- The Colosseum - This is the most famous building of the Roman Empire. Having eighty entrances, it accommodated more than 55,000 spectators. Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. It was used for fights between gladiators and between gladiators and wild animals with each fighting to their death. The gladiators were usually prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Part of the Colosseum was damaged during an earthquake in 847; one can still see evidence of this damage. Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is quite a revelation when you realize how old it is and how much of it exists to this day.
- The Pantheon - This building was built in 118 AD. It has a 43 meter high dome with three rows of columns on the portico and a huge bronze door at the entrance. It was originally a temple for pagan gods but in 609 was converted into a church. The artist Raphael is entombed there.
- The Trevi Fountain - Completed in 1762, features Neptune, God of the Sea as the central figure riding a chariot shaped like a shell and pulled by two sea horses. Legend has it that you will return to Rome if, with your back to the fountain, you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water. Alas, we were unable to do this when we were there. The area was packed with so many tourists that we couldn't get very close to this amazingly beautiful fountain. Even to be able to take a picture was a challenge in itself. But the breathtaking perfection of this 18th century fountain is definitely worth a visit.
- St. Peter's Basilica - This church is the largest in the world. Construction of the original church was completed by 349 AD. However, it fell into ruin by the middle of the 15th century. A new and much larger church than the original was completed and consecrated in 1626. St. Peter died there as a martyr and is entombed beneath the church.
- The Forum - At one time there were temples, arches and basilicas but many of them have fallen into ruin. However, it takes little imagination to see what it once was. Among some of the structures and partial remnants at the Forum are the Curica, built in 283 AD, the Sacellum of Venus Cloacina, the Arch of Actuim, the Regia, the Temple of Divus Julius and the Temple of Concord.
- Palatine Hill - According to mythology, this area was the original city of Rome. It is believed to have been founded in 800 BC by Romulus after he slay his twin brother Remus. Augustus, Cicero and Marc Antony are all believed to have had homes on the hill. Excavations have been done there since the mid 18th century with discoveries showing there are partial remnants of ruins going back to the first century.
- The Victor Emmanuel Monument (the Vittoriano) is the first historical building we saw when we arrived in Rome. It is a late addition to history as construction began in 1885. Made of white marble, it is decorated with statues, reliefs and murals. At the foot of the Statue of Victor Emmanuel is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
- The Vatican Museum - This museum is actually several museums displaying collections of art built up by the Catholic Church over the centuries and, of course, Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. The museum originated with a marble sculpture of Laocoon and his Sons, discovered in a vineyard in 1506. There are 54 galleries consisting of busts, statues, the Sala Rotonda which is shaped like a miniature Pantheon with ancient mosaics on the floor, a bronze statue of Hercules, numeous paintings, the red marble papal throne and works of Raphael. Although we were only able to spend a half day there, to really see everything, I'm sure it would take at least a couple of days. We spent only two days in this wonderous city and although I have mentioned several interesting attractions, with more time we would have liked to see so much more and enjoy this historical city of ancient ruins.
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