Rome

LAZIO, ITALY · FOUNDED 753 BC
Rome

The capital of the Italian Republic and the Lazio region, Rome operates under a special administrative system established by state law.

At a glance

Rome is Italy’s largest city and serves as the seat of national government. The city’s unique administrative status—governed under the Roma Capitale system—reflects its political and historical significance. With an area of 1,285 square kilometres, Rome stands as both a modern capital and a living museum of millennia of history.

History

According to tradition, Rome was founded on April 21, 753 BC. The city grew from a settlement on the Tiber River into the centre of a vast empire, then served as the heart of the Christian Church. Its development spans nearly three thousand years, during which it accumulated architectural and cultural treasures across countless eras.

What you see

Rome’s urban fabric combines ancient ruins, medieval churches, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque fountains. Monumental structures from different periods coexist within the city limits, creating a layered landscape where visitors encounter remains of the Roman Forum, grand piazzas, and centuries of artistic achievement in architecture and public art.

Cultural significance

Rome holds unparalleled importance as a centre of Western culture, politics, and religion. The city’s monuments document the evolution of European civilization. Its role as seat of the papacy enhances its spiritual authority, while its republican institutions and administrative innovations continue to influence governance worldwide.

Key facts

  • Coordinates: 41.90°N, 12.50°E
  • Area: 1,285 km²
  • Founded: 753 BC (traditional date)
  • Administrative system: Roma Capitale (special state law)
  • Official phone: 060606
  • City government website: www.comune.roma.it

Practical information

Rome is accessible by multiple transport networks. The city’s official tourism information is available through the contacts listed below. For visitor assistance and information about services, call 060606.

Getting there

Rome is served by major airports, railway stations, and road networks connecting it to the rest of Italy and Europe. Check the official city website for current transport schedules and visitor services.

See the place

Video from the Cultural Heritage Online archive

Sources & resources

Editorial text © Cultural Heritage Online. Based on the Cultural Heritage Online legacy archive.

Events here — now on & upcoming

  • Ferragosto: From the Feriae Augusti to the 1931 Popular Trains
    15 Aug 2027
    See the event →
  • Death Anniversary: Michelangelo Antonioni — July 30, 2007
    30 Jul 2027
    See the event →
  • Death Anniversary: Carla Accardi — February 23, 2014
    23 Feb 2027
    See the event →
  • Birth Anniversary: Alfredo Gauro Ambrosi — August 1901
    01 Aug 2027
    See the event →
  • Anniversary: Stefanutti's SS.2 in the Luce Newsreels — April 15, 1936
    15 Apr 2027
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  • Death Anniversary: Topazia Alliata — November 2015
    01 Nov 2026
    See the event →
  • Death Anniversary: Enrico Accatino — July 2007
    01 Jul 2027
    See the event →
Historical events at this place (328)

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