Rome, the capital of Italy and the capital of the Lazio region, is a thousand-year-old city, known as the "Eternal City" for its rich history and culture. Founded, according to legend, in 753 BC, Rome was the heart of the Roman Empire and, later, a hub of Christianity. Today, the city preserves an immense artistic and architectural heritage, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and numerous churches, including the four major basilicas: St. Peter's, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.