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Places To Visit When In Rome

By: Patrick Omari

If you are looking for somewhere to visit but can't quite make up your mind, I highly recommend taking a trip to Rome. This magnificent capital makes for an exciting city break with so many wonderful sights to see. Here are three places that are definitely worth a visit due to their rich history and should not be missed.

When in Rome a visit to the Vatican is a must and it is necessary to leave a significant amount of time to explore this fascinating place. It would be easy to spend an entire day here. The Vatican City is an Independent State of approximately 110 acres and a population of around 800 making it the smallest State in the world by both population and area. It is possible to send a postcard from the Vatican City post office. The Vatican City has a non-hereditary, elected monarchy that is ruled by the Bishop of Rome- the Pope. The highest State functionaries are all Clergymen of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican is home to the Pope, as well as the Holy See, the body politic of the Roman Catholic Church and the jurisdiction of the Pope. Although the terms "Vatican City" and "Holy See" are often used interchangeably, the Holy See dates back to Christian times unlike the Vatican City, which dates back to 1929 through the decrees of the Lateran Treaties in response to the unification of Italy and the annexation of Rome in 1870. The Holy See actually extends much further than the walls of the Vatican. The Holy See is the governing authority of Roman Catholic institutions everywhere, and the Vatican City is its home base.

When you first arrive at the Vatican you are faced with the most beautiful sights including a wall with exquisite statues created by the artist Bernini for Pope Alexander VII over the span of two years (1656-1657). A large obelisk surrounded by fountains sits in the middle of the square, and an enormous marble platform leads from the square to St. Peter's Basilica from which the Pope delivers his weekly blessing.

The original basilica was built in the 4th century as the final resting place for the tomb of St. Peter. The "new" basilica was built about 500 years ago over the foundation of the old one. The basilica is easily the largest in the world, and is considered the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church. Famous work by Michelangelo rest here.

The Sistene Chapel should definitely be visited for it's historical importance and beauty. It is a complete work of art and is home to the two world-famous Michelangelo fresco's "The Last Judgment" and "Genesis", as well as Boticelli's "Temptations Of Christ". The Sistine Chapel is the Pope's official private chapel, and the place where Cardinals from around the world are brought together to elect a new Pope.

The Vatican museum can not be bypassed when visiting the Vatican City. It is the home to centuries worth of treasures collected by and gifted to the papacy. Collections of ancient Roman, Etruscan, Greek, and Egyptian relics and a vast collection of Renaissance pieces are some of the most famous exhibits.

It is important to note that you will not be allowed into any of the Churches in the Vatican City or probably any Churches around Rome if you are wearing shorts, short skirts or a sleeveless tops. It is wise to dress respectfully in trousers and a top with sleeves or at least a shawl if you plan to make the most out of your visit and see all that the Vatican has to offer.

Situated close to the Vatican is my next recommended place of interest known at Castel Sant' Angelo. It is a wonderful, towering cylindrical building and is the mausoleum of Hadrian. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian, as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used as a fortress, castle and is now a museum. If you climb all the way to the top, there are the most amazing panoramic views of the capital City. If you look hard enough you can even see the Colosseum and The Roman Forum.

Last, but certainly not least, I would definitely recommend seeing The Pantheon. It is not a big building and therefore will not take up a significant part of your day, but it is a very historical place filled with art, including the painting Annunciation by Melozzoda Forli.

The Pantheon was originally built as a temple to all the Gods of Ancient Rome, hence the name Pantheon, which is translated from the Greek, literally meaning "a temple of all Gods" and re-built circa 125AD during Hadrian's reign. It is the oldest standing domed structure in Rome and is extremely well preserved, perhaps the most preserved building of it's age in the world. The height to the top of the building also known as the Oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same (43.3M).

One of the building's most fascinating features is it's Oculus. This is Latin for the word eye and when you see it, it becomes clear why. The Oculus is a round circle directly in the centre of the domed roof and provides the only source of light for the entire building. When it rains, the rain water falls straight through the hole into the building. It is an incredible sight to watch. The centre is made out of bounds due to safety on these occasions, as the floor becomes very slippy. There are drainage systems to help the water flow away.

Since the Renaissance, the Pantheon has been used as a tomb and is still used today as a Church. Masses take place there, as do the ceremonies for particularly important Catholic days of obligation and weddings.

With plenty to see and much to learn, Rome makes for an enjoyable trip. Take good walking shoes and a good camera, find a map and explore the city in style.

Article Source: http://articles.directorygold.com

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in airport hotels and Edinburgh airport parking

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