Rome

The capital of Italy and seat of the Italian government, Rome (Roma) also contains the tiny independent state of the Vatican City, the seat of the Pope and the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. In addition, Rome is the capital of the Lazio (Latium) region and of Roma province.

Rome is the most important classical city in the history of Western civilization. Its 28 centuries of existence have left an immensely rich legacy of ancient monuments; palaces, churches and art treasures amidst which present-day life flourishes and fine modern buildings have their place.

Rome stands on the rolling plain of the Campagna di Roma about midway down the Italian peninsula. The Tiber (Tevere) River, which is joined in the northern suburbs by the Aniene River, meanders through Rome from north to southwest on its way to the Tyrrhenian Sea (Mare Tirreno) near Ostia, 16 miles from the city.

The plain is composed of volcanic tuff with underlying clays. Streams from the nearby mountains long ago carved out steep spurs and low hills, including the famed seven hills of ancient Rome-the Palatine, Capitoline, Aventine, Caelian, Esquiline, Viminal and Quirinal. All these hills rise on the east bank of the Tiber; composed of partly hardened volcanic ash, they were once separated by marshy valleys, long since drained and leveled. Modern Rome embraces about 13 other hills as well, including Monte Mario and others west of the Tiber.

Easily defensible and near a favorable crossing point (the Isola Tiberina) of the Tiber, the ancient hills naturally attracted habitation.

Legend tells that Romulus built his Roma Quadrata ("Square Rome") on the Palatine Hill in 753 BC, but archeological research suggests a much earlier origin. In time the city became the capital of the great Roman Empire; its heart is still girdled by the walls built by the Emperor Aurelian (reigned 270-75 AD). South of the Piazza Venezia, one of the busiest squares, are most of the important Roman remains, including the Imperial and Roman Forums, the Colosseum and the Baths of Caracalla.

Rome later became the capital of the Papal States (the States of the Church). Renaissance popes like Sixtus IV, Julius II and Leo X employed the finest architects and artists to beautify the city. Bramante, Michelangelo and Raphael all worked on St Peter's. The Quirinal Palace, now the official residence of the President of the Republic, was built in the 1500s as a summer palace for the popes. But the first of the great Renaissance palaces was the Palazzo di Venezia where, in Fascist times, Mussolini had his office. Rome was not absorbed into united Italy until 1870, and it became the national capital in the following year.

Rome today is one of the world's most beautiful cities. It has many fine parks, including the Villa Borghese; hundreds of sculptured fountains, the most famous of which is the Trevi fountain; picturesque squares and fashionable shops and restaurants. In places the suburbs have spread out almost to the Grande Raccordo Anulare (Great Ring Access Road), a freeway encircling the city and connecting with the Autostrada del Sole (Expressway of the Sun) and other major routes. In the southwest development has followed the Tiber and includes EUR (Esposizio ne Universale di Roma), a suburb of imposing government buildings, museums and luxury homes. Its large Sports Palace, designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and Marcello Piacentini, is an outstanding piece of modern architecture. Another impressive modern building is the Terminal Station in the heart of the city.

Rome is a transportation hub, linked by road, rail and air with all the major cities in Italy and Europe. Flights to most parts of the world operate from its Leonardo da Vinci airport at Fiumicino.

The city itself is served by a subway, the Metropolitana, and by buses and streetcars. Like many great cities, Rome has traffic problems. These are being eased by the construction of new roads and peripheral multi-story underground parking lots, the ultimate aim being to free the historic heart of the city from all traffic. Meanwhile automobiles, taxis, trucks and buses jam the streets during the rush hours making it easy enough to believe that all roads lead to Rome.