Four Continents: Rome and Sorrento

Italian Flag as we know it today.

Every Ancient History and History buff knows about how the Roman Empire has shaped how we see the world we live in today. But do you know about the two most influential peninsulas, which helped form that time period of World History.

The Eternal City of Rome's official flag -
showing the legend of Lupa
(the Mother of Rome) and the Wolf Twins
Romulus and Remus.

Sorrento's Coat of Arms.

On paper, Rome and Sorrento are the same type of city. They both hold a Cathedral and they both have the attractions from the same era. But these two cities are vastly dissimilar.

Nicknamed the 'Eternal City', Rome is the important city and the heart of the Roman Empire we all know and love. Built in 735 BC by the Wolf Twins, Romulus and Remus, Rome became the powerhouse of the Western Empire, including the Roman Empire. As the legend states, Romulus and Remus founded the city but after a bitter argument between the pair, Romulus became the first King of Rome after his brother Remus was killed. This bloodied founding lay down the history of Rome once the Roman Empire was established. During this time period (509 BC-1453 AD), Rome became the central hub of the Mediterranean Sea empire. With the motto of the Republic being shortened to the SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, there is no doubt this Empire can and will be able to boast being one of the greatest empires in existence. With Emperors such as Julius and Octavius (renamed Augustus) Caesar at the helm, these remains of the Roman Empire are still remembered today.

Sorrento City Map.

Rome's City map, displaying all the
attractions and sights.

Sorrento has less of a bloody history through revenge and war and more of a history through natural phenomena. With Mount Vesuvius, and the destroyed remains Pompeii and Herculaneum as the main attractions with the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast coming up as a very close second, Sorrento is always on the map for a good city break or for a proper holiday, especially with a population of 16.5 thousand. Known for that fateful day of 79 AD, Sorrento has its history intertwined with that of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius. Everyone on holiday in Sorrento visits those three places during these visits as everyone knows the story of Vesuvius' most famous eruption. But that does not mean, the town itsef should be overlooked. Sorrento has a huge variety of authentic Italian cuisine and materials - even architecture - for everyone to enjoy. The Port of Sorrento alone boasts a visit from Jamie Oliver himself. And yes, whilst it is busy at night when all the small businesses and restaurants are open, the town very much gives of that small Italian town ambience that is very much missing from small English towns and villages. Sorrento is also home to the Isole Sirenuse/Li Galle (the Island home of the three peaceful Sirens in the Odyssey, where Odysseus ordered his men to tie him to the ships mast so he couldn't go over board.)

Today, Rome is known as the Capital City of the Kingdom of Italy, located on the western side of the country, crossing the timeless Tiber river and built on seven hills: the Aventine, the Caelian, the Capitoline, the Esquiline, the Palantine, Quirinal and Viminal Hills. The city is in the centre of the Lazio Peninsula, which borders the Tuscany and Campania regions.

The First eight Emperors of the
Roman Empire as we know it
in History.

Likewise, Sorrento is one of the most visited cities in Italy and known throughout the world not because of it being on the political stage but the Tourism stage. The city is on the western part of the Campania region, which also shares borders with Lazio and the Basilicata regions.

Rome holds the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain alongside the Vatican City and Roman Forum. Each one of these can be found in the central district of the City of Rome with the Vatican City a little further away to ensure the peace of the Roman Catholic religious schedules. The Roman Forum and the Colosseum were built in the same two-decade period of 70-89 AD whereas the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, which depicts the three Greek/Roman titans of water Oceanus, Abundance and Salubrity with the Geek mythological Prince of the Seas and Oceanus' grandson Triton rides a chariot in the foreground, were much later additions, having been built in the 18th Century. but these two additions also adds to the mystery and wonder of this undying historical city.

Rome's famous Colosseum - where they
held Gladiator fights and shows when
Rome was the centre of the Roman Empire at
its peak.

Meanwhile Sorrento is the home of the Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and its closeness to the town of Amalfi. Together, these two stunning locations brings a depth to the city not known for its own achievements in the history books but that of its neighbouring attractions. But, with the later supplement of Sorrento Cathedral, Marine Grande and Museum Correale, Sorrento is every bit the city which keeps going despite adversary.

Myself with my 'hidden'
disadvantage in Rome at one
of the many Fountains -
sorry I can't remember of the
top of my head which one.

When I visited Sorrento back in 2000, all I was interested in, as are most three-year-olds, was seeing how much mischief I could get into without my parents noticing. As a Cerebral Palsy - right-sided hemiplegia sufferer, which despite what people is a quite common disability to have, which also has a side which manifest similar to ADHD tendencies - this happened a lot during the trip. One memorable aspect was my insistence on being as close to Vesuvius' crater as I could and forever running off to explore Herculaneum. Though for the most part, it didn't seem like much, Sorrento has become a place I wish to visit again just to retain the memories of what I saw the first time around but never understood. So, when I visited Rome in 2013, I gained some of that wonder back, but this time with the understanding and knowledge I had on hand pertaining the Roman era and its mythology. Now that I have visited the town for the second time in my life, I can certainly ascertain why mostly everyone converges on this one town. The view over the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast are a wonder to see in person. And despite the large amount of scooter traffic on Sorrento's roads, it is one of the most beautiful places in Southern Italy.