The SIGHTS of © 2011 Aloschi Bros.

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G St. Peter’s Square was commis- St. Peter’s Train Station is a are recognized as H 1 sioned in the 17th century by 4 convenient point for passengers enter- 8 Europe’s widest staircase. The 138 I Alexander VII. It was designed by the ing Rome by rail to disembark and be- steps were built in the early 1700 and KJ heralded successor to , gin their exploration of the Vatican. financed by a gift from French diplomat the incomparable Italian sculptor and Étienne Gueffie. The famous steps ML architect . Built St. Angelo Castle and Nation- connect the Church and Piazza Trin- N in the style, the great open 5 al houses a large collection ità dei (top) with the Piazza di O space was created so that more of the of antique weaponry, historic artifacts (bottom). P faithful would be able to see and re- and paintings which date to the Renais- ceive the blessing of the Pope. sance. The original fortress was built in Barberini is an elegant the 2nd century to serve as Emperor 9 palace which dates to St. Peter’s is perhaps ’s mausoleum the 1620. The palace belonged to the 2 the most recognizable - powerful and influential Cardinal Ma- es in the world. Built in the Late Re- served for ffeo Barberini. Soon after acquiring naissance style and financed through 6 centuries as the major gateway into the property Barberini was elected the sale of indulgences, construction Rome. The Piazza visitors see today Pope and took the name of Urban VIII. began in 1506 and was not completed was designed in the neoclassical style As a historic note, it was Pope Urban until 1626. According to Catholic tradi- of the early 1800s. At the center of the VIII who ordered the great astronomer tion the basilica was erected over the piazza stands the Egyptian of Galileo Galilei to recant and stand trial burial site of the apostle Peter. Pharaoh Sety I (1290 – 1279 BC). on charges of religious heresy. Today the palace is home to the Galleria Na- The Borghese Gallery was the The Vatican are home zionale d’Arte Antica (National Gallery former villa of the renowned Borghese 3 to the extensive collection of religious 7 of Ancient Art). art, and artifacts which have family. Today visitors have the oppor- been collected and organized by the tunity to view a wonderful collection of Vatican over the past 600 years. sculpture, antiquities and paintings.

Rome, Civitavecchia, - PESG Insert - EN The SIGHTS of ROME

St .Maria degli Angeli Basil- the . The piazza was also peror and completed by his 10 ica (St. Mary of the Angels and the used as a site for public execution. The son Emperor . It was a monument Martyrs) was commissioned by Pope piazza’s famous of astronomer to Rome’s triumph during the “Jewish Pius IV and Michelangelo began con- and mathematician Giordano Revolt” in Palestine (66–70 AD). For struction in 1563. He did not live to see is a reminder that in centuries past, over 400 years (spanning the reign of the wonderful church completed. The free speech and innovative ideas were 42 Emperors) the primary function of church is rather unique in that it was rarely compatible with good health and the was to provide violent built within the ancient Baths of Em- longevity. Today Campo dei Fiori con- amusement and entertainment for the peror . tinues to serve as an open market and people of Rome. public gathering place. The was built as ST. JOHN IN LATERAN BASILICA is 11 a summer residence in 1583 by Pope VENICE SQUARE, 21 Rome’s cathedral and official seat of Gregeory XIII. It sets atop , 17 AND THE MUSEUMS are in close the Bishop of Rome (the Pope). Per- the highest of Rome’s seven hills. This proximity to each other. The square is haps surprisingly, St. John’s church was once the site of pagan Roman famous for the massive marble monu- is actually held in higher ecclesiasti- temples. Since construction, the pal- ment dedicated to Italy’s first king, Vic- cal esteem than the Vatican’s more ace has been home to many , tor Emmanuel II. On Capitoline Hill famous St. Peter’s Basilica. Due to Kings and Italian Presidents. visitors will find the Piazza del Cam- earthquakes and fires over the centu- pidoglio. Designed in the mid-1500s ries the church has been rebuilt many is one of the most by Michelangelo, construction on the times. The church seen today dates to 12 beautiful and recognizable sites in piazza was not completed until 400 the mid-1300s. Rome. The fountain was commissioned years after the great master’s death. by Pope Clement XII in 1730. Competi- The beautiful which line three The CIRCO MASSIMO (Circus Maxi- tion for the fountain’s design was won sides of the piazza are home to the 22 mus) was a large circular track used by the Roman architect Nicola Salvi. . The museums for chariot races. Massive seating en- Built in the Baroque style, the fountain hold a wondrous collection of classical circled the track and tens of thousands was completed in 1762. Roman together with art from of Romans regularly attended the the Middle Ages and Renaissance. races. Little of the original architecture Termini Train Station was built in remains but visitors can clearly see the 13 1867. Located in the heart of Rome, ST. MARIA MAGGIORE BASILICA, great structure’s outline and impres- the station has undergone extensive 18 was commissioned by Pope Sixtus III sion. modernization over the years. Today in the mid- 400s. The church honors over 150 million passengers use the the Mary and was built to repre- ST. MARIA IN COSMEDIN CHURCH station annually. sent the center of the Roman Catholic 23 dates to the 700s. Over the centuries world. Over many centuries the inte- numerous additions and renovations The PANTHEON, though it has a rior and façade of the church have un- have taken place. The church is a pop- carved dedication to Marcus Agrippa, 14 dergone extensive renovation. Some ular attraction due to the large marble was actually built in 126 AD by Emper- people are of the opinion the St. Maria carving of “La Bocca della Verità” (the or Hadrian. The temple was to honor Maggiore Basilica is the most beautiful Mouth of Truth). It was here in the por- all Roman gods. With its great dome in all of Rome. tico of St. Maria’s that , which opens to the sky and its massive much to the Academy Award winning Corinthian quarried in , The was the heart of anxiety of Audrey Hepburn, stuck his the building remains one of Rome’s 19 the ancient city. Amidst the classic ru- hand into the Mouth of Truth in the great structures. Nearly 1500 years ins visitors can still feel that here, for movie “” (Paramount later even the incomparable Michelan- centuries, was the center of the Rome Pictures – 1953). gelo was impressed by the Pantheon. and its great empire. Here the politi- cians sought the ear and support of the ST. MARIA IN CHURCH , is the main public masses. Here markets and commerce dates back to 1140. It was built with the square in Rome. In the 1st century this 24 15 thrived. Here victorious Emperors re- patronage of Pope Innocent II. The was the site of a great sports stadium ceived the praise of the people. Here Pope tore down the original sanctuary which had been commissioned by Em- gladiators fought and criminals met the which had graced the site for the pre- peror . Today the beautiful Ba- justice of Roman law. For hundreds of vious 700 years. This was an act of roque architecture which encircles the years this was the very center of the revenge on the part of Innocent II. The piazza follows the general outline of the civilized world. original church had held the tomb of In- stadium. Among the most famous fea- nocent’s Papal rival, Pope Anacletus II. tures of the piazza is Bernini’s Fountain The COLOSSEUM, a marvel of de- Anacletus II was removed and Pope In- of the Four Rivers (1651). 20 sign, engineering and construction, is nocent II was entombed in his place. perhaps the most recognizable sym- CAMPO DEI FIORI (Field of Flow- bol of the power and majesty of the ers) has been a commercial center 16 . The Colosseum was for merchants and tradesmen since started late in the 1st century by Em-