Top 10 places to visit in Rome, Italy (part 1/2)

I finally put together some of the travel photos that I took in Rome, the capital city of Italy. 10 pictures for 10 top tourist destinations to visit in Rome. Rome is a huge city with many districts. However, most of the attractions are located within the small historic centre of Rome, which includes the Old Rome and Colosseo Districts, and is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Rome. With uncountable immensity of its archaeological and artistic treasures, include many beautiful palaces, millenium-old churches and basilicas, Roman ruins, obelisks structures, remarkable statues and fountains design, Rome is Europe’s 3rd most visited city, and made Italy the 6th most visited country in the world in 2010.

The best part of traveling in Rome is the close proximity between travel sites to make them walkable. I love to walk whenever I travel as this is always the best way to explore a city. If Roman history and Medieval architecture are really your cup of tea, these 10 places to visit in Rome should make you as pleased as punch. Here they are (not in any order, just according to my shooting time and date in Rome):

1) St. Peter Square

Located in Vatican city within Rome, St. Peter Square is a “must visit” place for travelers. It is a huge piazza in front of St. Peter Basilica with an area of over 45,000m² and shaped in an ellipse with an giant Egyptian obelisk at the centre and 2 fountains at each side. The round square is surrounded by 248 columns and 88 pilasters supporting a giant roof of the corridor. On top of the roof cornice, more than 140 over lifesize statues of saints are standing in a row with consistent distance apart. It was designed by the famous middle age local architect named Bernini in 17th century. It is where fellow Christians gather and pay their pilgrimages to the Pope, who gives blessing from the basilica. A truly holy place to visit in Rome.

2) Vatican Museum

Vatican Museum is one of the greatest museum in the world houses immense collection of ancient arts and sculptures throughout the Renaissance era and Roman history of Italy. It is next to the St. Peter Square and is one of the most frequented destinations of Rome, attracting more then 4 millions visitors a year. Among many sections of collection in the museum, Sistine Chapel is the most popular and important chapel within the museum that many visitors are coming for, including me. It features the infamous The Last Judgement wall painting and The Creation of Adam ceiling painting by Michelangelo, my favourite artist and sculptor who created the statue of  David in Florence. Entrance fees is Euro22 per adult. Last Sunday of each month is free though long queue is expected.

3) Piazza Navona

Rome and its city planning had profound influence from the Renaissance movement during 14th to 17th century, which could be observed by the number of Piazza’s or squares found in the city. Located in the ancient city of Rome, Piazza Navona is perhaps the next best public square to visit in Rome after St. Peter. It is rectangular in shape and surrounded by buildings, restaurants and Sant’ Agnese in Agone church. The most prominent feature of Piazza Navona is the “Fountain of the Four River” at the centre. There are also another 2 fountains sitting at each far end of the square, no less than the centre piece, are Fountain del Moro and Fountain of Neptune. There are a lot of visitors come to this square and various activities are carried out here, such as live performance, portrait painting, souvenirs selling or sitting at one of the cafe enjoying people watching.

4) Pantheon

Pantheon is one of the best preserved Roman buildings first constructed in 27BC (Before Century). It is the only building from the Graeco-Roman world which has remained substantially intact and in continuous use as church throughout to the present day. The prominent feature of Pantheon is definitely its giant dome roof and the round opening design at the centre. Whenever it rains, water will pour down through the giant opening at the centre. There are holes on the floor to drain away rainwater. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. Pantheon is located in Old Rome and not far away from Piazza Navona and Trevi Fountain. There is also a public square in front of the church and can get crowded on holidays.  Admission is free.

5) Trevi Fountain

Need we say more? Trevi Fountain is perhaps the most visited tourist spot in Rome. Fountain is another unique feature which you can find everywhere in Rome and Trevi Fountain is one of the biggest. It is within walking distance from the Pantheon. There are more than 39 monumental fountains in Rome to provide drinking waters to public and to decorate the sculptures in piazza. However, Trevi Fountain serves another purpose to the public… coins throwing! A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. I threw one 10 years ago and I returned to Rome last year. I threw another coin into the fountain last year. When am I returning to Rome again? 🙂

Continue to the remaining 5 places to visit in Rome in Part 2 of the story. 🙂 – Travel Feeder, your ultimate photo travel guide to Europe

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.