1. Brasov. The 7th most populous city in Romania, Brasov was formed in 1211 when King Andrew II of Hungary ordered the Teutonic Knights to fortify the borders of what was then the Kingdom of Hungary. Today's knights have long since disappeared, but due to the cities position as a significant node on the trade routes between East and West, Brasov continued to grow. Today, Brasov is full of Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture and a lot of curious historical attractions - such as the Black Church, the largest Gothic church after the one in Vienna. The medieval vibes emanating here make Brasov an intoxicating and unmissable attraction in Transylvania.
This ornate and detailed fountain is located in the center of Piazza Navona and was designed by the legendary sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Created for Pope Innocent X in 1651, the fountain is located in front of the Pamphili Palace, which served as the Pope's family residence. The fountain depicts the four gods of evil and in the center is a large Egyptian obelisk. Each of the four statues pays tribute to one of the most important rivers in the world – the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata.
Located in the historic Trastevere district of Rome, Villa Farnesina is a fantastic example of a Renaissance villa complex and is considered an excellent example of architecture and design. Built in the 16th century for Agostina Chigi, this spacious villa has changed ownership over the years and now serves as a museum. Apart from the amazing architecture, the villa also has some beautiful and detailed frescoes created by the famous Renaissance artists Raphael. Each room is filled with iconic works of art and sumptuous details and is a true glory to behold.
Considered a central art and node in the city of Rome, Piazza Venezia is one of the busiest parts of the city and forms an intersection for several of the main roads. Located at the bottom of the Capitoline Hill, several important streets branch off from here, including the Fori Imperiali that lead to the Colosseum. Important monuments located in the square include Piazza Venezia, the Shrine of the Fatherland and Trajan's Column.
Basilica of San Clemente. This is one of the lesser known churches in central Rome, but it is just as opulent and historic as St. Peter's Basilica. Listed as a minor basilica, the church is actually divided into three distinct sections spanning a period of approximately two thousand years. The original basilica was created in the 2nd century, and the current form was completed in 1123 AD. While the exterior of the church is not special, the interior is spectacular and has a huge amount of decorations and works of art. In particular, the high altar and the ceiling of the second basilica show some intricate works of art and frescoes, laced with gold ornaments and an abundance of color. Located in close proximity to the Colosseum, this church is a wonderful place to visit.
Dedicated to the great emperor Constantine to celebrate his victory at the battle on the Milvian Bridge, the Arch of Constantine is the largest of its kind in Rome and is located near the Colosseum. Built in 315 AD, it is among the oldest structures in the city and still retains a large amount of original details and works of art. Located at 21 m high, it is clearly visible from the surrounding areas and is one of the most iconic attractions in Rome. The artwork and sculptures present on the arcade are an amalgamation of several different themes and combine together to form a wonderful poster of ancient history. Some plinths depict soldiers, others show prisoners and war scenes, while others contain elaborate inscriptions. When you visit the Colosseum, make sure you have enough time to admire this fantastic arch.
Piazza del Popolo is one of the most beautiful squares in the world and literally translates as people's square. Surrounded by historical structures, such as the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli, the Porta del Popolo gate and the Parrocchiale Basilica, the squares offer many things to explore. Immediately east of the square is the Pincio hill, which offers fantastic views of Rome. In the center of the square is the huge Popolo Obelisk which, like the one present in St. Peter's Square, was moved from Egypt. Several ornate fountains frame the square, including Fontana del Netuno and Fontana dell Obelisco. This is a great place to relax or enjoy the views of Pincio.
This imposing structure is one of the official residences of the current president of Italy and is located on the Quirinal Hill, in the center of Rome. In total, the complex covers 110,500 square meters and is one of the largest palaces in the world. Inside the main part of the palace there are a series of richly decorated rooms, courtyards, stairs and chapels. A guided tour of the palace is possible and there are also several exhibitions detailing its history and use. The Quirinale Gardens are also considered quite spectacular, with many plants, trees, floral arrangements and water features.
The St. Angelo Bridge spans the epic Tiber River and creates a bridge between the Sant'Angelo Castle and the near side of the river. Opening directly in front of the castle, this bridge has great symmetry and is considered one of the most beautiful and decorative bridges in Rome. Created with a face of travertine marble, the bridge stands out against the sometimes cloudy colors of the Tiber and offers some fantastic photo opportunities. A main feature of the bridge are the 10 angel statues that stand at intervals at the top of the rampart; these angels have fantastic details and each carries a different object of significance.
