Tours & Activities Combos in Rome

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.

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.