Hailed as the Eternal City, Rome is filled with breathtaking architecture, legendary landmarks, and grandiose history. Visitors come from all around the world to see the great sights of Rome—an experience like none other.
If you’re wondering what things to do in Rome, Italy, you’ve come to the right place. Be prepared to absorb the history of the Eternal City, discover hidden gems that are unique to Rome, and learn how to explore your own family ties to the city.
Quick Links
- A Brief History of Rome
- Hidden Gems in Rome
- Tips for Appreciating the Culture
- Check for Italian Ancestors Before You Go
- Finding Clues in Archives and Cemeteries
- Step into the Past in Unique Museums
- Parting Thoughts
A Brief History of Rome
The founding of Rome dates way back to 21 April 753 BC. This founding date was established in the 1st century BC by Marcus Terentius Varro, a Roman scholar. According to legend, sometime during the 4th century BC, twin brothers Romulus and Remus were abandoned, saved by a she-wolf, raised by a shepherd, and eventually founded Rome.
Romulus was the ruler of the city, hence the name Rome. Of course, the beliefs of these ancient Romans are now part of Roman mythology, and when Romulus died, the Romans worshipped him as one of their gods.
The Roman republic began around 509 BC and lasted until about 27 BC—one of the earliest examples of democracy in the world. During the republic, Rome no longer had kings. Instead, Romans developed a form of government that included senators, consuls, and magistrates—all elected by the people.
However, as Rome’s power and territory grew, political power came to be held by one all-powerful authority—the emperor. The Roman Empire conquered and expanded over centuries, eventually splitting into eastern and western empires. In AD 455, the western empire was sacked by the Vandals of northern Europe, ultimately leading to its demise in AD 476.
The eastern Roman Empire lasted until AD 1453, when the Turks took control of Constantinople, causing the fall of the entire Roman Empire. For the next thousand years, the city went through a series of population declines, wars, and reformations. Traces of each of these historical phases are found in modern Rome.
Today, Rome is the capital city of Italy.
Hidden Gems in Rome
Each step in Rome is a bridge between contemporary marvels and historical relics. To really maximize your trip to Rome, you should prioritize a good blend of touristy sights and hidden gems. Let’s take a look at the gems Rome has to offer.
These gems only scrape the surface of all Rome has to offer. Check out this article for a few more places to visit in Rome and Italy. You'll never run out of fascinating historic sites to see in The Eternal City.
Tips for Appreciating the Culture
At the heart of Rome, you’ll find a cultural symphony of centuries-old traditions, artistry, and passion. Every cobblestone street, every savory dish, and every expressive gesture gives a glimpse into the rich Italian culture that is especially prominent in Rome. As you experience Rome, here are a few unique aspects of the city to be aware of and appreciate.
Architecture
Of course, Rome is known for its impressive and beautiful architecture. There are the typical hotspots such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Arch of Constantine. And there are other magnificent structures like Castel Sant’Angelo, Church of the Gesù, and St. Peter’s Square.
The architectural masterpieces dotting the entirety of Rome showcase creativity, innovative thinking, and incredible talent. The structures demonstrate the progression of civilization and act as a road map to Rome’s history.
Cuisine
Given Italy’s location, it’s no surprise that Italian food has Mediterranean influences, which means you’re likely to find dishes with pasta, seafood, and vegetables. There are many great restaurants to try in Rome, and some even have an intriguing history of their own.
You may want to look for traditional dishes, such as carbonara (spaghetti with silky egg-yoke-and-pork sauce, amatriciana (a sauce for pasta made of pork, cheese, and tomatoes), gricia (pasta with sauce of cured pork, Romano cheese, and pepper), cacio e pepe (spaghetti with pecorino Romano cheese), trippa alla romana (made with tripe), and cariciofo alla romana (Roman-style artichoke hearts).
Italian food is already amazing, but Italian food in Rome can be the best of the best! One of the highlights of a visit to Rome is wandering down the streets, perusing the menus posted outside the restaurants, smelling the aromas, and sampling the fare inside. Don’t miss the chance to try authentic dishes in one of the thousands of restaurants in Rome!
Art and Music
Art in Rome showcases humanity’s creative spirit spanning centuries, resonating through the ages. Why is the art presence in Rome so exceptional? Roman artistry has the ability to encapsulate history, culture, and emotion through a wide variety of mediums. Because of its importance as a seat of power and influence for over a thousand years, it could draw on other cultures for art influences, including Greece and Egypt, and it served as a touchstone for the rest of the world.
You’re likely to find art nearly everywhere you look, especially in places such as the National Roman Museum, the Trevi Fountain, and the Borghese Gallery. The art is a visual representation of emotions and ideas over many artistic eras, and it allows a glimpse into Rome’s past.
Besides the visual arts, other forms of artistic performance reveal the beauty that is Rome. From stirring operas at the majestic Teatro dell’Opera to breathtaking ballet or theater at Teatro di Roma, stages in Rome are perfect for artistic expression. The city is full of passion and talent, which transcend all other art experiences, complement the gorgeous setting, and create memories etched in the soul. No matter your interests, you're sure to find a variety of fascinating cultural events in the city.
Religion
Religious deities and practices have been at the center of Roman life since its beginning. Of course, back then, the Roman religion was polytheistic, having a pantheon of deities that, to the ancient Romans, explained how the world worked.
You might recognize names such as Jupiter, Juno, Mars, and Minerva. Much of the ancient Roman religion was adopted and adapted from Greek practices. This period of time is known as Classical antiquity.