Another colossal monument located in the heart of Rome, the Shrine of the Fatherland is dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel who was the first king of unified Italy. This large stone monument is located in close proximity to the Colosseum and the Pantheon. In front of the monument there is a large bronze statue of Emmanuel and many other stone sculptures. The front facade has a row of ornate columns and is also highly decorated. At the base of the monument there is also an interesting museum dedicated to the unification of Italy and the first years of its history.
Trastevere. This ancient part of Rome is considered to be one of the few places where you can see authentic Roman life and really feel the city and the way its inhabitants live. Located west of the Tiber River, Trastevere is the 13th district of Rome and is full of narrow cobbled streets. Ancient houses line the winding streets and many pubs, restaurants, cafes and bars can be found here. It is not unusual to see washed clothes hanging in the streets and for the locals to shout to each other from building to building. This is Rome, in its most authentic and simplistic form. Visit Trastevere for a real slice of culture and go out at night to enjoy a lively experience.
Located within the Borghese Villa complex, the gardens of the same name are a true triumph and offer a welcome respite from the abundance of historical architecture found in Rome. As the third largest park in Rome, the gardens cover just under 200 acres of land and contain the Borghese Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art. The garden contains various sections, including the Borghese Casino, which contains sculptures by Bernini, Villa Giulia, which contains the Etruscan Museum and the remains of other villas.
Rome is full of fantastic religious and historical buildings, and the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore is one of these structures. Listed as Basilica Majora, it is one of the largest churches in Rome and is located in the Piazza of the same name. The facade of this magnificent building features a central series of stone columns covered with statues and many inscriptions. Moreover, there is also a large bell tower that rises above the surrounding buildings. While the exterior is stunning in its own right, the interior is simply stunning and has a huge amount of gold decorations, frescoes and detailed paintings, both on the walls and on the ceiling. Of particular interest is the Borghese chapel, which presents some beautiful paintings and gold sculptures.
Located in the Borghese Villa complex, the Borghese Gallery is an important art museum that contains a multitude of fine paintings, sculptures and antiquities. Founded in 1903, the Borghese complex is located in the northern part of the inner city, next to Via Pinciana road. The impressive building has a beautiful and ornate front facade, which has many statues and stone decorations. Spread over twenty different rooms, the extensive Borghese collection includes works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Rubens and Titan. Allow yourself enough time to view the masterpieces on display here and also the magnificent Villa Borghese gardens.
The Palatine Hill is one of the oldest areas in modern Rome and is the most central hill in the Tiber region. Located 40 meters above the historic Roman Forum, it offers a fantastic viewing position and from here you can see the expanse of Rome laid before your eyes. In Roman mythology, this is the place where the legendary Romulus and Remus are supposed to have been found, who then built the city of Rome. Several structures still stand on this site today, including the Flavian Palace and the Temple of Cybele. The entrance to the Roman Forum includes access to the Palatine Hill, so make sure you go up and visit this tourist attraction.
Castel Sant'Angelo. Also known as Hadrian's Mausoleum, Castel Sant'Angelo is a circular fort and castle complex that was once the tallest building in Rome. Built in 129 AD, the castle is truly ancient and was originally intended to serve as a mausoleum for the emperor. With the passage of time, the castle became part of the Vatican State and was connected to St. Peter's Basilica through a huge corridor called Passetto di Borgo. Today, the castle is a museum and contains wonderful exhibits about the history of the structure throughout history. It is also possible to climb to the top of the castle walls to admire the fantastic views of St. Peter's Square and the city of Rome.
Piazza Navona. Built on the site of Domitian's stadium, Piazza Navona was built in the 15th century and has remained a popular attraction ever since. Located in the immediate vicinity of the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain, the square is a wonderful place to visit while walking around the city center. This large square is usually full of artists and street vendors, and the surrounding buildings perfectly frame the open space. Notable features of the market include the Fontana del Moro and the Fountain of Neptune with their fantastic sculptures, Palazzo Braschi, Palazzo Pamphilj and the church of Saint Agnese in Agone.
The Vatican Museums. This treasure trove of classical and historical works of art was built over several centuries by different popes and includes some of the most important works of art in the world. Located within the boundaries of the Vatican state, the museums hold over 70,000 works of art. A double ticket can be purchased to see both the Sistine Chapel and the museums and it is recommended to allow enough time to see both properly. Divided into several different sections, the museums include the Pio-Clementino Museum, the Chiaramonti Museum, the Gregoriano Etrusco Museum and the Gregoriano Egiziano Museum, each containing different works of art and themes. Notable pieces include The Transfiguration by Raphael, The Tomb of Christ by Caravaggio and the stunning gallery of maps.
