Being located in front of Saint Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, the cobble stone square…read morein front of this massive structure matches its grandeur of scale. 140 saints from the Catholic tradition, sculpted from travertine ranging from 10 to 11 feet in height, encircle the piazza as part of Bernini's Colonnade. The red granite obelisk jutting out in the center is much older than all the structures surrounding it, originating around 1900 BCE in Egypt, traveling to Italy and then to Rome in 37 CE, finally moving most recently to its present position in 1586. This massive feat to move the 330-ton tower of stone 260 meters to the center of the square required 900 men, 75 horses and complex, engineered crane systems. Two granite fountains--one north of the obelisk, one south--were signatures left by the master architects of St Peter's. The north one by Carlo Maderno, who designed the monumental facade and nave and the other by Gian Lorenzo Bernini who designed the Piazza San Pietro with its colonnade of saints. On any given day prior or during a mass, there are 20,000 chairs set up in a space that holds 60,000 people comfortably standing though history has known crowds of up to 100-130K. Tickets are free for papal audiences though need to be booked in advance for seated sections. There's not much "to do" per se, though walking here (and in many places in Rome), once you look past the hoards of visitors it's awe-inspiring to contemplate the history that's taken place here, and take a break from your Vatican exploration. From the piazza, a pleasant, less crowded stroll east down Via della Conciliazione (which has obelisk-shaped street lampposts) brings you to Castel Sant'Angelo, a 2nd century fortress with a museum inside and beautiful panoramic views of the city.

When we were in Vatican City in the afternoon, we skipped the plaza. We came back in the early…read moreevening and it was much less crowded. The square is directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Both are named after Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus whom Catholics consider the first Pope. There is an obelisk in the center and 284 columns that create the elliptical shape of the square.

Worthwhile aside during one of your strolls across the Eternal City. The island is easy to reach…read moreand not too far out of the way. It is best added to an existing planned route.

Isola Tiberina is the world's smallest inhabited island-- to get there, you'll cross Rome's oldest…read moreoriginal bridge, not far from Capitoline Hill. The island, while cute to stroll around, is also home to a tenth-century basilica, fully operational hospital and annual film fest that will have any modern movie junkie totally enamored. Excellent pasta and you absolutely must try the Basil gelato at Tiberino restaurant!

There is no cost for walking around the premises of the Castel Sant'Angelo. It does take some time…read moreto walk around the entire building. There are lots of people that visit this landmark; however, it is not overly crowded. The atmosphere is chill, people are just walking around and taking pictures. The landmark is best for people wanting to see the sites of Rome, love history, and architecture. Overall it is a great experience in Rome. You do need to be cautious of people who are trying to engage you in conversation and give you a bracelet, They will start out by saying nice shoes or commenting on your skin color. My husband was a mark throughout all the cities in Rome. Unfortunately, we did engage in a conversation with the person and ultimately got robbed - yes robbed of 30 euros. The man literally grabbed the money out of my hand and began to run away.

Castel Sant' Angelo along the Tiber River, is one of Rome's most captivating landmarks. The…read morestructure is huge and daunting. It was originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum nearly 2,000 years ago, the castle later became a fortress, a papal refuge, a prison, and eventually a museum.. What makes Castel Sant'Angelo especially memorable is the atmosphere. The thick stone walls, hidden passageways, and spiral ramps. The angel statue atop the castle gives the entire site a dramatic, almost theatrical presence.

Wonderful spot to come and visit to walk in the steps of historical Rome grounds. Walk the Spanish…read moresteps and take some great pictures here. 5 stars and grazie!

Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps)…read more While commonly posted on the classic list of things to do in Rome, I'd highly recommend a quick flyby only in early morning or late evening. During the day it's simply too crowded! (And that's me, coming from NYC, where there is a never-ending flow of tourists in certain parts of town!) On a Saturday early evening, I could barely see the staircase because of the throngs of tourists astride these steps. That being said, since I was in the area, I didn't hesitate to stop by for a quick check off the list on this trip. The fountain at the foot of the steps spouts potable water from both ends and a steady flow of visitors stepped up to snap a pic and refill bottles. At the top of the steps is Trinità dei Monti, a Catholic Church with its iconic double bell towers constructed in the 16th century, which is one of several functioning French-speaking parishes in the city. Inside Renaissance frescos from distinguished artists of the era paint the chapels with color. Admission is free which is a nice touch.

Cool Piazza at the Northern City Wall and also a gateway to Villa Borghese. This piazza has an…read moreobelisk, two churches, two fountains and also restaurants. There is a huge shopping area with parallel streets of shops, one that goes to Piazza di Spagna, at the base of the Spanish Steps. Five Stars!

I came I saw and I conquered. Wow, what a great place is this blessed City. You could spend hours…read morein this area. Great restaurants and shopping too.

