Introduction to Geography of Rome
Rome (Italian: Roma), Italy, the nation's capital and largest city and the capital of Roma province and Latium (also known as Lazio) region. As the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome was the most influential city in the Western world. Later, as the seat of the Roman Catholic Church, it remained one of the world's foremost cities. The church added greatly to the grandeur of the city by giving it many impressive buildings and priceless works of art. Rome is still known as the "Holy City," although Vatican City, an independent state within Rome, is now the seat of the church as well as the longtime home of the pope. Rome is also called the "Eternal City," largely because of its long history and because many relics of its past have endured until today.
General Plan and Description
Rome lies on both sides of the Tiber (Tevere) River, about 17 miles (27 km) from its mouth in the Tyrrhenian Sea, an arm of the Mediterranean. The river flows through the city in a generally north-south direction, but with several bends. Much of the area around the city was marshy until drainage and reclamation were completed early in the 20th century.
Rome was founded on the east bank of the Tiber and was built on seven hills—the Palatine, Capitoline, Quirinal, Aventine, Caelian, Esquiline, and Viminal. Rome is sometimes called the "City of Seven Hills," although the hills are not prominent.
The east bank is the heart of modern Rome. The financial and commercial districts and many fashionable shops, hotels, and restaurants are here. On the west bank of the Tiber rises the Janiculum Hill, a long ridge about 300 feet (90 m) above sea level, which offers a fine view of the city. Also on the west bank are Vatican City and the area known as Trastevere. Trastevere, which means "across the Tiber," is mainly a residential area and is noted for its many cafes and restaurants. A number of bridges span the Tiber.
A common feature of Rome's street layout is the piazza, or public square, found at the point where several major streets intersect. Rome is known for the elegance and beauty of its squares, many of which are noted for fine mansions, fountains, monuments, or statues. Rome's main square is the Piazza Venezia. At its center is the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, built to honor the first king of united Italy.
Several chief thoroughfares meet in the vicinity of the Piazza Venezia, including the Via del Corso, probably Rome's busiest street; Corso Vittorio Emanuele; Via Nazionale; and Via dei Fori Imperiali. The layout of Rome's streets is irregular and many streets are narrow and winding. It is common for a street to change names at one or more points along its course.
Unlike many American cities, which have a central business district or downtown, Rome has several centers for business and commercial activities. Among them are the Piazza del Popolo and nearby streets, a fashionable shopping district; the Piazza del Campidoglio, the center of city administration; the Via Vittorio Veneto (or simply Via Veneto), a center for nightlife and luxury hotels; and the Piazza Colonna, with government offices, banks, shops, and restaurants.
Rome's largest park is the Villa Borghese, laid out in the 17th century as a country estate. Some of the gardens of other villas and of great palaces are open to the public. In addition, many of Rome's archeological sites are maintained as parks.
Economy
Rome is Italy's foremost business and commercial center. It is also the chief center of government, which employs a significant share of the workforce. Jobs associated with the tourist industry provide a livelihood for a large number of people. Many family-run enterprises, including numerous small hotels, restaurants, cafes, and shops, cater to tourists. Rome is internationally known for its fashion and film-making industries. Light manufacturing predominates in and around the city. Food processing, printing and publishing, and the making of textiles, clothing, and electric and electronic products are among the chief activities.
Rome is a major hub of Italy's highway system and railway network. Termini Station is the chief passenger terminal for intercity and international trains. Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, in nearby Flu- mincino, is one of Italy's busiest airports. Rome has a good system of public transportation provided by buses, trolleys, and a subway system, called the Metropolitana. Like many large cities, Rome is plagued by traffic congestion and has insufficient space for parking.
Landmarks and Places of Interest
Antiquities. Between the Palatine and Capitoline hills lie the ruins of the Roman Forum—the political, religious, and commercial heart of ancient Rome. The ruins are scattered within a large rectangular, grassy area. Along the Sacra Via (Sacred Way), the main street of the Forum, are the remains of the principal structures. Some of the remains date to the second century B.C. or earlier. Near the western end of the Sacra Via stands the Arch of Septimus Severus (203 A.D.), with reliefs depicting his military triumphs. Near the eastern end stands the Arch of Titus (81 A.D.), decorated with scenes commemorating the capture of Jerusalem.
