Rome Travel Guide

Rome travel guide - Tips for sightseeing, tourism and places to visit

Visit Rome? - Tips & Travel Guide Rome All information and tips for a city break in Rome Italy such as visiting the sights and tourist attractions. Your visit to Rome starts on RomeSite.com

Rome houses some of the most renowned museums and art galleries worldwide. Apart from the Vatican Museums, these are the top museums in the city:

Museums in Rome - The must see museums and art galleries Rome and the Vatican has some of the most important museums and art galleries in the world. Discover which ones are a definite must.

Colosseum, also called Flavian Amphitheatre, giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. Construction of the Colosseum was begun sometime between 70 and 72 CE during the reign of Vespasian. It is located just east of the Palatine Hill, on the grounds of what was Nero’s Golden House. The artificial lake that was the centrepiece of that palace complex was drained, and the Colosseum was sited there, a decision that was as much symbolic as it was practical. Vespasian, whose path to the throne had relatively humble beginnings, chose to replace the tyrannical emperor’s private lake with a public amphitheatre that could host tens of thousands of Romans.

The structure was officially dedicated in 80 CE by Titus in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 CE, Domitian completed the work by adding the uppermost story. Unlike earlier amphitheatres, which were nearly all dug into convenient hillsides for extra support, the Colosseum is a freestanding structure of stone and concrete, using a complex system of barrel vaults and groin vaults and measuring 620 by 513 feet (189 by 156 metres) overall. Three of the arena’s stories are encircled by arcades framed on the exterior by engaged columns in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders; the structure’s rising arrangement of columns became the basis of the Renaissance codification known as the assemblage of orders. The main structural framework and facade are travertine, the secondary walls are volcanic tufa, and the inner bowl and the arcade vaults are concrete.

The amphitheatre seated some 50,000 spectators, who were shielded from the sun by a massive retractable velarium (awning). Supporting masts extended from corbels built into the Colosseum’s top, or attic, story, and hundreds of Roman sailors were required to manipulate the rigging that extended and retracted the velarium. The Colosseum was the scene of thousands of hand-to-hand combats between gladiators, of contests between men and animals, and of many larger combats, including mock naval engagements. However, it is uncertain whether the arena was the site of the martyrdom of early Christians.

In medieval times, the Colosseum was used as a church, then as a fortress by two prominent Roman families, the Frangipane and the Annibaldi. The Colosseum was damaged by lightning and earthquakes and, even more severely, by vandalism and pollution. All the marble seats and decorative materials disappeared, as the site was treated as little more than a quarry for more than 1,000 years. Preservation of the Colosseum began in earnest in the 19th century, with notable efforts led by Pius VIII, and a restoration project was undertaken in the 1990s. It has long been one of Rome’s major tourist attractions, receiving close to seven million visitors annually. Changing exhibitions relating to the culture of ancient Rome are regularly mounted.

Once you’ve taken note of where to find the best desserts in Rome, you’ll want to be prepared and know what to order while you’re eyeing sweets of all shapes, colors and flavors. Read on for our trips about the best Italian sweets you have to try in the Eternal City.

6 Mouthwatering Desserts You Have To Try In Rome Got a sweet tooth? We've got you covered with a list of the best desserts and pastries to enjoy while you're eating your way through the Eternal City.

Today I reminisce about Rome and share my list of the top 12 must try foods in Rome, whether visiting the Eternal City for a weekend or a month

12 Must Try Foods in Rome – Eat Like a Local in Rome Visiting Rome and wondering what to eat? Don't miss my top 12 must try foods in Rome-- from the best Rome carbonara to Roman pizza & gelato! Eat like a local with traditional Rome food tips.

Rome stands as one of the finest and oldest cities in the world. The history of Rome spans over 2500 years and it has been a center of power, politics, culture and development since its inception. Creation of the city is steeped in legend and mythology and there are various different accounts of how this majestic place was built

25 Best Things to Do in Rome (Italy) - The Crazy Tourist Rome stands as one of the finest and oldest cities in the world. The history of Rome spans over 2500 years and it has been a center of power, politics, ... Read more