The Sistine Chapel. Part of the museum complex of the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous religious chapels in the world. Located in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel was extensively restored in the 1400s and is where the papal enclave takes place (the election of a new pope). The Sistine Chapel is particularly famous for its extensive and detailed decorations, including Michelangelo's Last Judgment fresco and ceiling artwork. These two magnificent pieces are works of art considered some of the most influential and important in religious history. Make sure you dedicate plenty of time to see this amazing structure and the wonders held inside.
The Spanish Steps. Located in Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinita dei Monti, the 135 Spanish Steps were built in 1725 to cover the gap and slope between these two popular squares. Each of the 135 steps has a wide stone edge and is framed by stone walls. At the top of the steps you can find a large crucifix obelisk and many inscriptions carved in stone. At the bottom of the steps, Piazza di Spagna is spacious and contains a variety of shops and cafes. Alternatively, at the top of the stairs is the Trinita dei Monti church, which in itself is an excellent attraction.
Trevi Fountain. There are not many other fountains in the world as luxuriously decorated and sculpted as Fontana di Trevi. Built in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, the fountain pays tribute to the Roman god Oceanus, who can be seen riding his chariot pulled by the Tritons. The detail of the sculptures is simply wonderful and the entire facade and the fountain are a true work of art. It has become a tradition to throw coins into the water over your shoulder for luck, although trying to do this with hundreds of other tourists could prove difficult! Located in the immediate vicinity of the Pantheon and the Quirinale palace, this fountain should not be left unnoticed when you walk the streets of Rome.
The Pantheon in Rome. The Pantheon is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings and is one of Rome's most famous tourist attractions. Built in 118 AD. by Emperor Hadrian, the building that stands today was actually built on the site of an earlier temple, ordered by Agrippa. In the front part of the building there is a rectangular porch lined with huge columns and a dedication to Agrippa on the triangular pediment. The interior has a magnificent dome, which has a series of stone patterns and a central box, which allows light to flow through. Located in the center of Rome, in Piazza della Rotonda, the Pantheon should be a real highlight and is another must-see.
Saint Peter's Basilica. Possibly the most recognized and celebrated religious building in the world, St. Peter's Basilica is a real triumph of the power and decadence of the Catholic religion and is considered one of the holiest sanctuaries for its followers. Located at the far end of St. Peter's Square, the Basilica has a beautifully designed front facade and is crowned with statues of the Apostles and Jesus. Inside the basilica, the architecture and decoration are simply divine and it is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. You will be amazed by the amount of decoration and detail and the way the light falls in amazing rays at certain points of the day. Both Michelangelo and Bernini contributed to the design and you can see their works in the huge dome, as well as the amazing Gloria sculpture. Don't forget to climb to the top of the dome for an aerial view of St. Peter's Square!
St. Peter's Square. Rome owns a small country within a country - the Vatican. This independent state is one of the most important religious places in the world, and St. Peter's Square is an iconic place where many significant events have taken place. Located in front of the Vatican City, the square is actually circular and is framed by two huge sets of columns - On these columns are beautiful statues of various religious figures and previous popes. In the center is an imposing obelisk that was actually taken from Nero's Circus and looks more Egyptian than Roman. At the far end of the square is the iconic St. Peter's Basilica, and a set of chairs for papal ceremonies is usually placed in front of it. Visit the enormity of the market, see the crowd of people hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pope and use this as a starting point to explore the Vatican.
Roma. This mighty structure is one of the most famous and iconic landmarks in the world and a trip to Rome would not be complete without visiting the Colosseum. Also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum was built between 70-80 AD. and it is estimated that it had 80,000 spectators in its glory days. This building was used to organize games, gladiatorial tournaments and other forms of entertainment and would have been regularly frequented by Roman emperors. Located southwest of the terminal's main train station, the Colosseum is easily accessible and has a metro station nearby. Marvel at this famous structure from every angle and make sure you brave the lines and step inside to truly appreciate the enormity of this ancient place.
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4. Redback spider The redback spider is the most dangerous spider in Australia. It is part of the same family as the Black Widow spider. It is also called Jockey or the Kapara spider. The black female has a red mark on her abdomen. Males are smaller than females by approximately 1cm. After the bite of this spider, the victim has the following symptoms: extreme pain, swelling, excessive sweating, headaches, and others. If it is not treated in time, it can lead to coma and respiratory failure.
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