Vatican Museums

Known officially as the State of the Vatican City, the Vatican happens to be the capital of the Roman Catholic Church. Making for the smallest independent country of the world, Vatican City is known popularly for its architectural marvels. Packed with historical and religious buildings, this small nation has a charm of its own. Vatican City was founded during the 326 A.D. With the growth of housing and population, the very first palace came into existence during the rule of Pope Symmachus in the fifth century. The Papal States flourished under the Roman Empire and encompassed a huge part of Italy. However, after the Italian unification in the nineteenth century, the only surviving Papal State was that of the Vatican. Vatican City started being considered as an independent state after the Lateran Treaty was signed in the year 1929. At present, the Vatican is one of the most popular tourist destinations of the world. Attracting history fanatics and pilgrims, the country brims with a myriad of amazing attractions including the Vatican Museums, the Vatican Gardens, the Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica of St. Peter. Tourism happens to be the primary source of revenue of Vatican City with the Vatican Museums bringing in more than 4.3 million visitors alone every year.

The Pantheon is the most iconic landmark of Rome that has become a major crowd puller in recent days! It is an ancient monument which is famous for being the first pagan temple that has been transformed into a church! It has a mind-boggling history and has been reconstructed twice after being burned down by fires. The architecture, which was applauded by even Michelangelo, is the reason why people from all over the world flood to see this marvel! Unlike other monuments, it has not fallen into ruins, probably because of the fine quality of the materials used for its construction. It is still relevant in the 21st century and is used for mass gatherings and weddings! It is dedicated solely to St.Mary and it is touted to be the most well-preserved Roman building in the entire world. The mighty dome of the Pantheon is the single largest unreinforced  dome in the entire world. This monument is so celebrated that it has been the inspiration behind the design of a plethora of buildings throughout Europe, including the Belle Isle House in England. The other reason Pantheon is well known is that the painting maestros Raphael and composer Arcangelo Corelli have been buried here. You can witness here two sources of light from the entry door and the oculus. The structure is built in such a way that light from the oculus goes around the room throughout the day in reverse sundial effect.

Roman Forum is an archaeological site in Rome with staggering ruins of ancient monuments, temples, government buildings, and public spaces. It was once the center for all religious, political, public and commercial activities of the Roman Empire and has now turned into a major tourist attraction of present-day Rome. The Roman Forum, also known as Forum Romanum in Latin is located in the heart of the ancient city. It is the most influential representation of the iconic Roman architecture where you can witness the remnants of the powerful Roman Empire and experience its splendor. The ruins narrate countless stories of valor, alliance, deceit, conspiracy, victory, and defeat of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.Walking through the ruins, you can imagine life as it was around 20 centuries ago and gain unprecedented insights into the lives of Ancient Romans. In those times this multi-purpose site had served several royal purposes and was the most celebrated meeting place in the world for centuries. After the Fall of the Roman Empire, the precious monuments on the Forum were torn down and its glory was scrambled. The Forum had been buried for centuries before it recovered to become one of the most visited archaeological sites. Today these mysterious remains attract more than 4.5 million visitors annually. If you are holidaying in Rome, a visit to the Roman Forum along with the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill will let you understand the Eternal City through its history.

Considered to be the center of Christendom, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the major pilgrimage sites of the Vatican City. A home to many Renaissance and Baroque art, this iconic basilica is a major attraction for history lovers as it takes them in for a ride through the impressive Roman history. You can have a look at various monuments and sculptures created by many talented legendary artists. The most famous among them are the baldachin, Michelangelo’s Pietà by Bernini, a statue of St. Longinus, the tomb of Urban VIII, and the bronze cathedral of St. Peter. St. Peter’s Basilica used to be the tallest building at the time it was built and presently, it is the church with the tallest dome in the world. The great height of the building provides a beautiful view of the entire city. The art in and around the church is unique and every part has a history of its own, conveying the visitors the story and richness of Christianity and Rome. In the year 1984, St. Peter’s Basilica was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basilica is historically associated with the Early Christian Church, the Protestant Reformation, the Papacy, and the Catholic Counter-Reformation. It has also been associated with a number of artists, especially Michelangelo. With so much to witness and so much to click, St. Peter’s Basilica indeed makes for a recommended visit in the Vatican.

