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Rome
Interesting places in Rome:Rome (Italian and Latin: Roma) is the capital city of Italy and of the Lazio region, as well as the country's largest and most populous comune, with about 2.8 million residents (3.8 million considering the whole urbanised area, as represented by the Province of Rome). It is located in the central-western portion of the Italian peninsula, where the river Aniene joins the Tiber. As one of the largest cities in the European Union, the Comune di Roma has a gross domestic product of EUR97 billion in the year 2005, equal to 6.7% of Italy's GDP -- the highest proportion of GDP produced by any single Italian comune. The current Mayor of Rome is Walter Veltroni.
Italians are very fond of their landmark and their ancient culture and in order to make it more accessible every year there is a week during which every publicly managed place is free. This nice happening which typically is in mid-May is "", i.e. 7 to 10 days all landmark, archeological places and museums belonging to public management (including Colosseo and all the areas of the ancient Foro) are free. See to know the exact dates, in 2007 it was from May 12th to 20th.
Roman Empire structures
The Colosseum, Forum, and Palatine Hill are all in very close proximity to each other.
Colosseo in the night-time
- The Colosseum - Entry €11 (€9 if you're under 25). Expect a long queue and an even longer wait. You can skip the queue if you decide to take a tour, but if you don't want a tour, you can STILL skip the queue. If you walk across the street to the Roman Forum, you can buy a day-long pass for €10,or a standard Colosseum + Palatine ticket at €11, better still, a 7-day pass for €22. This pass gets you in to the Colosseum (Colosseo), Palatine Hill (Palatino Hill), the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla), and the catacombs as well as the Terme di Diocleziano, Palazza Massimo alle Terme, Crypta Balbi, Palazzo Altemps, Villa dei Quintili, Tomba di Cecilia Metella. If you don't want to cram it all into one day, get the pass. Plus, it is nice to buy a slice of pizza and eat in the gardens of Palatine Hill. There are lots of people offering tours in English just outside the entrance to the Colosseum. Inside you can take a tour (English, Spanish, or German) every 30 minutes or so for an additional fee of €3.5 per person. The tours are given by knowledgeable archeologists, but they don't take you to any areas you couldn't visit on your own.
- The Pantheon - A marvel of ancient architecture, this ancient temple to all the gods is celebrated for its large dome, copied during Greek and Roman revival periods by such designers as Thomas Jefferson, who modeled his Monticello and the Rotunda at the University of Virginia on it. Built during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128), the Pantheon carries a dedication to Marcus Agrippa, who built the original structure on this spot in 27 BC. As it is still a functioning church, silence is requested during your visit. From inside the Pantheon, you'll see traces of the former bronze ceiling, melted down during the reign of Pope Urban VIII to make bombards to for the fortification of the Castel Sant' Angelo. The hole in the center of the ceiling, though, is an original feature designed to admit light. Guides will tell you the spectacular doors are original, but a glance shows that extensive alterations were made to the original doorway in order to accommodate them.
The site surrounding the Pantheon offers a lesson in archaeologial stratigraphy. The building now appears to be built in a recess at the edge of a hill, but this is not the original appearance. The street level at the sides and rear has risen about 10 meters since the original construction due to the accumulation of debris from 2,000 years of settlement. This has necessitated the maintenance of the deep trench that keeps the building from being buried.
Roman Forum
- Roman Forum - If stones could talk: these hallowed ruins were the most powerful seat of government in the world. The Forum is much less crowded than the Colosseum and, from a historical perspective, much more interesting. Free admission, except for an audio guide, which is highly recommended. To stand in the political, legal and religious centre of the whole Roman Empire brings shivers down one's spine. It is the best way of imagining the splendour and glory of ancient Rome.
- Tabularium The remains of the ancient Roman archives, where Cicero and Seneca did research. Visible from the Forum and accessible through the Capitoline Museum.
- Circus Maximus The contours of the ancient stadium are still visible in a city park across the Palatine from the Forum. It was in one of the tunnels here that Caligula met his end.
- Palatine Hill - right next to the Roman Forum, contains the ruins of several large villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. You can buy a combined ticket for the Palatine Hill and the Colosseum here, avoiding the long lines at the Colosseum.
- Fori Imperiali - Entry €7 (cheaper for EU nationals, free for EU history students). The inside of the fort is very similar to a museum, with a lot of rooms containing items in glass cases. It is a bit of a maze and takes time to orient yourself, but it is worth climbing to very top for a view of the city and the Vatican. As of late June 2007, it is closed for restoration, but you can still see a lot of it from the road.
