Eternal City

Rome architecture

Rome is home to a museum dedicated entirely to the history and science of Pasta, celebrating Italy's most famous culinary export. The city is an open-air museum where 2,000-year-old temples and arenas sit casually alongside busy modern offices and bustling cafes.

16Landmarks
80Oldest · The Colosseum
136 mTallest · St. Peter's Basilica
18Architects

The Colosseum
The Pantheon
St. Peter's Basilica

Before you go

Fly intoFiumicino (FCO)
Fiumicino Airport consistently wins international awards for its high-quality dining, featuring authentic Italian bistros and Michelin-starred chef collaborations. It serves as the primary gateway to the Vatican and is connected to the city center by a high-speed express train named after Leonardo da Vinci.
CurrencyEuro (€)
LanguageItalian
Italian is the official language, but you will often hear the 'Romanesco' dialect in local trattorias, known for its humor and theatricality. English is common in the historic center, though a few Italian words will help you navigate the city like a local.
Getting aroundATAC Metro
The expansion of the Rome Metro is often delayed because construction crews frequently discover ancient ruins. High-frequency trams serve many of the historic neighborhoods that are not reachable by the underground lines. The Leonardo Express is a dedicated non-stop train that connects the airport to the central Termini station.

16 landmarks in Rome

Photo: FeaturedPics, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Colosseum

Piazza del Colosseo 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

The Colosseum remains the largest ancient amphitheater ever built and stands as a global icon of Imperial Rome. Its complex system of vaults and arches was constructed using travertine, tuff, and brick-faced concrete to ensure immense structural stability. This massive arena could once hold between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. The innovative design featured a sophisticated network of underground tunnels, known as the hypogeum, to house animals and machinery. It has served as the architectural blueprint for modern sports stadiums for nearly two millennia.

Built
80
Architect
Vespasian / Titus
Style
Ancient Roman
Height
48 m (157 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Monument / Landmark
Photo: NikonZ7II, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pantheon

Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

The Pantheon is a former Roman temple and current Catholic church that is world-renowned for its perfectly preserved ancient architecture. It features the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, a record it has remarkably held for nearly two thousand years. The interior is a perfect sphere, with the height from the floor to the top of the dome exactly equal to its diameter. A circular opening at the peak, known as the 'oculus,' serves as the building's only source of natural light and ventilation. It is the final resting place of several historic figures, including the painter Raphael and the first two kings of Italy.

Built
126
Architect
Apollodorus of Damascus
Style
Ancient Roman
Height
43 m (141 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Church / Tomb
Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

St. Peter's Basilica

Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica is considered the pinnacle of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world. Its massive dome, designed primarily by Michelangelo, dominates the Roman skyline and offers breathtaking views from its summit. The interior is adorned with priceless masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s 'Pieta' and Bernini’s monumental bronze Baldacchino. The building serves as the spiritual center of the Catholic Church and is traditionally the burial site of Saint Peter. Its grand facade and colonnaded square were designed to welcome pilgrims into a space that symbolizes the embrace of the church.

Built
1626
Architect
Michelangelo / Bramante
Style
Renaissance / Baroque
Height
136 m (446 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Church
Photo: Max_Ryazanov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Altare della Patria

Piazza Venezia, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This massive white marble monument was built to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. Its sheer scale and stark white appearance have earned it colorful local nicknames like 'The Wedding Cake' or 'The Typewriter.' The structure houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is guarded perpetually by two honor guards. Visitors can take a glass elevator to the 'Rome from the Sky' terrace for unparalleled 360-degree views of the historic center. Despite initial controversy over its size, it has become a central landmark of modern Italian national identity.

Built
1911
Architect
Giuseppe Sacconi
Style
Neoclassical
Height
70 m (230 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Museum / Landmark
MAXXI Museum

Via Guido Reni 4A, 00196 Roma RM, Italy

The MAXXI is a contemporary masterpiece designed as a complex series of intersecting concrete curves and black steel stairs. It was envisioned by Zaha Hadid as a 'field' of space rather than a traditional static building. The structure features fluid, overlapping volumes that guide visitors through a seamless stream of light and contemporary art exhibitions. Much of the building’s weight is supported by a system of external walls, allowing for vast, open-plan galleries inside. It is the first Italian national institution devoted entirely to contemporary creativity and architectural research.

