Few other cities can match the history of Rome,
its cultural splendour, and being the birthplace
of one of the greatest empires ever known.
Rome has always been a popular destination
because of the wealth of history on show
- it doesn't just have museums, it is a museum!
Although Rome is best known as the centre of
the mighty Roman Empire, the Etruscans first
occupied the city in the 6th century BC,
when they ruled central Italy for three hundred
years.
Several museums are dedicated to the
Etruscan civilisation, notably the National
Etruscan Museum, housed in Rome's Villa
Giulia.
The Etruscan Museum in The
Vatican also contains
numerous Etruscan treasures, including
exquisite jewelery.
The Etruscans were conquered by the Romans,
whose high level of organisation and sophistication
eclipsed all other civilisations that went before
it. Not for nothing did the Romans go on to become
one of the world's greatest empires. stretching
over Europe, Asia Minor and North Africa.
The
centre of the Roman world was the Capitol area,
in the middle of Rome. Here are the remains
of The Forum,
several triumphal arches and the imposing Coloseum -
an almost intact amphitheatre that once held
up to 55,00 spectators to witness
gladiatorial fighting. The
Pantheon, even better
preserved, still sits in the heart of the cities
financial and political district.
Even the highly sophisticated Romans couldn't
last forever, and Rome fell into centuries of
obscurity, ruled by conquering tribes such as
the Goths and Lombards, before the Papacy established
itself in the late 14th century. Rome was declared
the capital of the Papal States. This return
to the centre of the world stage brought with
it great patronage of the arts, and Rome, along
with Florence, became the centre of art and architecture.
This particular period of the history of Rome
saw the works of Bernini, Carvaggio, Michelangelo,
Raphael and Titian amongst the most prolific,
and many of these remain to be seen today.
The Piazza Navona district, now the centre of
the cafe scene, was the seat of Popes and Princes
and boasts a wealth of elaborate fountains and
palaces.
Numerous churches throughout the city are masterpieces:
Sant'Ignazio di Loyola church has a richly decorated
interior, complete with precious stones and jewels,
and the Santa Maria Maggiore church offers fine
mosaics.
The spanish quarter , centered around the Spanish
Steps and Piazza di Spagna, has been the heart
of tourist Rome since the 18th century, and offers
elegant hotels and the famous Trevi
Fountain.
Nowhere is the renaissance better represented
than in the Vatican, dominated by the colossal
Basilica of St Peter, decorated by Michelangelo
and finished by Bernini. The
Vatican museum contains
treasure after treasure, showing the artifacts
at their very best.
Few places in the world can match the history
of Rome, with its variety and splendour, and
the city is destined to remain centre stage in
the world arena. The signing of the Treaty of
Rome in 1957 laid the foundations for the EU;
the city hosted the Olympic Games in 1960; and
several times a year, millions turn their attention
to the city for the Pope's religious addresses.
Use the menu on left hand side
to navigate through the Roman
Culture section
of my site.