Museums
- The Capitoline Museums, Piazza del Campidoglio 1 - 00186 Roma, ☎ 06 82059127 (every day 9.00-19.30) (info.museicapitolini@comune.roma.it, fax: 06 6785488), [13]. Tu-Su 9.00am-8.00pm; Dec 24th, 31st 9AM-2PM (the ticket office closes an hour in advance) Closed on Mondays, 25th Dec, 1st Jan, 1st May. Also contain a good collection of classical art, as well as ancient sculpture, including the famous bronze wolf. The Capitoline piazza, between the two museum buildings - designed by Michelangelo, is beautiful. Explore these museums, then head out the back of the square to the Forum, where you'll find the remains of the Temple of the Vestal Virgins, among many other buildings on the way to the Colosseum. Ordinary €6,50 (+ €1,50 for exhibitions), Concessions €4,50 (+ €1,50 for exhibitions)..
- Palazzo Massimo, ☎ 06 39967700. Mo-Sa 9AM-1:30PM, 2:30PM-5PM. A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the bedroom from the Empress Livia's villa at Prima Porta. Located across the piazza from Termini, opposite the Baths of Diocetian. € 7,00.
- Galleria Borghese, Piazzale Museo Borghese (Parco di Villa Borghese) 00197 - Roma, ☎ +39 06 8555952, booking: +39 06 32810 (info.servizimusei@libero.it, fax: +39 06 32651329.), [14]. Tu-Su 9AM-7PM (note: Mandatory exit at the end of allotted 2 hour slot). A small museum that concentrates on the quality rather than the size of its collection. There are some very notable works by Antonio Canova and Gian Lorenzo Bernini here. The number of people admitted is limited to 200 every 2 hours, so make a well in advance for the time slot you want. No cameras are allowed Full €8.50, Concessions €2.00.
- Villa Giulia Museum, Piazzale di Villa Giulia, 9, Villa Borghese 00196 - Roma, ☎ +39 06 3201951, [15]. Everyday 8:30AM-7:30PM. Closed Jan 1st, Dec 25th. The most extensive collection of Etruscan art and artifacts anywhere, well worth the admission charge. They do, however, make you lock up your camera. A difficult museum to find, but a lovely display in a beautiful villa setting. Full: €4.00 Concessions: €2.00.
- Vatican Museums, [16]. Check opening hours from website or signs near the museums. Vatican Museums includes the Sistine Chapel famous for Michelangelo's frescos. Accessing the Sistine Chapel requires walking through many other halls and buildings (including the Raphael's Rooms) and it takes about an hour. Full: €13.00, Concessions: €8.00.
Churches
If you aren't familiar with Roman Catholic churches, take a look inside of any one of these. You'll find the richness and range of decor astonishing, from fine classical art to tacky electric candles. Please note that some churches in Rome deny admission to people who are dressed inappropriately. You will find "fashion police" at Rome's most visited churches - near the front doors of St Peter's, St Paul Outside the Walls, and often Sta Maria Maggiore and San Giovanni in Laterano. Bare shoulders, short skirts, and shorts are officially not allowed, but long shorts and skirts reaching just above the knee should generally be no problem. However, it's always safer to wear longer pants or skirts that go below the knee; St. Peter's in particular is known for rejecting tourists for uncovered knees, shoulders, midriffs, etc. (You also generally won't be told until right before you enter the church, so you will have made the trek to the Vatican and stood in a long security line for nothing.) The stricter churches usually have vendors just outside selling inexpensive scarves and sometimes plastic pants. Few other churches in Rome enforce dress codes. You can wander into lesser known churches like Sant'Ivo and Sta Maria in Trastevere wearing shorts, sleeveless shirts, or pretty much anything without problems. It is, however, good to keep one's dress tasteful, as these are still churches and houses of prayer for many people. (Older Romans might comment on attire and perhaps harass you if it is particularly revealing.)
- St. Pietro - St Peter's - where the Pope resides. Said to be the finest church on the planet. Long queues for entry, but queuing time is not very long. Strict dress code, entrance is denied if not followed. The basil and tombs of the popes are free. Access to the cupola is €7 using lift, and €4 using stairs. Even with lift, about 350 steps must be climbed.
- San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane - a very small and beautiful church, the first design commission of Francesco Borromini.
- Sant' Ivo della Sapienza - This little church is hard to find but well worth the extra effort. It is located only a block from Piazza Navona, but not usually visible from the street, as one must enter the courtyard of an old palazzo to reach the church. Sant'Ivo is a small church shaped like the Star of David, with an amazing star-shaped dome and whimsical steeple.
- Santa Maria del Popolo - with a couple of paintings by Caravaggio: "The Crucifixion of Saint Peter" and "The Conversion of Saint Paul"
- San Luigi dei Francesi - This church is roughly halfway between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. It is most notable for a side chapel which contains three Caravaggio masterworks: "The Calling of St. Matthew", "St. Matthew and the Angel" and "Martyrdom of St. Matthew"
- Sant'Agnese in Agone in Piazza Navona - This lovely basilica church is small with an almost circular interior. It is undergoing rehabilitation and the facade and dome are hidden in scaffolding. It seems to be open only until noon.
