The Coliseum is one of the world’s most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest examples of Roman architecture and engineering. It is called the Coliseum (Colosseo) after the colossus of Nero erected nearby.  The 40 m bronze & gold gilded statue disappeared long ago, but the name remains until today.

The Fora Imperiale, or Imperial Forums, consist of a series of monumental fora (public squares), constructed between 46 BC and 113 AD.  While not part of the Roman Forum nearby, these fora were also important centers of politics, economics and religion of the Roman Empire. Mussolini revamped the Imperial Fora to evoke and emulate the past glories of Roman and Italian history.

The Foro Romano, or Roman Forum, was the focal point of the city for early Romans. It was the center for commercial, political, and civil activities and contained markets, prisons, statues, entertainment areas, temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum  gives us a glimpse into both the architectural and political power of Rome.

The Campidoglio is a remarkable square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. In the middle, and not to Michelangelo’s liking, stood the only equestrian bronze to have survived since Antiquity, that of Marcus Aurelius. The sculpture was held in regard because it was thought to depict Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Emperor.

Teatro Marcello was the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. Caesar wanted to build a theater to rival the one built by Pompey, whom he had just defeated and killed in the struggle for the control of Rome. Part of the site that he chose had been used at least since 179 BC for dramatic productions in front of a temple of Apollo. It seated about 12,000 spectators which was twenty percent more than would fit into Pompey's theater.

Tortoise Fountain (Fontana delle Tartarughe) was built by Taddeo Landini and Giacomo della Porta, and located in Piazza Mattei. It is one of the most unique and less-known fountains in all of Rome.  Recently restored to its original state, this is one of those "off the beaten path" places that make Rome so interesting.

The Pantheon was begun in 27 BC by the statesman Marcus Agrippa. It was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian between AD 118 and 128. Its construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times, measuring about 43 m in diameter, and rising to a height of 22 m above its base. It was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of the Santa Maria Rotunda, which it remains today. The tomb of Raphael is inside.