select - Roman Ruins
Written by Gregg Henglein Illustration by Andy Pratt
For those who question whether beauty can be born of devastation, look no farther than these three wondrous stops on Qatar Airways’ route map. The core of civilisation, it could be argued, was rooted in and around this triad.
Rome
Simply and truly, this is one of the world’s must-see cities. The Italian capital was home to the world’s most prominent political and cultural presence for more than 500 years, dating back to 27 BC. The Colosseum is the grand
draw of Rome, an ancient amphitheatre that could hold 50,000 people not only for gladiatorial contests, but
other public spectacles such
as dramatic performances.
The Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica are, fittingly, glorious. In St. Peter’s, Michelangelo’s ‘Pieta’ is tear-jerkingly majestic. Include the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain on your list of beautiful sites. But for a return to Rome’s history, the Roman Forum is essential. This, after all, is where the Empire’s economic and political activity originated. At a time when the world was largely isolationist, its most influential force began here.
WHY
Stunning places to visit, each with a deep etch in the stone of history, make Rome an essential travel destination.
WHERE
A lace on the boot of Italy, located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula on the Tiber River.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily
flights to Rome.
Tunis
If the boot of Italy would follow through on its kick, it would strike Tunisia, sending this capital city across the northern edge of Africa. The city itself is great to visit not only for its bustling city centre – chock-full of alleys and covered passages rich in scents and colours enveloping an active trade market – but for its own history. If you don’t recall Tunis from your memories of history class, how about Carthage?
A suburb of modern Tunis, Carthage’s army was led by Hannibal into Rome during the Second Punic War,
a grand victory overlooked
by the Romans’ destruction
of the city in 146 AD.
Tunis also houses the famed Bardo National Museum, which has the world’s largest collection of Roman mosaics. Also see the three-mile Aqueduct of Hadrian, built
in the 2nd century to carry
water to Carthage.
WHY
Golden beaches and deep blue seas contrast with this ancient city’s rich history.
WHERE
Located in northeastern Tunisia on the Lake of Tunis.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways flies to Tunis five times a week.
Tripoli
An archaeological gold mine created in the 7th century by the Phoenicians. But by the end of the 2nd century the city belonged to the Romans. From the centre at Green Square, visitors can work their way to Tripoli Castle or Tripoli Medina – the bustling marketplace. Much Roman occupation has been erased, save for a few columns,
and is best seen at
Jamahiriya Museum.
WHY
The Libyan capital dates
back more than 3,000 years, making it a walkable shrine
to history.
WHERE
Tripoli lies at the western extremity of Libya, close to the Tunisian border.
HOW TO GET THERE
Qatar Airways has daily
flights to Tripoli.
