Rome is a city that is very much defined by her architecture. In fact, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and St Peter's are probably the very first thing to come to mind when one thinks of the city. While defining monuments becoming shorthand for a city is not at all uncommon, Rome has just so many that are incredibly iconic and well-known all over the globe. Here are some of the other architectural gems of Rome that you need to check out once you have found a holiday rental in Rome.
1. Torre Argentina
Torre Argentina is a fascinating architectural gem that is both a historic ruin and one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the whole world.
1. Torre Argentina
Torre Argentina is a fascinating architectural gem that is both a historic ruin and one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the whole world.
Originally, it is famous as the spot where Julius Caesar was killed almost 2,000 years ago. It was only in 1929 when the sacred area was excavated that the residency of the cats began. As the site was below street level, it allowed the cats to take refuge and more and more were drawn to the protected space, especially once local women began feeding them.
It is now a sanctuary for felines that is bound to be a delight to cat-lovers but it is also a fascinating archaeological site made up of an extensive complex of multi-level temples, 20 feet below modern street level, including several temples and part of the Theatre of Pompey (where Caesar was killed).
2. Pyramid of Cestius
In the heart of the city of Rome there is a pyramid that dates back to between 18 and 12 BC and serves as a reminder of the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC that caused a wave of Egyptomania to overcome the city in its wake.
It is now a sanctuary for felines that is bound to be a delight to cat-lovers but it is also a fascinating archaeological site made up of an extensive complex of multi-level temples, 20 feet below modern street level, including several temples and part of the Theatre of Pompey (where Caesar was killed).
2. Pyramid of Cestius
In the heart of the city of Rome there is a pyramid that dates back to between 18 and 12 BC and serves as a reminder of the conquest of Egypt in 30 BC that caused a wave of Egyptomania to overcome the city in its wake.
It is one of only two pyramids erected on Italian soil and the only one that still exists, the Pyramid of Cestius. The pyramid was built as a tomb for a wealthy Roman with the money to entertain extravagant dedication to current trends. However, we know very little about the man who was once buried there, as the tomb was ransacked long ago and so much has changed since it was built. Made from brick and cement and faced in white marble, the interior was originally decorated with lively frescoes, known to us from the accounts of early travellers, but little remains of them today. The monument can be easily admired by visitors whenever they wish and is a striking architectural ode to a trend that was briefly popular long before any of us were ever born.
Read on to our next article for some more architectural gems that you need to check out on your next trip to Rome.
Read on to our next article for some more architectural gems that you need to check out on your next trip to Rome.
Photo credits
picture 1: benoitnewton / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Wknight94 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Joris van Rooden / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: benoitnewton / CC BY 2.0;
picture 2: Wknight94 / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Joris van Rooden / CC BY-SA 3.0