Several emperors built additional forums, known collectively as the Imperial Forums, the remains of which are found just to the north of the original forum. The forum built by the emperor Trajan in the early second century A.D. is the best preserved of the Imperial Forums. Found here is Trajan's Column, which stands nearly 100 feet (30 m) tall and is decorated with intricate reliefs. On the Palatine Hill, overlooking the Roman Forum, are the ruins of an enormous imperial palace built in the first century A.D.
Just east of the Roman Forum is the Colosseum. This renowned amphitheater, completed in 82 A.D., is one of the most impressive structures remaining from the Imperial period. Nearby is the Arch of Constantine, erected in 315 A.D. but incorporating parts of earlier monuments. Probably the best-preserved ancient structure is the Pantheon, a rotunda topped by a massive dome. The present structure was built during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (117-138 A.D.) as a temple and was made into a church in the 7th century. Also constructed during the reign of Hadrian was the Castel Sant'Angelo, which was originally a mausoleum for himself and his family. It was later enlarged by the popes and used as a refuge and fortress.
Among the many other impressive ancient remains are sections of aqueducts; parts of the city walls and gates begun by the emperor Aurelian; ruins of huge public baths, such as the Baths of Caracalla (217 A.D.), which accommodated 1,600 bathers; and sections of the Appian Way, the first of the great Roman roads. Found along the Appian Way are catacombs, where the early Christians hid from their persecutors and buried their dead.
Vatican City and Rome's ChurchesAlthough surrounded by Rome, Vatican City is an independent state. Within its borders are St. Peter's Square and Basilica, the Vatican Palace and Gardens, chapels, museums, and various other buildings. St. Peter's, the largest church in the world, houses the tombs of many popes and a great number of priceless works of art. In addition to St. Peter's, Rome has three other major basilicas. They are St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul's without the Walls.
A number of Rome's churches date to the early years of Christendom. Some were built on the ruins of ancient pagan temples. Over the centuries many churches were damaged or destroyed, and the structures seen today are rebuilt or restored versions of the originals. Throughout the city are magnificent Renaissance and Baroque period churches, which, in addition to being architectural landmarks, are noted for their valuable and rare works of art. The Sistine Chapel, in the Vatican, is one notable example.
Other AttractionsA number of outstanding palaces of the Renaissance and Baroque periods now house public institutions. They include the Palazzo Venezia (late 15th century) and the Palazzo Barberini (1633), which house museums, and the Palazzo Madama (16th century), which is the seat of the Italian Senate. Another impressive palace is the Palazzo del Quirinale, which is the official residence of the president of Italy. Among Rome's most beautiful squares are the Piazza Navona, featuring Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, and the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo. The Spanish Steps, a picturesque street stairway, is a well-known landmark and a popular gathering place for foreign visitors. Another popular spot is the Trevi Fountain. According to a popular belief, a visitor will ensure his or her return to Rome by tossing a coin into the fountain.
South of central Rome is the area known as the E.U.R. (Esposizione Universale di Roma). Planned and begun by Mussolini, it was to be the site of a world exposition in 1942. The exposition never took place; the area was later developed into a suburb, retaining some of the original buildings and monuments. Also found here are facilities built for the 1960 Olympic Games.
Education and Culture
The University of Rome, with more than 180,000 students, is the largest of Rome's numerous institutions of higher education. It was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII and is now government operated. Under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church are the Pontifical Gregorian University and many seminaries and institutes. The city has many excellent libraries.
The Vatican's library and archives are world-renowned. Vatican City also has several highly acclaimed museums. The Vatican's collections of ancient relics and of European paintings and sculpture are among the finest in the world.
Rome itself has a large number and variety of museums. Several are devoted to European, especially Italian, art and to Roman antiquities. Among the best-known museums for painting and sculpture, especially of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, are the Borghese Gallery; the National Gallery, in the Palazzo Barberini; and the Museum of the Palazzo Venezia. Outstanding museums of ancient art and antiquities include the Capitoline Museum and the National Museum of Rome, with collections housed in the Collegio Massimo and the Palazzo Altemps. There are also museums of musical instruments, military history, coins, stamps, and modern art.
Rome's opera, the Teatro dell'Opera, is one of Italy's finest opera companies. The orchestra of the Academy of St. Cecilia, one of Italy's leading orchestras, has a long season of symphonic performances. There are also numerous theaters.