Rome Architecture Guide: 30 Sites That Celebrate the City’s Rich Culture and History

Citta del Sole / Labics. Image © Marco Cappelletti

Spanning over 3 millennia with one of the highest concentrations of architecture in the world, Rome wields a transcendental influence on global culture. A city rich in history, universities and the arts, the Italian capital is considered one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in Europe and has retained its countless layers of history to become a perfect representation of old meets newearning its nickname of “The Eternal City”.

The historic center of Rome, which stretches from Piazza del Popolo to Piazza Venezia and from the east bank of the Tiber to Piazza di Spagna, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides its historical significance, the presence of renowned contemporary architects and designers in the city has made Rome an influential design destination. In 2019 it was the 14th most visited city in the world, welcoming over 8.6 million tourists, making it the third most visited city in the European Union and the most popular tourist destination in Italy .

Lateran University Library / King Roselli Architetti. Image courtesy of King Roselli Architetti La Rinascente / Franco Albini and Franca Helg. Photo © Catalina Valenzuela Tor Marancia Street Art / 999 Contemporary. Photo © Catalina Valenzuela Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana / Ernesto Lapadula, Giovanni Guerrini and Mario Romano. Photo © Catalina Valenzuela + 32

The following list highlights 30 must-see historical and contemporary buildings that make a good starting point for your first visit to the Italian capital, featuring works by renowned architects and offices such as Renzo Piano, Zaha Hadid, Richard Meier & Partners Architects, Foster+ Partenaires, Studio Odile Decq and Luigi Moretti, to name but a few.