Rom, die größte Stadt Italiens mit ca. 2,5 Mio Einwohnern im Stadtgebiet, liegt im Zentrum des Landes in der Region Latium an den Ufern des Flusses Tiber. Der Gründungssage nach, wurde Rom am 21. April 753 v. Chr. von Romulus gegründet. Romulus brachte demnach später seinen Zwillingsbruder Remus um.
Die Zwillinge waren nach der Sage die Kinder des Mars mit der Vestalin Rhea Silvia. Sie seien auf dem Tiber ausgesetzt, von einer Wölfin gesäugt und dann von dem Hirten Faustulus am Velabrum unterhalb des Palatin gefunden und aufgezogen worden. Der Name Roma ist womöglich von einem etruskischen Geschlecht, den Rumlna, abgeleitet.
Das Gründungsdatum Roms ist der Beginn der Zeitskala des Römischen Kalenders. Zu Beginn seiner Geschichte war Rom ein Königreich, als erster der – großteils legendären – Nachfolger Romulus’ wird von Titus Livius Numa Pompilius genannt. Die nicht zuletzt wegen ihrer Rolle in der Antike als Hauptstadt des römischen Reichs auch als „ewige Stadt“ bezeichnete Metropole ist seit 1871 die Hauptstadt des Risorgimento Italiens.
Innerhalb der Stadt bildet der unabhängige Staat der Vatikanstadt eine Enklave. Der Vatikan ist der Sitz des Papstes, des Bischofs von Rom und Oberhauptes der römisch-katholischen Kirche. Somit kann Rom als mehrfache Hauptstadt gelten. Die Altstadt von Rom, der Petersdom und die Vatikanstadt wurden von der UNESCO im Jahre 1980 zum Weltkulturerbe erklärt. Außerdem ist Rom der Sitz der UN-Organisationen FAO, IFAD und WFP.
In der Renaissance und im Barock fand die Stadt ein neues Gepräge, das hauptsächlich von Kirchen bestimmt wird, aber auch von neuen Straßenzügen mit Sichtachsen auf Obelisken, Palästen und Plätzen mit Brunnen.
Nach dem Ende des Kirchenstaates wurde Rom 1871 die Hauptstadt des neuen Italien. Unter Mussolini wurden die Differenzen zwischen Staat und Kirche durch die Lateranverträge mit dem Heiligen Stuhl 1929 beendet und der unabhängige Staat der Vatikanstadt begründet. Nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg verließ 1946 der König das Land, und Italien wurde eine Republik.
1960 fanden in Rom die XVII. Olympischen Sommerspiele statt. In der Stadt gibt es mit dem 1927 gegründeten AS Rom und dem im Jahre 1900 gegründeten Lazio Rom zwei national und international bedeutende Fußballvereine. Beide Vereine tragen ihre Heimspiele im 85.000 Zuschauer fassenden Olympiastadion aus.
GO THERE FOR
The History - With the juxtaposition of famous Roman remains and more modern (but still historic) architecture, it's a fascinatingly timeless city to explore.
The Art - Rome is rumoured to boast more world-famous works of art, sculpture and architecture per square mile than anywhere else in the world.
The Food - Don't think pizza and pasta, which are at their best in Northern Italy; instead concentrate on an awe-inspiring (and, at its best, world-class) selection of meat and fish, often inevitably at prices to match.
DON'T MISS
Ancient Rome - The ancient city of Rome is home to where, according to legend, Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC on the Palatine Hill. The Roman Forum, between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills is home to oldest and most important buildings of the Roman period including the residence of the Kings (The Regia) and the complex of the Vestal Virgins. Palatine Hill, the founding hill, is home to Augustus palace - much in ruins now - but the size and scale of the palace and the "Games Room" are much in evidence. Don't miss the House of Augustus- an impressive restored frescoe from the house of Augustus, who would become Romes first Emporer.
The Colloseum - once the most important "entertainment" venue in ancient Rome where gladiators fought and Christians were executed by Romans. The Colloseum is, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the most recognisable sites in Rome and an absolute must see for any visitor to this marvellous city.
St Peters Basilica - St Peters Basilica is the centre of the Roman Catholic Church and a major place of pilgramage for Catholics worldwide.
Vatican Museums - The Vatican Museums are, without a shadow of a doubt, amongst the most impressive museums in the world.
