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Rome is the capital of the Italian Republic, as well its more populous city (2.547.676 habitants on December 31 st 2005). Universally known as the “Urbe” or the “Eternal City” Rome rises on the shores of the Tevere river and its historical nucleus developed on the hills in correspondence of the handle in which the Tiberina island is found, the only natural ford of the river. |
At present Rome reflects the stratifications of the epoches of its long history, but it is also a great and modern metropolis. The vast historical center contains many rests of the ancient Rome, there are many artistic treasures from the Renaissance, a lot of churches and baroque buildings as also many examples of Art Nouveau, Neoclassic, Modernism, Rationalism and other artistic styles of the XIX and XX century, the city can be considered a sort of living encyclopedia of the last 3000 years of Western art. |
Among the hundred Churches, Rome entertains the five principal basilicas of the Catholic Church: Saint Peter, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, Saint Mary Major, Saint Lawrence outside the Walls and Saint John Lateran, center of Rome’s diocese and spiritual center of the whole Catholic Church. The Bishop of Rome is the Pope, assisted from a vicar (normally a cardinal) for his pastoral activity. Rome is probably the only city in the world to contains inside a state: Vatican City. |
Rome offers all the services of reception from tourists as pilgrims that visit the city, offering hotels, religious institutes, Bed&Breakfast, etc. |
Today Rome is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world, because of its immense archaeological patrimony and artistic treasures, as for its unique traditions and the beauty of its sights and villas. Among its more interesting resources, there are many museums (Capitoline Museums, Vatican Museums, Borghese Gallery and many others), churches, historical constructions, monuments and ruins of the Roman forum and Catacombs. |
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