The full name of the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the Archbasilica of the Most Holy Savior and of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist. It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome. It is also the oldest and ranks first among the four Papal Major Basilicas in Rome: the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls...
The Basilica of Saint Lawrence outside the Walls is located in Rome, Italy. It is a minor papal basilica and one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. The basilica commemorates Saint Lawrence, a Roman deacon who was martyred in 258 AD and buried within the church. Pope Pius IX is also interred in this papal basilica. The Basilica of Saint…
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls is located in Rome, Italy, and is one of the four Papal Major Basilicas of the Roman Catholic Church. The other three are the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Basilica of St. Mary Major. This basilica was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I and was built over the burial site of Saint Paul. …
The Mausoleum of Augustus is a large tomb built for the Roman Emperor, constructed in 28 BC on the Campus Martius in Rome, now situated in the Piazza Augusto Imperatore. Although time and neglect have damaged the ruins, they remain an impressive dominant structure on the northern side of the Campus Martius. Augustus...
The Church of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza is located in Rome, Italy. It is a Roman Catholic church built between 1642 and 1660 by the architect Francesco Borromini and is considered a masterpiece of Baroque church architecture. It is one of the most famous churches in Rome. The Church of Sant’Ivo…
The National Museum of 21st Century Arts is located in Rome, the capital of Italy. Opened in 2010, it is the first national institution dedicated to contemporary creativity and serves as a cradle of culture. It comprises two museums: MAXXI Art Museum and MAXXI Architecture Museum. The National Museum of 21st Century Arts itself…
Also known as the Stadio dei Centomila, the Stadio Olimpico is the main stadium in Rome, Italy, and serves as the shared home ground for Serie A clubs Roma and Lazio. It successfully hosted the 17th Summer Olympic Games. The stadium was built for the 1960 Olympics and...
The Church of the Gesù is located in the Piazza del Gesù in Rome. It is the mother church of the Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), and served as the residence of the Jesuit leaders until the suppression of the Jesuits in 1773. The façade of the church is considered “the first truly Baroque façade” and has served as a model for countless Jesuit churches around the world, especially those in the Americas…
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, also known as "Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica," is located in Rome, Italy, and is one of the four major papal basilicas in the Catholic Church. It is the first church in the world named after the Virgin Mary and is the largest among the churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Rome, making it highly popular. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was built around...
The love Italians have for pasta is known worldwide. The symbol of Italy is not the Leaning Tower of Pisa, nor the water city of Venice, but Italian pasta. If you want to know why Italians are so fond of it and the history of pasta, you should visit the National Museum of Pasta in Rome. Although the National Museum...
Covering an area of 108,414 square feet, the Millennium Church in Rome was designed by Richard Meier & Partners. The three curving walls beside the sanctuary are made from over 300 precast grayish-white concrete panels, rising gradually from 56 feet to 88 feet in height, resembling white sails. The activity center on the church’s north side is...
The Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti is located in Rome, Italy. It is built in the Late Renaissance style and serves as a titular church led by a Cardinal Priest. It is famous for the Spanish Steps that lead from its façade to the Piazza di Spagna. The church was constructed in 1585 and features twin towers; its towering spires are its most distinctive feature. Renovations were carried out in 1816...
The Church of the Immaculate Conception on Via Veneto, also known as the "Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Capuchins," is a Roman Catholic church in Rome, Italy, located on Via Veneto near Piazza Barberini. It was built in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. This sacred cathedral consists of a nave and several small chapels...
The Largo di Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary is located within the ancient temples of Rome’s Largo di Torre Argentina. Its mission is to neuter and care for stray cats, as well as help many find new homes. Nowadays, the sanctuary has become a tourist attraction, where visitors come to see the iconic Roman cats roaming among the historic ruins. The Largo di Torre Argentina Cat...
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs is located in Rome, Italy. It is a Catholic minor basilica and a titular church led by a Cardinal Priest. It was built within the former frigidarium (cold bath) of the Baths of Diocletian. During the period of the Kingdom of Italy, the basilica served as the official national church and state funerals continued to be held here. This building has a plain exterior but an…
Milvian Bridge is located in the northern part of Rome, Italy, spanning the Tiber River. During the Roman Empire, it was a bridge of great economic and strategic importance. Today, it is world-renowned for the metal locks symbolizing love that hang from it, earning the title of Italy’s most romantic love bridge. Milv…
The Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio, also known as the "Church of San Pietro in Montorio," is located in Rome, Italy. It was built by the renowned Italian Renaissance architect Donato Bramante and is considered one of the most innovative churches in Rome. The Tempietto...
Located on the Mediterranean coast in southern France, Montpellier is a gateway to Spain and serves as the capital of both the Occitanie region and the Hérault department. It is the eighth-largest city in France. The city is one of the first places in Europe where universities were established, and in 2012, it was ranked by French media as one of the best cities in France for studying...
The Nîmes Arena is located in the French city of Nîmes, standing tall under the blue sky and white clouds. It is an ancient Roman amphitheater and one of the main Roman monuments in Nîmes. It is also one of the most well-preserved among the few remaining arenas in the world, boasting a long history that is truly captivating. The Nîmes Arena was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus (circa...
Quéribus Castle is located in the Cucugnan area of the Aude department in France's Occitanie region. It is the ruins of a castle. Since 1907, this castle has been classified as a historical monument by the French Ministry of Culture. Quéribus Castle is commonly referred to as one of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne"...