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Activities To Do Near Colosseum Rome
When you are walking through the Roman Forum, it is like stepping into ancient Rome. The still standing columns, triumphal arches and remains of its walls still impress many visitors. This was the main center of Roman Politics and Religion. It was the 18th and 19th centuries that systematic excavations brought the ancient buildings to light.
St. Peter’s basilica is a magnificent architectural marvel and one of the most important Christian sites in the world. It is a Basilica raised over the tomb of St. Peter who was one of the 12 apostles and an integral figure of Christianity’s history. The St. Peter’s Basilica houses many unique works of arts and architecture like the Baldachino, the Dome of the Pantheon, the Navicellla mosaic, the Altar of Confessions. One of the things to do near Colosseum Rome is to visit Michelangelo's masterpiece, Pieta, inside St. Peter's Basilica.
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Among other activities to do near the Colosseum, Rome is visiting the phenomenal ceiling artwork in the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel gets its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned the chapel’s construction on the foundations of the original Capella Magna in 1477. Before Michelangelo began working on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508, it had been decorated with a fresco of a blue night sky with golden stars by the Umbrian artist Piero Matteo d’Amelia. It took Michelangelo four years to finish the fresco. He had to paint God six times in the chapel. The Sistine Chapel is a historic building of such great magnificence that over five million people a year come to visit. This is the site where new Popes are chosen and elected by the College of Cardinals.
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The Castel Sant Angelo was built in the 2nd century as a mausoleum by Emperor Hadrian. It did not become associated with Archangel Michael until 590 AD. Pope Gregory I saw Archangel Michael sheathe his sword on top of the mausoleum during a plague to signal the end of the epidemic. It was then that Pope Pius II built a chapel at the site. The remarkable bronze statue of Archangel Michael was made in 1753 by Peter Anton von Verschaffelt. At the Castel Sant Angelo you can visit many great parts of the museum. One of the most exploring areas are the Tomb of Hadrian, the Papal quarters, the fortress, a well kept frescos and more is open to many travelers.
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The Villa Borghese located in Borghese Gardens is a must for one to visit near The Colosseum, Rome. It was constructed as a party villa and to house the Borghese art collection. The gallery contains many paintings, sculptures, mosaics, and reliefs most of which are from the 15th to the 18th century by Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, and Rubens.
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The Pantheon is a historic edifice of Roman architecture. It is the inspiration for the layout of St. Peter’s Basilica. It has a 43-meter high dome which is a superlative achievement of Roman architecture as it seems to hang suspended without any visible supports. In 609 AD Pope Boniface IV dedicated it to the Virgin Mary and all the Christian martyrs, and since then, it has become the burial place of Italian kings (Victor Emmanuel II) and other famous Italian figures, including the painter Raphael.
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The Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome's earliest settlement and rock-cuttings. It later became the site chosen by the emperors and great aristocratic families for creating palaces. Make sure you get the hill in your list of things to do near colosseum rome.
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Constructed by Caracalla in 216 AD, these were much more than public baths. They were a complete sports center, with hot and cold baths, a swimming pool, dry and steam saunas, gymnastics and sports facilities, social rooms, gardens, libraries, hairdressers, and shops.
The massive structure of Baths of Caracalla covered an area of 300 square meters, a complex of gigantic halls with large domes and vaulting. The floors and walls were covered with marbles, mosaics, and frescoes; even in ruin their brilliance is still apparent.
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The masterpiece in Rome that has been immortalized in films is a required visit once in the city. Throwing a coin in the fountain is a tradition that is supposed to assure your return to Rome. It is Rome's largest fountain, Fontana di Trevi is supplied by an aqueduct originally constructed by Agrippa. The Trevi Fountain was created for Pope Clement XII between 1732 and 1751 by Nicolò Salvi. It depicts the sea god Oceanus (Neptune), with their horses, tritons, and shells.
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The Centro Storico is a location filled with many artistic churches, dazzling palaces, and energetic squares that guarantee you to have a great vacation as you stroll through its ancient streets. The Spanish Steps are a flight of irregular stairs and landings leading up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti. The stairs have long been a favorite spot of tourists.
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Piazza Navona is a square built while incorporating the remnants of the Roman Emperor Domitian’s stadium. It was used for festivals and horse races in the past and was rebuilt by Borromini.Its masterful blend of facades, campaniles and domes demonstrate the manner in which Baroque architecture intertwines convex and concave surfaces, gables, windows, columns, and piers into a cohesive design.
Although Borromini designed the square and its surrounding facades, it was his archrival, Bernini, who created its centerpiece, the beautiful Baroque fountain, Fontana dei Fiumi. The masterfully designed fountain represents the four rivers then thought to be the greatest ones on each of the known continents, personifying the Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio de la, each accompanied by plants and animals of their respective regions. It is good to have this among things to do near Colosseum Rome.
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The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world that has an area of less than half a square kilometer, most of it being enclosed by the Vatican walls. Explore the beauty of Inside of these walls where lies the Vatican palace and gardens, St. Peter's Basilica, and St. Peter's Square. The St. Peter’s Basilica is an art in itself with mighty walls, sacred High Altar by Bernini and the majestic dome made by the great Michelangelo. The Vatican is ruled by the Pope, who is the supreme head of the Roman Catholic Church. Experience the mesmerizing and highly remarkable gem of the Vatican museum, the Sistine Chapel, whose magnificent frescoed ceiling is Michelangelo's most famous work.
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FAQs
Why is the Colosseum Rome famous?
The Colosseum was built as part of an imperial effort to revitalize Rome. The Colosseum was an entertainment venue, hosting gladiator fights, animal hunts, and even mock naval battles.
What time is best to visit the Colosseum?
The best time of day to visit the Colosseum is right at opening (8:30 AM) or 1-2 hours before closing, based on the sunset time. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before opening to breeze through the entrance.
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Is it worth going inside the Colosseum?
Yes, the Colosseum is wonderful and a visit inside is the best way to understand how much more than gladiator stories there is to this monument. The inside of the Colosseum is beautiful, interesting, varied, it’s a dream for photographers.
What is so special about St. Peter's Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the holiest sites of Christianity and Catholic Tradition. It is the burial site of St. Peter, who was one of twelve Apostles of Jesus and first Pope.
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Who painted the walls of the Sistine Chapel?
It is Renaissance frescoes painted by Michelangelo. The Creation of Adam, detail of the ceiling fresco by Michelangelo, 1508–12.
Why is the Sistine Chapel so famous?
It is famous for its Renaissance frescoes by Michelangelo. The Creation of Adam, detail of the ceiling fresco by Michelangelo, 1508–12; in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.
What is the Borghese Gallery known for?
The Borghese Gallery is an art museum, which is widely considered to be one of the best art galleries in Rome. It's famous for its vast collection of Bernini sculptures.
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Why is Vatican City so famous?
Vatican City contains religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums. It is the seat of Christianity’s power throughout the world.
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What was the Pantheon in Rome used for?
The word Pantheon is derived from the ancient Greek words 'pan' (all) and theos (god). The temple was dedicated to the worship of all gods. This is reflected still today in the name of the present-day church which is Santa Maria e Martiri (St Mary and all the Martyrs).
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