Here are some facts about Rome.
- Rome has a population of almost 2.7 million and is Italy’s capital and largest city. It is located on the River Tiber, almost exactly in the middle of the country.
- Rome was founded in 753 BC, and every April residents celebrate its founding. It may have been named after the twins Romulus and Remus who were cared for by a wolf.
- The world’s smallest country, Vatican City, is surrounded entirely by Rome. It covers just 44 hectares and has its own post office, railway station, currency and police force.
- Rome has featured in many films, including Spartacus, La Dolce Vita, Roman Holiday and Angels and Demons.
- The city is twinned with Paris, and partner cities include Cairo, London and Tokyo.
- Rome’s most famous building is the Colosseum, built in around 70 AD, for gladiator fights. The huge arena could hold 80,000 people and has influenced the design of many modern stadiums.
- The Pantheon was built in 27 BC as a temple. It still has one of the largest unsupported concrete domes in the world, which measures 43 metres across.
- St. Peter’s is the largest church in the world, and covers 21,000 square metres of floor space. It is almost 140 metres high and measures over 210 metres from front to back.
- Two offbeat sites in Rome include the pasta museum, and the Park of the Monsters, containing scary figures carved out of rock.
- The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous in the world. An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day, and throwing in a coin is said to ensure a return to Rome.
- There are at least 40 catacombs deep under Rome’s streets, stretching for over 250 km. The Capuchin crypt is decorated with the old bones of 4,000 dead monks.