During the 1st century AD, missionaries such as Paul the Apostle spread the word about Christianity. During the 4th century AD, Christianity spread widely throughout the Roman Empire. In AD 312, Emperor Constantine I converted to the faith.
Today, Christianity, specifically Catholicism, is the most prominent religion in Rome, and Rome is the seat of the Catholic Church. Vatican City, the headquarters of the Catholic Church, is an independent city-state that sits in the heart of Rome and is itself an architectural and artistic treasure, not just a religious one.
History and religion are interwoven in the buildings and monuments throughout the city. They are not only beautiful to look at, but they also reveal the beliefs and religious customs of the Romans. You can discover the remains of temples such as the Temple of Saturn or the Temple of Vesta as you visit the Roman Forum. Explore the Baths of Caracalla, which also fused religion and secular life. Rome is bursting with religious history!
Language and Gestures
When you think of the Roman language, what comes to mind? Perhaps you thought of Latin, which was the language of the ancient Romans. Latin originated in the 7th century BC, which, if you remember, was around the same time that Rome was founded. Today, some may say that Latin is a “dead language,” but it is still an obvious root of other Romance languages such as Spanish, Italian, French, and Portuguese. Many English words derive from Latin, as well. In fact, some people argue that although there are no native speakers, Latin is still very much alive.
Along with providing a basis for many languages spoken today, many common gestures are believed to have originated with the ancient Romans. Some you may recognize:
- Pointing with index finger to bring attention to a particular detail
- Clenching the fist to denote grief or anger
- Turning the thumb to a thumbs-up or thumbs-down
- Bringing the forefinger up under the eye to convey “watch out”
If you’ve always wanted to learn more about Latin, the best place to do so is, perhaps, in Rome! You can have guided tour experiences that teach you Latin inscriptions as you tour the city.
Check for Italian Ancestors Before You Go
Rome offers a journey through time—not only for residents, but also for visitors, especially if you have Italian ancestors. To make the most of your visit to Rome, before you leave home take the time to find any ancestors you have that came from Rome or Italy. This information will give you a deeper and more personal connection to the city and country and will prompt more vivid memories.
Even though your ancestors are long gone, learning about them has never been easier! There are many sites and services out there dedicated to helping you find your heritage, including FamilySearch.org. FamilySearch.org is a free family history site that provides access to over one billion indexed records, striving to help you discover your own family tree.
In addition to helping you explore your family tree, FamilySearch also has other tools to help you quickly learn where you came from, such as the Where Am I From? tool. You can also experiment with the surname search to learn about the meaning and origin of your last name.
Finding Clues in Archives and Cemeteries
Once you’ve taken the time to study a little about your history and connection to Rome and Italy, you should take advantage of your trip to Rome to visit some sites focused on family history and historical records.
Historical Archives and Centers
There are historical archives all over the world, and Rome is no exception. The State Archives of Rome is home to a collection of thousands of historical documents, including civil registries and army censuses. Some of the documents are over a thousand years old. This archive has an online Ancestors Portal, which makes it easy to search for ancestors in marriage, death, and military registries. The FAQs page of the Ancestors Portal directs users to Italian genealogical projects underway at FamilySearch. You can also visit FamilySearch's Wiki page on Italy Genealogy to get started.
Focused on preserving documents from the city of Rome, the Archivio Storico Capitolino has access to an abundance of ancient documents, maps, family archives, newspapers, and the Roman Library.
For information on other local Rome and Italian archives, check out this article in the FamilySearch wiki.
Cemeteries
Rome has 3 major city cemeteries and 8 suburban cemeteries. Currently, Rome allows only those who lived in Rome (or those meeting other specific stipulations) to be buried in its cemeteries.
If your ancestors lived in Rome, you may be able to visit their graves during your trip. You might also see headstones for famous people, such as poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelly, actress Belinda Lee, and explorer Thomas Jefferson Page.
Please note that, because of so many burials over so many centuries, burial spaces are increasingly rare and expensive in parts of Italy. Some Italian cemeteries have adopted a contract, or rental, system to allow a grave site to exist in perpetuity. Unless a family is under contract with the cemetery and regularly renews it, the markers and remains may have been removed. It is a good idea to check with the cemetery before you go.
The largest cemetery in Rome is the Flaminio Cemetery. The next two largest are the Verano Monumental Cemetery and the Laurentino Cemetery. Each cemetery in Rome has a place of worship and ritual to welcome Roman citizens and visitors. These cemeteries are huge—the size of a small city. Flaminio, for example, is 346 acres (140 hectares)! If you plan to visit, call the cemetery office before you go and ask for the coordinates of your ancestor’s resting place. That way you’ll be able to go right to the grave site.
Try searching for your family’s surnames to see if any family members have graves you can visit in Rome. If the surnames have been indexed, you can search cemetery or grave-finding sites to see where your ancestors are buried. Unfortunately, not all remains may have been indexed yet and so will not be searchable. These resources will help you locate graves which have been indexed:
Step into the Past in Unique Museums
History comes in many forms. Thanks to museums, visitors and residents can explore Roman history through records, documentaries, art, artifacts, and more. If you’re interested in taking a step into the past, be sure to check out the museums.
Parting Thoughts
Remember how you discovered your family tree? You can use FamilySearch for more than simply discovering your ancestors. FamilySearch has over 5,000 help centers around the globe, and three of those centers are in Rome. At these help centers, you can receive a personalized, one-on-one experience to guide you on your journey to connect with your relatives and truly make the most of your experience in Rome.
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