About Rome
Rome, Italy’s capital, is a sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display. Ancient ruins such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. Vatican City, headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, boasts St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes. The Metropolitan City of Rome has a population of 4.3 million residents. Rome's history spans more than two and a half thousand years. Rome is an important centre for music, and it has an intense musical scene, including several prestigious music conservatories and theatres. Rome today is one of the most important tourist destinations of the world, due to the incalculable immensity of its archaeological and artistic treasures, as well as for the charm of its unique traditions, the beauty of its panoramic views, and the majesty of its magnificent "villas" (parks). Among the most significant resources are the many museums. Rome is the third most visited city in the EU, after London and Paris, and receives an average of 7–10 million tourists a year.