"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost..." J.R.R. Tolkien…read more Rome, Italy: Trinità dei Monti aka The Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti is a Roman Catholic Church from the Renaissance, circa 1585. As a student of the Renaissance, I found this Church somewhat underwhelming at first. Mind you, I have extremely high expectations of anything Renaissance. Ironically I appreciated Trinità dei Monti much more after my initial visit. I was sitting at home and then it hit me how extraordinary this Church really is... it's located on the very top of the iconic Spanish Steps in Roma. In front towers the Obelisco Sallustiano, moved here in 1789, a Roman obelisk inspired by ancient Egypt. I recall entering the Church from the top, rather then walking up the Spanish Steps for a grand entrance. I decided to wanderlust at night and my journey brought me to the top steps, first. So I literally walked into the Trinità dei Monti doors, not knowing even where I was lol. Silly me. So I guess serendipity fooled me this time. I entered during choir practice, as far as what I heard. I did take a few photos near the entrance, but because of the activity I decided not to intrude like your typical tourist. The interior was smaller than other massive Cathedrals I visited across Europe, but it was charming and I felt the Holy Spirit. After realizing where I was I lit several candles in memory of departed loved ones. In the end, I highly recommend Trinità dei Monti. However, I suggest planning ahead and enter walking up the Spanish Steps to really take your breath away. To imagine all the historic figures that walked before me, even in my wanderlust ways, feeds my soul and gives me reason... Nei tuoi occhi c'è il cielo. Ti Amo...

The Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti is the Italian name for the Spanish Steps. It means The Steps of…read morethe Holy Trinity of the Hill, and the three tiers of steps represent the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It won't take too long to visit the church above the hills, which I think worth spending more time.

On my first day in Rome, I was ready to see the sights. Since it was later in the day, I was…read morelooking for something that was quick and still open. Arco di Costantino, or the Arc of Constantine, fit the bill. Located in the same area of Rome as the Colosseum (and the majority of the ancient ruins), the Arc is open 24/7 and it's free. It's an impressive arc. Both in terms of its scale and the intricate design work. Walk around the Arc and marvel at the craftsmanship and the historical stories that are told through it. You might want to do a little research so you understand what you're looking at. Snap a couple of pictures and you're on the way. The Arc lights up at night which makes it a spectacle to see both during the day and when the sun goes down. The Arc of Constantine is not to be missed when visiting Rome!

Like other reviews have mentioned, the Arch of Constantine is the largest triumphal arch in Rome,…read moreand being located adjacent to the Colosseum, you can't miss it. Commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate Constantine's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, this arch was dedicated in 315 AD. The background of this confrontation arose out of a power struggle in the western Roman Empire. When Maxentius, who was favored in Rome, tried to claim the role of caesar,* then Constantine--who was son of Constantius, the previous augustus of the western Roman Empire, and favored in the northern regions--sought to defeat Maxentius and stake his own claim to lead as an augustus,* though he eventually settled for caesar later. From what can be considered either sectarian or providential historical accounts, divine providence or superstition was the reason Maxentius chose to leave the safety within Rome's walls and meet Constantine in battle outside the city fortifications. Ultimately when his army tried to retreat across the Milvian Bridge, the already damaged bridge collapsed and Max didn't leave with his life. This battle in 312 AD bore the significance of consolidating rule over Western Europe, and was attributed by Christian scholars as a turning point in Constantine's decision to convert to Christianity (since the emperor attributed the victory to divine intervention), thereby paving the path for this religion's prevalence in Europe and eventually over the rest of the Roman Empire. Getting back to the arch--the scenes on it depict the emperor shown battle and civilian duties, and it's established that the different artistic styles used were due to some sections of carved reliefs being taken from existing monuments of previous rulers. It's not clear whether including other rulers was to legitimize Constantine's position in relation to prior emperors, or if the builders simply used existing stone reliefs to save time. Logistical tips: - there is a fence surrounding the arch on all sides to protect it from the massive flows of tourists in the area. - free to visit. - I wish there was a little more info available on the spot since I had to do some google research to learn about the arch's background *essentially an augustus was the highest ranked ruler of the western or eastern Roman Empire. Under this, a caesar was the second in command, under each of the augusti, in a system named the Tetrarchy, where each half of the empire had a senior and junior leader. This was intended to promote a balance of power though ultimately led to civil unrest where rivals fought to gain control over each other. Bc yeah...people just can't be happy with what they have and always want more...

Rome seems to love a good fountain and I'm here for it. If there was a tour of just all the…read morefountains in the city, even the most mundane ones, I might sign up for it. We happened to see Quattro Fontane on our way to the Trevi Fountain. I had to leave a review for this place because I'd like you to make sure that you pass this area on your way to somewhere in Rome. The sculptures are gorgeous and worth an up-close look. You won't be spending all day here but I do think these are worth the 3-5 min you'll be spending. Hey, you could stay longer if you wanted to too but it shouldn't take that long to check out all four.

I walked by this late one night and I was in awe of these fountains…read more It was a beautiful moment that stopped me in my tracks. I will always remember these fountains. Absolutely beautiful.