The Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls popularly called St Paul’s Outside the Walls, is an ancient basilica of Rome. It is indeed one of the four oldest papal basilicas of Rome. Its archpriest is Francesco Monterisi.

Built over the burial place of Saint Paul, this basilica was founded by Roman Emperor Constantine I. Valentinian I then expanded this structure. Over the years the basilica underwent several changes under the patronage of various different emperors. No change however, diminished its glory. It was and continues to be one of the most remarkable structures made by man.

Its present exterior is of Neo-classic style and was added in the 19^th century. The main door has been completely reconstructed, however the leaves of the original structure created by Constantine has been used. The basic structure is same as the original. It is mainly the paintings and carvings and sculptures that have been changed over the years.

It has one nave and four aisles and one of the biggest structures in Rome. The nave alone features 80 columns and stucco-decorated ceiling. The glamour of the mosaics is unmatched. Some of the original mosaics by Pietro Cavallini are still there, although most of them were ruined in a fire long back. The interior portion of the apse and the triumphal arch are where you can find these.  Two new mosaics depicting St. Paul’s life now adorn the nave’s ceiling.

St. Paul’s sarcophagus is also beautifully decorated. His tomb is worth a visit, if just to appreciate the talents of mankind.

The old basilica feature friezes of the pope’s pictures. 19^th century versions of these are seen today. A fine statue of Pope Boniface IX embellishes the sacristy. The cloisters are also elegantly decorated. An aura of peace and serenity surrounds the church and it is a soothing place to be in.

The Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti, better known as the Spanish Steps, comprises of a stairway with 138 steps, remarkably adorned and set in a traffic-free zone, at the very heart of Rome. It is one of the widest staircases in the whole of Europe and is a popular resting stop for both tourists and locals due to the large number of landmarks that surround it.

It connects Piazza di Spagna and the French Church of Trinita dei Monti. Through a steep slope and has been designed by architects Alessandro Specchi and Francesco de Sanctis. French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds of 20,000 scudi is what sustained this stairway financially.

A beautiful fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia or Fountain of the Old Boat is situated at the base of the Piazza di Spagna. This fountain is the product of architect Pietro Bernini’s genius and has much to add to the aesthetic beauty of the stairs as well as the piazza.

Also, for those interested in history and literature, in the piazza on the right as one begins to climb the steps, is the House of John Keats, a renowned poet. It has now been converted into a museum which displays his entire life as well as his memorabilia of the English Romantic generation.

On the same right, another monument stands – former cardinal Lorenzo Cybo de Mari’s palace, now called Ferrari di Valbona. Its baroque façade merged with modern terraces is again a sight to behold.

The steps is not just a popular tourist attraction, it also holds a lot of significance for the locals. These steps have left several marks throughout the history of Italy. During the fall of the Berlin wall a multi-media event was held on the steps that involved all the locals and led to large crowds accumulated on the steps. A number of festivals and events are also celebrated upon these steps throughout the year.

Each year during Christmas a celebration is held on these steps where a 19th-century crib is displayed. A small cut-flower market has been introduced as a part of these steps and in May, several pots of azaleas are found on these stairs.

Not only this, the steps have also featured in several music albums and movies like “Dublin Blues” by American singer-songwriter Guy Clark and Bob Dylan’s “When I Paint My Masterpiece”.

Rome happens to own one of the largest areas of green space amongst European capitals with a number of public parks and nature reserves in the city. Since Rome can get really crowded and loud, its parks and gardens are a nice refuge from the busy city. There are a large number of villas and landscaped gardens created by the Italian aristocracy, the best known among them being Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and Villa Doria Pamphili. Some of the best known parks and gardens in Rome include:

Vatican Gardens:
The Vatican Gardens features various lines of hedges and lush vegetation, the statuary and ancient fountains, dispersed amongst the greenery add a fantastic air to the entire setting. The water flows freely from the pools and sprouts from the fountains. The gardens are often carved by various paths, well-tended flower gardens and gigantic oaks.

Parco Villa Borghese:
The site is famous for its lush greenery and abundant water, long strolls, biking, and picnics. Nearby the site are various important structures, museums and galleries, as well as various notable sculptures. The ultimate highlight here is the Galleria Borghese.

Aqualand:
The place happens to be a haven for fun and excitement with six swimming pools complemented with a section of gigantic pine trees, enclosing an area with cosy picnic tables, water slides and rubber dinghy trips. There are three activity swimming pools for children, all of them equipped with miscellaneous games. One of the pools contains hundreds of small balls for the children to play with.

Villa Medici Gardens:
Set on the Pincio Hill, occupying more than 17 acres, originally belonged to the Medicis. Later, Napoleon Bonaparte installed the French Academy here. The structure was opened to visitors in 1928 to house temporary exhibits, concerts and various events. The entire architectural complex encompasses the villa and its adjoining gardens, which are a continuation of the Borghese gardens.

Though Rome is an interesting place to visit at any time of the year because most attractions are open all year round, stills spring and autumn months call for more tourists. The climate is at its best here during spring and fall and during this time people from all over the world flock to the city. The weather is neither too hot nor too cold. During spring and fall the daytime has plenty of sun, and in the later half of the day you can witness the beauty of the famous Roman sunsets.
Summer months in July and August are generally hot and humid. However, during the summer festivals and concerts fill the squares, making the summer worth the heat.

Though winter can get cold, this can be a good time to visit because you will probably not have to queue for any of the attractions. When winter comes, you’ll experience the mildest climate on earth.  It’s coupled typically by some persistent rainy spells.

Christmas, New Year and Easter are busy periods and expensive. During August a lot of shops and restaurants close.

The seasons in Rome can be categorized as:

Spring months: March, April, May
Summer months: June, July, August
Autumn months: September, October, November
Winter months: December, January, February

To sum up, it can be said that Rome is an attraction for tourists round the world all the year round. When in Rome, remember to take in its essence to the fullest. Get up and out early, take a long lunch and resume your activities in the late afternoon. Roman nightlife also has a lot to offer, so staying up late is always a good idea when visiting Rome. Book your hotels in advance when planning a trip to Rome because the place can get very crowded during some parts of the year.