The Romans once controlled most of the 'known' world (just don't ask the other continents about this) and left a very large footprint on every corner of their empire. There are more ruins in Rome than probably anywhere else in the world and it has made it next to impossible to build new subways or sewers because they keep bumping into them. We visited many Roman sites with the Colosseo and the Forum being the most impressive. We couldn't imagine how the majestic Colosseo would look today if Bernini hadn't take marble from it when he built St. Peter's Basilica. Other remnants of that era such as the Catacombs, the Pantheon (largest dome for over a thousand years and famous for its hole in the ceiling), the Circus Maximus (now just a park), the Castel Sant'Angelo (built by Emperor Hadrian and later used by popes as a sanctuary in case of an invasion), and Largo di Torre Argentina (where Julius Caesar was killed) were also fascinating to tour.
The Romans loved their water and were very creative in channeling that water to the many baths and fountains in the city. That passion for water was carried on after the Empire fell and during the Middle Ages many fountains were built with a lot of flair. The most incredible are the Trevi Fountain, the Fontana del Tritone (Piazza Bernini), and the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Piazza Navona). There are many more fountains but they all serve as a wonderful focal point in the piazzas where people gather day and night to socialize or throw a coin in and make a wish.
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