Rome is an open-air museum where every building carries the imprint of history. Whether you’re visiting the Eternal City for the first time or returning to discover new faces of familiar streets – Rome’s architectural monuments are a must-see.
From the Colosseum to the Pantheon, from hidden Baroque masterpieces to monumental piazzas – here you’ll discover a selection of the most impressive architectural landmarks to include in any city walk.
This is my list of the best architectural monuments in Rome.
The Roman Colosseum
The Colosseum is Rome’s primary architectural monument, the one everyone visits, and the one the city is most associated with.
Built in the last decades of the 1st century AD and inaugurated by Emperor Titus in 80 AD, it’s the largest Roman amphitheater in the world and for centuries was used as a theater, but also as a stadium where gladiatorial games were held.
The Colosseum is open to visitors: advance reservations are required. Learn more and buy Colosseum tickets here.
The Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is another famous landmark in Rome. Part of the same archaeological park as the Colosseum, it’s a place where you can see ruins from Republican and Imperial Roman times, and from where you can reach the Palatine Hill – the hill where Rome was founded and where Augustus’s palace once stood.
Vittoriano/Altare della Patria
Il Vittoriano is an architectural landmark located at Piazza Venezia, a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, in the heart of Rome’s center.
Built in the 19th century (1885) in neoclassical style, it draws attention with its massive size, dazzling white colors, and the statues of winged Victories (Nike) at the top: a vision against Rome’s blue sky!
The monument was built in honor of Italy’s King Vittorio Emanuele (hence the name “Vittoriano”) and is also known as Altare della Patria, the Altar of the Fatherland.
Today it houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which is constantly guarded by Italian military personnel, and contains the Museums of the Risorgimento and a beautiful art space where art exhibitions by famous artists are usually held. The Vittoriano has several terraces, some of which are accessible for free.
Fun fact: Because of its distinctive shape, Romans often call this monument “the typewriter,” while English speakers often prefer to describe it as a “wedding cake.” No matter what it’s nicknamed, it’s one of the most important architectural monuments in Rome and is a must-see in Rome.
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the most beautiful, unique, and architecturally interesting monuments in Rome and a place that never stops impressing its visitors, whether they’re first-time visitors to Rome or locals.
Originally built in the 2nd century AD as a temple to all the gods, and now a Catholic church, it’s one of the best-preserved ancient Roman monuments in the city and is full of surprises, myths, and stories connected to its special opening in the roof (the oculus), special proportions, and natural light effects that occur here during certain astronomical events.
Access to the Pantheon is free, but guided tours are also available.
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains and perhaps the most famous fountain in Rome. Built in the 18th century to a design by architect Nicola Salvi, it’s located in a small and otherwise unremarkable square in Rome’s center (Piazza di Trevi) and is truly a spectacular sight.
Made of white travertine – a local type of stone commonly used in Roman architecture – the fountain features a series of impressive statues and sculptures representing Oceanus and the abundance that comes from having fresh water flowing here from the ancient Aqua Virgo aqueduct.
The Trevi Fountain is located in an open square and is therefore free to visit: you’ll literally stumble upon it while walking around Rome!
Please note: Although Fellini made the fountain famous in the movies by filming Anita Ekberg entering it in a ball gown, entering the fountain is strictly forbidden.
Spanish Steps / Piazza di Spagna / Trinità dei Monti
The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti at Piazza di Spagna) are another famous architectural monument in Rome that has achieved iconic status. Located in the city center, it’s a monumental staircase of 136 steps connecting Piazza di Spagna with Trinità dei Monti – the twin-towered church on the hill above it.
The monumental staircase was built in 1723-1725 and is breathtaking, especially in spring when it’s typically decorated with blooming flowers.
Like the Trevi Fountain, this is an open-air Rome attraction and therefore free to visit.
Please note that sitting on the steps is prohibited to preserve this important structure.
Piazza del Campidoglio and the Statue of Marcus Aurelius
Piazza del Campidoglio is one of the most famous and beautiful squares in Rome and an important city landmark. The square is located atop the Capitoline Hill, one of Rome’s seven hills, and acquired the appearance we see today thanks to the genius of Michelangelo, who designed it in the early 1500s.
The square features a monumental staircase, the only surviving bronze equestrian statue from Roman times, the stunning Capitoline Museums, and also offers breathtaking views of the Roman Forum.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Castel Sant’Angelo is Rome’s castle, but it didn’t start its existence that way. Originally, the structure was built by Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD, who wanted to make it his final resting place, and its original name – the Mausoleum of Hadrian – still testifies to this.
Over the centuries, the castle changed its purpose and partly its structure, becoming a fortified refuge for the Pope, who would flee here from the nearby Vatican when threatened by invaders. Castel Sant’Angelo is open to visitors.
St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square and Basilica probably shouldn’t be on this list since they belong to the Vatican, an independent state. However, since the Vatican is physically located in Rome, I think their inclusion makes sense!
St. Peter’s Square and Basilica are an impressive architectural complex consisting of a large monumental square with a semicircular colonnade and a huge cathedral with an impressive facade and dome.
St. Peter’s Church was built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter and acquired the impressive appearance it has today thanks to the hands of masters of the caliber of Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini.
It’s worth seeing the square itself, the basilica (inside and out), the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel (accessed from the other side of the building), and the Vatican Gardens.
The Baths of Caracalla
The Baths of Caracalla are a large archaeological complex in Rome, open for visits, and in summer also as a venue for opera concerts (a wonderful place in Rome after dark).
The baths are beautiful: many of the high walls of the baths still stand, giving a clear idea of the scale this complex must have had at the time, and around these ancient ruins grow pine trees and wisteria, giving the whole place a romantic atmosphere.
Entry to the baths requires tickets.
Fun fact: You can see the baths in Woody Allen’s film “To Rome with Love.”
Fountain of the Four Rivers and Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a large square in Rome’s center. Originally a Roman stadium built by Emperor Domitian, the square acquired the stunning appearance it has today during the Baroque period, when several sculptures and monuments were commissioned to decorate it.
The most important and famous are the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, built by Borromini, the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) by Bernini, and the two additional fountains at both ends of the square – Fontana del Moro and Fontana del Nettuno.
The Pyramid of Rome
The most unexpected architectural monument in Rome is the Roman Pyramid – an ancient Egyptian-style pyramid dating from Ancient Rome, specifically from the 1st century BC. The pyramid is the tomb of the wealthy Roman Gaius Cestius and is worth seeing for its uniqueness.
Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo) is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium located in Rome’s center, near the Colosseum. The stadium itself offers almost nothing to see, but it provides beautiful views of the Palatine Hill and the emperors’ palaces – some of the most impressive remains from the Roman Empire.
Access to the stadium is free, and a virtual reality visit is available on certain dates for a fee.
Mausoleum of Augustus
In March 2021, a new monument in Rome joined the list of historical landmarks open to visitors: the Mausoleum of Augustus, the tomb of Rome’s first emperor, reopened to visitors after 14 years and extensive restoration work.
Bernini’s Elephant
In the small square next to the Pantheon, Piazza della Minerva, stands a small monument by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, depicting a small elephant carrying an obelisk.
The small statue is charming and perhaps not as important and famous as the other monuments in Rome on this list.
However, I want to include it because it has a really interesting and fun story, and also as a symbol of all the lesser-known monuments and statues in the city.
The elephant is one of them, but I can think of others, such as the Turtle Fountain at Piazza Mattei, the Frog Fountain at Piazza Mincio, all the talking statues in Rome, the statue of Giordano Bruno at Campo de’ Fiori, Michelangelo’s Moses at San Pietro in Vincoli, and these are just some of them!