Rome sights and attractions

Welcome to our interactive map of the sites and attractions around Rome which we will update as often as possible - there is a great deal to see and do!

A visit to Rome so often involves learning about the city's ancient past and Roman heritage, with its archaeological sites and landmarks being amongst the world's most impressive and important, offering a real insight into the events that took place here some 2,000 years ago.

Many of the monuments and historical buildings in Rome are within walking distance of one another and are free to enter. The Pantheon is one of them.

The original Pantheon was built around the year 27 BC by Augustus's general, Marcus Agrippa. The Pantheon that you see today rising from the narrow and cobbled streets, was rebuilt by the Emperor Hadrian following a fire.  Work began in 110 AD and was finished in 126 AD. 

Hadrian's intent was that The Pantheon be used as a temple to the 12 most important classical deities.  It it still considered to be a place of worship. This amazing building is the final resting place of Italy's first King Vittorio Emanuele II, and the artist Raefaleo.

The roof was once clad in bronze and bronze from the beams in the portico was melted down in 1628 for Bernini to create the baldacchino that you can now see in the Vatican. However, the bronze doors are original.

Arcitechurally, the Pantheon stands as a monument to Roman ingenuity.  The diametre of the hemispherical dome is exactly equal to the height of the building.  In the centre of the dome is a hole measuring 9 metres (30 feet) in diameter.  As the only source of light, it is a symbolic link between the temple and the heavens. In the floor there are areas for rain water to run off.

When asked to picture a landmark of Rome, most people will immediately conjure up an image of the iconic Colosseum. 

Did you know that the Colosseum was originally built nearly 2,000 years ago and was then called the Amphitheatrum Flavium. It became known as the Colosseum because there used to be a gold-plated 'colossal' statue of Nero standing alongside it.

The Colosseum used to hold over 50,000 people and it's design remains the basic model for stadium design today.

The building of the Colosseum started in 70 AD during the rule of Emperor Vespasian.  Then, during AD 80, when Vespasian's son was on the throne, the Colosseum was inaugurated with a '100 days of carnage' in which the list of deaths goes like this:

The use of wild animals was finally banned in 523 AD when elephants and tigers we all but extinct in North Africa and Arabia.

Following the fall of the Roman Empire in the 6th century, the Colosseum was raided for it's marble and stone which was used around Rome. The large holes that you can see around the walls on the outside date back to the 9th century when Lombards pillaged the iron and lead clamps that were holding the block work together.

Piazza di Spagna sits beneath the church of Trinità dei Monti. It is however, The Spanish Steps which draw the crowds.

The 138 Spanish Steps, funded by the French diplomat Etienne Gueffier, were completed in 1725. At the bottom of the steps in the piazza, stands the Fontana della Barcaccia - Fountain of the Old Boat. This is believed to have been built by Pietro Bernini, the father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, in 1627.  Like the Trevi Fountain, the Barcaccia is fed by the water from acqua vergine. 

Their is a small bridge to one side of the fountain from where you can stand and collect fresh water for drinking.  So keep a small bottle on you at all times.

• Now you can stay near the Spanish Steps with airbnb.com: Rooftop Spanish Steps Apartment

When you see the Trevi Fountain for the first time, you cannot help but think that it is simply one of the most amazing pieces of sculpture in the world.

The tritons, rocks, trees, sea horses and Oceanus (the god of water) are full of motion and constantly surrounded by torrents of water. 

The original Trevi Fountain was built onto a wall of the Palazzo Poli in 19 BC, to mark the end of an underground acqueduct which was built to bring water from the surrounding mountains of Rome some 14 miles away. 

The fountain itself has been rebuilt in various forms over the many centuries. In 1628, Pope Urban VIII asked for a dramatic fountain to be placed at the site to replace an existing one.  Bernini was asked to design a fountain but when the Pope died the project was abandoned until 1732 when the present fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi was begun.  The project was completed some 30 years later.

It is considered lucky to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure your return to Rome.  Some 3,000 euros worth of coins are estimated to be thrown into the fountain every single day.  This money is periodically scooped and The Red Cross uses it to help the underprivileged and needy of Rome.