Rome is a global attraction, with tourists frequently visiting from all over. Ask five friends about Rome, and all will probably know what and where it is.
Essential Knowledge About Italy’s Capital: Rome
Rome may have held the crown of the capital of Italy since 1871, but its history stretches way before that – wouldn’t you agree? Think about the Vatican, Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, and St Peter’s Basilica. These all call Rome home, Italy’s most populated city. No wonder it’s this country’s capital!
Rome is the headquarters of transnational firms such as Telecom Italia and oil and gas multinationals Enel and Eni. The city’s economy blossoms on research, tech, banking, e-commerce, construction, and services.
History of Italian Capital Cities
In 2021, Rome celebrated its 150th anniversary as the capital city of Italy. Now, for over a century and a half, Rome has been at the vanguard of Italy’s governance. But hang on for a bit – Rome is not the only city that has held the title of Italy’s capital. Turin (Torino) isn’t just famous for the Holy Shroud. Let’s rewind to 1861 when it became the first-ever post-unification capital city of Italy. Torino’s royal relations and strategic locale wooed emperors to pick it to be the country’s capital.
How about Florence? Also known as Firenze, it was the second capital city of Italy. However, Florence didn’t hold the crown for long, as the title lasted between 1865 and 1870. The emperors chose it because of its central location. Rome took over from Florence in 1871 and has remained the capital since.
The crowning of Rome as Italy’s capital city happened after the unification of Italy. Italy’s unification, known as Risorgimento, was an intricate procedure inspired by the political inclination of distinct individuals to unite independent regions and states. The movement was led by celebrated figures such as Count Camillo di Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi. Through the Risorgimento movement, Italy changed from a patchwork of independent kingdoms and states into a unified entity. It was the combined effort of military campaigns, diplomatic negotiations, and alliances.
Crowning Rome as the Capital City of Italy: The Process
Rome’s official designation as the capital city of Italy was not by chance. Italy had the Papal States, covering Rome in its height, which delayed the unification process. These territories were under the Pope’s rule, who resisted the movement to unify the Papal States.
Italian forces, under the leadership of Prime Minister Giovanni Lanza and King Victor Emmanuel II, captured Rome in 1970. The capture initiated the Italian unification process and led to the annexation of the Papal States. The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War led to the withdrawal of French troops from Rome, allowing Italian forces to control Rome.
Why Was Rome Crowned Italy’s Capital City?
Rome was originally the capital of the Roman Empire, a powerful and famous civilization in human history. Its reputation as a central hub in ancient Rome gave it leverage over other competing cities. Rome is a cultural city, home to the world’s iconic milestones. Millions upon millions make it a point to visit Rome to explore the Vatican City, Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum, among other spots.
Emperors and kings who aspired to unite Italy chose Rome because of its centralized locale. They wanted a prominent epicenter for converging the distinctive territories that operated as separate states. Its symbolic significance as the unifying force helped foster a sense of national identity.
Rome is the home to Vatican City, the main seat of the Catholic Church. Its religious and spiritual importance and the connection it had with the Pope made it a more prevalent city for the capital city crown.
Rome was politically stable by the time of Italy’s unification. It had a strong political and administrative system, which made it the most suitable headquarters for the unified state. The Italian Parliament validated Rome as the capital city of Italy via legislative enactment. The legislature exhibited the will of the newly formulated Italian kingdom.
Is Italy Older Than Rome?
What is the capital city of Italy? Is Italy older than Rome? Although Rome is structurally under Italy, it came long before the idea of Italy’s formation. Rome has roots dating to 753 BCE, and it grew from a city-state to a powerful republic and, later, an empire. In its emperor state, the Roman Empire reached the zenith (Pax Romana), which ended around the first and second centuries CE. The emperorship period extended its leadership to the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa.
Back then, the Roman Empire dealt with external attacks, internal struggles, and financial strains. The empire had to branch out into the Eastern Roman Empire and the Western Roman Empire. The Western Roman Empire declined and lost its stability, falling in 476 CE under Emperor Romulus Augustulus.
After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Eastern Roman Empire continued for almost a millennium until the Ottoman Turks captured Constantinople in 1453. Even though the Roman Empire collapsed, it retained its legacy and greatly influenced European governance, history, culture, and law.
The idea of a unified Italian nation was born later, and the unification didn’t occur until the 19th century. The Italian kingdom was legally officiated in 1861.
Interesting Facts About Rome, Italy
Why is Rome so famous? Why does it hold so much influence over Italy and the world beyond?
- Rome has a crazy amount of churches and fountains: over 900 and 280, respectively. It’ll be a challenge visiting them all!
- Every year, citizens and tourists toss 1.5 million euros worth of coins into Rome’s Trevi fountain. A nice chunk of change, right? The city donates the money to the Caritas to assist people in need.
- In Ancient Rome, the only people authorized to wear togas were free-born men. The togas signified one’s Roman citizenship. Women wore linen stolas. In the days of Brothers Remus and Romulus, there existed a mascot, a she-wolf that catered to the mythological Rome founders.
- By the fourth century, the Romans had constructed a 53,000-mile road network. Every Roman mile comprised 4,800 feet, which marked a milestone.
- Rome deserves the title Eternal City, being one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe.
- The first-ever university in Rome was La Sapienza, inaugurated in 1303 AD. La Sapienza is a prominent European University and the second most extensive worldwide.
- St Peter’s Basilica, in the Vatican City, is the world’s largest church and an architectural treasure.
- Cats have rights in Italy. The rules state that cats should be allowed to live comfortably and peacefully where they were born.
- In ancient Rome, women dyed their hair with goat fat and beech wood ashes. They often preferred blond and red colors.
- Love malls and shopping? Visit the world’s first-ever shopping mall, Trajan’s Market, built between 207 and 110 AD! Emperor Trajan was the brain behind such a massive creation.
Interested to See What Rome Has to Offer?
As Italy’s capital city, Rome offers great opportunities to citizens and foreigners. You can start your business or get employed as a foreigner in Italy or Rome. Rental homes in Rome cater to the unique needs of foreigners and citizens. Nonetheless, immigration laws apply, even in Rome. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt to conduct adequate research to determine your eligibility and the relevant requirements.
Are you planning to play tourist in Rome? That’s a smart decision indeed. Its architecture and history themselves are worth a glorious celebration.
Rome has seen it all, from glory days to downfall. It’s a place steeped in culture, religion, and history.