Built
2010
Architect
Zaha Hadid
Style
Deconstructivism
Height
23 m (75 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Contemporary Art Museum
Photo: dalbera from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana

Quadrato della Concordia 3, 00144 Roma RM, Italy

Widely known as the 'Square Colosseum,' this building is the most iconic example of Rationalist architecture from the Fascist era. Its facade is famous for having six rows of nine arches each, which some say corresponds to the number of letters in Benito Mussolini's name. The entire structure is clad in white travertine, giving it a monolithic and timeless appearance. After decades of relative vacancy, the building underwent an extensive renovation to become the global headquarters of the fashion house Fendi. It remains a striking landmark in the EUR district, symbolizing the intersection of history and modern luxury.

Built
1943
Architect
Giovanni Guerrini
Style
Rationalist
Height
50 m (164 ft)
Stories
6
Today
Fashion Headquarters
Photo: Livioandronico2013, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castel Sant'Angelo

Lungotevere Castello 50, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

This towering cylindrical structure was originally commissioned by Emperor Hadrian as a grand mausoleum for himself and his family. Over the centuries, it was converted into a papal fortress and used as a safe haven during times of political unrest. It is connected to the Vatican via the Passetto di Borgo, a secret fortified corridor that still exists today. The castle is divided into five levels, including residential apartments decorated with exquisite Renaissance frescoes. At the very top, a bronze statue of Saint Michael the Archangel commemorates a vision of the angel ending a 6th-century plague.

Built
139
Architect
Demetrianus
Style
Roman / Medieval / Renaissance
Height
48 m (157 ft)
Stories
5
Today
Museum
Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Villa Medici

Viale della Trinità dei Monti 1, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

Villa Medici is an elegant Mannerist villa situated on the Pincian Hill with a commanding view over the city of Rome. The garden facade is uniquely decorated with ancient Roman bas-reliefs and sculptures embedded directly into the masonry. Since 1803, the villa has housed the French Academy in Rome, supporting artists and researchers through its prestigious residency program. Its extensive gardens are considered among the most beautiful in the city, featuring symmetrical hedges and historic fountains. The building perfectly exemplifies the fusion of 16th-century aristocratic living with the preservation of classical antiquity.

Built
1544
Architect
Annibale Lippi
Style
Mannerist
Height
20 m (66 ft)
Stories
3
Today
French Academy in Rome
Photo: Fiat 500e, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Via del Corso 305, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This is one of the largest privately-owned palaces in Rome and remains the residence of the Doria Pamphilj noble family. Its breathtaking Gallery of Mirrors is a Rococo masterpiece that rivals the grandeur of European royal palaces. The building houses an extraordinary private art collection featuring works by masters such as Velázquez, Caravaggio, and Titian. Four magnificent wings surround a central courtyard, showcasing a blend of 16th and 18th-century architectural styles. It offers a rare glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy that has been maintained across several centuries.

Built
1734
Architect
Gabriele Valvassori
Style
Rococo / Baroque
Height
25 m (82 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Art Gallery / Residence
Auditorium Parco della Musica

Via Pietro de Coubertin 30, 00196 Roma RM, Italy

Designed by Renzo Piano, this massive music complex consists of three giant lead-covered halls that locals compare to 'scarabs.' The three structures are arranged around an open-air amphitheater that serves as a fourth performance space. During the excavation process, archaeologists discovered the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, which were integrated into the final design. The halls use cherry wood interiors to provide world-class acoustics for a wide variety of musical genres. Since its opening, it has become one of the most-visited music venues in the world, revitalizing the Flaminio neighborhood.

