Rome, Italy Attractions

The Spanish Steps is one of Rome's most famous sites and the widest staircase in Europe. Famous as the connection between the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti, the steps were designed by Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. The sprawling staircase stretches for 138 steps and was built with funds bequeathed by French diplomat Etienne Gueffier. To learn more about the Spanish Steps,
visit www.italyguides.it/us/roma/spanish_steps.ht.

The Trevi Fountain was completed in 1762, and is one of the most spectacular fountains in the world. One of the most popular things to do in Rome, Italy, legend has it that if you toss a coin into Trevi Fountain, then your return to Rome will be assured. Each year, thousands of dollars in coins are thrown into the spectacular fountain. To learn more about Trevi Fountain, visit www.trevifountain.net.

Piazza Navona, or Navona Square as it is referred to in English, is one of Rome's most popular attractions and features noted architectural and sculptural sites from the Baroque Period. Borromini's church of Sant'Agnese in Agone and the Fountain of the Four Rivers or Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which was built in 1651. To learn more about things to do at Piazza Navona,
visit www.italyguides.it/.../piazza_navona.../piazza_navona_square.htm.

One of Rome's greatest buildings, the Pantheon is an iconic structure that is known throughout the world. The Pantheon was built as a temple to honor all Rome's gods by Marcus Agrippa. Later Emperor Hadrian rebuilt the Pantheon about 126 AD. Amazingly, the dome of the Pantheon is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world, even two thousand years later. To learn more about the Pantheon,
visit www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Pantheon.html.

The Colosseum in Rome was completed in 80 AD by the Roman Empororer Titus. Built to host gladiator battles, the Roman Colosseum seated 50,000 spectators who would watch animal hunts, executions, famous battle re-enactments, the Colosseum was even filled with water to stage mock sea battles. To learn more about the Roman Colosseum, visit www.rome.info/colosseum.

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is one of the world's most famous churches and one of the wonders of the world. In terms of interior space, St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and the home of both masterpieces of art and some of Christendom's most important relics, St. Peter's tomb and Michelangelo's Pieta. The Vatican Museums house the Sistine Chapel and masterpieces from Raphael, Caravaggio and Leonardo. To learn more about seeing St. Peter's Basilica and things to do in Vatican City, visit www.saintpetersbasilica.org.

The Villa Borghese is located near the edge of Rome and houses many of the Borghese's art treasures. Also known as the Borghese villa on the Pincian Hill, the villa was commissioned by Scipione Borghese as a decadent party venue and is the work of architect Flaminio Ponzio. To learn more about things to see and do at Villa Borghese and Borghese Gallery, visit www.galleriaborghese.it/borghese/en/evilla.htm.