A very long time ago, its inhabitants considered it Caput Mundi ("capital of the world"),
simply referring to it as Urbs ("the City"); they measured time ab urbe condita, i.e. from its foundation, and their year 1 corresponded to 753 BC of the present Western dating system.
Over more than 2760 years of history, Rome has risen and fallen several times, but the relics of millions of people who ruled, fought, worked or simply lived here, from the mighty emperors to the humble plebs, now represent an immense heritage of historical, artistic and cultural interest, thanks to which Rome is now known as 'the Eternal City'.
Some of its buildings, monuments and sites are among the most important and famous in the world. Those treasures of art, though, are not the main topic of these pages; there are several other excellent sources that deal with these topics.
Rome also comprises a plethora of other 'minor' features to visit, to know and to enjoy, which most tourists ignore, and many Romans too disregard. Some of them are barely reported by guides, or sometimes not even mentioned.
Therefore, the goal of this website is to turn the spotlight on the less known (yet not less important) Roman heritage, which is often as much interesting as the most famous monuments and museums, and to share it with virtual travellers.
ITALIANA