Regional info

Rome is over 2500 years old and still remains the most cultural place in the world due to its mix of buildings, art and religion.  According to an old tale the city was founded by the twins Remus and Romulus, who were found in a reed basket in the river Tiber and raised by a wolf. There is an illustration of the two children being breastfed by the wolf included in the city's coat of arms. Whether this is true or not, the fact remains that the first buildings of Rome were created around 750 years before Christ, making it one of the oldest cities in the world.  In Roman times, Rome had already established itself as a city with over one million inhabitants and an extended water supply system This intricate system guided the water from the mountains in the east to the city over huge viaducts. The Vatican City is in the heart of Rome and is the seat of the Catholic church.  With an area of less than half a square kilometre, it's the smallest independent country in the world. The pope's land used to be much bigger but since 1929 the church has based itself  in the city of Rome.

SPQR. You'll see these characters all over Rome. On official buildings, on the small drink water fountains an on drain covers. Is it the city cleaning service? No, these characters are for Senatus Populus Que Romanus which means the Senate and the people of Rome. The comic book character Obelix has another translation. He always says to his pal Astérix whilst ticking at his forehead: “Strange guys, those Romans”. In the Italian comic book version it says: “Sono Pazzi, Questi Romani.” Indeed: SPQR.