Famous Sights in Rome

Piazza del Colosseo

• This massive plaza houses one of the most recognizable historical monuments in the world, the Colosseum. This incredible amphitheater, which is said to have held between 55,000 and 60,000 spectators, began construction in 72 A.D. and was completed just eight years later. In order to protect spectators from the sun, a special awning, known as the velarium, was attached to the top of the Colosseum. A team of more than1,000 men was required to install it. In 80 A.D., to celebrate the inauguration of the building, Emperor Titus held 100 days of games, during which more than 9,000 animals were slaughtered.

  Of course, the Colosseum is most famous for the gladiator games that were held within its walls. Emperors would hold these games in order to increase their popularity.

  In the year 847 A.D., an earthquake caused the southern side of the Colosseum to crumble and fall. Much of the refuse was used in the construction of other famous monuments, including St. Peter's Basilica.

  The Piazza del Colosseo can be reached by taking the subway to the Colosseo metro station.

  Il Colosseo
  Piazza del Colosseo
  Rome, Italy
  011 (+39) 06 3996 7700

The Pantheon

• The name Pantheon comes from the phrase "pan theos," meaning "all gods," a suitable name for the building as it was originally meant to be a temple for worshiping all of the pagan gods. Before the current building was constructed in 118 A.D., there existed two other temples on the same plot. The first was constructed in 27 B.C., by Emperor Marcus Agrippa and was a place of worship dedicated to the gods Mars and Venus. The temple burned down in 80 A.D. and was rebuilt by Emperor Domitian only to be struck by lightning in 110 A.D., causing it to burn down once more. Finally, Emperor Hadrian had it redesigned into its current manifestation, though the building was eventually converted into a church in 609 A.D.

  The Pantheon borders Piazza della Rotonda and can be reached by taking the subway to the Colosseo metro stop. From there, Piazza della Rotonda is a 15-minute walk away.

  Pantheon
  Piazza della Rotonda
  Rome, Italy
  011 (+39) 06 6830 0230

Trevi Fountain

• Trevi Fountain was constructed by Nicola Salvi, who began working on this monumental fountain in 1732 after being commissioned by Pope Clement XII. The project was completed in 1762. Neptune acts as the centerpiece to the fountain, riding a seashell shaped chariot being pulled by two sea horses. The fountain is actually based on a design by Bernini, who was set to build the fountain a century before Salvi, but the project was halted after the death of Pope Urban VIII.

  Although Trevi Fountain is relatively young compared with Rome's other monuments, the water flowing through the fountain is drawn from Salone Springs, roughly 20 kilometers from Rome, via Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 B.C. This aqueduct supplies water to all of the fountains in Rome's historic center.

  Trevi Fountain is just a 10- to 15-minute walk from the Pantheon, but it can also be reached via subway by getting off at Barberini station, just 10 minutes away.

  Fontana di Trevi
  Piazza di Trevi
  Rome, Italy

Capuchin Crypt

• Somewhat off the beaten path, you will find this unique attraction beneath the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini. The Capuchin Crypt is a series of six small chapels that serve as the final resting place of more than 4,000 Capuchin monks. All but one of these chapels, The Mass Chapel, features unique displays using the bones of these monks.

  The other five chapels have bones nailed on the walls in intricate designs, large piles of bones and some even have bones hanging from the ceiling as working light fixtures. They are called Crypt of the Resurrection, which features a painting, framed by bones, of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead; the Crypt of the Skulls; the Crypt of the Pelvises; the Crypt of the Leg Bones and Thigh Bones; and the Crypt of the Three Skeletons. The final crypt, aptly named, features three skeletons. The center skeleton is enclosed by an oval, symbolizing life. In its right hand, it holds a scythe, a symbol of death. In its left hand, it holds scales, a symbol of the day of judgment. A placard reads, "What you are now, we used to be; what we are now, you will be. ..."

  Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini and the Capuchin Crypt are just around the corner from the Barberini metro station.

  Capuchin Crypt
  Via Vittorio Veneto 27
  Rome, Italy
  011 (+39) 06 487 1185