bother and manage to book a place in the Borghese Gallery. Without a gallery, the benefit of the card is very doubtful, although it is worth recognizing that it is convenient to use, at least because of public transport.

If you choose one with a good location, you don’t have to use public transport at all. All attractions are within walking distance and in Rome you can do without the far from clean metro, and you can ride buses and trams for free with the proper skill.

Official website in Italian: www.romapass.it

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A trip to Rome is a real test for the curious. It is impossible to see all the sights of Rome in one visit, and it is equally impossible to choose what exactly is worth seeing first, the city is so diverse and interesting in every corner.

Rome is an incredibly eclectic city. Catholic churches and modern buildings, medieval markets and ancient ruins, history and modernity, majestic buildings and the most terrible slums, modest monks and flamboyant freaks are mixed here... - all this creates an inimitable, amazing modern Rome. In a sense, this eternal city remains the center of the world.

Rome - the eternal city

The main attractions of Rome

Perhaps this is the oldest part of the city, which remembers the wheels of chariots and the tread of Roman emperors, thousands of years ago. This area of ​​Rome was built during the time of the mysterious Etruscan tribe, the predecessors of the ancient Romans.

Here they paid honor to heroes and organized triumphal processions in their honor, here they held elections to the Senate and announced the most important news to the townspeople. Today the forum looks like a heap of ruins, but with imagination and minimal knowledge of history you can imagine what everything looked like 2.5 thousand years ago. The site of the forum is simply dotted with the remains of temples, basilicas and triumphal arches.

The most notable buildings of the forum are listed below.

• Triumphal arches were erected by emperors in honor of their victories over their enemies. The best preserved are the Arch of Titus in honor of the victory in the Jewish War and the Arch of Septimius Severus in honor of the victory over the Parthians.

Triumphal Arch of Titus, Roman Forum

• Curia Julia- This is the place where the Senate met. The rectangular brick building could accommodate up to 200 senators. Unfortunately, the original building of the curia has not survived. What tourists see today is the reconstruction of the building. Nothing of the interior decoration has survived either.

Curia Julia, Roman Forum

• Tribune Rostra is a platform built for speakers to speak. The rostra was 3 meters high, so that the speaker was high above the crowd and was clearly visible from any point in the square. Rostra received its name in honor of the rostra (bow parts of ancient ships) that belonged to enemy ships captured at the Battle of Antium in 338 BC.

Tribune Rostra, Roman Forum

• Temple of Saturn. The current ruins date back to 42 BC. The temple was used as the state treasury (Erarius). It also houses the banners of legions and senatorial decrees (decrees). The temple also served as the starting point for all distances in the Roman Empire.

Temple of Saturn, Roman Forum

• Basilica Emilia- the oldest basilica in the forum was built in 179 BC. It is noteworthy that the basilica was originally erected as a place where noble citizens could take shelter from bad weather and spend time comfortably. There were shopping arcades, state banks and money changers here. The basilica was completely destroyed during the siege of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 AD

Basilica Emilia, Roman Forum

• Temple of Vesta. Vesta is the patroness of family and state in Ancient Rome, one of the main goddesses of the pantheon. In this temple, the Vestals (servants of the cult of Vesta) guarded the sacred eternal fire, personifying eternal life. A Vestal Virgin was a girl from an aristocratic family who was chosen by a council of priests.

Temple of Vesta, Roman Forum

• The girl's service life in the temple was 30 years, during which she was obliged to remain a virgin, otherwise the Vestal was buried alive. At the end of their service, the Vestals received a lifelong allowance from the state (not a small one), as well as many benefits and privileges. The remains of the House of the Vestals can be seen next to the Temple of Vesta

Fragment of the painting “Sacrifice of the Vestal Virgin” by Alessandro Marchesini

• Temple of Romulus the Divine. Opposite the House of the Vestals is the round temple of Romulus, which has been perfectly preserved since its original construction due to the fact that it was included in the complex of buildings of the Basilica of Saints Domian and Cosmas. The temple has never been rebuilt and even the massive iron entrance door is original.