Built
2002
Architect
Renzo Piano
Style
High-Tech / Organic
Height
30 m (98 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Music Complex
Apple Via del Corso

Via del Corso 184, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Housed within the 1873 Palazzo Marignoli, this flagship store represents a massive achievement in historic architectural restoration. The project painstakingly revived grand 19th-century frescoes and intricate hand-painted geometric ceilings that had been hidden for years. A central courtyard filled with Camphor trees serves as a public green space within the bustling retail environment. Local Carrara marble was used extensively throughout the interior to harmonize the modern technology with Rome's classic aesthetic. It stands as a bridge between the palace's history as a social hub for artists and its new life as a center for digital creativity.

Built
1873
Architect
Foster + Partners
Style
Renaissance Revival / Modern Interior
Height
22 m (72 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Retail Flagship
Ara Pacis Museum

Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

The Ara Pacis Museum is a sleek pavilion designed to protect the Altar of Peace, an ancient Roman sacrificial altar. It was the first major work of modern architecture built in the historic heart of Rome since the end of the Fascist period. Richard Meier used a combination of glass, steel, and travertine to create a light-filled space that shields the marble from pollution. While initially controversial, the design allows the monument to be seen in natural light while keeping it in a climate-controlled environment. The building's clean lines provide a minimalist backdrop that emphasizes the intricate carvings of the Augustan-era monument.

Built
2006
Architect
Richard Meier
Style
Modernist / Minimalism
Height
14 m (46 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Museum
Photo: Staselnik, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Vatican Museums (The Spiral Ramp)

Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy

The double-helix spiral ramp, designed by Giuseppe Momo, is one of the most iconic architectural features of the Vatican Museums. This ingenious 1932 design allows visitors to ascend and descend on separate paths, preventing human traffic from clashing. The ramp is beautifully adorned with bronze reliefs and is topped by a large glass dome that provides natural light. It served as a functional precursor to the fluid architectural flow seen in many modern gallery designs. Today, it remains one of the most photographed staircases in the world and marks the final stage of a visitor's journey through the museums.

Built
1932
Architect
Giuseppe Momo
Style
Neoclassical / Modernist
Height
25 m (82 ft)
Stories
4
Today
Museum Entrance
Photo: Architas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

Via del Quirinale 23, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane is a Baroque masterpiece known for its undulating facade and complex geometric interior. Despite the tiny site, Borromini created a sense of immense space through the use of an oval floor plan and soaring vertical lines. The extraordinary white dome features a coffered pattern of crosses, hexagons, and octagons that create an illusion of greater height. This building was the architect's first independent commission and is considered a prime example of his revolutionary style. Its name refers to the four fountains located at each corner of the intersection where the church stands.

Built
1646
Architect
Francesco Borromini
Style
Baroque
Height
20 m (66 ft)
Stories
1
Today
Church
La Nuvola (The Cloud)

Viale Asia 40, 00144 Roma RM, Italy

La Nuvola is a futuristic convention center that features a massive, cloud-like structure suspended inside a giant glass and steel box. The internal 'cloud' is made of steel and translucent fiberglass and contains a multi-level auditorium for concerts and events. The surrounding glass exterior, known as the 'theca,' provides a highly efficient climate-controlled environment for visitors. This project represents Rome's 21st-century ambition to establish itself as a global leader in business and congress tourism. It has quickly become the architectural symbol of the EUR district's modern evolution.

Built
2016
Architect
Massimiliano Fuksas
Style
Neo-futurism
Height
40 m (131 ft)
Stories
3
Today
Convention Center
Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Galleria Borghese

Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5, 00197 Roma RM, Italy

Galleria Borghese is a suburban villa that was specifically designed to house the elite art collection of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The architecture acts as a theatrical stage, with every room’s frescoes and marble floors designed to complement specific sculptures. It contains some of the world's most famous works by Bernini, including 'Apollo and Daphne' and 'The Rape of Proserpina.' The building is a perfect example of a 'collector's palace,' where the structure and the art within are inseparable. It is situated within the heart of the Villa Borghese park, the most popular public garden in the city of Rome.

Built
1613
Architect
Flaminio Ponzio
Style
Renaissance / Baroque
Height
18 m (59 ft)
Stories
2
Today
Art Museum