Rome is the capital of Italy, capital of the region and province, rich in monumental sculptures and architecture, famous for it’s art and culture, known as the “Eternal City”. Sites to visit in the city: Il Campidoglio, the Capitol: The square was designed and built by Michelangelo and has been a symbol of the city since the 1500’s. Il Colosseo, the Colosseum: Having survived hundreds of years of invasions, earthquakes, and plundering it symbolises the immortality of the Eternal City. Over the centuries it's intended use has changed many times. Created as a place for public spactacles, fighting between wild animals and gladiators, it was transformed into a Medieval fortress and as a source of building materials during the Renaissance period. Rome, heart of Catholic Christianity, the only city in the world to have a foreign state within it's boundaries, the enclave of the Vatican City: for this reason it is often called the capital of two states. Rome lies on the river Tiber; the original settlement developed on the hills facing the bend in the river where the isola Tiberina lies, the only natural ford in the river. Today Rome is the largest and most populous city in Italy and is the center of political life and of the Catholic religion; as the capital it enjoys special administrative powers, and has been transformed from a municipality to metropolitan city.