Roma aeterna, the "Eternal City" ndash; for hundreds of years its unparalleled grandeur and beauty have cast a spell over visitors. Three thousand years of history have left their mark on this fascinating city and made it into a unique showcase for European art. This art travel guide provides a combination of practical orientation for travelers with deeper insight into the art history of Rome and the Vatican City.
A truly colossal work for a colossal city, it is no small feat to fit the entire art history of Rome into a single volume. This is no guidebook, but can preferably be read on return from Rome when one is familiar with most of the sites. The book suffers slightly from lack of coherence from one author to the next and not putting developments in context with the rest of the world. Rome feels quite isolated, having received no influences from the outside and having little impact on the rest of the world, which is quite strange. Furthermore the book goes quite rapidly through the last two centuries of the last millennium, omitting large developments such as the EUR quarter. The volume weighs several kilos and if nothing else gives you six pack abs if used as a bedside reading.
Goregous book on the beautiful art and architecture of Roma! It gives the historical context and has many gorgeous maps and illustrations. Nicely organized with timelines, biographical summaries and a glossary.
Rome: Art and Architecture is a splendid 650-page book about, well, the art and architecture of Rome from early antiquity to the mid-twentieth century. Printed on heavy paper and featuring lots of gorgeous photos as well as well-written historical backgrounds, it tells the reader everything he/she wishes to know about ancient Roman mosaics, the tombs of the early Christians, mediaeval churches, Renaissance fountains, murals and paintings and what have you. I will definitely read it again before my next trip to Rome, as it's full of stunning places to visit which are just off the beaten track. What an unbelievable city, and what a great way to get to know it...
Just started this one. It has great photos of art and architecture of Rome with descriptions and maps of how to find them when in Rome. I find it easy to pick up and put down when I have only a few minutes of spare time.
Good overview of things to see in Rome with pretty pictures & great maps, but lost credibility with me by leaving out the architectural disaster of Bernini @ St. Peter's bell towers.