Usually, all tours to Italy include some kind of package for exploring the most beautiful sites and significant historical monuments. You are given the opportunity to see the oldest and most impressive pieces of Italian history and archeological areas that explain the history, growth, and development of probably the most imposing country in the world! So, which archeological sites in Italy are crucial to visit? Check out our list of the top 10 places to relish Italian magnificence!
Roman Forum, Rome
At number one, we have one of the most significant and highly anticipated touring sites for any traveler!
The most important central space of Ancient Rome and the life of the Italian culture, the Roman Forum, is now available to the public. What was once a venue for public speeches, criminal trials, and even gladiatorial combats is now a site of impressive ruins and demolished buildings, ones you can inspect and admire. The Forum is barely intact, yet just enough for you to imagine the ancient basilicas and temples!
Roman Theater, Milan
Built during the Empire of Augustus (31 BC – 14 AD), Roman Theater was in full usage until IV century AD and is now a magnificent sight to behold!
The most important discoveries of the building were made in the 19th century, so not that long ago! The knowledge of its purpose and importance is still relatively fresh, and it draws tourists in relentlessly. You can explore what was once a 20-meter-tall stage and 95-meter wide cavea.
Keep in mind that the theater is very easily reachable, as the city has well-developed railway connections! You can arrive quickly from the capital, or if you are coming from the northeast, just take the Venice to Milan high-speed train and start exploring the wondrous Roman Theater in no time!
The Colosseum, Rome
Naturally, the Colosseum cannot be omitted when talking about the most stunning archeological sites in Italy. It is at the top of the tourist attractions and is constantly flowing with visitors for a good reason!
The Amphitheater of spectacular structuring and intricate architecture is over 2000 years old, and its ruins are still highly inspectable! The Colosseum was the heart of all kinds of happenings in Ancient Rome, and the seats you will see today were filled with the loud public, thirsty for whatever event was happening at the time.
Trajan’s Market, Rome
Probably the most relatable of Italian archeological sites, the Trajan’s Market in Rome explains the day-to-day life of Ancient Italy and what it meant to be a middle-class trader or merchant.
The Market is exactly what you would imagine it should be. The world’s oldest shopping center allows visitors to see how simple purchases were made back in the day and the kind of structures they used for it! Maybe you can find something similar to nowadays’ markets?
Teatro Marcello, Rome
At first sight, Teatro Marcello looks like a bite taken out of the Colosseum, but in reality, it was probably the architectural structure that inspired the latter to be precisely what it was.
Predating the Colosseum, Teatro Marcello is still used as a backdrop for several kinds of events and, while a little less known, is of great significance to the Italians. Explore the ancient areas of the open-air theater and the most impressive architectural formations that are still in very good shape today!
Pompeii, Naples
The ancient city, almost completely demolished and destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, is one of the most significant proofs of Roman culture and civilization, mixed together with evidence of angry natural catastrophes.
There are plenty of archeological pieces to acknowledge, like the remains of the city walls, public buildings, and even private homes! Hundreds of establishments of various architectural sites were destroyed during the eruption, but what is left of them still perfectly displays the ancient life of Italians.
Herculaneum, Ercolano
In a sense, quite similar to Pompeii, Herculaneum is yet another magnificent site to visit in Italy!
While a lot less known than Pompeii, Herculaneum met the exact same fate back in AD 79, when it was eradicated by Mount Vesuvius exploding and wiping everything in its wake. In comparison to Pompeii, this city is a lot less grand, which is probably why it is less visited. However, the small and relatively private city covered in ash is still very worth seeing!
Giant’s Graves, Sardinia
Usually not included in your typical Italy travel packages, Giant’s Graves in Sardinia are monumental tombs dating back to the Bronze Age!
Generally seen as a telltale mark of the Nuragic civilization, the graves are scattered all around the island, compelling in their sizes and intricate stone formations. The burial chambers are still shrouded in mystery, but you can learn a lot by simply taking guided tours or individual inspections!
Neolithic Caves, Matera
Located in the southern region of Basilicata, the Neolithic Caves of Matera are the clearest proof of one of the first human settlements in Italy.
Dating back to the 13th century BC, Paleolithic settlers made their way of life here in Matera and left plenty of historical and archeological evidence to explore for tourists nowadays. The caves are carved out, and there are plenty of marks set in stone, giving us a better insight into their lives so many years ago!
Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo
Probably as famous as the Catacombs of Rome, Capuchin Catacombs in Palermo, Sicily, are even more exciting and interesting to explore since they are still full of human remains.
While the sight is a bit unsettling and perhaps, a bit creepy, the history surrounding the famous Capuchin Catacombs makes the uneasiness worth it! Originally a resting place for the friars from the Convent of the Capuchin, the catacombs display an impressive collection of mummified corpses, serving as a status symbol.
Discover the archeological Italy and depart knowing even more than you thought you would! By the time you leave, there will be plenty of memories made and educational walls broken down. Enjoy and learn all you can on this magnificent Italian tour!