As the saying goes, all roads lead to Rome: the history of art and architecture, of religion and government.

Throughout much of its long, noble history Rome was a city-state unto itself, developing and basking in its own grandeur and uniqueness. Built on seven hills, halfway between the country's fertile, industrious northand balmy, Mediterranean south, Rome has been at the centre of Italy's empire building as well as her inspiring cultural and artistic expressions.

Short history
It is hard to believe that the Dark or Middle Ages ever existed in a city so steeped in light and littered with magnificent white marble ruins. Rome is a living museum, a unique environment to understand the ups and downs in the history of mankind. The ancient Romans bequeathed such famous monuments as the Colosseum, Forum, Circus Maximus, Pantheon, Baths of Caracalla and Catacombs. From the Renaissance came the Vatican City, St. Peter's Square & Basilica and a priceless array of art treasures commissioned by the incomparably wealthy trade dynasties. Over the centuries, numerous piazzas, palaces, fountains and churches have congregated, in Rome, to form one of the world's most beautiful cities. Studying in Rome means learning from Rome and its Mediterranean pace of life, from the open markets to the sudden strikes, from the humorous Romans to the high politics of a European capital.

Shopping
The area surrounding Piazza del Popolo, the ancient Campo Marzio, is today the paradise of shopping, thanks to the high concentration of shops and boutiques. The spectacular square today is a pedestrian precinct, and it has been brought back to its ancient splendor. The difference in level between the square and the overlooking hill of the Pincio was a problem overcome thanks to winding ramps, from which terrace it is possible to admire a wonderful panorama on the city. The so-called Trident starts from the square as there are three sunburst streets penetrating into the center of the city: via del Babuino, via del Corso, via di Ripetta. On Via Del Babuino there are famous antique shops specialized in pieces of furniture and paintings, prints and ancient jewelry. Parallel to it is the vivacious via Margutta, the street of the painters, a seat of romantic artist studios. Federico Fellini and Giulietta Masina used to come here. Via del Corso, the main street as Stendhal called it." It is narrow and long, and it houses several casual clothes shops, which distinguish it from the "exclusive" style of the adjoining streets. Just think of the par excellence street of fashion, with its boutiques of the most important brands, that is, via Condotti -where you may have an "intellectual" stop at the historic Greek Cafe - or of via Borgognona . The background of Piazza di Spagna, the most famous in the world, houses every summer the fashion show called "Rome under the stars". Once you have crossed via Frattina, another important shopping place, you get to piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, recently adjusted with benches and gazeboes, where you may find excellent bars and confectioners.

Rome is an unrepeatable city and that is why it is called "eternal", for having alternate sumptuous ages with those of decadence and it is always reviving as it gathers treasures and memories with the charm of itsincomparable landscape. Rome is a result of the subtle integration of power, art order and transgression through twenty centuries of history.