But before you discover more about its ancient roots and inspiring culture, read up on some of the important city features in 2024.
- Official language: Italian
- Currency: Euro
- Climate: Mediterranean
- Time zone: GMT+1
- Plug type: Types F, L, and E
- Peak tourist season: June to September
The Birth of Rome
The Eternal City is almost 2,780 years old, dating back to April 21st, 753 BC. However, experts determined that ancient civilizations have lived in the surrounding area since the Iron Age. Rome's remarkable lifespan is just as intriguing as the story of its birth.
Roman legend states that two twin brothers were raised by a wolf and eventually adopted by a shepherd who envisioned building a town between the hills. Unfortunately, a disagreement broke out over which hill to build upon, Palatine Hill or Aventine Hill. A disagreement turned into a fight, and as a result, Romulus killed Remus, paving the way for the creation of Rome perched on Palatine Hill.
The Roman Empire
For almost two and a half centuries, the city gradually grew. Seven Etruscan kings ruled until 509 BC when Tarquin was overthrown and thus gave birth to the Roman Republic.
The Greek Empire was the most notorious army in Europe at this point and didn't consider Rome a threat. However, they were mistaken. In 280 BC, the Roman army set out to take back land occupied by Greece in southern Italy. This led to the Pyrrhic War, and the Italians' hard-fought win was the point that put fear into European tribes and emperors.
Julius Caesar helped propel the republic to an empire when Augustus officially declared one in 27 BC. Rome extended its borders north, south, east, and west until it stretched into Africa and parts of Asia. But it also expanded its city, erecting monuments like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Circus Maximus.
Nevertheless, modern governance, military inventions, futuristic engineering, and the invention of aqueducts for sanitation weren't enough to patch the cracks that were starting to appear. Military losses to Germanic tribes and the growth of the Eastern European empires were the most notable reasons for its fall. Yet, overspending on wars and reliance on slave labor were also factors that hammered away at the crumbling superpower, which eventually collapsed in 476 AD.
The Renaissance Revival
The Roman Empire had fallen, but not the pride and spirit of the locals. The Renaissance period from 1450 to 1650 was a much-needed lift after centuries of political unrest, financial concerns, and external invasions.
Like the rest of Italy, Rome's art and architecture scene thrived. Popes, affluent families, and political figures had appointed well-known artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci to create pieces for their homes and public buildings. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling came from their period and is still visited by millions today.
Rome's stunning urban transformation and growing art culture turned the region into a hotbed of activity. Wealthy merchants and aristocrats traveled from across the continent to witness this demanding travel destination. In return, the high revenues allowed the area to continue its growth with widened streets, repairs to ancient landmarks, and architects constructing new buildings in the classical style.
Modern Rome
In the 21st century, Rome is a tale of two cities. It has a contemporary, upbeat personality, with energetic streets, crowded bars, and bright lights after dark. The food scene is undoubtedly the best in Italy, with pioneers for specialties such as linguine alla carbonara and pizza al taglio, where decade-old eateries still closely guard the secrets to family recipes.
The other side of Rome is its looks. You expect a European powerhouse to have modern buildings and futuristic elements dotted around the walkways. But this couldn't be further from the truth. Rome is an old town bursting with ancient monuments and houses dating back hundreds of years. Each cobblestone path you walk on is like taking a step further into the past. UNESCO and the government wish to keep it this way, as they spend millions on preservation and conversion efforts.