Synonymous with Catholicism, the city of Rome is unsurprisingly saturated with religious establishments, with an incredible collection of over 900 churches awaiting attention. Blending ancient ruins with sacred burial spots and exquisite artistry, the myriad of options can seem quite overwhelming to first time visitors seeking a rewarding snapshot of the capital’s religious prowess. The following list curtails the confusion, highlighting ten of Rome’s most historic, breathtaking and influential holy sanctuaries.

Connecting the bustling Piazza di Spagna with the striking Trinite dei Monti Church, Rome’s Spanish Steps are an attraction not to be missed whilst visiting this remarkable city. Regarded as one of the area’s busiest meeting places, the impressive stairway attracts visitors from all over the world.

You can’t visit Rome without stumbling across its ancient history, with images of Gladiators fighting in the Coliseum, worshippers at the Pantheon or the gentry roaming the Palatino immersing yourself in the experience is easy.

Housing over 900 churches, Italy’s enriching capital boasts enough holy establishments to last you a lifetime, making deft itinerary choices something of a headache. However, visitors desiring an introduction to Rome’s notorious religious wealth should certainly not miss the most influential sanctuary of all, San Giovanni in Laterano; the Catholic Cathedral of the diocese of Rome.

A must see for military and history enthusiasts and especially for fans of Dan Brown or even Assassin’s Creed, the monumental Castel Sant’Angelo towers above the Tiber River in Rome’s ancient core, offering visitors a fascinating insight into the capital’s opulent heritage.

Otherwise known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian in reference to its original function, this cylindrical landmark has enjoyed a rich and colourful past spanning almost 2,000 years and still remains an integral and worthwhile attraction amidst a city bursting with treasures.

Renowned for its fascinating history, Rome is a city which is bursting with truly incredible, ancient structures, one of which is the magnificent Colosseum. Attracting visitors from every corner of the globe, this breath-taking building is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions and is a sight definitely not to be missed.

Located north-east of Rome’s city centre Galleria Borghese is a popular attraction amongst tourists and one of the top attractions during a short stay in the city. See famous works by the likes of Bernini, Carvaggio and Titian as you spend two hours touring the gallery. The Borghese Gallery is a great outing for all, even if you’re not an art lover.

Come base a short stay in Rome’s ancient city, near the Circus Maximus, and be set for some lasting, relaxing memories of its founding features. This prime area is deeply influential history and relaxing scenes among monuments of that past. In addition to a concentration of serene surroundings, Circus Maximus is a place to rest, to play and to center you in ancient and in modern Rome.

Take a cultural side track into one of Rome's lesser known areas; explore a neighborhood built in the 1940s as a model for the Rome of the future. EUR is an architectural masterpiece built in marble and stone hosting the museum of Roman civilization and brand new aquarium Sea Life opening summer 2013.

An amble through the streets surrounding Piazza Navona seeds the imagination with a healthy dose of architectural theater. Forming a rough triangle between Ponte Cavour, Ponte Amedeo and Piazza Navona – I especially recommend our apartments in this area for those new to Rome. Being within the ancient city while also among sumptuous, Baroque palaces stimulates the mind to induce a cinematic feeling of living in a film. Here are some of my favorite alcoves that distinguish this neighborhood of heady grandeur.