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ROME SEE & DO
A life time is not enough to discover all Rome's treasures. The Eternal City offers
many monuments, galleries, historical buildings, churches, museums, and ruins that you will find wandering its
streets and squares. Here listed some worthvisitng highlights.
For more information or to book sightseeing tours online, visit
the link below:
Colosseum
This amphitheatre dates to the first century AD and was the arena of gladiator fights with wild
animals. You can get a pretty good sense of the Colosseum just by walking around the outside, but going inside
will give you a better idea of the seating areas, the structures beneath the arena floor, and the general enormity
of the building.
Piazza Colosseo, Via dei Fori Imperiali (Metro: Colosseo). Open: daily 9am-7.30pm-. Closed
Mon.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum can be considered a symbol of antiquity. It was the centre of the civic, juridical
and economic life of the Roman empire. It was very damaged by the barbaric invasions. In 1700 the excavations brought
out notable treasures of Romanic art. Here you can visit the ruins of the Imperial city, the Senate House, the
Basilicas and the Temples of the major Gods.
Foro Romano, Entrances are located in Via dei Fori Imperiali (Metro stop: Colosseo),
Largo Romolo e Remo and Piazza di St. Maria Nova. Open: Daily 9am-6pm (mid-Apr to Oct) and 9-am-3pm (Nov to mid-Apr).
The Ancient Appian Way
From the San Sebastian gate you can walk along the "Regina Viarum" which was very
important in the roman life. The area close to the wall is made of ruins of funerary monuments, catacombs and fabulously
rich villas. Surrounded by peace and vegetation, this place is one of the most beautiful archeological sites of
the world.
Baths of Caracalla
They are placed in the homonymous street near the beginning of the famous Appia Antica (Appian
Way). These baths were still in use in the VI century, but in 537 their feeding acqueduct was destroyed after the
invasion of the Goths. Statues, splendidly frescoed vaults and valuable marbles adorned this thermal complex. Besides,
around their most refined rooms and piscinae, there were libraries, palestras and gardens that made pleasant and
relaxing this place. They were grand and important in the antiquity but still today you can be enchanted by the
ruins of that ancient splendor.
Via delle Terme di Caracalla. Tues-Sun 9am-sunset (until 4pm Nov-Mar); Mon 9am-2pm. Metro
Line B: Circo Massimo or bus 628; or J3.
Pantheon
It is an imposing monument considered a masterpiece of the Roman architecture, one of the ancient and best preserved
monuments in the world. Consul Agrippa had it built in 27 A.D. Placed in "Piazza della Rotonda", near
"Piazza Minerva" it was named "Pantheon" because it was a temple dedicated to several divinities.
Thanks, first, to the restoration by Domiziano, and then to the reconstruction by Adriano in 130 A.D., it has remained
nearly integral. In 609 A.D. this temple was given by Emperor Foca to Pope Bonifacio IV and changed into a church;
this is the reason why it is still in excellent conditions.
Piazza della Rotonda. Open Mon-Sat 8:30am-6:30pm; Sun & holidays 8:30am-1pm.
Free. Bus 40 Express, 64, 492, or 62 to Largo Argentina.
Spanish Steps
This is one of the best known and evocative places in Rome. It is characterized by the great
perron of " Trinità dei Monti". In the middle of the square, at the bottom of the perron, there
is the elegant "Fontana della Barcaccia" realized by Pietro Bernini. At the top of the stairs you can
see, behind the Egyptian obelisk, "Santa Trinità dei Monti's church". It was built in 1495 and
its façade was realized by Maderno. The piazza owes its name to the Palace of the Spanish Emabassy, situated
in fron of the "Colonna dell'Immacolata". Beginning from "Piazza di Spagna" and going up its
flight of steps, you can reach the "Pincio's terrace", from where you can enjoy an exceptional view of
Rome.
Metro Line A: Spagna.
