Monuments in Rome

The St. Peter’s Basilica in the sacred Vatican City is the largest church in the world and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Christianity. This majestic Basilica is historically significant since it is the final resting place of St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome and one of Christ's 12 apostles, and all successive Popes. Besides its historical and religious significance, St. Peter’s Basilica is renowned for its architecture. It boasts the world's tallest dome and allows tourists to climb it and enjoy breathtaking views of Rome and the Vatican City. It also houses exquisite works by famous artists such as Carlo Maderno, Michelangelo, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Also Checkout: St Peters Basilica Guided Tour

Sistine Chapel is among the most beautiful historical places in Rome. This chapel adorns the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, and is famous for its frescoes. Though the exterior of the Sistine Chapel is essentially unadorned, its interior is covered with the most stunning frescoes that would undoubtedly appeal to any art enthusiast.

Several notable Renaissance artists contributed to the creation of the frescoes depicting various Biblical topics such as the Life of Christ and the Life of Moses. Former Popes are also shown in certain artworks. While all of these paintings are magnificent works of art, the most well-known is the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the Last Judgement, both of which were created by the legendary painter Michelangelo.

Also Checkout:

• Vatican Museums Tickets
• Sistine Chapel Tickets
• Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Ticket
• Early Morning Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peters Tour
• Early Morning Sistine Chapel and St Peters Basilica Tour

The Trevi Fountain, which dates from the 18th century, is Rome's largest and most beautiful fountain. This renowned site was designed by Italian Renaissance architects Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini under the guidance of Pope Nicholas V.

While the construction of this fountain is stunning, the underlying reason for its fame stems from mythology that originated in the film 'Three Coins in a Fountain.' According to folklore, persons who throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain with their right-hand return to Rome and find their soulmate. The Trevi Fountain accumulates over a million euros worth of coins each year thanks to this narrative, which is used for charitable purposes.

Also Checkout: Trevi Fountain & Underground Guided Tour

The Spanish Steps refer to a set of 135 steps located in the heart of Rome. These steps are among the most popular historical places in Rome and were designed in the 18th century by Italian designers Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. The reason why these steps have been named ‘Spanish’ is due to the location of a Spanish Embassy on top of the steps. While locals are often found relaxing, sketching, and chilling at these steps, tourists are welcomed to climb to the top of the stairs and enjoy a spectacular, panoramic view of the Piazza below.

The Basilica Ulpia is an ancient Roman building that adorns the Forum of Trajan. This basilica was the most important Basilica during ancient times and was named after the Roman King Marcus Ulpius Trainaus, better known as Trajan. Unlike most modern basilicas, Basilica Ulpia was primarily an administrative building used for justice, trade, and business. This Basilica was once the largest in Rome and served as an inspiration for the construction of subsequent Basilicas, including the Basilica of Maxentius.

The Mausoleum of Helena is one of the most intriguing historical places in Rome that was built between 326 and 330 by Emperor Constantine. He had commissioned the mausoleum for himself at first but eventually dedicated it to his mother Helena. Helena's tomb was kept at the site until the 18th century when it was moved to the Vatican Museum. The entire mausoleum is circular in shape, with two cylinders stacked on top of one other. Though the mausoleum is no longer in its original state, one can easily envision what it must have looked like in the past. Interestingly, the sarcophagus of Helena features Egyptian porphyry which was mostly used by Byzantine empires.

Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest of the 80 churches dedicated to Mary in Rome. Built in 432 AD by Pope Sixtus III, this church is an important holy site as it is constructed on the location where the Virgin Mary appeared in the dream of Pope Liberius. Another odd occurrence occurred here on August 5, when a layer of snow covered the hill in the middle of summer. Due to these rare occurrences and its splendid architecture, Santa Maria Maggiore is counted among the must-visit monuments in Rome.