The Essential History of Rome

The history of Rome spans over 2,500 years from its foundation by Romulus in 753 BCE. As the seat of the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, the remnants of ancient Rome are littered throughout the city. Visit the iconic Colosseum, which stands as a testament to the grandeur and engineering prowess of the Roman Empire or the Roman Forum, where ancient Romans used to gather daily to barter, converse and listen to rallies and speeches.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Rome fell under the political control of the Papacy. The city, which had been a bustling urban metropolis under the Romans, fell into ruin. The sprawling city was reduced to clusters of buildings interspersed among large areas of ruins, vegetation, vineyards, and gardens. The population halved, and landmarks like the Colosseum and Roman Forum crumbled as medieval Romans constructed houses and shops within their ruins. As the capital of the Papal States, Rome was – and in, housing the Vatican City – remains, of profound importance for Christianity. Visit the Castel Sant’Angelo, originally a Mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian that became the Popes’ stronghold and upon which a ferocious battle raged during the notorious 1527 Sack of Rome.

Visitors would also be hard-pressed to miss St Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world and Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, a simply breath-taking and awe-inspiring experience that will leave one irrevocably marked by its otherworldly grandiosity and beauty. Visit the bohemian Trastevere neighbourhood, known for its bohemian charm, or the lively piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. Rome is renowned for its Baroque architecture and fountains, evident in such iconic landmarks as the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.

The city of Rome has enough culture, history, and art to fill innumerable lifetimes. Two millennia of riot, revolution, celebration, unification, and efflorescence are etched into the very spirit and cobbled streets of this city. Rome, like no other city, will leave one with a profound sense of existential humility and awe, a humbling reminder of our own transience in the face of the vastness of human history, and a sense of interconnectedness: a realisation that we ultimately belong to a much larger tapestry of existence.

Embark on a Roman journey in our luxury Rome apartments and hotels, where beauty unfolds from the moment you wake up until you retire for the night. Immerse yourself in an unforgettable adventure, crafting everlasting memories in this timeless city.

Written by Luca Boot, Essenza's Chief Historian. Luca holds a First Class degree in History from the University of Oxford and a Master's degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics. Luca is co-author with Sir Anthony Seldon on 'Truss at No 10: How Not to be Prime Minister'. Luca's ability to relate historical events means he's able to explain in an engaging manner the 'why' to much of how Italy operates today.