Temple of Romulus, Roman Forum

• Basilica of Maxentius- the last of the temples built during the times of Ancient Rome. Construction was started by Emperor Maxentius and completed by Constantine. The temple had very impressive dimensions and a huge 12-meter statue of Constantine, the remains of which can now be seen in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori in the Vatican

Basilica of Maxentius, Roman Forum

• Temple of Venus and Roma- This is the largest religious building from the times of Ancient Rome. The temple would have been built under Hadrian and would have occupied a huge area from the Basilica of Maxentius to the Colosseum

Temple of Venus and Roma, Roman Forum

• Column of Phocas- a 13-meter column that was built in honor of the Byzantine Emperor Phocas on the occasion of his visit to Rome. At the top of the column was a gilded statue of Phocas, which is now lost

Column of Phocas, Roman Forum

• Coliseum originally called the Flavian amphitheater (dynasty of Roman emperors) and was built under Vespasian, the founder of the dynasty. The amphitheater got its name from the giant statue of Nero, on the site of which it was built. The statue was called Colossus (colossus), the name of the Colosseum in Italian sounds like Colosseo

Colosseum, Roman Forum

• The Colosseum could accommodate up to 55,000 spectators, there were 80 entrances for the public, the 4 upper floors were used for spectator seats (the lower classes occupied the uppermost rows), and the underground floors housed service rooms and cages with wild animals. To protect spectators from the sun, the Colosseum was covered with a huge awning, which was installed by a team of 1000 strong men.

Colosseum, Roman Forum

• The Colosseum was used to host free games, the number and entertainment of which measured the greatness of the emperor. The games usually took place over several days and ended with gladiator fights and fights with wild animals. The longest games took 100 days in a row and were dedicated to the accession to the throne of Emperor Titus

Colosseum, Rome, Italy

Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of the most famous, and perhaps the most beautiful, of all the squares in Rome. It was built on the site of Domitian's stadium and follows its contours. Piazza Navona has several independent tourist sites: the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata), the Nettuno Fountain, the Fountain del Moro and the Church of St. Agnes of Rome, an early Christian martyr.

Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy

Pantheon

The Pantheon is a temple of all gods, built more than 1800 years ago. In 609 AD, the temple was converted into the Christian Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs and presented to Pope Boniface IV. The interior of the temple has been reconstructed several times over its long history, but the marble floor remains from the time of ancient Roman construction. The temple contains the tombs of several kings of Italy, as well as the tombstone of the great Italian painter Raphael.

Pantheon, Rome, Italy

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the hallmarks of Rome; it can often be seen on advertising postcards and booklets. It is located on a small square of the same name and occupies more than half of its space. The fountain adjoins one side to the Poli Palace and visually forms a single whole with it.

Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

The Trevi Fountain is one of the favorite places for tourists. At any time of the year or day, there is no crowd here with people wanting to take pictures of themselves against the backdrop of the famous fountain. There is a belief that if you throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will certainly return to Rome again.

Tourists around the Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy

Vittoriano

Vittoriano is a monument in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II, who managed to unite all the lands of Italy within modern borders. It occupies the entire northern slope of the Capitoline Hill and, in its size, looks more like a palace than a monument. The monument is also often called the Altar of the Nation, and Victor Emmnuil II himself is the father of the nation.

Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, Rome, Italy

At the foot of the monument is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at which, since 1921, the best representatives of the Italian armed forces have been keeping a 24-hour guard of honor. The premises inside the monument are used as exhibition halls for the Risorgimento Museum (museum of the history of the unification of Italy). Local residents are not too fond of this monument because its appearance and size stands out from the general panorama of the city; they even call it a “wedding cake” for being too white and too pompous.

Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Rome, Italy

Circus Maximus

Circus Maximus is the largest stadium in Ancient Rome. It could accommodate up to 250 thousand spectators and was intended for chariot racing competitions. The very first circus building was built of wood back in the 6th century BC, but it was destroyed by fire several times until a marble stadium was erected in its place.

Circus Maximus, Rome, Italy

In the 6th century AD, the last race was held in the circus, after which the stadium began to fall into disrepair. Local residents dismantled the marble bricks for other buildings, and today there is little reminder that the most grandiose stadium of all time was located on this site.

Circus Maximus, reconstruction

Capitol Hill

The Capitoline Hill is the smallest but most important of the seven hills of Rome. The first human buildings discovered here during excavations date back to the Iron Age. The hill was an ideal location for the first settlers, as its rocky, steep slopes provided natural protection from external enemies, and right next to the hill was the shallowest part of the Tiber River, ideal for crossing.

