For about a millennium, Rome was the most important city in the world, and the nest in which one of the most powerful civilizations of humanity, the Roman civilization, was born.
The Roman history began with the founding of the Eternal City in 753 BC. Then, in 509 BC, the Roman Republic was established, and Rome extended its influence over the entire Mediterranean world.
In 27 BC, the Roman Empire replaced the Republic, the city of Rome became synonymous with the whole world, and the whole world was enriched by the Roman culture.
During all this time, the Romans built numerous structures all over Europe and North Africa, but the most important of them on the territory of today’s Italy.
Roads, bridges, villas, temples, aqueducts, amphitheaters, thermae, mausolea, columns, arches, fountains. Many were lost in time, but some of them are still standing.
Therefore, we should not be surprised that, everywhere in Italy, a Roman vestige is a stone’s throw away. And with that in mind, let’s see below what are the top 10 best preserved Roman structures in Italy.
10. BRIDGE OF TIBERIUS, Rimini
Bridge of Tiberius upstream
The Bridge of Tiberius, also known as the Bridge of Augustus, is a Roman bridge in Rimini, located in the northern part of the historical center of the city.
The construction of the bridge was started in 14 AD under the government of Emperor Augustus, and was completed in 21 AD under Emperor Tiberius.
The bridge is a national monument since 1885, and it appears on the coat of arms of Rimini.
9. PALATINE GATE, Turin
The southern facade of the Palatine Gate
The Palatine Gate is a Roman city gate in Turin, located in Piazza Cesare Augusto, which once allowed access from the north to the ancient city of Iulia Augusta Taurinorum.
Porta Palatina was built in the 1st century BC during the Augustan or the Flavian Age, preceding the construction of the city walls.
The gate is more than 30 meters high, with two corner towers characterized by a square base and a body marked by a sixteen-sided facet.
8. ARCH OF AUGUSTUS, Rimini
Arch of Augustus
The Arch of Augustus, the best preserved Roman arch in the world, is located in Rimini, in the southern part of the historical center of the city.
Arco di Augusto was built in 27 BC, by decree of the Roman Senate, in order to honor Emperor Augustus for having restored Via Flaminia, Via Emilia and Via Popilia.
In fact, the arch marked the end of Via Flaminia, which connected Rimini to Rome, the capital of the Empire.
7. THEATHER OF MARCELLUS, Rome
The facade of the Theater of Marcellus
The Theater of Marcellus is an ancient theater in Rome, built at the behest of Julius Caesar in the southern area of Campo Marzio, between the Tiber River and the Campidoglio.
Julius Caesar desired a theater to rival the one built in Campo Marzio by Pompey. At his death, only the foundations were laid, and the works were resumed by Augustus, who raised a structure larger than originally planned.
The first use of the theater for performances dates back to the year 17 BC. In 13 BC, the structure was officially inaugurated, and dedicated to Marcus Claudius Marcellus, the nephew of Augustus.
6. CAPITOLIUM, Brescia
The Capitolium
The Capitolium, or the Capitoline Temple, is a Roman temple located in Brescia, in Piazza del Foro, along Via dei Musei.
Tempio Capitolino was built in 73 AD on the site of a former temple dating back to the period of the Roman Republic. The structure was erected by Emperor Vespasian after his battle with the General Vitellio.
The Capitolium represents the nucleus of the ancient Roman city of Brixia, and together with the theater and the ruins of the Roman forum, is the most important Roman archaeological complex in northern Italy.
5. ARCH OF CONSTANTINE, Rome
The southern facade of the Arch of Constantine
The Arch of Constantine is a triumphal arch in Rome, located near the Colosseum.
Arco di Costantino was commissioned by the Roman Senate to commemorate the victory of Constantine the Great against Maxentius in the Battle of Ponte Milvo of 312.
The arch was inaugurated in 315, on the occasion of the decennial of Constantine’s reign.
4. TRAJAN’S COLUMN, Rome
The Trajan’s Column
The Trajan’s Column is a Roman monument in Rome, built to celebrate the conquest of Dacia by the Emperor Trajan.
Colonna Traiana, probably built under the supervision of the architect Apollodorus of Damascus, was inaugurated on May 12, 113 AD, and describes the wars with Dacia held between 101 and 106.
Nearly 2000 years after its construction, the column is almost intact, and it’s the best preserved element of the Trajan’s Forum, the largest Imperial Forum of Rome.
3. ARENA, Verona
Arena di Verona
The Verona Arena is a Roman amphitheater located in the historical center of Verona, in Piazza Bra.
The amphitheater was built around the year 30 AD, in an area outside the city walls.
Arena di Verona is one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world, thanks to the systematic restorations carried out since the 16th century.
2. COLOSSEUM, Rome
The Colosseum
The Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheater, is a Roman amphitheater located in the historical center of Rome.
The construction of the Colosseum began in the year 72 AD under the Emperor Vespasian. The amphitheater was inaugurated by Titus, son of Vespasian, in 80 AD, and completed by his brother, Domitian, in 82 AD.
One of the most visited attractions of Rome, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheater in the world, symbol of the power of the mighty Roman Empire.
1. PANTHEON, Rome
The facade of the Pantheon
With a history of nearly 2000 years, the Pantheon is the best preserved Roman structure in the world.
Located in Rome, in Piazza della Rotonda, it was built between the years 118 and 125 AD, during the reign of Hadrian.
Once a Roman temple, the Pantheon is now a Catholic church, and one of the main attractions of the Eternal City.
