Three incredible and historic attractions to visit in Rome – The Tacoma Ledger

The museums are undoubtedly at the top of my list of the best places to visit. In a city where everything you pass is art, having museums seems unnecessary. But each carries a culturally rich and significant part of Roman history that tells the story of the ancient world.

The Vatican Museums are one of the most sought-after museum experiences in the world. People travel from all over the world to see the incredible statues and the famous Sistine Chapel.

When you arrive you will be greeted by a plethora of tourists. Every day it is full of people trying to view the statues and historical paintings. The best time to travel is therefore between April and October at night when the crowds are smaller. Once you enter the exhibition, you will enter an outdoor area where you can walk and read information about some of the places you visit.

2025 is the famous anniversary year, as every fifty years a religious community is celebrated in which the Pope takes part. The Vatican Museums were founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century. They should enhance and promote the most important Roman and Greek works of art from the Vatican in one place.

There are over 70,000 works of art, around 20,000 of which are on display to the public. Unfortunately, when I was there, many of the artworks and structures were still under construction, so only parts of them were visible to the public.

Everything you see in the exhibition is intended to provide a deeper connection to Catholicism and the Greek gods.

The “Round Hall” contains about 20 statues and sculptures depicting several Greek gods and emperors. Its circular room is extremely impressive and has a floor made of mosaic pieces dating back to the third century AD. The statues reach a height of 13 feet and are in almost perfect condition.

The spherical room is designed to highlight the huge pieces and draw your attention to the center, where a large marble bowl called “Nero’s Bath” stands. The statue, measuring 43 feet in circumference, comes from the “Golden Palace,” also known as “Domus Arius,” which Emperor Nero had built in 64 AD from a gemstone called red porphyry.

Another room you enter is called the “Gallery of Maps,” where more than forty frescoes detailing Italian regions and papal possessions adorn the walls.

It’s an incredible sight, a highlight of the museum, illuminated by a ceiling covered with various paintings of Christian saints, apostles and martyrs. There are lights underneath each painting to help brighten the images. Your eye is immediately drawn to the golden frames that house each fresco.

Towards the end of the museum, you will also pass the four Raphael Rooms in the Apostolic Palace, created by the Renaissance painter Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (Raphael). The rooms, depicting four biblical scenes, were commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508.

The rooms are approximately 9 x 6 meters in size and feature works of art in the High Renaissance style. They are so massive that you have to step back to see the picture in its entirety. It contains the famous “School of Athens” image, which has been recreated in millions of works of art since its creation.

The final piece of the museum is the world-famous “Sistine Chapel” by the Italian painter Michelangelo. The artwork lives up to its hype and contains the most spectacular images that the famous artist sacrificed four years of his life to create.

The 68-foot-high ceiling depicts carefully crafted scenes from Christianity designed to inspire and impress people with the Catholic Church. Although photography is not permitted as only the Catholic Church is allowed to charge royalties, the size of the detailed frescoes that cover almost every wall are an impressive sight.

The long queues are worth it.

The Pantheon:

The Pantheon was built sometime between 25 and 27 BC. Built. It is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Rome and remains the largest cantilevered dome in the world. In ancient Rome, it was one of the first temples ever built for the common people to worship.

The 178-foot-tall structure is unlike anything else in the world and continues to puzzle historians about its creation. As soon as you enter, you are drawn to the massive dome above you. The perfect proportions and incredible craftsmanship make you feel like you are seeing the dome as it was first created 2,000 years ago.

The atmosphere of the building takes you back to ancient Rome, where the Romans came to pray. It is one of the most beautiful places and most impressive temples in Italy.

Lines can be long, but typically last no longer than 30 minutes to an hour. Tickets can be purchased on site for 5 euros for adults, 3 euros for young people between 18 and 25 years of age, children under 18 years of age have free entry.

The best times to visit are spring through fall, sometime early in the morning or just before closing time. Almost everyone who visits Italy comes to see the historic temple. It will be crowded most of the time, but definitely worth the wait.

Vatican City (St. Peter’s Basilica):

One of the most famous places besides the Colosseum is undoubtedly the Vatican City. The religious site is the smallest country in the world with a population of just 764 people. Pope Francis, the 266th pope, is a big part of what attracts millions of tourists every year.

The walk into Vatican City is not far from the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. Depending on where you come from, you can expect a walk of 30 to 60 minutes. Before you enter St. Peter’s Square, you will be greeted by a huge, long line of restaurants and tourist shops. It is not recommended to go there as many are tourist traps with overpriced, low quality food.

Once you reach St. Peter’s Square, you are surrounded by a circular row of 66-foot-tall Doric marble columns upon which unique saints and martyrs sit. Just like this structure, all the other monuments and religious buildings you see in Rome are designed to inspire awe and impact so that people feel closer to God.

The visual effect of the 284 columns draws your attention to the front of the square at St. Peter’s Basilica. As you enter the church, you will be impressed by the level of detail and dramatic illustrations that cover every inch of the walls.

The bright gold arches are so intact you’d think they were painted just yesterday. If you have the time and energy, you can also climb up to the 177 meter high dome by purchasing a second ticket. The climb is long, but once you reach the top of the church it’s worth it.

The Vatican Museums are also located in Vatican City, giving you access to a wealth of historical works of art. The Catholic Church wanted to maintain a close relationship between its God and the public.

Depending on the length of your stay, visiting one or all three of these places is a must for new visitors. No matter where you choose, you won’t be disappointed. The Italians’ incredible efforts in building the world’s capital are as important today as they were when it was founded.