Rome, the capital city of Italy, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture, and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, boasts St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel frescoes. Rome's historic center is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the city's unparalleled history has attracted visitors from around the world for centuries. Its varied landscape ranges from the Trastevere district's charming cobblestone streets to the grandeur of the Pantheon. Rome is also famous for its fountains, like the iconic Trevi Fountain, as well as its delicious cuisine and vibrant nightlife. Beyond its historical significance, Rome is an influential fashion capital and a bustling modern metropolis. Despite the heavy traffic and the fast pace of life, the city continues to be an epic, bubbling cauldron of artistic and architectural marvels, as well as a mesmerizing testament to the many layers of human history.
