One of the most famous tourist centers in the world, the ancient and original city of Europe - Rome. The history of this city, its attractions, features of the population of Rome - all this is described in the article.
Rome: geographic location
The capital of Italy is located on the hills formed on the Campania Roman plain, not far from the Tyrrhenian Sea. It washes Rome from the west, a river flows into it, dividing the city into two parts, the Tiber. The weather in Rome is determined by the Mediterranean subtropical climate. The city is not characterized by sharp temperature changes, which is associated with its location near the seashore, surrounded by mountains: Sabatini, Sabini, Prenestani, Albani. Summer in Rome is mild, but the inhabitants of the city suffer from a strong south wind - the sirocco. In winter, temperatures with a minus sign are rare, but there is a northerly wind - tramontana.
Rome: the history of the city
Rome has been known since ancient times as the Eternal City. This epithet is explained by the unusual history of the city. Over the centuries, it has suffered destruction and fall several times, but it has always managed to survive and become even more beautiful.
Legends of Rome associate the emergence of the city withthe names of Romulus and Remus, sons of the god Mars. They founded the city together, but, as legend has it, Romulus removed his brother from power and became the first king of Rome. The date of foundation of the city is considered to be 753 BC. His influence spread first to the entire Apennine Peninsula, then to other European lands. By the 2nd century AD, Rome, which became the center of the world superpower - the Roman Empire, began to dominate the vast territory from England to North Africa, including the entire Mediterranean and the southern shores of the Black Sea. By the 4th century, Rome becomes the center of the Christian world, but in economic terms it is losing its position. In the same century, the most terrible event in the history of the population of Rome takes place. Vandals, who came from the northeast, captured the city. They destroyed most of the historical monuments, cultural centers, did not take into account the Roman population, with its customs. It took several centuries for Rome to recover. The empire was destroyed - the eastern part became known as Byzantium. But already in the 15th century, the Eternal City once again became a world cultural center - the center of the Renaissance. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Rome was subjected to French conquest. The heads of the Catholic Church were taken out of the city several times, which was considered the center of Catholicism. Only towards the end of the 70s of the 19th century did Rome recover from endless conflicts and become the capital of the Italian kingdom.
Country in Rome?
The state of the Vatican is unique. This country, located on the territory of Rome, is the smallest state officially recognized.
The Vatican was formed under Mussolini in 1929 and is a theocratic state in which power is in the hands of religious institutions. There is no one like him in the world. Only Athos in Greece, which is a community of 20 Orthodox monasteries, has a similar arrangement. Even in ancient times, the territory of the present Vatican was considered sacred. And in the 4th century, here, over the tomb of St. Peter, the Basilica of Constantine was erected. Since then, this place has received thousands of pilgrims from all over the world.
Population of Rome
Rome is one of the most densely populated cities in Europe. The population of Rome is about 3 million people. The eternal city, to which all roads lead, has long been multinational.
The ethnic composition of the population of Rome is very diverse. It is inhabited by representatives of Southeast Asia, Arabs, North Americans. All national minorities make up, in general, about 5% of the total population of the city, the rest recognize themselves as Italians. The main religion is Catholicism. There are representatives of other faiths: Judaism, Islam, Buddhism. The inhabitants of Rome speak Italian, many use the Roman dialect - Romanesco.
Symbols of Rome
Symbols of cities are traditionally the flag, coat of arms. So, the coat of arms, which is a scarlet heraldic shield with a diagonal inscription near the St. George cross, above the shield a crown with five ledges, is the main symbol of Rome. The combination of colors on the coat of arms - red and gold - speaks of the strength and power of the city. The crown, according to custom, symbolizes power and justice.
The founders of Rome, according to the legends, were raised by a she-wolf. The plot, cast in bronze, where the she-wolf feeds the boys, is another symbol of Rome. The statue has the name "Capitoline she-wolf". The time of the creation of the monument is unknown, but there are facts that allow the statue to be dated to the 5th century BC. e. The piece is in the Capitol.
Sights of Rome: Colosseum
"Italy. City of Rome" is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Lovers of history, architecture, archeology, connoisseurs of high culture will appreciate the city and its sights. Many buildings are not only monuments of antiquity, but also witnesses of the leisure of the ancient Romans. Thus, aqueducts speak of the provision of water to the population, and the terms (in other words, baths) confirm the high standard of living in the ancient city.
The amphitheaters of Rome tell us what kind of entertainment the Romans had: gladiator fights, animal pitting, chariot races and other similar events were held here. The Colosseum, which has come down to modern times, is the largest amphitheater of the most ancient period. The capacity of this four-tiered building is 50 thousand people. The entire top of Rome gathered here. It was possible to get to the performance at the Colosseum only with tickets.
This architectural monument is located on the site of the "golden" house of Nero, in a vast hollow between the Palatine, Esquiline and Caelievsky hills.
Capitol Hill
Witnessof all historical events in Rome was the Capitoline Hill - the Capitol.
Temples of ancient Roman gods were located here. This natural object is built up with important cultural monuments. The modern image of the Capitol is a project by Michelangelo. The square, palaces with the same facades, intricate staircases - this is all the idea of an outstanding master. Of the oldest structures, a part of the insula has been preserved, the age of which is about 2 thousand years. Historical information says that this multi-storey building was the same height as the hill itself. The Capitol is rich in monuments, many legends are associated with it. This place is one of the main places on the tourist map.
Rome and tourism
How to get to Rome, many millions of people who annually visit the Eternal City know. The city is connected to main Europe by roads. Many people prefer to fly into the city by plane. Rome has two major international airports: Ciampino and Leonardo da Vinci di Fiumicino. The weather in Rome allows tourists from all over the world to visit the city all year round. Particularly admire and give the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of the city walking in the ancient, central part of Rome. Do not put off visiting the world-famous Vatican Museums, the Capitoline Museum, the National Roman Museum, the Borghese Gallery and many other cultural centers. The central streets of the city begin in the heart of the city - at Piazza Venezia. This is the central square near the Capitol. Nearby is the Roman Forum - the center of ancient Roman architecture, a historical and cultural corner of the city. It has been preserved heremany ancient temples and basilicas.
