ArticleA 28-Century-Old City

Both Venice, founded in 421 AD, and Milan that came to existence about two centuries later, have been around for quite a while but...both are mere teenagers in comparison with Rome rumoured to have been founded by Remus and Romulus, the sons of the most famous she-wolf in the human history, in 753 BC! One would think that a 28-centuries-old city has a lot to offer, and it does...but in a rather quirky way.

Arguably, the most renowned structures in Rome are the Colosseum and the Forum. The former was built for the people by Emperor Titus (most beloved by the people and nicknamed "The People's Emperor"). For several centuries the Colosseum hosted the most cruel AND the most spectacular shows on Earth, including not only gladiators fights but also naval battles. After that it served as a quarry for about a millennium-and-a-half. The Forum, roughly translated as "a place for trading and socializing", had for many centuries been touted as "the most celebrated meeting place in the world in all history". The decline of the Roman Empire ended the celebration. Even nowadays both structures are very centrally located, popular tourist attractions but... both are essentially ruins!

Another magnet for tourists is the Trevi Fountain. Once an important junction (hence its name, Trevi (a) = three roads), today it's quite literally a means to its own end because that's where tourists throw coins in order to return to Rome. Some of those tourists also seem to believe that their contribution entitles them to a small bonus, such as nude swimming in that very fountain.

Finally, there is St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope's own cathedral, so-to-say, and therefore, arguably, the most important church on Earth. However, there is a "but" in this case, too: while located in the same city, the Basilica is in another country, as being the smallest country in the world doesn't make Vatican any less sovereign!

As a result of all those buts, one might feel that visiting Rome is like taking a quirky holiday from normal life - or, in other words, like becoming a character in the famous 1953 movie "Roman Holiday".