It is hard to describe Rome in a few words. Rome is a city so vast and rich in art, historic ruins, monuments and exquisite views, that words can hardly do it justice. Rome’s deep history mixes with its cosmopolitan surface on every corner. This former capital of the Roman Empire has preserved its charm and independence throughout the centuries.

Rome's history can be read in every monument and palazzo; in fact, each and every stone bears witness to the periods of splendor, decay, wars, and numerous architectural styles. The city could be described as a gigantic open-air museum, visited each year by millions of tourists, scholars and pilgrims from all over the world. Just as Rome was not built in a day, the many fascinating destinations within the city walls mean that all of Rome cannot be seen in a day either.

It is hard to believe that Roman civilization began with a small settlement of shepherds and farmers near the Tiber River on Palatino, (one of the seven hills on which Rome was built and where many of the Roman archaeological treasures were found). It is said that this is where Romulus founded the city and where Augustus, the first Emperor, built his home, which is now widely (and incorrectly) known as the house of Livia, his wife. The city extended over six other hills: Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio, Aventino and Capitolino.

Quirinale
Quirinale is the highest of the seven hills. Atop its summit is Piazza Quirinale, with its colossal statues of the horse tamers, Castor and Pollux and the Palazzo del Quirinale, where the president of the Italian Republic lives. Across from the Palazzo are the Scuderie, former horse stables that are open to the public thanks to the renovations of architect Gae Aulenti, who created a functional exhibition space inside the building.

Viminale

The Viminale sits next to Quirinale. It is smaller in size, split into two by Via Nazionale, and dominated by the huge Palazzo delle Esposizioni building (designed by Pio Piacentini) on Piazza della Repubblica, near Rome's principal railway station, Stazione Termini. Piazza della Repubblica is one of the most beautiful piazzas in Rome. The restored Fontana delle Naiadi is proudly on display in the center of the piazza.

Esquilino

Esquilino was the home of the great poets Virgil and Orazio. It has three peaks, one of which is Monte Oppio, where you can find the ruins of Domus Aurea, finally opened to the public after years of restoration. Initially, Esquilino was a suburb of Rome, which is the reason for the nickname exquilini (non-tenants) given to its inhabitants, and maybe the origin of the hill’s name.

Celio & Aventino
The former has a long promontory, called Monte delle Querce, as it was once home to many oak trees (querce). It is possibly the greenest and most charming of the seven hills and is home to Parco del Celio and Villa Celimontana. There are many beautiful buildings here, especially along the magnificent Appia Antica. Almost all are places of worship. Both Aventino and Celio have few inhabitants. Aventino is rich in important medieval monuments such as the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, where the famous Bocca della Verità, or mouth of truth, is housed.

Capitolino
Situated between Palatino and Quirinale, this used to be the religious and political center of the city during the Roman Era. It is dominated by the Michelangelo styled Piazza del Campidoglio, perfectly proportioned, with a statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius on horseback in the center. The Capitoline Museums are located here and have some of the most precious art collections in the world.

The se ven hilltops offer a number of beautiful views, but the most breathtaking panoramas can be seen from the dome of San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica), the Gianicolo and Pincio, (part of Parco Villa Borghese that overlooks the Piazza del Popolo).

Trastevere
The Trastevere is undoubtedly one of the most charming areas of the city, and one of the most crowded areas too - especially on summer evenings. Many people (foreigners and Romans alike) want to live in this highly desirable district, home of historic churches such as the Santa Maria in Trastevere and hot night spots like Trastè. Finally, Eur, one of Rome's most modern neighborhoods, is home to some fascinating Fascist-style architecture, as evidenced by the many offices and administration centers in and around the Piazzale delle Nazioni.