In ancient times, the most massive and significant temples were built here, symbolizing the position of Ancient Rome as the center of the world. In the period from the early Middle Ages to the Renaissance, the Capitoline Hill became depopulated, fell into decay, and the temples were destroyed to the ground. For a time, Capitol Hill was even used as a pasture for goats. During the Renaissance, the Capitoline Hill was rebuilt according to the designs of Michelangelo. Today it houses the city hall and the Capitol Museum.

Capitoline Hill, Rome, Italy

Palatine

The Palatine is the central of the seven hills of Rome. According to legend, it was here that the founders of Rome, Remus and Romulus, were found in a cave. It is believed that it was here that Romulus laid the first stone for the construction of Rome, and it is from here that the Eternal City originates. In ancient times, the Palatine was the most prestigious area for residence, thanks to its beautiful views of the city and the cleanest air in the area (the hill rises 70 meters above the city).

Hill Palatine, Rome, Italy

It is not surprising that by the end of the era of the Roman emperors the hill was built up exclusively with houses and palaces of representatives of the upper caste. In the Middle Ages, the Palatine was built exclusively with monasteries and churches. Today, the Palatine is a collection of ruins and the best place to study the archaeological history of the city.

Palatine, Rome, Italy

The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, a state within a state. About 800 residents live here, and none of them are permanent. The population of this tiny area consists of clergy, monasticism, guards, and government officials. The Throne of Peace is headed by the Pope. The Vatican has its own army - it is guarded exclusively by Swiss guards dressed in national uniforms.

St. Peter's Square is the main gate of the Vatican, as well as the place of mass gatherings of Catholics on major religious holidays.

St. Peter's Square, Vatican

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world. The cathedral is dedicated to one of the main apostles of Christ and was built on the spot where St. Peter suffered martyrdom. The construction of the temple lasted for a century and a half, during which several architects were replaced, each of whom made significant adjustments to the original project. Construction was completed in 1626, and since then St. Peter's Basilica has been considered the center of Christianity throughout the world.

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

The crowning glory of St. Peter's Basilica is the majestic dome, designed by Michelangelo. At the top of the dome there is an observation deck that offers a breathtaking view of the city. Entrance to the observation deck is paid, while visiting St. Peter's Cathedral itself is free, but there is a strict dress code, according to which clothing must cover the knees and elbows of those entering; ladies must additionally cover their décolleté.

Interiors of St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Italy

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums boast one of the most impressive art collections in the world. Most of the exhibits were presented to the popes over the long years of their reign, or were purchased by the popes with funds from the Church. The Vatican has its own tourist office, which is located in St. Peter's Square. Here you can order audio guides, purchase ready-made excursions, maps, booklets and much more.

Vatican, Rome, Italy

You can also send a postcard to your family and friends depicting the best views of the Vatican.
Today, the Vatican has thirteen museums located in two palace complexes. Don't even expect to see all this splendor in one day. The collection of artistic and historical treasures is so huge that it will take you more than one day to fully explore. In a few hours you can try to see at least the most basic things.

Vatican Guards

Pinakothek contains paintings by Raphael, Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Perugino and many other painters.
The Historical Museum shows the centuries-old history of the Roman papacy, displaying household items, religious relics, documents, photographs and other important exhibits.

Pinakothek, Vatican

IN Museum of Pius Clement antique statues, frescoes and sculptures discovered in the vicinity of Rome during excavations are exhibited.

IN Sciaramonti Museum Portrait busts and sculptures of noble citizens of Rome in ancient times are exhibited.

Gregorian Etruscan Museum has a rich collection of objects from the time of the Eturskis, who lived on the territory of Rome before the era of ancient emperors.

Exhibits from the Pius Clement Museum

IN Egyptian Museum Ancient Egyptian art from steles with hieroglyphs to copies of Egyptian statues from the second century BC are on display. It also contains a collection of Egyptian mummies that were found during excavations at the Deir el-Bahri necropolis in Thebes.

IN Museum of Contemporary Religious Art you can see paintings by Dali, Kandinsky, Kokoschka, Le Corbusier, Matisse, Munch, Picasso, Rodin and Van Gogh.

Egyptian Museum, Vatican

Pius Christian Museum contains a collection of sculptures, sarcophagi and mosaics from the early Christian era. The most famous object here is the statue of the Good Shepherd, created in the third century AD.

Ethnological Missionary Museum has objects of a religious nature from Asia, Oceania, Africa and America. Among the main ones: a statue of the god Quetzalcoatl from Mexico, masks from Sierra Leone and a wooden sculpture of the deity “tumatauenga” from French Polynesia.

