Rome Tourist Sites - The Aurelio And Vatican City Districts

The Aurelio district is southwest of central Rome

. Its northern sector is adjacent to Vatican City. This district gets its name from the Via Aurelia, a major Roman road that links the Mediterranean coast of Italy and the former Roman Gaul. Via this road Julius Caesar and his army were able to get to Spain in 27 days, changing horses four times a day. This district is also called Monteverde (Green Hill). The Janiculum Hill is the second highest in greater Rome but because it lies outside classic Rome, it is not counted among Rome's seven hills. The district is divided in two; Monteverde Vecchio, which is mostly Nineteenth Century villas and Monteverde Nuovo, which is mostly Twentieth Century medium-rise buildings. Which part do you think you'll want to tour?

The American University of Rome offers degrees in a wide range of disciplines including Art History, Film and Digital Media, and Italian Studies. The American Academy in Rome includes a School of Classical Studies and a School of Fine Arts. Both the University and the Academy are located in this beautiful district and both use English as their language of instruction.

A major feature of Aurelio is the Villa Doria Pamphili, Rome's largest landscaped vast public park that surrounds a Seventeenth Century country house, which despite its name was not an gambling establishment. During the defense of the short-lived Roman Republic in 1849-1850, the hero of Italian independence Guiseppe Garibaldi hastily fortified the area. Villa Doria Pamphili was near the scene of some of the fiercest hand-to-hand combat between Garibaldi's legions and the invading French troops that proved to be victorious. For a while.

Saint Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world. It dates back to the year 319 when the first Christian Roman Emperor Constantine built a basilica over what was thought to be the tomb of Saint Peter. This church stood for a millennium until Pope Julius II ordered its replacement in 1506. The new church was finally dedicated in 1626, by that time five of Italy's greatest architects including Michelangelo died during its construction. In case you didn't know, Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simon designed the dome that was only completed after his death. A side chapel to the right of the entrance is home to his sculpture, Pieta. The entryway to the Apostolic Palace, discussed next, is one of the most beautiful staircases in the world. The list goes on.

To the left of the Basilica is the Apostolic Palace, the papal residence sing 1870 that englobes some 1400 rooms, chapels, and galleries. Did I mention the Sistine Chapel? It seems as if an ugly crack emerged in what was to become the world's most famous ceiling back in 1504. After patchwork proved unsuccessful Pope Julius II called on Michelangelo to cover up the problem area - the solution, a fresco 135 feet long and 44 feet wide (about 42 by 13 meters). As chronicled in Irving Stone's novel, The Agony and the Ecstasy, things did not go smoothly between Michelangelo and the pope. Does anyone remember Julius II?

On the way to the Sistine Chapel you will pass the Vatican Museum, stop by. It hosts the greatest collection of antiques in the world. There are nearly 5 miles (8 kilometers) of displays so you will need roller skates (I never asked if they were allowed) or a lot of time, even if you don't intend to see everything. This magnificent collection was started by that same Pope, Julius II so maybe we shouldn't be too hard on him. The sights are many too numerous to list here. Don't miss the Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms). For a change of pace visit the Carriage and Automobile Museum in the Vatican Historical Museum. As you might expect, the museum is closed on Catholic holidays, so consult a local calendar before coming.

by: Levi Reiss

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