Enclosed by narrow streets and leaning against the façade of Palazzo Poli, stands the Trevi Fountain, a grandiose fusion of sculpture and architecture in a setting that welcomes the waters of the ancient Roman aqueduct of the Acqua Vergine. The fountain is a splendid fusion of sculpture and architecture, and one of Nicola Salvi's masterpieces, which expresses in this composition a late classical Baroque of rare vigor, not formalized in Bernini's style and not yet resulting in neoclassicism. Some Rococo elements are evident, such as Neptune's shell, but the complex has strong classical characters. The intuition of merging the façade of the palace with the structure of the fountain encompasses elements of the Palladian style and the elegant Roman Baroque.

St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is the largest of Rome’s four papal basilicas and one of the largest churches in the world, built over the tomb of St. Peter, the first Pope of the Catholic Church. The grand Baroque basilica serves as the center of major Catholic ceremonies and features masterpieces by renowned artists and architects, including Michelangelo’s Pietà, Bernini’s Papal altar and tabernacle, Borromini’s gates to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and mosaics by Pietro Paolo Cristofari. The Holy Door, a modern bronze work by Vico Consorti, is opened by the Pope during Jubilees, while Carlo Maderno designed the basilica’s nave and façade.

Originally a marshy area, the Roman Forum was transformed in the late 7th century B.C. into the center of public life in ancient Rome, serving political, religious, commercial, and judicial functions for over a thousand years. Nearby, the Palatine Hill became the heart of imperial power after Augustus established his residence there, later evolving into a complex of grand imperial palaces, including the Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana. The modern word “palace” derives from the Palatine Hill, reflecting its lasting association with imperial rule.

The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and a masterpiece of classical architecture, admired for its perfect proportions and geometry. Originally built in 27 BC by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa and dedicated to all the gods, it features a grand portico with Corinthian columns and a cylindrical structure topped by a massive dome. The building’s height equals the diameter of its dome—just over 43 meters—and during the summer solstice, sunlight streams through the oculus to form a luminous circle on the floor, highlighting the Pantheon’s extraordinary architectural precision.

Piazza Venezia, with its intrinsic elegance, makes it one of the places to visit in Rome. Not far from Piazza Venezia is the Altare della Patria , erected in honor of King Victor Emmanuel II, the main proponent of the Unity of Italy. The architectural structure represents an ideal ascending path that, through stairways and terraces, enriched by sculptural groups and bas-reliefs, rises up to the colonnaded portico surmounted by bronze quadrigae, allegories of the Unity of the Homeland and Freedom. In 1921, in the crypt designed by Armando Brasini, the body of the Unknown Soldier was buried. Starting from the proclamation of Rome as the Capital, and over the following decades, the entire area on Capitoline Hill was affected by the new urban layout that saw the demolition of the pre-existing medieval and Renaissance districts.

Near Piazza Bocca della Verità, beside the Temple of Portunus, stands a well-preserved circular marble temple long misidentified as Vesta but actually dedicated to Hercules Victor, protector of merchants from the nearby Foro Boario cattle market. Dating to ancient Rome’s early marble architecture, the temple once housed a celebrated bronze statue, now in the Capitoline Museums. Built of Hellenic marble, it features twenty Corinthian columns on a tuff base, with some Lunense marble columns added during restorations under Emperor Tiberius after the flood of 15 AD.

The Colosseum, officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is Rome’s most iconic monument and the largest amphitheater ever built. Commissioned by Emperor Vespasian and completed in 80 AD under his son Titus, it was constructed on the site of Nero’s former artificial lake and used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. Celebrated for centuries as a powerful symbol of ancient Rome, it later inspired Romantic-era writers and artists and today stands, along with the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, as part of the Colosseum Archaeological Park.

Built by Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum, it later began to play a very important military role. In fact, it was the place where popes took refuge during the invasions! A long passage (Passetto di Borgo) allows direct access from the Vatican City to Castel Sant’Angelo. Vatican City is the smallest nation in the world, yet it is one of the most visited places in Italy. Only priests and nuns, some dignitaries, guards, and the pope can live there. A little curiosity about the guards: they can only be Swiss and must, of course, be Catholic. They take an oath of allegiance to the Pope himself. This tradition dates back to the sack of Rome in 1527 when the Swiss guards protected the pope during his escape to Castel Sant'Angelo.

The Circus Maximus was the largest venue for public entertainment in ancient Rome and one of the biggest structures of its kind in history. Rebuilt largely under Emperor Trajan after repeated fires, it was further embellished by later emperors, including Constantius II, who placed a massive obelisk there in 357 AD, now standing at St. John Lateran. Used for events until the early 6th century, the site later became an archaeological area, with the medieval Torre della Moletta offering panoramic views that highlight the immense scale of the ancient circus.

Campo de’ Fiori is one of Rome’s most beloved squares and the only monumental piazza in the historic center without a church or basilica. Built under Pope Calixtus III on what was once a flower-filled field, the square became known for its lively fountain, nicknamed the “Terrina” after a lid was added to stop misuse. Restored in 1898 with a new fountain based on Della Porta’s original design, Campo de’ Fiori is also remembered for festive occasions when wine famously flowed from the fountain instead of water.

The Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) is one of Rome’s most famous symbols, now located in the portico of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where it was moved in 1632. Likely a Roman-era marble manhole cover dating back to ancient times, the large circular mask depicts a bearded face with hollowed features and symbolic carvings, possibly representing a deity or river god. Its name comes from a medieval legend claiming the mouth would bite the hand of anyone who told a lie.

The Vittoriano was commissioned in 1878 to honor King Vittorio Emanuele II and the Italian Risorgimento, later becoming the resting place of the Unknown Soldier in 1921 beneath the statue of the Goddess Rome. Dedicated to national unity and civic freedom, the monument features symbolic inscriptions, quadrigas, and fountains representing the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. Since 2007, a panoramic glass elevator has provided access to its terrace, offering sweeping views over Rome’s historic landmarks.