![Rome Italy Photo Tour](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rome-italy-guide.jpg)
Rome, Italy, is certainly a global treasure, and it’s one of the most beautiful cities that I’ve visited. I stayed a full week in the historic centre, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. During my 2009 visit, I walked a different section of the historic center every day for a week – all within a 3-mile radius. As you explore, find an amazing variety of art, sculpture, charming squares, and fountains around every corner.
![Colosseum, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/colosseum-night.jpg)
The Colosseo (or Colosseum) is certainly a must-see. It was built in 80 A.D. to hold 50,000 spectators!
![Colosseum, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/colosseum-inside.jpg)
With most of the Colosseum floor removed, you see the maze of chambers underneath where the gladiators and animals waited their turn.
![The Forum, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/forum1.jpg)
The Forum was the center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome.
![The Forum, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/forum-rome.jpg)
Located adjacent to the Colosseum, The Forum was my favorite area to explore. I took hundreds of photos here!
![Streets of Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rome-streets-art.jpg)
Artists and markets abound.
![Trevi Fountain](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/trevi-fountain.jpg)
Crowds flock around the famous Trevi Fountain. Tossing one coin ensures a return trip to Rome, two coins for love; three coins for wedding bells!
![Trevi Fountain](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/trevi-fountain2.jpg)
Close-up view of the Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain).
![Spanish Steps](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/spanish-steps.jpg)
A longtime gathering spot is the Spanish Steps with Trinità dei Monti at the top.
![Campo de Fiori Square](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CampideFiori.jpg)
One of my favorite piazzas in Rome is Campo de Fiori (Field of Flowers) with plenty of restaurants and flower vendors.
![Campo de Fiori Square](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/market2-rome.jpg)
The market at Campo de Fiori is a great spot for picnic fare.
![Campo de Fiori Square](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/market-rome.jpg)
![Piazza Navona](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PiazzaNavona-Rome.jpg)
Piazza Navona is one of the largest piazzas in Rome, with several impressive fountains.
![Piazza Navona](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PiazzaNavonaFountains.jpg)
With more than 900 churches in Rome, there seems to be a beautiful basilica on every block – each with unique architecture, gorgeous art and plenty of history. I visited at least 40 of them, but included just a few in this photo tour. Of course, the must-see is St Peters and the Vatican!
![Vatican Museum](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vatican1.jpg)
Start your tour of Vatican City at the Vatican Museum. Visit late afternoon to miss the tour bus crowds of the morning!
![Vatican Museum](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vatican4.jpg)
The amount of art crammed into the halls of the Vatican is amazing and overwhelming!
![Vatican, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vatican2.jpg)
Don’t forget to look up!
![Sistine Chapel](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/sistine-chapel.jpg)
Sistine Chapel with its ceiling painted by Michelangelo in the early 1500s.
![View from St Peters Dome in Vatican City](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/vatican-square.jpg)
Climb the 550 stops to the top of dome of St Peter’s Basilica for panoramic views of Vatican City & Rome.
![St Peter's Basilica](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/st-peters-vatican.jpg)
Inside the massive St Peter’s Basilica – allow plenty of time for your visit. Take a guided tour to fully appreciate.
![St Peters Square](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/St-peters-rome.jpg)
St. Peter’s Square (Basilica S. Pietro) is spectacular at night.
![The Pantheon, Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rome-pantheon.jpg)
The Pantheon, built in A.D. 120. Definitely go inside – it is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.
![Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BasilicaStMary-Minerva.jpg)
Basilica of Saint Mary of Minerva – completed 1370.
![Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Church-of-Saint-Ignatius-Loyola.jpg)
Church of Saint Ignatius of Loyola at Campus Martius (Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio), built 1650.
![Santi Giovanni e Paolo](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Santi-Giovanno-e-Paulo-1.jpg)
Santi Giovanni e Paolo was built around 450,
![Piazza del Campidoglio](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Campidoglio.jpg)
Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, one of the seven hills of Rome.
![Castel Sant'Angelo](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CastelSantAngelo.jpg)
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, known as Castel Sant’Angelo, was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for his family in 123 AD. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum.
![Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island)](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/tiber-island.jpg)
Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island)
![Cappuccin Crypt](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/capuchin_crypt.jpg)
Cappuccin Crypt, below the church of Santa Maria della Immacolata Concezione, contains bones of more than 4,000 friars who died between 1528 and 1870 – artfully designed in six crypts.
![Streets of Rome](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rome-streets.jpg)
When you meander through the city, get off the beaten path to the quieter parts of Rome.
![Sunset from Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II](https://www.markfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rome-sunset.jpg)
Don’t miss the sunset from Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II with panoramic views of Rome.