Thread: Rome sights

Some of the sights you may wish to see in Rome


The Spanish Steps are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. The Scalinata is the widest staircase in Europe.

The monumental stairway of 138 steps was built with French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds of 20,000 scudi, in 1723–1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy, and the Trinità dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France, both located above — to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi located below. The stairway was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi


The Trevi Fountain (is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. Standing 26 metres (85.3 feet) high and 20 metres (65.6 feet) wide it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world

The Arch of Constantine

This Triumphal Arch was dedicated in AD 315 to celebrate Constantine's victory three years before over his co-emperor, Maxentius. The Coliseum is close by.

Constantine claimed he owed his victory to a vision of Christ, but there is nothing Christian about the arch - in fact, most of the medallions, reliefs and statues were scavenged from earlier monuments. There are statues of Dacian prisoners taken from Trajan's Forum and reliefs of Marcus Aurelius, including one where he distributes bread to the poor.

Inside the arch are reliefs of Trajan's victory over the Dacians. These were probably by the artist who worked on Trajan's column.


Added a couple of Romas

The Colosseum, or the Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering

Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96) The name "Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus's family name (Flavius, from the gens Flavia

Capable of seating 50,000 spectators the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. 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 in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum

Vatican City

Vatican which translates as State of the Vatican City, is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of just over 800.

Vatican City was established in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Gasparri, on behalf of the Holy See and by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini on behalf of the Kingdom of Italy. Vatican City State is distinct from the Holy See, which dates back to early Christianity and is the main episcopal see of 1.2 billion Latin and Eastern Catholic adherents around the globe. Ordinances of Vatican City are published in Italian; official documents of the Holy See are issued mainly in Latin. The two entities even have distinct passports: the Holy See, not being a country, issues only diplomatic and service passports; Vatican City State issues normal passports. Very few passports are issued by either authority

The Lateran Treaty in 1929, which brought the city-state into existence, spoke of it as a new creation (Preamble and Article III), not as a vestige of the much larger Papal States (756–1870) that had previously encompassed much of central Italy. Most of this territory was absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy in 1860, and the final portion, namely the city of Rome with Lazio, ten years later, in 1870

Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by the Bishop of Rome—the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergymen of various national origins. It is the sovereign territory of the Holy See (Sancta Sedes) and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace

The Popes have generally resided in the area that in 1929 became Vatican City since the return from Avignon in 1377, but have also at times resided in the Quirinal Palace in Rome and elsewhere. Previously, they resided in the Lateran Palace on the Caelian Hill on the far side of Rome from the Vatican. Emperor Constantine gave this site to Pope Miltiades in 313. The signing of the agreements that established the new state took place in the latter building, giving rise to the name of Lateran Pacts, by which they are known

The Vatican the looks of wonder on some people’s faces are amazing. Unfortunately the Museum was closed for restoration work whilst we were there, but the whole place was overwhelming, and wonderful

Please show respect when in any Country visiting Holy places, some will not admit people wearing shorts, and ladies have a shawl with you to cover your arms and shoulders. Ladies are allowed to wear hats, men aren’t. The days were hot when we visited Rome, but wore trousers and not shorts, as many places will not admit you with shorts and did not wish to be disappointed, people were admitted into the Vatican in shorts. Not sure about skirts above the knees.

In my travels I would class the Grand Canyon as my number one Wonder of the World, closely followed by the Vatican City

You must visit it if possible in your lifetime; you don’t have to be religious to appreciate its grandeur and wonders

My first photos ar first views, and the long line to get into the Vatican. Don’t be daunted by the length, it took us abour 25 minutes to get in

Second photo If I remember correctly the Pope resides behind the second window of the middle row of the flats

Please remember when in these places you are allowed to take photos, but no flash. This never bothers me as I never use the flash, only in extreme circumstances

A few pictures inside the Vatican. Won’t bore you with too many

As I have remarked this is one of the most wonderful places we have ever visited.

The Vatican is such a wonderful place; I don’t know where to stop. Hoping I’m not creating boredom by not showing a selection but as many of this marvellous place I have.

I hope you have enjoyed my pictures of the inside of the Vatican. It is a great tourist attraction, but I hope the final picture portrays that the Vatican is primary a place of worship. As I admitted earlier I wasn't going to show so many

We are not Catholics but can still marvel at places other religions worship at