St. Peter's Square, also known as the "Piazza San Pietro" is the gateway to the Vatican and is located in the heart of the city. Right in front of the square is located the St. Peter's Basilica, the world's second-largest Catholic church.The Basilica and the Square, are both named after "Saint Peter", an apostle of Jesus, considered to be the first Pope. The Vatican City and the St. Peter's square holds much importance to the pilgrims of the Catholic faith.The Vatican became the primary papal (Pope's) residence in 1378. It is one of the highlights of the square since visitors can see the papal apartments as well as the place from where the pontiff addresses the crowd. If you are in the city, you may also get a chance to see the Pope's weekly blessing that takes place at the square.The design of the square resembles that of a keyhole. The square measures around 320 by 240m and has double-collonaded wings; the design represent s the 'motherly/maternal arms of the church' embracing and protecting the brethren.At the centre of the square is an ancient Egyptian obelisk (tapered monolithic pillar). The entire square is opulent with its splendid architecture, including the Basilica. It also has a rich history that goes back a thousand years, making it one of the most visited places.

Fontana di Trevi, better known as the Trevi Fountain holds the first position in the list if Rome’s most celebrated monuments. Making for a classic symbol of this spectacular city, this fountain happens to be a major free attraction, propelling approximately 1,200 visitors every hour. Situated in the historic center of Rome, this sculptural monument is perched on a square close to the meeting point of  Via di S. Vincenzo, Via del Lavatore, and Via della Stamperia. Built in the year 1762 and renovated in the year 2015 by Fendi, the iconic Trevi Fountain is famous all over the world as a conceptualized structure that shares a story with its spectators. Each relief and statue in the fountain is personified to manifest important characters. According to the custom, there is also a ritual associated with the fountain, which assures luck to the people throwing coins into its water.The elegant and dreamy Trevi Fountain has not only attracted tourists, but it has also enticed a number of filmmakers to shoot at the location. According to most of the visitors, the fountain looks its best at night. The moon reflects its light in the basin of the fountain, the cobblestone shimmers, and the pure white marble sparkles due to the streetlights, making for an ideal romantic setting. That said, catching a glimpse of the fountain during sunrise makes for an exquisite sight as well. So, no matter when you pay a visit to this iconic piece of grandeur, just make sure to make the most out of the moment!

Known to be the most ancient church in the world, Basilica of St. John Lateran is one of the main tourist attractions in Rome. Built around the 4th century, this fascinating architecture is standing still even after going through various earthquakes, fires, and natural calamities. Rome, known for its beautiful architecture, has been blessed with this ancient holy place said to be the “Mother and head of all churches on earth”. Basilica of St. John Lateran is an essential spot for many pilgrims and is one of the most beautiful landmasses in Rome. Location: Piazza di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 4, 00184 Roma RM, ItalyTimings: 9AM - 4:10PMEntry fee: INR 800( € 10)

In the heart of the city where all the main attractions are located, stands a crossroad - Centro Storico, having a number of monuments telling their own stories. From popular Italian high street brands like Fendi, Gucci, and Versace, to on-the-spot brewed beers, this place offers an endless amount of things to see and activities to do. Centro Storico is also home to some famous art galleries like Spazio Rossana Orlandi and Galleria Deodato Arte. All the main attractions of the city are located around this place, including a world-famous Hadrian’s Temple which was turned into a church. Centro Storico is also famous for its street food which can be enjoyed with a view of marvelous ancient architecture. In total, if you are looking for places to see in Rome, then you mustn't miss Centro Storico.Location: Centro Storico, 00186 Roma RM, ItalyTimings: Open 24x7Entry fee: Free