Monuments
The beauty and wealth of Rome’s monuments could form an endless list, there is so much architectural and artistic heritage that has been superimposed and combined over the centuries within this city that has continued to evolve without forgetting its glorious past. Starting from Piazza del Popolo, for example, and moving along Via di Ripetta, we come to the Mausoleum of Augustus and the national monument to Victor Emmanuel II, whose building work began in 1885 and ended in 1911, with its inauguration by Victor Emmanuel III. The imposing structure dominates the outline of Piazza Venezia at the end of Via del Corso and captures the gaze of tourists, with its size and architectural structure. It is characterised by a neo-classical portico with Corinthian-style columns and, crowning each pronaos, are four horses led by winged Victory. Down Via del Corso towards Piazza del Popolo you can direct your attention to one of the capital’s most representative monuments, the Trevi Fountain, one of the most famous fountains in the world, designed by Nicolò Salvi and an exemplary fusion of classical and Baroque stylistic elements. According to tradition, throwing a coin into the fountain with your back turned brings good luck and ensures your return to the Eternal City. The coins, collected daily, are donated to charity organisations by Rome City Council. At the end of the '90s, during excavation and conservation work for the whole complex of buildings next to the fountain, a vast archaeological area was discovered, which has today been reorganised and can be visited. It is called “The City of Water” and an insula from the age of Nero and the remains of buildings from the XII and XIII centuries can still be seen. From this magnificent stone and water sculpture you can reach Castel Sant'Angelo, walking along streets that pass the institutions of national political power.
Castel Sant'Angelo, facing the banks of the Tiber, was built (and probably designed) by the Emperor Hadrian (II century A.D.) as a worthy home for his mortal remains and for that of his successors. In later ages it became a fortress to resist the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths, a prison and then a papal residence, connected to the apartments of the Vatican palaces through an elevated walkway that is still visible. The structure currently houses the National Museum of the same name, which contains stuccos, frescoes and various furnishings from the papal apartments, where you can also admire a beautiful and important collection of ancient weapons. Castel Sant'Angelo is also a place for music lovers , because its famous terrace, which offers a beautiful view over the city, is the terrace from which Tosca, heroine of Giacomo Puccini’s opera, leapt to her death.
