Largo di Torre Argentina

Rome is full of, well, Roman ruins. Located at the corner of Via di Torre Argentina and Via Florida sits the Largo di Torre Argentina, a square block containing the ruins of four Roman temples. But this site is famous among locals and visitors alike for what resides in those ruins: a great number of the city’s homeless cats. The Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary (www.romancats.com) cares for about 250 stray cats, providing health care, shelter and food for them while trying to find them permanent homes. They receive no public funding, relying strictly on donations and the efforts of volunteers. Open daily from noon to 6 p.m., it also has a small gift shop on site. It’s a bare-bones operation, but the spirit and dedication of the volunteers is incredible.

— BETH HABIAN, ITN