All roads lead to Rome

Rome, the capital city of Italy – the country shaped like a beautiful boot – is the birthplace of the ancient Roman Empire, signaling the start of an adventurous journey for travelers to explore Rome.

All roads lead to Rome

The city of eternal beauty

A must-visit attraction in Rome is the Colosseum – voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and also an international symbol of Rome.

Located between the Esquiline and Caelian hills, the Colosseum is the first permanent amphitheater built in Rome. The project originated from the idea of Emperor Vespasian, begun under Titus in 80 AD, and completed under the reign of Domitian.

We felt overwhelmed by the majestic scenery here. From the fierce animal cages, mysterious corners to chilling echoes, or the lingering excitement of the crowd of thrill-seekers.

Though equally thrilling, the grandeur has left us... trembling, opting to stand on high and peering down rather than daring to descend with the brave group to the arena floor.

Winding through the city center, visitors will witness firsthand the great historical landmarks and feel as if standing in a gigantic museum (Rome is also known as the 'city of museums').

Visitors begin their exploration at two famous squares in the central district: Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore.

Most beautiful is the giant Neptune Fountain, built in 1566. Even more impressive are the buildings, museums from the Renaissance and Middle Ages surrounding Maggiore Square.

Occasionally, with no passing vehicles, no modern consumer goods on display in shop windows, visitors seem to forget that they are living in a modern country in the 21st century.

We were fortunate to borrow a set of knight's armor and ride horses to roam the ancient streets of Rome. If luckier, we would have witnessed the fiery derby match of Rome at the Olimpico Stadium between AS Roma and S.S Lazio.

But rarely does luck strike twice at once, so we'll save that regret for another time!

All roads of Rome lead to the Vatican

Strolling through the ancient alleys, visitors gradually find themselves drawn to the tiny nation of Vatican, the spiritual epicenter of Catholic believers worldwide.

The Vatican is also a repository of many world-famous cultural and artistic treasures, as well as valuable artworks.

In the morning, we visited, luckily it was also the time when the Pope received the faithful and recited prayers.

He sat solemnly, his warm and resonant voice echoing as he expounded the scriptures in Italian, leaving us murmuring along, only chiming in with a resounding 'Amen' whenever the crowd did so in unison.

Venturing deep into St. Peter's Basilica, visitors find themselves wandering through an unparalleled artistic oasis unlike any other in the world.

At the apex of the wall within the dome are numerous paintings and stained glass windows with vibrant colors. Above all are constellations dotting the ceiling, making viewers feel as if they're standing beneath the sky.

The four walls within the palace boast numerous marble sculptures and large frescoes. Many works from the Italian Renaissance period are showcased, such as Quiaoto's mosaic masterpiece 'The Little Butterfly', Michelangelo's 'Motherly Love', and Beinini's 'Holy Water Font' sculpture...

All instructions and notes are in Italian, making it challenging to grasp their significance without additional explanation from a guide.

Most major squares are circular in shape, with numerous straight paths converging at a central point. It's a testament to the saying 'All roads lead to Italy, all roads of Italy lead to Rome, all roads of Rome lead to the Vatican, and all roads of the Vatican lead to... the Sistine Chapel'.

The Sistine Chapel serves as the venue for electing a new Pope. During a papal vacancy, the chapel remains closed for several days as the cardinals gather to select the new Pontiff. Meanwhile, most faithful wait outside the gates, eagerly anticipating the outcome. When the election concludes, they burn the voting ballots using dry wood, and spectators outside witness the emergence of white smoke, signaling the election of a new Pope.

At the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, artist Michelangelo spent four years painting the ceiling, a masterpiece that has become a testament to human achievement. It's rumored that Michelangelo developed a stooped posture from constantly looking up while painting for extended periods.

Opposite St. Peter's Basilica lies St. Peter's Square, an elliptical plaza flanked by two semicircular colonnades made of marble. The square serves as a welcoming embrace for pilgrims and visitors from around the globe.

To the north and south of the square are rows of circular colonnades, reminiscent of the architectural style flanking St. Peter's Basilica, akin to giant arms embracing pilgrims and travelers from across the world.

The Vatican Museums, situated north of St. Peter's Basilica, stand as one of the oldest and most renowned museums globally, covering an area of 55,000 square meters. The museum boasts 12 exhibit halls and five corridors, collectively known as the 'Vatican Art Exhibition and Museum'.

Within this treasure trove of art lie numerous masterpieces and rare artifacts spanning ancient to modern times.

Upon entry, visitors must obtain a ticket along with a small fee to purchase a card for renting headphones to listen to remote audio guides. It's certain that tourists will spend a considerable amount of time admiring the beauty of the precious paintings housed within this place.

Source: Quoc Vinh/Tuoi Tre

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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour