Italy
Completed in 1436, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral of Florence. After nearly two hundred years of construction, the cathedral was finished after the completion of the building’s dome which was engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.
During the summer of 2022, I saw the structure for the first time, and trust me when I say this, it was even more fascinating in person. The attention to detail, especially that of the facade, was impressive.
Opened in 1877 AD, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is the oldest active mall/shopping gallery in Italy, and a landmark in Milan.
When visiting this past August, I was impressed by the incredible architecture, and the intricate detail of the building. Whether you’re there to shop, or just want to marvel at the architecture, the gallery is worth visiting, during your trip to Milan, Italy.
Here are some of the photos I captured if the structure.
Completed in 1762 AD, the Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world, and, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful.
Trevi Fountain offers a nice location to socialize, take photos, or even eat, as there are quite a few restaurant nearby. If you’re not a fan of crowds, I’d avoid the area.
I personally enjoyed the experience, especially seeing the architecture of the fountain, and would recommend visiting to anyone who’s taking a trip to Rome.
Completed in 125 AD, the Pantheon was a temple created to celebrate all of the Roman gods, until it was converted into a Catholic church in 609 AD; the structure is still in use to this day.
The Pantheon is a must see, during your visit to Rome. You’ll be blown away by the incredible architecture, and what makes things better is that it has free entry for tourists. Be aware that the lines can get a bit long, especially during the afternoon, however they move quickly.
Here are some of the photos I captured of the structure.
The Vatican City, for those who do not know, is the smallest country in the world, at just 0.02 square miles. It is also the home of the Pope, and was founded in 1929.
Although it’s an independent country, in order to visit, you’ll have to travel to Rome first, as Vatican is surrounded by the Eternal City.
I explored the country this past July, and was amazed by the incredible architecture, especially that of Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square. Here are some of my favorite photos I captured during my trip there.
The Roman Forum was essentially the “Heart” of Ancient Rome, as it housed not only the Senate and many of the government buildings, but acted as the city center for the citizens of that time. The area also provided spaces for entertainment, speeches and protests, places to shop, and where elections took place.
Today, the area is an archaeological site and open-air museum, providing tourists the opportunity to explore some of what Ancient Rome had to offer.
During my visit to the Forum, I enjoyed spending time discovering many of the ruins that I’ve read about or have seen depicted in film, and walked up Palatine Hill to see the ruins and Rome from above.
Exploring Ancient Rome’s Forum and Palatine Hill was incredible, and experiencing the area from above was literally breathtaking. If you don’t mind walking a little, I’d recommend you taking the climb to the top to see everything, and be sure to wear your walking shoes!
If you’re planning to explore, you can purchase tickets from their site.
Here are photos that I captured during my time exploring the Roman Forum.
Completed in 80 AD, the Colosseum is the world’s largest amphitheater, and Rome’s most popular landmark. During its heyday, the structure was used for primarily entertainment purposes, such as gladiatorial fights, theater performances, and more.
Having visited the structure in person this summer, I was blown away by how remarkable it was, and amazed by the fact that it’s still standing after nearly 2000 years.
What makes it even better is that it’s also right next to the popular Roman Forum, which is also worth visiting. You can read about my experience at the Roman Forum here.
For anyone who’s a history buff or someone who just appreciates great architecture, or even for those of you who’d like to see the wonders of the world, visiting the Colosseum is a must see during your visit to Rome.
Here are some of the photos I captured of the wonder.