Navona Square
It is a beautiful and famous square where you can admire masterpieces by Bernini, Borromini
e G. della Porta, who were very important exponents of the baroque art. Here you can admire three splendid fountains,
characterized by four allegorical statues, and Borromini's Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. It is a meeting place
both for tourists and Romans till late in the night thanks, also, to the numerous pubs, restaurants and piano-bars.
Piazza Navona
Piazza del Popolo
Planned by Valadier at the beginning of the XIX century, it is considered one of the best urban
works in Rome. It represents the point of confluence of three important streets: via del Corso, via del Babuino
and via di Ripetta. It is characterized by the Porta del Popolo by Bernini, which was the most important entrance
in Rome for travellers coming from the north through the consular Flaminia road.
Metro Line A: Flaminio - Piazza del Popolo
Trevi Fountain
The most famous fountain in Rome, made by architect Salvi in 1735 under Pope Clement XII. It
is considered one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. A delightfully extravagant Rococo creation with
travertine palm trees, tritons, seahorses, and Neptune himself. It tells several allegoric stories. Throw one coin
over your shoulder for a quick return to Rome!
Metro Line A: Spagna, or bus 62 or 492 to Via del Tritone.
St. Peter's Basilica
Placed in the Vatican State it dominates St.Peter's Square which is a Bernini's masterpiece.
It was built in 324 A.D. by Constantine. The works which give the present shape to the basilica began in 1506 thanks
to the Bramante's plan. It is the greatest church in the world and is dominated by the imposing Michelangelo's
dome from where you can can enjoy an exceptional view of Rome.. Michelangelo joined many great artists, such as
Bramante and Raffaello, for its realization, which represents the greatest masonry work never built.
Metro Line A: Ottaviano - Piazza San Pietro
Castle Sant'Angelo
Built in 130 A.D. by Emperor Hadrian as his mausoleum. It was used as shelter for popes and
as jail. It was joined to the Vatican with a fortified passageway, so that the pope could walk safely from the
Vatican to the Castle. Today welcomes the National Museum, where there are collections of weapons and documents
about the history of the castle. All the fully adorned rooms can be visited.
9am - 7pm. Closed Monday - Lungotevere Castello, 50
Santa Maria Maggiore
The basilica was erected in the IVth century but underwent many remakings in the course of the
years. The building is characterized by different architectonic styles. Placed in its homonymous square, its construction
is due to a dream which Pope Liberio had the 5th of August 356 A.D., during the night: the Virgin invited him to
build a church in the place where the following morning he would have found snow. The miracle came true because,
the day after, it snowed on the place where the basilica is placed today.
Metro Line A/B: Termini - Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore
San Pietro in Vincoli
It has a very ancient origin but its actual shape dates back to the last years of the Vth century.
In it you can admire the Mosè by Michelangelo which is a work of art, unique for its incomparable expressiveness
and beauty. The basilica dates back to the Imperial Age and was constructed according to Eudossia's will, who was
the wife of Emperor Valentiniano III . For this reason it is also named Eudossiana Basilica.
Metro Line B: Colosseo - Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 4
Domus Aurea
The Domus Aurea was built by emperor Nero after the disastrous fire occured in 64 A.D.. It had
to be the largest and richest residence ever raised. It was named Domus Aurea (gold House) thanks to its valuable
decorations and prestigious furniture. It is situated on the Oppian hill in "via della Domus Aurea".
Via della Domus Aurea - Giardini di Colle Oppio - 9.00am - 7.45pm
Mouth of Truth
The so-called "Bocca della Verita'," in the portico of the church of S. Maria in Cosmedin.
Put your hand in the mouth of this ancient sewer cover- a legend says that liars' hands will be bitten off.
Piazza Bocca della Verità. 9am-1pm; 2:30pm-6pm daily. Bus 170 to Via del
Teatro di Marcello (or any bus to Piazza Venezia and walk 5 minutes).
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