Written/Compiled & Reported by Chen Guanxin, MOOK Travel Life Network & HowToTrip. Source/MOCA Editorial Department
Once the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome boasts countless enviable monuments and ruins spanning several centuries. Its rich historical legacy makes the city a fascinating destination. For travelers with limited time, if you want to absorb the most essence in the shortest time, then the area between the Celio Hill and the Capitoline Hill is the densest zone of ancient Roman civilization. The iconic Colosseum and two fora are located here, while the Trevi Fountain is not only the most beautiful fountain in Rome but also the secret weapon that draws visitors back to the Eternal City.
Visiting the capital of the ancient Roman Empire allows you to experience the historical development of this civilization and feel the vibrant charm of Rome, where past and present blend seamlessly. (Image provided by MOCA Editorial Department)
Route: Colosseum → Roman Forum → Piazza del Campidoglio → Vittorio Emanuele II Monument & Piazza Venezia → Imperial Forum → Via del Corso → Trevi Fountain → Piazza Barberini
Must-Visit Attraction: Colosseum
This largest ancient Roman relic in the world once hosted the bloodiest gladiatorial games during the height of the Roman Empire. While Roman citizens were enthralled, this grand arena meticulously staged brutal yet thrilling man-versus-beast battles, as well as even more astonishing naval battles, where the arena was flooded for aquatic combat. Though the cheers of audiences have long since faded, a visit to the Colosseum still evokes awe at the civilization once built by the Romans. Gladiatorial arenas existed even in the late Roman Republic, with Augustus having built a wooden Colosseum. By the Imperial era, arenas were constructed across Rome, the largest being the Colosseum built by Emperor Vespasian, commemorating the victory over Jerusalem. It was said to have mobilized 80,000 Jewish captives, with countless lives lost within. The arena stage could even be flooded for naval shows, with the inaugural ceremony alone claiming 5,000 lions, tigers, and leopards, along with about 3,000 human "gladiators." Such cruel spectacles were only banned after 404 AD by Emperor Honorius.
The world’s largest Roman relic has served as the backdrop for numerous films. (Image provided by MOCA Editorial Department)
Must-Visit Attraction: Roman Forum
The history of the Roman Empire is almost told through stone. Any city once ruled by the Romans left behind classic architecture—the forum (Foro). However, the forum in the heart of Rome, the imperial capital, is unique—it has a special name: the Roman Forum (Foro Romano), because it belonged exclusively to the Romans. In those days, these most refined of civilized people engaged in politics, economics, and entertainment here. To better understand this massive “stone book” is to grasp the pride once held by the Romans.
The Roman Forum, once exclusive to Romans, was where only a select few engaged in political, economic, and entertainment activities. (Image provided by MOCA Editorial Department)
Must-Visit Attraction: Piazza del Campidoglio
Capitoline Hill is one of the Seven Hills of Rome and the main Capitoline (Capitolium). During the Roman Empire, major temple constructions were erected here, such as the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus and the Temple of Moneta, located on the southwestern side and the hilltop (Arx) respectively. Between these two temples was the Asylum given by Romulus (the legendary founder of Rome) to refugees from neighboring towns, giving the site of Piazza del Campidoglio an extremely sacred significance to the Romans.
The renovation overseen by Michelangelo made Piazza del Campidoglio one of the outstanding urban reconstruction projects in architectural history. (Image provided by MOCA Editorial Department)
Must-Visit Attraction: Vittorio Emanuele II Monument & Piazza Venezia
The tall white marble building on Piazza Venezia, the Vittoriano (Vittorio Emanuele II Monument), was originally built in 1885, planned by G. Sacconi and completed in 1911, dedicated to Italy’s first king after unification. The grand staircase is flanked by winged lion and Victory goddess bronze statues, while the Roman-style high reliefs on the monument were created by Angelo Zanelli. The central massive equestrian statue depicts King Vittorio Emanuele II, crafted by Enrico Chiaradia. The building’s facade features a majestic portico of 15 tall columns and two bronze Victory goddess statues, masterpieces by Fontana and Paolo Bartolini. At the center of the structure is the Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria), beneath which lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (Milite Ignoto), commemorating Italian soldiers who died in World War I.
This grand structure represents a turbulent period in modern Italian history and is the result of a major urban redevelopment project. (Image provided by MOCA Editorial Department)
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