Rome is a monumental city, full of history, where strolling through the streets gives the impression of being in an open-air museum. Wherever you go, you will find something amazing to see and admire.
If it is your first time going to the “Eternal City”, in this article we are going to review the 10 best monuments in Rome so that you know the most essential ones that you cannot miss in your itinerary of this what to see and do in Rome . Let’s get started!
1. The Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum is the most important monument in Rome and a symbol of the city. About two millennia old (which isn’t that long ago), it is the largest amphitheater built under the Roman Empire. It had a capacity of 50,000 spectators and no other building exceeded this number until the 20th century.
Its construction began in 72 AD, during the time of the Emperor of Rome, when the Colosseum was built. For more than five centuries it hosted the most diverse shows enjoyed by the population of the era: naval battles, gladiator fights, wild beast fights and public executions of prisoners, among others.
The last games held in the Colosseum took place in the 6th century AD and, despite several fires, earthquakes and looting during the Middle Ages, this iconic monument continues to dominate Rome’s imposing landscape.
If its architecture is impressive on the outside, the interior of the Colosseum will not leave you indifferent . It is undoubtedly one of the best monuments in Rome and to visit it without having to wait in endless queues at the entrance, I recommend reading the article about tickets for the Colosseum in Rome .
- Address : Piazza del Colosseo, 00184 Rome.
- How to get to the Colosseum in Rome : By metro, line B, Colosseo station.
Book a tour to the Colosseum, Forum and Palatine Hill
2. St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest Christian church in the world and an important spiritual symbol for Catholics, as it was erected over the tomb of the Apostle St. Peter (the first pope in history), who was martyred in Rome and whose remains rest today inside.
In the 16th century, Pope Julius II ordered its construction over an earlier temple that Emperor Constantine had erected in the 4th century AD and which remained standing for over a thousand years. Besides being a religious icon, St. Peter’s Basilica is also an artistic masterpiece .
Great artists like Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Michelangelo, Giacomo Della Porta, Donato d’Angelo Bramante and Carlo Maderno participated in the project and the work lasted almost two centuries.
There’s lots to see inside! To know it in depth and make the most of the experience, you will find in the article Visit Saint Peter’s Basilica everything you need to know about this monument.
Ah! And don’t forget to climb the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, because from up there you will have one of the best views of Rome .
- Address : Piazza San Pietro, 00120. Vatican City.
- How to get there : By metro, line A, Ottaviano station.
3. the Sistine Chapel
The Sixtine Chapel is one of the greatest jewels of the Renaissance in Rome and Michelangelo’s masterpiece , despite his inexperience in painting, since he called himself a sculptor and not a painter.
The commission from Julius II was a real challenge for the artist, who devoted ten years of his life to decorating the vault and the back wall above the main altar, and the result is a marvel. But other artists have also worked in this space, such as Botticelli, Perugino or Luca.
It is undeniable that it is one of the must-see places to see in Rome during a trip! You’ll find the Sistine Chapel near St. Peter’s Basilica on the Vatican Museums tour.
It is one of the chapels of the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City , where the official residence of the Holy Father is located, and it is known not only for its spectacular decoration, but also for being the place where popes are chosen .
- Address : Viale Vaticano, 51.
- How to get there : By metro, line A, Cipro-Musei Vaticani station.
4. Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful monuments in Rome and therefore one of the most visited places in the city. The reason is simple: it is the most beautiful fountain in the world .
Its history dates back to the time of Emperor Augustus, when this fountain constituted the last section of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct built in the 1st century BC. However, the current fountain dates from the 17th century and was commissioned by Pope Clement XII to the architect Nicola Salvi, who surprised everyone with this allegory of the ocean presided over by the god Neptune.
And this is passed down from generation to generation because when you see the Trevi Fountain from the front, you will be impressed by the contrast between the smallness of the square in which it is located and the monumentality of the fountain itself.
If you want to see it in all its glory and avoid the crowds, I recommend going at a time other than midday or late in the day as you will be more likely to encounter crowds of tourists.
Don’t forget to follow the tradition of throwing a coin into the water to bring good fortune back to Rome.
- Address : Trevi Square. 00187, Rome.
- How to get there : By metro, line A, Barberini station.
5. The Pantheon of Agrippa
The Pantheon of Agrippa is one of the best monuments in Rome to visit, as it is the best preserved building in ancient Rome . This was possible because at the beginning of the 7th century, Pope Boniface IV transformed it into a church dedicated to Christians martyred during persecution.
This building dates from the 2nd century AD and constitutes one of the greatest works of Roman architecture . The most remarkable features of the Pantheon of Agrippa are the precision and harmony of its construction and the central oculus of the dome through which sunlight penetrates, giving the temple a unique atmosphere.
This monument is worth a visit at any time of the year, but I recommend visiting in particular on June 21 (during the summer solstice) to see the sunlight pass through the oculus perpendicularly or on Pentecost Sunday , when, after the 10:30 a.m. mass, a shower of red petals is thrown through the oculus in memory of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. It’s a magnificent sight!
In addition to being a church, the Pantheon of Agrippa is also a royal pantheon since it contains the tombs of Vittorio Emanuele II, Umberto I and Margherita of Savoy and even the tomb of the Renaissance painter Raphael.
- Address : Piazza della Rotonda.
- How to get there : By metro, line A, Barberini station.
