If there's one city that has a rich heritage, it's Rome. The “Eternal City” has been around for centuries, having been the capital of one of the biggest empires in the world. To this day, some of the special sites, landmarks, and monuments that have helped define Rome over the years still stand. There's the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column, and the religious buildings of The Vatican, to name a few. When you think of Rome, these places instantly come to mind. And these are the best spots to visit on World Heritage Day this April 18th. Celebrate the heritage of the Italian capital by visiting these wonderful places!
Vatican City
More than just a mere site, one of the best places to visit in Rome on World Heritage Day is an entire country. The Vatican City is home to the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church. Although this place is widely considered its own territory, it remains part of the Italian capital. At the very least, you won't need to show your
Schengen Visa to go here! And as far as heritage is concerned, everything you need to know about one of the biggest religions in the world is here. Among its many famous spots include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, and the Sistine Chapel.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Colosseum
While Paris has the
Eiffel Tower and London has Big Ben, Rome has its iconic Colosseum. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this was the largest entertainment menu during the Roman Empire. It opened back in 80 AD and hosted all sorts of spectacles. Most famously, the gladiator matches drew in all sorts of people, from nobility to commoners alike. The fact that the amphitheater, specifically its overall core, is still standing today is astounding. Despite everything that Rome and the rest of Italy have gone through, the Colosseum still stood as a reminder of the former empire's glory.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Pantheon
Another relic of Rome's former empire, the Pantheon is perhaps the most intact out of all the buildings that have survived from that time. It's also one of the oldest, having been inaugurated by Agrippa back in 25 BC. Just like the Colosseum, the fact that Pantheon still stands is already amazing. You couldn't have found a better place to visit for World Heritage Day in Rome! Even more so since it now stands as a memorial for all the kings that have ruled Italy back when it was still a monarchy. Talk about historic!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Castel Sant’Angelo
Speaking of memorials, you can't miss out on seeing Castel Sant’Angelo in person while you're in Rome! Built around 123 AD, it's the mausoleum where Emperor Hadrian, one of the many historic rulers of the Roman Empire, is buried. You can even visit his final resting place too. And as another centuries-old monument, it has preserved the style and identity of Rome and Italy's past. For one thing, it's one of the very few Medieval structures in the city. If you explore the many
neighborhoods in Rome, you'll find very few buildings that looked like this.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Altare della Patria
Translated into English, Altare della Patria means the “Altar of The Fatherland.” It's a pretty apt name considering that this is the monument that pays tribute to Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy, the first king of Italy. A rather grand and palatial estate, the place symbolizes Rome's rich history and impactful heritage. You can see it in the many details throughout the landmark. You'll notice that the palm, for example, is a common motif throughout the site. The plant symbolized victory. The myrtle, on the other hand, represents sacrifice. All these and more define what Italy became under its first king and beyond.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Trajan's Column
Located on Via dei Fori Imperiali, Trajan's Column will take you back to the Roman Empire again. This time, to the Daclarn Wars of 101 AD to 106 AD. Though it consisted of many bloody battles and political conflicts, Emperor Trajan had the last laugh. And as a symbol of his victory, Trajan's Column was erected in 113 AD. When you go up to the monument and look at it closely, you'll find that it tells the story of that tumultuous time. And further down the line, you'll learn even more about Trajan's victory and its impact on the Roman Empire.
Source: Flickr.com/ Rodney
Bocca della Verità
Anyone who's a fan of
Audrey Hepburn and has seen her breakout movie, “Roman Holiday” (1951), knows all about Bocca della Verità. Yet its true nature and history remain a mystery. Apart from that famous movie scene, all that people know about this unique and somewhat eerie monument is that it's said to be the face of Jupiter Ammon, the god of oceans and that it uttered miracles back in the Middle Ages. In modern times, however, legend says that if you place your hand in its mouth and tell a lie, it will be bitten off.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Jorge Franganillo
Circus Maximus
Finally, there's Circus Maximus. If you didn't know about this place before, don't worry! Compared to the likes of the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain, it's one of the more
underrated spots in Rome. Yet it's also one of the best places to visit on World Heritage Day. Why? Because it's considered the largest sports stadium ever built. Do take note, however, that this is the kind of stadium you see today. In fact, instead of a big structure, it's more like an open field. This served as the site for horse racing in the early decades of the 6th century.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Tom Corser
Rome is a treasure trove of incredible sites that you'd do well to visit on World Heritage Day. Some of them are even the oldest landmarks and monuments in the entire world. They've existed for many centuries and are relics of those bygone eras.
