Rome, the capital of Italy, is a great cosmopolitan city with an artistic, architectural and cultural history that has influenced the whole world and dates back nearly 3,000 years. Ancient ruins such as the Forum and the Colosseum testify to the power of the ancient Roman Empire. Vatican City, the seat of the Catholic Church, is home to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which house masterpieces such as the Sistine Chapel frescoed by Michelangelo.