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Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura

Holy See, Italy

Background

World Heritage since
1980
Type of site
Cultural
Legendary founding
753 BC

Founded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, Rome was first the centre of the Roman Republic, then of the Roman Empire, and became the capital of the Christian world in the 4th century. UNESCO's listing, extended in 1990 to the walls of Urban VIII, includes major monuments of antiquity such as the Forums, the Mausoleums of Augustus and Hadrian, the Pantheon, Trajan's Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius, and the religious and public buildings of papal Rome.

The historic district covers nearly 20 square kilometres across 22 rioni, with 25,000 archaeological sites and locations, plus the extraterritorial properties of the Holy See and the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. 753 BCRomulus founds Rome, by tradition
  2. 27 BCAugustus becomes the first emperor
  3. 4th c.Rome becomes the capital of the Christian world
  4. 17th c.The walls of Urban VIII
  5. 1871Rome becomes the capital of united Italy
  6. 1980Inscribed as World Heritage; extended in 1990

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Colosseum and Forum
    One ticket covers the arena, the Forum and the Palatine; book a slot.
  2. 2
    Pantheon
    The best-preserved building of antiquity.
  3. 3
    Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona
    A short walk apart in the Centro Storico; the Trevi now charges a small fee.
  4. 4
    Castel Sant'Angelo
    The Mausoleum of Hadrian on the river.
  5. 5
    Spanish Steps
    With the Borghese Gallery, by timed booking, beyond.
  6. 6
    St Paul Outside the Walls
    The papal basilica south of the centre, part of the listing.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Free Sundays and Passes
Wikivoyage: state museums are free on the first Sunday of the month; the Roma Pass covers three days of transport and two sites.
Don't Drive
Wikivoyage's advice on Roman traffic: in a nutshell, don't do it.
Scams and Pickpockets
Little violent crime, but plenty of scams and pickpocketing aimed at tourists; take care around Termini at night.
Covered for the Churches
Shoulders and knees covered to enter St Peter's and the basilicas.

Ancient Rome and the Centro Storico

From the GoGo Rome guide · Open the Rome Guide ›

  1. 08:30
    The Colosseum90 min
    The arena.
  2. 10:15
    Roman Forum and Palatine Hill2 hrs
    The heart of ancient Rome.
  3. 14:00
    The Pantheon30 min
    The dome of antiquity.
  4. 14:45
    Trevi Fountain30 min
    The fountain.
  5. 15:30
    Piazza Navona45 min
    Bernini's fountains.
  6. 19:00
    Sunset from the Gianicolo45 min
    The city of domes.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: Apr–May, Sep–Oct.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (114 mm), driest Jul (26 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Vatican City is 5 km away, Tivoli's two villas 26 to 29 km, and the Etruscan necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia 35 km.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 91 · Wikipedia: Historic district of Rome · Wikivoyage: Rome (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Rome guide · UNESCO listing