Interesting Facts

- Rome is both the largest and the capital city of Italy.

- The word ‘Romans' has actually derived from the word ‘romance'. However, there was not much romance noticed between the people of ancient Rome as far as marriage was concerned. No legal register or institution was present to conduct it.

- The first modern city to reach a population of 1 million was Rome.

- The two ways of telling time in ancient Rome was the water clock and the sundial. Neither of them was worn on the wrist.

- A majority of the medical community in ancient Rome comprised of slaves. During those days, slavery was the easiest way to obtain citizenship in Rome. After six years of satisfactory service the slave could finally earn his freedom.

II. Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (Basilica of St. John Lateran)

San Giovanni, established by Constantine in the 4th century, was the first Christian basilica to be constructed in Rome. It is famous for being Rome's cathedral and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope. It was destroyed by fire twice and was rebuilt several times. The various combinations of styles used in its construction have made it an extremely impressive church.

A message on the facade, Christo Salvatore, dedicates the Lateran as Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior, for all patriarchal basilicas are dedicated to Christ himself. As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, containing the official ecclesiastical seat (Cathedra Romana), it is positioned above all other churches in the Roman Catholic Church, even above St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican.

The interior has been done up on several occasions. In 1425, Martin V had the floor inlaid with marble ransacked from other abandoned Roman churches. Borromini made some elaborate modifications in the mid-17th century. The bronze doors of the eastern facade were moved here from the Curia in the Roman Forum. The most attention-grabbing attribute is Alessandro Galilei's huge white facade. A mid-18th-century illustration of late baroque classicism, it was designed on such a scale to communicate the authority and infinite power of the Church. It is covered with colossal statues representing Christ with Saint John the Baptist and the 12 apostles. The Gothic baldacchino over the papal altar contains remnants including the heads of Saints Peter and Paul.

B. Capuchin Cemetery

After touring the luxurious and lavish interiors of Rome, tourists visiting the Capuchin Cemetery are exposed to the bizarre and macabre chapels of this cemetery. The decorative elements in the chapel, right from the numerous picture frames to the common light fittings are all made of human bones.

In the church basement, you can see the preserved remains of 4,000 Capuchin friars, which are on display. These remains have been molded into a gruesome, monumental ‘work of art,' with the skulls and bones' being used for alters, chandeliers, and decorative wall designs. It is said that the artist's objective was not to alarm or upset visitors, but rather to inspire prayer and meditation.

Between 1528 and 1870, the Capuchin monks robed in brown decorated this cemetery with the dried up remains of their deceased brothers. The message conveyed is fittingly pious: 'What you are now we used to be, what we are now you will be'.

The arch of the chapel has been crafted from hundreds of skulls. The vertebrae are used as fleurs-de-lis, and light fittings are made of limb bones. The monks in charge of looking after the cemetery request a 'compulsory' donation from visitors. As such, it is advisable that you have some small notes handy.

The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Concezione, present above the cemetery, has a gorgeous St Michael by Reni (in the first chapel to the right of the door) and Pietro da Cortona's St Paul's Sight Being Restored (first chapel on the left).

Hours: Fri-Wed 9:00am-12:00pm & 3:00pm-6:00pm

C. The Vatican

Vatican City, previously known as the State of the Vatican City, or Vatican City State, is a tiny autonomous state whose territory consists of a closed in enclave within the city of Rome, Italy. The total land area of the entire state is about 44 hectares (108.7 acres) and thus is regarded as a European microstate. It is the smallest independent nation in the world and is presided over by the Bishop of Rome (the Pope).

This tiny, independent city was established in AD 90, when the first memorial was built on what was believed to be the site of St. Peter's martyrdom. In the fourth century the emperor Constantine had a basilica constructed over the tomb. Following a series of assaults, Pope Leo IV bordered the area with an imposing 12-metre wall, which expanded over the centuries to surround more land. Restricted to the area behind the wall after the Italian Unification of 1870, and acting as an independent state since 1929, the Vatican leads a separate existence from the rest of Rome.

The major sights and destinations can, and do, observe strict dress code. For example, you will not be allowed in if you wear clothing that bares your legs or shoulders. Credit cards are not accepted throughout the city, even though the Vatican is a duty-free zone. Once inside, the first destination to visit has to be St Peter's Basilica. The dome, erected in 1590 on the basis of Michelangelo's detailed specifications, was the largest brick constructions ever built. Visitors are required to ascend via a cramped lift followed by many stairs. The top of the Basilica offers fabulous views of the beautiful Vatican Gardens, Bernini's piazza and the city beyond. Below the dome, Bernini's curlicued bronze covering triumphs over the altar.

Under the chapels, one containing Michelangelo's Pieta, are the graves of recent popes, including John Paul II. Further down, the Necropolis is where many believe exists the burial ground of St Peter. The Vatican Museums are so huge that there are four color-coded schedules to choose from.

D. Colosseum

The Colosseum or Coliseum, formerly called the Flavian Amphitheatre, is the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire. Initially capable of comfortably seating 50,000 spectators, it was once used for gladiatorial combat. The Colosseum is situated to the east of the Roman Forum and was constructed in the 70s AD.

The Colosseum is an imposing structure, which measures 48 meters high, 188 meters long, and 156 meters wide. The wooden arena floor was covered by sand (Latin word for sand is harena or arena). Its oval shape prevented the players from withdrawing to a corner, and allowed the spectators to be closer to the action than a circle would allow.

E. Catacombs

The Catacombs of Rome are the cavernous Christian cemeteries of the third to fifth centuries. Romans themselves practiced cremation and aboveground burials were prohibited within the city.

As a result, Christians were forced to look for options outside the city to bury their dead, which they believed must be done in imitation of Christ's death, the body remaining whole for a resurrection.

Land, however, was costly, and as a rule, the Christians were not exactly the richest sections of the population. The answer was simple, and proved valuable over a period of three centuries.

They dug subterranean passages, sometimes three and four levels deep, where alcoves would be cut into the walls, measuring roughly 24 x 59", and where the dead were laid in their clothes and funeral linens, sprinkled with scented oils to mask the odor of decay.

The well to do had their ‘vaults' sealed with a slab on which their name, date of death, and perhaps a Christian symbol had been chiseled. The bodies are long gone, but tourists can still walk through the echoing passages, and get a sense of the lingering spirits.

F. Villa D'Este, Tivoli

While the hilltop center of Tivoli is well worth a visit for its overall charms, the Villa still boasts some of the grandeur and glamour from ancient times. The picturesque gardens and fountains, viewable from its windows, provide extraordinary views. Geysers of water erupt out of statues' body offering an unexpected yet spectacular view.