Rome: Sites of Interest

Foro Romano & Palatino

The Foro Romano which was the commercial, political and religious center of Ancient Rome lies in a valley between the Capitoline and Palatine hills. Originally pasture land, the area became a center for political rallies, public ceremonies and Senate meetings. The forum was constructed over 900 years, with later emperors erecting buildings next to those from the Republican era. Its importance declined along with the Roman Empire after the 4th century AD, and the temples, monuments and buildings constructed fell into ruin, eventually leading to the site to turn into marshland.

During medieval times the area was extensively plundered for its stone and precious marbles. Many temples and buildings had been stripped and converted to other uses while other monuments lay half revealed. Over the centuries, in the name of progress, the Romans dismantled the ancient city brick by brick and marble block by marble block in order to build their own palaces, churches and monuments. During the Renaissance, there was a renewed appreciation of all things classical, the forum was given attention by artists and architects. The area was systematically excavated in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Colosseo

Its true name is Anfiteatro Flavio, everybody knows it by the name of Coliseum and it is the symbol itself of the city of Rome in the world. It was built in 72 A. D. by Vespasian and finished eight years after by his son Titus. The Roman people gathered in huge numbers to watch the gladiators fight among themselves in the circus games. In the Coliseum bloody performances were organized in which the prisoners fought with wild beasts and gladiators. All this ended when in the 5th century, a man named Telemachus entered the arena and tried to make gladiators stop fighting, but the act instigated the Romans to stop fighting in these games. The coliseum is in the shape of an ellipse with 187 meters across the longer axis and 155 meters along the shorter one. With a height of 50 meters the coliseum had a capacity to seat 80,000 people. The great amphitheater was very rich with marbles and decorations most of which was later removed and used elsewhere leaving it bare.

Foro di Traiano

Designed for Emperor Trajan by Apollodorus of Damascus the complex was completed at the end of the 2nd century AD. It measured 300 meters by 185 meters encompassing the current Piazza Venezia, a basilica, one greek library, one latin library, a temple, a arch in honor of the emperor, and the Colonna di Traiano. The Trajan's column was erected to mark the victories of Trajan over the Dacians. It houses the ashes of the emperor in a golden urn placed on a marble slab at the base of the column. The urn, along with the ashes, disappeared during one of the barbarian sacks of Rome. The column is decorated with a spiral series of reliefs depicting the battles between the Roman and Dacian armies, which are regarded as among the finest examples of ancient Roman sculpture. A statue of St Peter replaced the golden statue of Trajan which once topped the column

Arco di Constantino

This monument is the boundary between Roman Forum and Coliseum area. It was built in 315 A. D. in memory of Constantine's victory against Maxentius. It is the greatest of the three triumphal arches in Rome, 25 mt. high. The maximum span of the central barrel-vault is 6,5 mt. high. The monument an inscription about Constantine's deeds under the inspiration of a divinity, without any specifications about it. This is odd because although Constantine looked benevolently at Christianity and promoted its expansion, he was not Christian. Most of the materials of the arch were later taken down and used elsewhere along with the statues and decorations sending the splendid arch into ruins.

Aventino

The Aventino is a beautiful park with Roseto Comunale, a beautiful public rose garden, best seen obviously when the roses are in bloom from spring into summer. There is also the pretty, walled Parco Savello, planted with orange trees. There is a stunning view of Rome from the park. Next to the park is the 5th-century Basilica di Santa Sabina. Noteworthy, is the 5th century carved wooden door near the portico to the right of the church. The door has panels depicting biblical scenes and the crucifixion scene. Further south is the Piazza Cavalieri di Malta and the Priorato di Malta. The keyhole in the central door of the entrance provides a surprising view of the property's private garden.

The Pantheon

The magnificent Pantheon is the greatest, most majestic and best preserved monuments of ancient Rome. The present building of 80 AD stands up on the ruins of the previous temple, built by Agrippa in 27 BC. The inscription on the tympanum from the old temple confused researchers into thinking that the Pantheon had been built by Agrippa himself. In 609, Pope Bonifacio IV turned the pagan temple into a Christian church.

The imposing structure is reason enough to understand why this monument is world famous. Its a great example of architectural and design skills. The immense dome is symbol of the vault of heaven. On the top you can admire the opening penetrated by the pencil of light that constitutes the only luminous source of the Temple, symbol of the eternal light that enlightens the man and of time passing by. Located within it are the graves of famous personalities of history and arts including Raphael.

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