Etruscan Museum in Vatican

The Vatican Library is one of the most important libraries in the world, containing more than 500 thousand books and more than 60 thousand manuscripts, as well as ancient Christian objects found in Roman catacombs, medieval glassware and objects made of precious materials and ivory.

Vatican Library

The Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly the most famous landmark of the Vatican. The chapel was built in the fifteenth century as a private chapel for Pope Sixtus IV. In 1508, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo to repaint the ceiling. However, Michelangelo decided to decorate the ceiling with nine scenes from the Old Testament. The most famous is the composition “The Creation of Adam,” which shows how the Creator descends from heaven to breathe life into Adam. The walls of the chapel are also completely covered with paintings by Michelangelo. The most famous of the paintings is the Last Judgment on the altar wall.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican

Triumphal Arch of Constantine

Right next to the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine, built in the early fourth century to commemorate Constantine's victory over Emperor Maxentius. The arch, decorated with statues and bas-reliefs, has survived to this day relatively undamaged. Constantine believed that the Christian God helped him defeat Maxentius (which was initially considered unlikely). As a result, during the reign of Constantine, the persecution of Christians ended, Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and the capital of the empire was moved from Rome to Constantinople (then capital of Byzantium, now Istanbul) in 325 AD.

Arch of Constantine, Rome, Italy

Plaza de España

Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular places among tourists. The central place of the square is occupied by the famous Spanish Steps, connecting the square with the Trinita dei Monti church. The Spanish Steps are especially beautiful in the spring, when the azaleas decorating the steps are in bloom. The Spanish Steps are considered a favorite meeting place for tourists and townspeople.

Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy

At the foot of the stairs is the Barcaccia Fountain, which depicts a small fishing boat that survived the disastrous flood of the Tiber in 1598. On the opposite side of the square is the Spanish Palace and the Immacolata Column, erected in honor of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception of Christ. The top of the column is crowned by a statue of the Virgin Mary.

Rome, Barcaccia Fountain

Appian Way

Via Appia Antica was once one of the most important roads in the world and the most famous of all the roads emanating from Rome towards the distant borders of the empire. The road was originally built in 312 BC by order of Appius Claudius Caecus, the then censor of Rome, who became famous for building numerous urban infrastructure projects that helped make life easier for the Romans.

Appian Way, Rome, Italy

The stones that pave the road fit together so well that it is almost impossible to insert a knife between them. Since during the construction of the road it was forbidden to bury the dead within the city, aristocrats erected their tombs along the most important roads. Via Appia was also dotted with similar structures, some of which have survived to this day.

Via Appia, Rome, Italy

Villa Borghese

Villa Borghese is the largest public park in Rome. In addition to walking areas, there are temples, fountains, statues and several museums. In ancient times and the early Middle Ages, numerous vineyards were laid out here, but in 1605 Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew of Pope Paul V, turned the vineyards into a park.

Park Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy

At the end of the eighteenth century, an artificial lake was created in the center of the park. On an island in the center of the lake, a small temple of Ionnaia was built, dedicated to Asclepius, the god of healing. In 1911, the park hosted the World Trade Exhibition. Some of the pavilions built by the participating countries still remain. Of the museums, the most famous is the Borghese Gallery, which exhibits works by famous masters including Titian, Rubens and Raphael.

Gallery of Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy

Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were built in 217 AD, during the reign of Emperor Caracalla, as the largest bath complex in the world. The baths operated for more than three hundred years, with a total of 6,000 to 8,000 visitors daily. Thermal baths played a huge role in terms of hygiene, since in ancient times Rome was so overpopulated that there was simply no room left for sanitary facilities within the city.

Baths of Caracalla, Rome, Italy

The baths also played an important entertainment and communication role, as the Romans came here to socialize, listen to gossip and relax. There were gyms, libraries, gardens, art galleries, restaurants and even brothels here. The Caracalla complex was known for its rich interior, such as marble seats, mosaic walls and floors, as well as fountains and statues.

Fragment of a floor mosaic, Rome, Baths of Caracalla

Mouth of Truth

The Mouth of Truth is an ancient Roman marble disc carved in relief in the shape of a human face. According to legend, if you put your hand in the mouth of the bas-relief and tell a lie, the lips will immediately close and the liar will lose his hand. Historians are not sure that this was the original purpose of the disk, but in the Middle Ages the bas-relief began to be used precisely as a lie detector.

