Rome’s squares are one of the main attractions of the Italian capital. Locals flock to the piazze to chat with friends, wine and dine and watch the world go by.

Piazza del Campidoglio (on Capitol Hill) is the headquarters of the Italian government; Piazza Venezia represents the ‘heart of the city’; Piazza Navona boasts spectacular Baroque architecture; Piazza di Spagna is an 18th century masterpiece crowned by the famous Spanish steps and, last but not least, St Peter’s Squareprovides majestic access to St Peter’s Basilica, the centre ofCatholicism.

Basilicas and churches

Within Rome there are 19 basilicas to be found, three of which are patriarchal: St Peter’s Basilica – the world’s largest Christian basilica; St John in Lateran – former seat of the bishop’s residence, and St Mary Major, the largest Marian church in Rome.

Ancient Rome

Coliseum
The largest structure of its type in ancient Rome, the elliptical-shaped Coliseum took about 10 years to build. This was the centre of ancient Roman entertainment, where gladiatorial and animal combats were held.

Roman Forum
The central area around which ancient Rome developed. It was the administrative and corporate heart of Rome.

Pantheon
One of the most impressive buildings of Imperial Rome. It was originally dedicated as a temple to ‘all the gods’, hence the name.

The Vatican and St Peter’s Basilica
The world’s largest Christian basilica, in the heart of the Vatican city, boasts a length of 186 metres (218 metres including the porch), a height of 46 metres in the central aisle, a main dome 136 metres high and a diameter of 42 metres.

The Vatican City houses the papal residence. It was built over the tomb of St Peter.

The Vatican’s position as a sovereign state within a state was guaranteed by the Lateran Treaty of 1929.