Colosseum

The Colosseum is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, just east of the Roman Forum. It is the largest ancient amphitheatre ever built, and is still the largest standing amphitheatre in the world, despite its age. The Colosseum is built of travertine limestone, tuff, and brick-faced concrete. It could hold an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators at various points in its history. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles including animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, dramas based on Roman mythology, and briefly mock sea battles. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine. Although substantially ruined by earthquakes and stone robbers taking spolia, the Colosseum is still a renowned symbol of Imperial Rome and was listed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Tag: Favourites tag
Date: Oct 18

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Erected during the fourth century AD, the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four major basilicas of Rome, and the second largest after St. Peter's Basilica. It was founded on the burial ground of St. Paul. The atrium located in the exterior is one of the most noteworthy parts of the church. It is made up of 150 columns, and from here, visitors can see the façade of the Basilica covered by an enormous golden mosaic built between 1854 and 1874, which reflects the rays of sunlight. The centre of the portico houses a colossal statue of St. Paul.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: March 31

Forum Romanum

Located between Piazza Venezia and the Colosseum, the Roman Forum was the hub of political and social activity of the Roman citizens. The Roman Forum was where religious and public life in ancient Rome took place. The Forum is, along with the Colosseum, the greatest sign of the splendor of the Roman Empire that can be seen today. Here statues and monuments commemorated the city's great men. The heart of ancient Rome, it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history. The Forum today is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archaeological excavations attracting 4.5 million or more sightseers yearly.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: June 10

Saint Peter's Basilica

The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno. St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and the largest church in the world by interior measure. It is famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its liturgical functions.

Unesco: Vatican City
RR: Australia & New Zealand x World
Date: Feb 3

The Aventine Keyhole

The Aventine Keyhole offers one of Rome’s most picturesque and perfectly manicured views of St Peter’s Basilica. Situated as part of the Church of Santa Maria del Priorato, which is owned by the religious military order, the Knights of Malta, the keyhole itself is in a door that leads to the private gardens of the church. The keyhole perfectly lines up a view through a tree-lined promenade, which perfectly frames an unobstructed view of the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. When you peek through the mysterious keyhole, you actually have three countries in your line of of sight: Malta, Italy and Vatican City! The grounds just behind the door belong to the Knights of Malta and the estate has been granted extraterritorial status by Italy, which means it is Maltese soil. The view just beyond the estate is still of Rome, Italy. Finally, St Peter’s Basilica lies in Vatican City.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Sept 10

San Pietro

St. Peter's Square is one of the largest and most beautiful squares in the world. It is located in Vatican City, at the feet of St. Peter's Basilica. The dimensions of the square are spectacular: 320 meters long and 240 meters wide. In the liturgies and more noticeable events St. Peter's Square has held more than 300,000 people. The construction of the square was carried out between 1656 and 1667 at the hand of Bernini, with the support of Pope Alexander XII. The most impressive part of the square, besides its size, are its 284 columns and 88 pilasters that flank the square in a colonnade of four rows. Above the columns there are 140 statues of saints. In the centre of the square the obelisk and the two fountains, stand out. The obelisk, which is 25 meters in height, was carried to Rome from Egypt in 1586.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
RR: September Alternative RR
Date: Sept 6