Italy
boasts a truly interesting history that dated back when the Roman Empire
reigned supreme over the country, leaving tourists spoilt for options on what
historical sightseeing destinations to visit. This is why an Italy tour package
always includes, at least, one historical site on its itinerary to introduce
the culture and ideas of this bygone era.
The
nation’s historic sites encapsulate its history from Roman to Renaissance time,
which makes it more intriguing to discover and get a glimpse of their past.
However, tourists must take note that most of these historic sites have a
limited daily number of visitors in order to preserve the site. So, which sites
should you include in your Italy tour package?
Here
are our top five recommendations for you.
Colosseum
Undeniably,
the Colosseum is one of the most popular historic monuments in the country
which is the ancient stadium where all staged gladiator fights took place.
Visiting the Colosseum offers a great opportunity to get insight into the lives
of the citizens during the Roman Empire and those who fought in the stadium.
Tourists can get a closer look at the center of the stadium since they can tour
the underground hallways as well as the corridors where the gladiators would
prepare to fight for their life. The higher areas of the structure are now open
to the public from where tourists can get magnificent views of the Roman Forum.
Pantheon
Another
must-visit historical site in Italy is the Pantheon. It is one of the oldest
temples of the Roman period, which has been re-used as the tomb of the most
influential Italians throughout the centuries. This epic structure that stands
142 feet high is also regarded as a well-preserved ancient Roman building in
Rome. Built in around 126 AD, originally, the Pantheon was constructed in
honour of the pagan gods of Rome before it became a Roman Catholic church in
the 7th century. The area surrounding the Pantheon offers a lively atmosphere,
especially when the night falls where tourists can hang out and enjoy a drink
or grab a bite.
Pisa
An
Italy tour package wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Leaning Tower of
Pisa. Needless to say, the freestanding bell tower is famous for its unusual
appearance - leaning to the side. Built between 1173 and 1360, successive
generations of architects attempted to rectify the tilt caused by the
building’s shifting foundation but were unsuccessful. The tower was closed in
1990 due to the danger it posed to the visitors, but it reopened in 2001
following an extensive engineering project to ensure safety. This particular
site offers a limited number of tourists daily, hence, it is highly advisable
to buy tickets in advance.
The
Forum may appear to be a chaotic collection of ruins, however, this site marks
the heart of the Roman age. It served as the political hub of Rome during the
time and now features the stylistic trends that spanned the years between 500
B.C. and 400 A.D. through the architecture and sculpture on display. All major
buildings of the city were located in or near the area, including the royal
residency of the Regia, Senate House, Tribunals, government offices, religious
monuments, memorials and statues, and the complex of the Vestal Virgins.
St. Peter's Basilica
St.Peter’s
Basilica is considered as the second most essential monument in the country. It
is located in the independent city-state of Vatican and is the home of the
Pope, head of the Roman Catholic church. The church contains eleven chapels and
a hefty of religious statues, like Michelangelo’s Pieta. Tourists can also find
contemporary objects dating back hundreds of years. So, if you want to see all
these incredible structures and displays, be sure to include this in your Italy
tour package. You should consider best and worst times for Europe tours. So you will enjoy your holiday tour happily.
