Rome monuments

Rome is a city of ancient history that still lives on today in its culture, art, and monuments that continue to stand in tribute to the forces that altered the city over time into its present entrancing form. There is no lack of places to explore to find these tidbits of past times, and their beauty will help you create a history of your own experience with them.

One of the grandest monuments to the city's ancient greatness is the Roman Coliseum, which opened to the public crowds around 80 a.d. The grounds of the Coliseum were a spectacle of bravery, blood, and death as gladiators, animals, and slaves battled and fought for their lives for the pleasure of the crowds. This ancient wonder was a mechanical spectacle, having a cover that could be extended over it in bad weather, a myriad of tunnels below where the animals were kept for the battles, and unique lift systems to bring them to the surface.

Another grand stop in your tour of Rome can be the Pantheon, which holds your attention from its amazing dome down to the breathtaking art with an array of carvings and statues made from marble. It carries a history both of the Romans, and later Christians who utilized it as a place of worship. It holds many tombs, Rafaello's as one example.

The Arch of Constantine is a celebration monument for Emperor Constantine's grand victory over the Massenzio. Its construction is an example of a practice common during its time, as its stones were taken from other buildings and churches in order to construct it. The dramatic relief carvings on its facade are an excellent example of the Romans' talent with art, showing scenes of battle with the Dacians. Being one of the key triumphal arches in Rome, it worth a stop on your journey.

One definite site to partake of is St. Peter's Basilica, built by the great Bernini. Located as part of the Vatican, this exquisite building holds an endless array of some of Rome's most beautiful art which stretches from the outside walls into the buildings' statues and paintings that adorn it. One of the most famous statues in the building was done by Michealangelo, "La Pieta." It is a tragic scene of Mary holding her child, Christ, in her lap after he has been taken down off of the cross. Her expression is captured in perfect anguish, and will hold you spell bound with the artist's talent to capture the human condition. There are also statues and the canopy itself constructed of bronze. If you walk up to the dome of the building, you will be rewarded with a view of Rome's landscape below.

The Capitol is a unique part of Rome laid out under the architectural planning of Michealangelo. It served the dual purpose of being the center of religion for Rome and the home of the Senate, the political body of the Romans. The streets, squares, and buildings are flanked around by statues and designs by such greats as Michealangelo and Dioscuri, one excellent example being the statue of Marcus Aurelius in the square.

Salvi, an ancient world artist and architect, gave us the Trevi Fountain. This exquisite monument is one to drink in as you watch the water spilling from the feet of the rich carvings on its front, a mixture of the sea god and animals both from the actual world and that of mythology writhe at his feet in the midst of the fountain's tumbling moisture. The four distinct groups of statues tell different stories, as commissioned by Pope Clement XII. This fountain, claimed as the most famous and beautiful in the entire city, is said to help come back if you will only drop a coin into its depths.

Rome's rich heritage, culture and religious history is entwined deeply within its many monuments, and if you choose to journey among them, you will leave greatly changed by the experience. Their ravaged walls or preserved beauty are one of the best ways to dip your foot into the ancient greatness that was once Rome.