Italy… a country so rich in culture, art and history that it's hard to narrow down its highlights. The number of books on the subject shows just how fascinating the area is to so many tourists with a yen for historical discovery, and this article could in fact be several tomes in length. For brevity, I have picked out the very best Italy has to offer – if you only visit 5 historical places in Italy, these should be them. Unfortunately, they're not within easy reach of each other, so you may have to book several luxury resorts in Italy if you wish to tackle them all in one go!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Coliseum - Italy
Rome's Coliseum is another one for those interested in ancient history – but even those who aren't can't fail to be impressed by the structure! Standing 165 feet tall and measuring 600 feet long, this legendary historical place in Italy held up to 50,000 screaming spectators for blood soaked fights to amuse the gathered crowds – which would include the emperors of the time.
Although the fighters in the ancient ring were typically trained gladiators or convicted prisoners of war, you would occasionally get glory hunting members of the public wanting to try their luck – though, more often than not they overestimated their skills and suffered the ultimate consequences for their bravery...
Although the fighters in the ancient ring were typically trained gladiators or convicted prisoners of war, you would occasionally get glory hunting members of the public wanting to try their luck – though, more often than not they overestimated their skills and suffered the ultimate consequences for their bravery...
The Ruins of Pompeii - Italy
Over the last 200 years, the ruins of Pompeii have been successfully excavated to reveal an incredibly preserved city that was lost to Mount Vesuvius' eruption in 79 A.D.
Having lain in ash for 1700 years, wandering round the ruins is a haunting, yet fascinating experience and something that everyone with an interest in ancient history. As the ruins cover such a large area, this may not be one historical place in Italy that you can see in within a single day.
Having lain in ash for 1700 years, wandering round the ruins is a haunting, yet fascinating experience and something that everyone with an interest in ancient history. As the ruins cover such a large area, this may not be one historical place in Italy that you can see in within a single day.
The Vatican City - Italy
The smallest independent country in the world warrants its own place as an historical sight in Italy. With a population of just 932, the holy city still manages to never feel empty thanks to the seemingly constant influx of tourists and Catholics eager to see the Pope.
In terms of historic value, the place oozes it – from the medieval walls to the city to the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling painting to the seemingly endless stream of museums, the Vatican City should be on every historical tourist's Italy hit-list.
In terms of historic value, the place oozes it – from the medieval walls to the city to the Sistine Chapel and its famous ceiling painting to the seemingly endless stream of museums, the Vatican City should be on every historical tourist's Italy hit-list.
Duomo di Milano - Italy
One of the world's largest Cathedrals, the Duomo di Milano is a magnificent structure that really makes an impression from the second you first see it.
Work building it began in the 14th century, and continued all the way up to the 19th – in a way, it is still unfinished as work continues to be performed upon it. Its spire reaches 349 feet, and it has a capacity of 40,000 – if you're used to seeing local parish churches, this is a real eye-opener!
Work building it began in the 14th century, and continued all the way up to the 19th – in a way, it is still unfinished as work continues to be performed upon it. Its spire reaches 349 feet, and it has a capacity of 40,000 – if you're used to seeing local parish churches, this is a real eye-opener!
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