Rome is the capital of Italy, also known as the "Eternal City". It is located in the Lazio region. It is one of the oldest cities founded more than 2,700 years ago. For centuries it was the capital of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church.
On the territory of the city lies the independent state of Vatican City, the seat of the Pope, head of the Catholic Church. Important buildings include the Cathedral of St Peter and the Sistine Chapel.
Rome was built on seven hills in the middle of a mountainous landscape called the Campagna di Roma. The most important of these is the Capitol, on which the religious centre of the same name was built.
Rome is home to world-renowned institutions such as the Pontifical University, the National and Vatican libraries and the Goethe Institute. The Italian capital is full of artistic, historical and architectural monuments. The Colosseum is undoubtedly one of the most important monuments in Rome. It is the city's main and most visited monument and the largest surviving building from the Roman Empire. The walls of the Colosseum are now damaged, but all 4 floors with columns are partially preserved.
Another important monument is the Forum Romanum. It is the oldest part of Rome and was the heart and centre of the empire for many centuries. One of the best preserved buildings from the Roman antiquity is the Pantheon, which stands in the centre of the city. On the right bank of the Tiber River is the Castle of the Angels, built by the Emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum. Today it houses a collection of weapons and a treasury. The Angel Bridge, decorated with 10 statues of angels, leads from it. Other popular sights include the Spanish Steps.
Rome boasts an ingenious system of public waterworks as well as a system of fountains and fountains. Some of Rome's most famous fountains include the Trevi Fountain, Fontana del Babuino, Barcaccia and Fontana della Botte.
