Rome is one of those major cities that everyone fantasizes about seeing at least once in their lives. It's been glorified in our imaginations by movies as old and glamorous as Roman Holiday and as new and quirky as The Lizzie McGuire Movie. We fantasize about seeing the Coliseum and imagining its former splendor and tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain and having some fantastical wish come true. But what would I do in Rome if I had the chance to go?
1) The Vatican City
The Vatican is the world's smallest country, fitting snugly within the city limits of Rome. Even before Christianity, it was considered a sacred place. It's name is derived from a Latin word meaning seer or prophesy, making it a hub of activity. Once chosen as the center of the Christian world, it attracted artists who painted, sculpted, and built it up to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.
2)The Pantheon
One of the best preserved Roman buildings in existence, the Pantheon is a temple built in honor of all gods. That's what "Pantheon" literally translates to. The Oculus at the top is a topic of debate. Some people say it's main function is light, some say it was seen as a link to the gods themselves, and others say it was used as a sun dial. In any case, it's something I would love to see for myself.
3)The Roman Forum
This is by far my favorite and the one I would be the most excited to see. It was the first inhabited part of Rome and one of the most active areas once all of Rome was built. Due to debris build up over the years, the forum is now a full 25 feet lower than the street level of Rome. The best part of all this is that the public is allowed in! One day I hope to walk where the Romans walked and see what they built.
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