Popular attractions
The city of Rome contains a vast amount of priceless works of art, churches, basilicas, theatres, and villas.
Churches
Several hundred are the Christian churches of Rome and their history is strictly correlated with the religious, social and artistic history of the city. Deserving special consideration the four patriarchal churches of St. Peter’s in Vatican (San Pietro), Saint John’s (San Giovanni, also cathedral of the city), St.Paul’s outside the walls (San Paolo fuori le mura) and St.Mary Major Basilica (Santa Maria Maggiore).
Historical buildings
- Quirinale Palace, official residence of the President of the Italian Republic
- Madama Palace, premises of the Senato della Repubblica
- Montecitorio Palace, premises of the Camera dei Deputati
- Chigi Palace, premises of the Governo italiano
- Valentini Palace, premises of the Provincia di Roma e della Prefettura
- Koch Palace, premises of the Banca d'Italia
- Consulta Palace, premises of the Corte Costituzionale
- Giustizia Palace, called Palazzaccio, premises of the Corte Suprema di Cassazione
- Campidoglio, premises of the Comune di Roma
Squares
The Roman squares are one of the greatest attractions of the city. Among the most famous: Campidoglio Square (premises of the city government), Venezia Square, Navona Square, Spagna Square (Spanish Steps), San Pietro Square, Popolo Square, Rotonda Square, Bocca della Verità Square, Campo de' fiori Square and Trevi Square, famous for the largest Baroque fountain in the city.
Villas
Rome is proud to have, among all European capitals, the highest number of green areas. The story of a good portion of these areas goes back to villas and gardens. The Villa Doria Pamphili is the largest landscaped public park in Rome, just outside the Porta San Pancrazio in the ancient walls of Rome, where Via Aurelia commences.
The second in size is villa Ada Savoia along via Salaria once hunting estate of the Savoia royal family; third is Villa Borghese, a vast park in the very centre of the city encompassing the terrace of Pincio that overlooks Popolo Square and villa Medici (premises of the Academy of France in Rome).
Inside villa Borghese is located the Galleria Borghese with its collection of Renaissance and Baroque art, the Canonica Museum, the Bilotti Museum and the Biopark.