Mouth of Truth, Rome, Italy

The legend became so ingrained in the daily life of the Romans that even today parents scare their children with the Lips of Truth. In the legendary film "Roman Holiday" there is an episode when the heroine Audrey Hepburn tries to put her hand in the Mouth of Truth. The bas-relief is on the left wall of the portico of the Church of Santa Maria Cosmedin.

Fragment of the film "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest church in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The church, which dates back to the fifth century, has a magnificent interior with a very impressive gilded ceiling and chapel. The church is located on the top of the Esquiline hill. Its name means that it is the most important of the eighty churches in Rome dedicated to Mary.

Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy

The church is sometimes called Santa Maria della Neve (St. Mary of the Snows). According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared to a local landowner in a dream and told him to build a church on the spot where he saw snow. The next day, at the height of summer, snow fell on the Esquiline Hill in the shape of a floor plan for a church. Despite the beautiful legend, however, there are no documents confirming this story.

Interior of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy

Campo de Fiori

The name of the square is translated as “field of flowers”, since once upon a time there was a meadow on the site of the square. Despite the fact that the meadow was located in the very center of the city, it was never developed, since it was in this place that the Tiber would be prone to flooding the bank every spring. In the 15th century, shopping arcades gradually began to appear on the site of the meadow, and gradually the place turned into a market square. The buildings at Campo de Fiori have a somewhat chaotic appearance, since it was never built according to plan.

Market at Campo de' Fori, Rome, Italy

In the Middle Ages, Campo de Fiori became notorious as a place of public executions. Here criminals and heretics accepted death, and the methods of killing were the most sophisticated and painful. In 1600, it was here that the great astronomer Giordano Bruno was burned by order of the Inquisition for his idea that the earth revolves around the sun. In 1887, a monument to Giordano Bruno was erected on the square.

Monument to Giordano Bruno at Campo de' Fori, Rome, Italy

Roman Catacombs

The catacombs of Rome were used in the era of early Christianity as a place where Christians took refuge from Roman persecution for their faith. Here they performed their religious rites in safety, and here they held the first secret burials of dead Christians. Subsequently, the catacombs began to be used for burials throughout the city, since there was no space for cemeteries and tombstones at the top due to overcrowding.

By the 5th century, burials in the catacombs had ceased, but the catacombs gained popularity as places of pilgrimage and veneration of the holy relics of the early Christians. The catacombs began to fall into disrepair after the church began to gradually remove the relics of saints and place them in the numerous temples and basilicas that were built above. From the end of the 9th century, the catacombs were forgotten for 10 long centuries and were rediscovered only in the 19th century.

Video. 10 interesting places in Rome

Rome is the city in which the current European civilization was born, all the roads of Europe began from here, and European laws, which are based on the famous Roman law, also began from here. Therefore, Rome is a city that you must visit in your life.

Those tourists who like to count the number of countries visited, after staying in Rome, can check two boxes on their list at once, since the Vatican City State is located on the territory of Rome.

How to get to Rome. Do I need a visa

You can get to Rome by direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg. They are operated by Alitalia, Aeroflot, Russia. Additional charter aircraft may fly on holidays.
In order to travel to Italy you need a Schengen visa. The currency in Italy, as in most European countries, is the euro.

Map of Rome with attractions in Russian

To make it easier to navigate, the central street of Rome, Via del Corso, is shaded pink on the map.
The concentration of the main attractions of Rome is Capitol Hill.
Further along Via dei Fori Imperiali there is the Roman Forum (also known as Forum Romanum) - you should leave at least half a day for it if you are interested in the history of Rome.

Via dei Fori Imperiali ends with the Colosseum.
Don't forget to visit the Trevi Fountain, Piazza di Spagna with its famous staircase, and, of course, the Vatican, located on the other side of the Tiber.
You should definitely see the Pantheon - a monument that came from Ancient Rome, striking in its perfection.
All of these most popular attractions are marked on the map in red font.
Other places of interest to visit are indicated in blue.

It is worth visiting the famous Borghese Gallery - where paintings by Raphael, Titian, Bernini are collected. Castel Sant'Angelo (Sant'Angelo), which was intended as Adrian's mausoleum

To navigate the map, it is useful to remember:
that the street is via (via)
square - piazza
metro – metro (subway)
train station