I've been to a few cities in Italy, but Rome makes it to the top of my list! There's no cozier and beautiful city to just stroll the streets, finding nice restaurants and cute hangouts around every corner. And if you dare to risk your life, I'd really recommend renting a scooter or just go by bike to see most of this amazing wonderful city and its breathtaking ancient buildings!
Bernini was a super popular artist and architect during the 17th century for the many churches, monuments, squares and fountains he designed. Up until now, his works still lives on and his designs have been a major influence on the look and feel of Rome as whole. He was known to be one of the official artists of the Papal court, having been asked to work on most of the Church’s projects.
The famous statues of angels that flank the bridge were added in the seventeenth century.
Ponte Sant’ Angelo
The beautiful statues which line the Ponte Sant’ Angelo bridge was commissioned by Pope Clement IX in 1669 to replace the former, and damaged sculptures. The 10 new angels, which are each holding an object of Christ’s Passion, were designed by Bernini and carried out for the most part by his students. Two of the sculptures, The Angel with the Scroll and The Angel with the Crown of Thorns, were sculpted by Bernini himself along with his son Paolo. These two Bernini originals were eventually kept by the pope for his own collection and copies were placed on the bridge. They can now be found in the Church of Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte, located close to Piazza Barberini.
The Markets of Trajan is one of the products of the ingeniousness of Apollodorus of Damascus.
The Castel Sant’Angelo as we know it, has undergone several renovations over the past centuries. The alterations were mainly to strengthen the castle’s defenses. Built between 135 – 139 AD, the castle was originally a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian. The same cylindrical shape can also be seen at the Mausoleum of Augustus. To connect the monument to the other side, a bridge was built. This bridge was then called as the Pons Aelius. Later on, we all knew this bridge as the Ponte Sant’Angelo.
Palazzo di Giustizia
A gorgeous building located on the south side of the Tiber River. It is situated just west of Castel Sant'Angelo and Vatican City. The Markets of Trajan The complex was built in five levels along the southern slope of the Quirinal in the years 100-112 next to the Forum of Trajan. The architect was probably Apollodorus of Damascus, who also designed the Forum of Trajan.
The seat of the Supreme Court of Cassation and the Judicial Public Library.
The whole building was built from brick-covered concrete. It was close to the Forum, but the forum was surrounded by a high firewall (where now only a low edge is left), where a road passed. Possibly, the market also served the practical purpose of preventing the steep slope created by excavations for the Forum from collapsing.
St. Peter's Basilica
In this city of outstanding churches, none can hold a candle to St Peter's, Italy’s largest, richest and most spectacular basilica. Built atop a 4th-century church, it was consecrated in 1626 after 120 years' construction. Its lavish interior contains many spectacular works of art, including three of Italy's most celebrated masterpieces: Michelangelo’s Pietà, his soaring dome, and Bernini’s 29m-high baldachin over the papal altar. Expect queues and note that strict dress codes are enforced (no shorts, miniskirts or bare shoulders).
The church is built on Vatican Hill, across the Tiber river from the historic center of Rome. The location is highly symbolic: this was the site where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, died a martyr and where he was buried in 64 AD. St. Peter is considered the first pope, so it made perfect sense for the papacy to build the principal shrine of the Catholic church here.
