The name Colosseum may derive from the size of the monument or, more probably, from the huge bronze statue erected nearby, known as the Colossus of Nero.
Thanks to the engineering techniques of the time, the Colosseum included huge underground theatre facilities, with elevators, ramps and traps to provide all kinds of dramatic effects.
It now houses the Museum of the Risorgimento and art exhibitions. Beneath it there are ancient caves that were used for shelter during the bombing of World War II.
It is the largest of the four papal basilicas in Rome and often referred to as the largest church in the world and the centre of Catholicism.
Ponte Sant’Angelo is a Roman bridge built in 134 by the Emperor Hadrian to link his mausoleum with the opposite side of the river. The parapet and sculptures of angels are by the school of Bernini.
The most striking feature of the Pantheon is its dome, which, with a diameter of over 43 metres, is one of the largest in the world.
Executions used to be held publicly in Campo de ‘Fiori. On 17 February 1600, the philosopher and Dominican friar Giordano Bruno was burnt at the stake there, accused of heresy.
“Legend has it that if you tell a lie and put your hand in there, it will be bitten off,” said Gregory Peck, daring Audrey Hepburn to do so in the film “Roman Holiday” from 1953.
A few metres from there is the Ponte Emilio, now known as the Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge). The bridge was rebuilt several times over the centuries and what now remains is one of three sixteenth-century arches.
It stands on the Via Ostiense, about 2 km outside the Aurelian walls, hence the name “outside the walls”.
"World Heritage Day is a global moment to promote the diversity of cultural heritage, their vulnerability, and the efforts required for their conservation."UNESCO World Heritage Centre