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Rome (Roma) is the capital of Italy and one of the most visited cities in the world, known for its vast amount of historical landmarks and artistic masterpieces. According to tradition, the city was founded in 753 BCE, and later expanded its rule over the entire Mediterranean region, ruling over Western and Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. As the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire, Rome became the largest city in the world and one of the cradles of Western civilization. However, during the 4th and 5th century, its importance started to decline, and after the fall of the Western Roman Empire the city was ruled by the Ostrogoths and the Byzantines. Meanwhile, Rome became the main center of Christianity, and in 756 the city was placed under the temporal rule of the pope, creating the Papal States. After centuries of infighting between local noble families, Rome was once again one of the main centers of the Western world during the Renaissance. During this time many great artists worked in the city, and numerous architectural masterpieces were built. The popes ruled over Rome until the 19th century, with short interruptions during the Napoleonic Wars and in 1849, when a short-lived republic was established. Italy was unified in 1861 but Rome remained under papal rule until 1870, when the Italian troops captured the city. Ever since, Rome has been the capital and most populous city of Italy. The pope did not accept the Italian rule over Rome and the dispute was solved in 1929, with the establishment of Vatican City, a tiny independent state ruled by the Catholic Church and located entirely within Rome. The city was mostly spared from destruction during World War II, and in 1960 it hosted the Summer Olympics. Rome is now known all over the world and visited by millions of tourists every year who come here for its ancient ruins, the countless artistic and architectural masterpieces, and its importance for Christianity. Most of the landmarks of Rome are located in the center of the city, which is divided into various rioni, and its municipality also includes the coastal town of Ostia, which here is treated separately.
Subdivisions of Rome
- Campitelli-Celio
- Centro Storico (Rioni Parione, Pigna, Ponte, Regola, Sant’Angelo, Sant’Eustachio)
- Monti-Esquilino-Castro Pretorio
- Ripa-Testaccio-San Saba
- Trastevere-Borgo-Prati
- Trevi-Colonna-Campo Marzio (Rioni Campo Marzio, Colonna, Ludovisi, Sallustiano, Trevi)
- North Rome (Municipi II, III, IV, XIII, XIV, XV, northern portion of Municipio I)
- South Rome (Municipi V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, XII)
Map of Rome
