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| LAZIO The historical importance of this region, especially the presence of Roma in its very heart, makes Latium one of Italy's major tourist attractions. Of all the regions of Italy, Latium offers tourists the greatest richness of archaeological remains: from the Iron Age, the Roman Period, the Middle Ages, the Rennaissance, the Baroque Periods and others. |
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The capital city of Roma is famous for its unique and magnificent fountains. Shown here are the Fountain of "Mascherone” on Via Giulia (left) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona.
The most visited monument in Roma is, of course, the Vatican - home to the Pope and one of the most famous chapels in the world. Shown here: The dome of the Basilica of St. Peter’s (right) within which you can view Michelangelo’s "Creation”. (left)
The Colosseum was begun in AD 72 by the emperor Vespasian and completed by his successor Titus on the site of the gardens of Nero’s Golden Palace in Roma. Here the Romans used to watch bloody battles and human sacrifice to savage lions for entertainment.
La Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth) is an ancient drain cover that was made famous in the film "Roman Holiday” with Audrey Hepburn. The mouth is believed to close on the hand of anyone bearing false witness. It resides in the portico of the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Roma.
The Roman Forum is what remains of the ancient city of Roma dating from the period of the kings to the emperors. This vast archaeological site contains many historically important buildings like: the Curia, the temples of Vespasian, Antoninus and Faustina, the House of the Vestals, the Basilica of Constantine and the arches of Septimius Severus and Titus.
The first of the ancient Roman roads to be paved (312 BC) by the consul Appio Claudio Cieco, the Appian Way initially went as far as Capua. It was later extended to Taranto and Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea (190 BC).
The Catacombs of St. Calixtus in Roma is an extensive five-level underground gallery of Christian tombs. If you don’t mind close quarters be sure to visit the Crypt of the Popes where many of the early popes were buried.
Villa d’Este, the magnificent villa of the Cardinal Ippolito d’Este in Tivoli (36 Km from Rome) is famous for its terraced gardens and gorgeous fountains. The Fountain of the Ovato (right) was made in 1568.
Outside the Rome airport lies the ancient city of Ostia Antica. It’s entire foundation (and sometimes walls, fountains, roads, even baths) is still intact. Walking down its streets can be haunting. Shown here: Ostia Antica’s Greek Theater.
The large Etruscan necropolis of Cerveteri(42 Km northwest of Rome). |
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| Umbria | Campania | Toscana | |
