facts about Rome

St Peter’s basilica inside Vatican City is the largest church ever constructed.

Rome became the capital city of unified Italy in 1870, taking the title from Florence.

The Romans had built a road network of 53,000 miles by the early fourth century. Each Roman mile was about 4,800 feet and marked by a milestone, giving birth to the saying “All roads lead to Rome.”

Law in Rome allows cats to live without disruption in the place they were born. Wild cats can be climbing the walls of the Colosseum, and sleeping among the ruins of the Forum.

The Romans had built a road network of 53,000 miles by the early fourth century. Each Roman mile was about 4,800 feet and marked by a milestone, giving birth to the saying “All roads lead to Rome.”

The heyday of ancient Rome dates back to about 2200 years ago.

Modern Rome has 280 fountains and more than 900 churches.

As a substitute for washing powder, the ancient Romans used human urine.

Women in ancient Rome dyed their hair with goat fat and beech wood ashes. The most popular colors were red and blond.

Modern Rome has 280 fountains and more than 900 churches.