Why is Rome the Capital of Italy?

Why is Rome the Capital of Italy?

Introduction

 

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Are you taking a trip to Italy and feeling curious about its capital? This romantic and beautiful country is one of the most desirable tourist destinations in the world, but it’s worth learning more about it before you go there.

Rome is Italy’s capital, and it’s the fourth-most populous city in the European Union. Ancient and beautiful, Rome has an enormous amount to offer to travelers, with its rich history and cultural depth. It is known as Roma in Italian, and it’s found near the center of the country.

We’re going to use this article to uncover some of the secrets of Rome, and find out how it came to claim its place as Italy’s capital. This should help you understand more about this country’s history.

Where Is The Capital Of Italy Located?

Where Is The Capital Of Italy Located?
Where Is The Capital Of Italy Located?

Rome is found in the Lazio region, which is in the center of Italy. It is located on the Tiber river, and was originally built on hilltops.

Rome experiences mild winters that are often quite humid, and it has hot, dry summers. It is also the capital of the Lazio region, and it enjoys a lot of attention from tourists, who visit the country just to see this beautiful capital.

It is about 15 miles from the sea, making it easily accessible for other countries not connected by land.

Brief History Of Rome

View of Colosseum in Rome and morning sun, Italy, Europe.
View of Colosseum in Rome and morning sun, Italy, Europe.

Rome has an enormous amount of history behind it. The earliest archaeological evidence of settlements on the site dates back as far as 14,000 years, although this is not Rome, of course. Nobody knows exactly when or how Rome was founded. The myth about Romulus and Remus doesn’t hold much weight in today’s world!

The legend suggests that Rome was founded in 753 CE, although there are no official records to confirm or deny this. If the legends are to be believed, years of monarchical rule followed. Some of this has been supported by archaeological evidence, although there are many gaps.

The Roman Empire lasted until 476 CE, and then the Ostrogoths took control for around 20 years. East Romans managed to retake Rome, although the city had suffered enormously, and most of its inhabitants had left. It took time to recover, but as the Romans formed an alliance with the Catholic Church, the city’s power returned.

The Renaissance saw an explosion of art and culture, and da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo all worked during this time. Unfortunately, in the early 1800s, France took control, and fascism crept into the city and beyond its borders.

Mussolini, the Italian fascist dictator, was deposed in 1943, and Rome did an amazing job of recovering after World War II had ended. In spite of the damage done, various things served to make Rome a desirable and flourishing city once more.

When Did Rome Become The Capital Of Italy?

Piazza di Spagna in Rome, italy
Piazza di Spagna in Rome, italy

Rome became the capital of Italy in 1871, when Italy reunified. The city had resisted capture by the military leader Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the Italian troops managed to remove the Papal defenders from the city. The Pope lost power, and as Italy united, Rome was chosen as the capital.

Between 1865 and 1871, however, the capital was Florence. This fact is often overlooked, both by Italians and by people visiting Italy.

Florence was only a temporary capital. It was used because Rome was controlled by Papal troops, so it couldn’t serve as Italy’s capital. When the Italians managed to remove the Papal troops from power, they alienated the Pope, who called on other countries not to recognize Italy. The Pope didn’t accept the situation, and retired to the Vatican.

Why Is Rome The Capital Of Italy?

Although Rome only became the capital of Italy in the 1800s, the reason behind choosing it for the capital is historical. It was the seat of the ancient Roman Empire, and it is of critical importance to Italy’s history. When reunifying the country, this symbolism was likely very important to the decision-makers.

Rome had to be reclaimed before it could be made the capital, but it was clear that this was the intention all along. This demonstrates how important Rome was – and still is – to the Italian people and their cultural identity.

Rome also offers other advantages as a capital. It is quite central, and it enjoys coastal access, which means good trade and communications. It’s certainly well-positioned for a capital city, which may be another reason it was chosen.

Best Places To Visit In Rome

Rome has almost too many offerings, and many tourists will struggle to decide which ones to do – so here are a few top favorites that you may love.

St. Peter’s Basilica is ideal for people of any faith (or no faith) because of its sheer beauty. It is a breathtaking experience that will teach you an enormous amount about the history of the place and the architecture. You can view Michelangelo’s famous statue and climb the dome to get a phenomenal view of Rome.

If that doesn’t appeal to you, consider checking out the Colosseum. You can either hire a guide or wander around on your own, but whichever you do, you’ll learn an extraordinary amount about this incredible construction. Anybody interested in Rome or Italy as a whole will get a lot from this experience.

Alternatively, check out the Musei Vaticani and Cappella Sistina, where you can attend a general audience with the Pope. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many individuals, and whether you are religious or not, it’s worth considering as part of your journey.

Another great option is the Fontana di Trevi, which is a phenomenal work of art, showing a fantastic scene of tritons blowing conches. The water floods down into a pool below, and all the money collected from this pool goes to the Italian Red Cross.

Conclusion

Rome is a city with a unique, complicated, and rich history. It has been an important city since the Roman era, and it remains one today. There is a lot to see and do here, and Rome’s importance clearly hasn’t declined at all in our modern era.

See Also

Capital Cities 

Hi and welcome to my travel blog! Based in London, I work in investment banking in a quantitative field and although I am not part of the travel industry, I have a ton of passion for travel. My blog is a reference guide for my fellow travelers with the same passion as me. Hopefully the blog is easy to navigate and my aim is to bring the most relevant and interesting information before you begin your journey!