Castel Sant'Angello - Originally built as the mauseleom for the Emperor Hadrian and later fortified as a Castle served as a fortress to protect the Popes when Rome came under attack. Walking around the circular fortifications, you are afforded fantastic views across Rome including the Basilica of St Peter and Pont Sant'Angelo - which boasts statues from the workshop of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Galleria Borghese - The Galleria Borghese is justifiably one of Romes premier art galleries. The sculptures by Canova and Gian Lorenzo Bernini and painting by Carravaggio, without a doubt, justify its position as a must see inRome.
Pantheon - The Pantheon is one of the most important ancient structures in Rome. The dome of the Pantheon remains the largest dome to be built without the aide of scaffolding. Originally built as a temple to all the Gods (Pan -all- Theos -gods) The Pantheon now functions as a Catholic Church.
Trevi Fountain - The largest Baroque fountain in Rome standing an impressive 29.5 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide. Famous not only for its aesthetic beauty, Audrey Hepburn got her hair done over the road for the 1963 film Roman Holiday.
Via del Corso - The Via del Corso is well known as one of Rome's best shopping streets - the Roman answer to Oxford Street.
Vittoriano - Variously nicknamed "The Typewriter" and the "Zuppa Inglese," Vittoriano holds The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Built after the First World War, Vittoriano has been subject of its fair share of controvesy as its construction required the demolition of a large section of the Capitoline Hill and a medieval section of town.
Campo di Fiori - Serving as a food and flower market by day "Il Campo" transforms into a vibrant piazza with cafes and bars by evening.
Piazza Spagna - Named Piazza Spagna due to the proximity of the Spanish Embassy, the Piazza Spagna is one of the most beautiful Piazza in Rome dominated, as it is, by the sweeping Spanish Steps which lead up to Trinità dei Monti church.
Piazza Navona - Located on the one time site of a Roman circus, Piazza Navona is the most beautiful Piazza in Rome. Well proportioned and decorated with three symettrically placed fountains of which the most famous is Fountain of the Four Rivers. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and sporting an Egyptian Obelisk the Fountain of the Four Rivers sits directly in front of the impressive Sant'Agnese in Agone designed by Girolamo Rainaldi.
Cafe Greco - Once the hangout of such literary luminaries as John Keats and Percy Shelley who lived in nearby Piazza Spagna, the Cafe Greco is an odd mix of tails and tourism - tourists are served their coffees by older gentlemen in morning suits.
The Forum - The political, financial and social heart of Rome, and probably the nucleus for modern democracy as we understand it today.
BASICS
Country Code: +39
City Code: 06
Emergency: 112
Directory Enquiries: 12
Electricity: 220V/50HZ
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Exchange Rate: 1 EUR = 0.84 GBP; 1 GBP = 1.17 EUR (Subject to change)
Time: CET (UTC +1), CEST (UTC +2) Last Sunday March – Last Sunday October
Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport
www.adr.it/home/fiumicino_en.htm
Rome Ciampino Airport
www.adr.it/home/ciampino_en.htm
GETTING AROUND
Flights to Rome arrive in either Leonardo Da Vinci (Fiuminco) airport or Ciampino. Fiuminco is around 16 miles southwest of the city, and is connected to the centre by a direct train, which runs hourly. Ciampino is trickier to get to; there is a subway line, but it needs a connecting bus. Taxis to both destinations are very expensive.
Within the centre, it's best explored on foot or by the Metro system. Driving is not recommended under any circumstances; the stories about the insanity of Roman drivers are all based in fact.
WHEN TO GO
July and August tend to be stiflingly hot (average high 30?C/86?F), which can make the city unpleasant to be in; many businesses are closed in August as the heat is too much. The best times to visit are probably either from April to June (average high 22.6?C/72.8?F with temperatures rising), or September and October (average high 22.4?C/76?F, with temperatures falling). However, it's generally possible to visit at any time.
Public Holidays:
1st January – New Year’s Day
6th January – Epiphany
Variable – Easter Sunday
Variable – Easter Monday
25th April – Anniversary of Liberation
1st May – Labour Day
2nd June – Republic Day
15th August – Ferragosto/Assumption Day
1st November – All Saints
8th December – Immaculate Conception
25th December – Christmas Day
26th December – St. Stephen’s Day
