Rome, Capital city in Lazio region, Italy.
Rome sits along the Tiber and spreads across seven historic hills, each crowned with churches, palaces or parks. Neighborhoods shift between tightly packed medieval lanes and open residential districts built after unification, connected by tree-lined boulevards and ring roads.
Founded according to tradition in 753 BC, the settlement grew into the center of an empire that reached from the Mediterranean to northern Europe. After the western empire fell, it became the seat of the papacy and was later chosen as capital of unified Italy in 1871.
Local life follows a rhythm shaped by midday closures, afternoon breaks and late dinners that draw families outdoors until midnight. Neighborhood markets open early each morning while churches host festivals and processions that fill entire streets with residents celebrating patron saints together.
Two airports connect the city to international destinations, with trains and buses running into the center throughout the day. Three metro lines link major sites, while walking remains the best way to explore the old center where streets often close to vehicles.
Below street level lie more than 40 catacomb networks totaling several hundred miles that served as burial sites for early Christians. These underground passages contain thousands of chambers with frescoes and inscriptions dating from the 2nd through 5th centuries.
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