Rome - major attractions
Rome is full of tourist attractions from the ancient ruins of the Roman Empire, to the world inimitable works of art of all-time master artists, to the exquisite monuments and market squares, to the Vatican City, to the beautiful historic churches. Everything in Rome is worth seeing. Some of the major highlights are described briefly below:
- The Trevi Fountain: This is the fountain which is believed to make one’s wishes come true. Nobody really can tell there this is true or not, but there are hundreds of thousands of tourists who come every year to throw a coin and make a wish at this beautiful fountain.
- The mouth of truth: The Bocca della Verita is actually a marble mask which was back in the ancient times a drain cover; it shot to fame because of the legend which says that the mask (face of a grouchy man) will close its mouth if anyone puts his/her inside it while telling lies. Try it the next time you are in Rome and see if the legend tells the truth
- Piazza del Campidoglio – this market place was designed by none other than Michelangelo himself in 1958. This market place is surrounded by magnificent statues and bordered on all the sides by Pallazo dei Senatori, Pallazo dei Conservatori and the Palazzo Nuovo.
- St Angelo Castle (Castel Sant’Angelo) was the sanctuary and emergency escape for many popes, as it is connected to the Vatican City with a number of secret underground passages
- Catacombs of St Callixtus – where nine of the popes of the Catholic church are buried
- San Giovani Basilica – the first church of Christianity
The Vatican City – the seat of the Catholic Church shows the St Peter’s Basilica which as painted by Michelangelo in 1590
