Running in Rome: the eternal city
- audreyubertino
- Dec 29, 2025
- 3 min read
For twenty-eight centuries, Italy's capital has extended its cultural and political influence across the Mediterranean. Running in Rome means going through nearly three millennia of architecture. You will discover its beautifully preserved ancient ruins. These stand alongside Baroque monuments and superb squares, as Rome is the cradle of the Italian Renaissance.
‘He who has seen Rome has seen everything,’ declared Goethe, the famous German poet, about the Italian capital. Founded, according to legend, in 753 BC, Rome is one of the few megacities that has been continuously inhabited for nearly three millennia.
It boasts one of the largest preserved ancient cities in the world. During your visit to Rome, you will discover a veritable open-air architectural museum.
Palatine Hill
The Colosseum stands in its centre, not far from the River Tiber. From there, despite the electric atmosphere that reigns in the city until nightfall, the impression of serenity left by the countless ancient monuments will accompany you throughout your run. From the Circus Maximus and the Baths of Caracalla to the Temple of Apollo on Palatine Hill, there is no shortage of unforgettable views and splendid buildings. You will discover the remains of the Domus Aurea, the palace from which Nero watched the capital burn. But also the house of the Vestals, the sacred priestesses who took a vow of chastity. Legend has it that one of them, Rhea Silvia, gave birth to the future founder of Rome.
Finally, you cannot miss the Pantheon, a building dating back to the first century AD, which supports the largest dome of antiquity. With a diameter of nearly 45 metres, it is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. An engineering marvel that has survived the centuries despite earthquakes and armed conflicts.
The Holy See
Built on the hill of the same name, the city-state of Vatican City took its name from an ancient Etruscan town, Vaticum. St. Peter's Basilica was built on the site of the cemetery where St. Peter is said to have been buried. However, Vatican Hill is not one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome.
In fact, it was only included within the boundaries of the city of Rome during the reign of Pope Leo VI, who extended the walls of the Leonine City in the 9th century to protect it from Muslim incursions.
During your stroll through Rome, you can cross St. Peter's Square and visit the basilica free of charge. If you happen to be there on Sunday at noon, keep in mind that the Pope gives his blessing there every week. You may therefore encounter large crowds... In addition, there are several museums in the Vatican itself, which house many works of art and archaeological remains. For example, the Holy See has a complete Egyptian collection, including steles, canopic jars and mummies.
From the Renaissance to Baroque art
Rome was a major cultural centre during the Renaissance, and commissions from the popes attracted many artists to the city. Michelangelo created the Capitoline Square, which includes the Palazzo Senatorio, the seat of the city's government. He also painted the frescoes in the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. The painter even included pagan references in the décor, despite the origin of his funds!
Baroque art also originated in Rome in the 17th century. As a result, large theatrical squares adorned with fountains or obelisks dot the city. The most famous is probably Piazza Navona, located near the Pantheon. Built on the ruins of an ancient stadium, it retains its original shape. Here you can admire three majestic fountains, including the Fountain of the Four Rivers, which represents the four parts of the world known in the 17th century.
The famous Trevi Fountain is also representative of this trend, once again driven by the desire of successive popes who called upon Italy's most talented artists to embellish the city. Subsequently, during the Mussolini era, numerous neoclassical buildings were added to Rome's rich architectural landscape.
Beyond its architecture, Rome is a city that is constantly buzzing with activity. One of the world's film capitals, with its own film studio complex, it is also the birthplace of sacred music and home to one of the world's most important music complexes. As a result, several festivals and competitions enliven the city almost every month. In February, there is the Carnival, and on 21 April, the city's birth is celebrated... So, whatever time of year you visit Rome, you are sure to be enchanted.
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In Pips NYT, I locked in a region and celebrated too soon. That decision removed the only valid path forward.