Discover Rome’s Eternal Charm: Walking Tour + Ebook

Situated in Trajan's Forum in Rome, the column stands at around 30 meters in height, complemented by an eight-meter pedestal. Constructed from nineteen marble blocks, it boasts a weight of 1,110 tons. The bas-reliefs narrate the Dacian wars, showcasing innovative techniques like using a tree to distinguish scenes. The top provides panoramic views. While some view it as a memorial to a Dacian "genocide," it primarily honors the Roman Army and Trajan, with Roman wars focusing on economic and cultural expansion, not extermination.

Piazza Navona stands out as one of Rome's renowned squares, situated in the Parione district. Its design mirrors that of ancient stadiums in Ancient Rome, aligning with the Stadium of Domitian, known in Italian as Campomarzio. With the capacity for 20,000 spectators, it was termed "Circo Agonístico" in Emperor Domitian's era (81-96 AD). The name transitioned from "in agone" to "nagone" and eventually to "navone," coincidentally sharing the meaning of "large ship" in Italian.

The Pantheon, located in Rome, Italy, was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Emperor Augustus (27 BC–14 AD) and later reconstructed by Hadrian around 126 AD. With its circular design, the Pantheon features a portico supported by large Corinthian granite columns (eight in the first row and two groups of four in the second) and a pediment. A rectangular vestibule connects the portico to the rotunda, which is covered by a substantial coffered concrete dome featuring a central opening known as the oculus. Even after nearly two thousand years, this dome remains the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome, with both the height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circumference measuring 43.3 meters.

The fountain was positioned at the crossroads of three streets, symbolizing the termination of the Acqua Vergine, one of Rome's ancient aqueducts. In 19 BC, with the assistance of a purportedly virgin figure, Roman engineers identified a source of pristine water slightly over 22 kilometers from the city (depicted in a sculpture on the current fountain). This water from the source was transported through Rome's smallest aqueduct directly to the baths of Marcus Agrippa, serving the city for more than 400 years.

At the heart of the square lies the renowned Fontana della Barcaccia, a splendid example of early Baroque art crafted by Pietro Bernini and his illustrious son, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. To the right of the staircase stands the former home of English poet John Keats, where he resided and passed away in 1821. Today, it functions as a museum commemorating Keats's and his friend Percy Bysshe Shelley's legacies, housing an array of books and mementos from the English Romantic era. On the left side, you'll find the distinguished Babington's Tea Room, established in 1893.