What to do in Province of Rome

Work on the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the world, was started under the rule of the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and completed ten years later by his successor and heir, Titus. In its day, it could hold a crowd of 50,000 rowdy Romans who would cheer and hurl abuse at the gladiators performing in the bloody entertainments down below. Although the thronging masses are now a distant memory, the physical building is very much still in existence despite being rocked by earthquakes, ransacked by stone thieves and eroded by air pollution.

The world-famous Fontana di Trevi (literally the fountain at the junction of ‘tre vie’ or three roads) is the work of Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini and was completed in 1762, taking some thirty years to complete. Salvi was awarded the commission by Pope Clement XII after initially losing out to the Florentine Alessandro Galiliei, but died before his work was finished and as a result, Pannini was brought in to complete the project. The fountain stands 26 metres high and is 49 metres wide making it the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and a truly imposing sight to behold.

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti), built with money bequeathed by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier in 1723-1725 and designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, scale the steep incline between the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom and the Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. For many visitors to Rome it is the obvious place to meet friends before moving on to a bar or restaurant, and in summer it can get unbelievably busy, literally teaming with young backpackers trooping between the nearby Trevi Fountain and the Steps.

Originally a stadium built in the 1st century for athletics and chariot racing, Piazza Navona was reworked in the 15th century and then added to in the 17th century to take on its present form consisting of Baroque palaces, lavish churches, three spectacular fountains and several smart cafés and restaurants.

This beautiful 2000-year-old temple in the very heart of Rome remains an emphatic symbol of the might of the Empire, and it stands out in a city which is literally jam-packed with architectural marvels.

St. Peter’s Basilica, which was designed by Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Bramante, is for many the reason why they came to Rome. The utterly mind-blowing church is not only the centre of the Catholic Church and place of pilgrimage for millions each year, but it also holds a particular fascination for non-believers too, who come to marvel at the beauty of the architecture and works of art on show there. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the largest church in the world, nor is it the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, yet it holds a unique position as the greatest of all churches in Christendom.

Embrace the hustle and bustle as people from all over the world converge beside the charming Sinking Boat Fountain in the Piazza di Spagna. Almost every visitor who steps foot in Rome finds themselves at this busy piazza at some point. Admire the lovely fountain, climb up the iconic Spanish Steps and see frescoes inside the rustic French Chiesa della Trinita dei Monti.

Rome’s premier green space, Villa Borghese is not only home to glistening lakes and peaceful gardens, but also contains several interesting cultural institutions. Amble along the pathways and lawns, view a collection of stunning Renaissance masterpieces at the Galleria Borghese and check out rare pre-Roman artifacts at the Museo Nazionale Etrusco.