The Colosseum, the symbol of Rome par excellence, continues to watch over the city, two thousand years after it was built. This monument has witnessed almost the whole history of civilization. It saw Rome become the head of an empire that extended beyond the confines of the then-known world, later falling and virtually going back to being a small village, only to rise again, becoming one of the most important cities in Europe. Rome has always been at the centre of the world. As the well-known proverb says, “all roads lead to Rome”.
The march of the centuries has profoundly transformed the city; wherever one walks, one can see ancient ruins juxtaposed with Renaissance palazzos and modern buildings. It is no accident that Rome has been nicknamed the Eternal City.