Hand-made only! 5 must-see sculptures of Rome

Since Roman sculptures bear a close resemblance to those by ancient Greeks, their aesthetic and artistic qualities are considered indisputable and unsurpassable. After all, after so many centuries they still don’t fail to amaze, leaving visitors of the Eternal City breathless, inspired and craving for more. The noble pentagon of Rome It is true that you will come across many examples of the cherished art of sculpture virtually wherever you go. Some of them will impress you with their magnitude, others – with their attention to detail, but one thing is certain – you’ll never be disappointed. To facilitate your search for the best impressions, here’s a list of 5 sculptures you should include on your travel agenda as absolutely mandatory.

Pietàby Michelangelo Buonarroti

This masterpiece by Michelangelo, dating back to 1499, is located in the City of Vatican, in St.Peter’s Basilica. There are, in fact, as many as seven versions of Pietà, but this one seems to be most-known throughout the whole world. Although this powerful work of art, created with lots of attention to detail, is now hidden behind a bulletproof acrylic glass (for safety reasons), it still evokes deep emotions, as well as fantastic aesthetic impressions.

The Belvedere Torso by Apollonios, son of Nestor

If you’re planning a trip to Vatican Museums in the Vatican City, this well-known fragment of a nude male statue, dated to the first or second century BC and created by an Athenian sculpture, is a must-see. It is a notable example of admiration of the human body, and an extremely significant source of inspiration for all artists that gained fame during the Renaissance and later.

Moses by Michelangelo Buonarroti

This stunning sculpture is yet another contribution by Michelangelo. It is found in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli and is best viewed with the local light box on, so better have some coins with you to see the statue in its full glory. You’re bound to be overwhelmed by the strong presence of the figure, and probably surprised a bit by the horns attached to its head – but that’s just a symbol of intelligence and wisdom of the time.

The Capitoline Wolf

Although the creator of this highly important work of art remains unknown to date, there’s no doubt that this mysterious bronze sculpture is a significant remnant of the past for the locals, as well as a great sight to see for visitors. It is now to be seen in Musei Capitolini and depicts a she-wolf feeding the ancient founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus twins. You’ll be able to read the whole – incredibly captivating – story in the museum, so there’s no point in spoiling it now. The sculpture is really popular due its historical importance, as well as artistic qualities (dating back to as early as the 5th century BC!), so expect the site to be rather populated with visitors. Still, it is worth to witness the magnificence of this creation in person.

Apollo and Daphne by Gian Lorenzo Bernini

If you head towards the Spanish Steps, you should also by all means visit the nearby Villa Borghese. Apart from the fact it’s a lovely public park (third largest in the whole city!), it is bound to catch your attention with all the works of art you’ll find inside. One such masterpiece is no doubt the remarkable Apollo and Daphne statue by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. At a distance, the two marble figures seem to be dancing, but on closer inspection you’ll notice that Daphne in fact tries to escape from Apollo but seems to fail as her body slowly transforms into branches and leaves. The sculpture is so real and dynamic, that the characters appear to be ready to come alive any time! And come to think of it – this masterpiece was completed at the beginning of the 17th century!