Dating back to the beginning of the first millennium, some of Rome’s most famous architectural sites are among the most ancient in the world. They survive in an enchanting urban tableau of classicism and modern Italian culture. Here are all of Rome’s most famous tourist attractions — the Coliseum, St. Peter’s Square, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps — represented in dozens of photographs, old and new, that bring the great city to life.

Frederica D'Orazio has chosen the most interesting idea of devoting two photos to the one chosen area or building and provided shots often taken over a hundred years apart to show the changes that have occured to the subject being examined. The left hand side photos generally come from the 1800's in black and white or sepia, while those on the right hand page are recent shots in glorious colour.