- San Giovanni in Laterano - this is the cathedral church of Rome and first of the major basilicas. It's also the Pope's (as Bishop of Rome) Church. Be sure to check out the fourth century baptistry (still in use) and the medieval cloister.
- Santa Maria Maggiore - This ancient basilica crowns the top of the Esquiline Hill. Tons of gold decorate the interior.
- San Paolo fuori le Mura - also known as St Paul's Outside the Walls. This is on the outskirts of Rome in an otherwise drab modern neighborhood. The church is a faithful reconstruction of the ancient basilica which burned down in the early 1800s. Don't miss the medieval cloister, which survived the fire.
- S. Passera Even though it isn't worth a trip, this church can be a interesting deviation if you live or pass through its neighbourhood. This church is believed to be the grave of the Saints Ciro and Giovanni, killed during the time of the Emperor Diocletian. The church is now know as because of the several changes its name has undergone. The oringal name was and through Appaciro and then Appacero finally it got Pacera, that's very close to today's . The building on top is a 3rd century building still visible in the lower floor and in the underground. The main part of the building dates back to the IX century as the frescoes on the higher floor. Some of th frescoes are too spoiled to be enjoyed, but some of them have recently been restored and depict the Saints Paolo, Pietro, Giovanni Battista and Giovanni Evangelista in the vault and Our Lady together with Jesus, Saints Giacomo and Antonio and the Archangel Michele in the apse. Downstairs there is a small quadrangular room and the underground, where the rest of the two Saints should be. Frescoes in these floor date back to XIV century but are almost completely ruined, but in the underground there are still visible III century traces of Roman age frescoes; in front of the stair you can enjoy a small bird, the Justice, and an athlete while in the vault some eight apex stars.
- San Clemente - a great little cathedral to visit, with an excavated older church below and a pagan temple below that. The only place in Rome to hear the underground river that flows beneath the city. Very close to the Colosseum.
- Santa Maria in Trastevere - one of the oldest churches in the city. The nave is lined with a mismatched collection of columns taken from ancient Roman buildings. The apse is covered in gold mosaics from the 13th century, arguably the finest mosaics in the city.
- Santa Maria degli Angeli - this church was built inside the former baths of Diocletian. Very light and airy inside. Note the unusual art on the outside doors.
- San Pietro in Vincoli - The chains that held St. Peter are displayed in a case before the altar. Also contains a statue of Moses created by Michelangelo. It's close to the Colosseum, but a little hard to find
- Santissima Trinità dei Monti - up above the Spanish Steps
- Santa Maria in Aracoeli - Ballroom-like church which crowns part of the Capitoline Hill. Don't be fooled by the plain stone exterior
- Santa Maria alla Minerva - This church is literally right behind the Pantheon. It is Rome's only gothic church, and well worth seeing, although its plain square façade makes it look inconspicuous.
- Il Gesù - not far from Piazza Venezia. The interior is Baroque art on steroids. Simply astounding.
- Sant'Ignazio - Not far from the Pantheon. A stunning example of Baroque art. The ceiling frescoes are especially fine, including a trompe l'oeuil dome.
- Capuchin Monastery - On Via Veneto, right by Piazza Barberini. The crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of thousands of dead monks. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.
Public squares
The Vittoriano Monument, Piazza Venezia
- Largo di Torre Argentina - an excavation of four roman temples and Pompeys theater. The largo is also home to a large amount of cats which are tended by the local animal rights organization.
- Piazza di Trevi - where you can find the famous Fontana di Trevi. It's not a very big piazza and gets very crowded very quickly.
- Piazza di Spagna - under the "Spanish Steps"
- Piazza Navona - Used to be an ancient stadium built by the emperor Domitian and still retains the shape. The fountains are by Bernini and are very notable. Piazza Pasquino is just round the corner.
- Campo de' Fiori - not far from Piazza Navona. Used as a marketplace. In nearby via dei Giubbonari the salumeria Roscioli is worth checking out.
- Piazza Pasquino - piazza about 20m from Piazza Navona. There is a statue here named "Pasquino", apparently named after a tailor working nearby who had a reputation for complaining. The statue is now used as a place to hang messages, complaints and other opinions which has to be shared with the world. The piazza is also home to Cul de Sac, one of the best enoteca in Rome.
- Piazza del Popolo - with the twin churches
- Piazza della Minerva- a small piazza just behind the Pantheon. The centerpiece is a statue of an elephant by Bernini with an ancient obelisk on its back
- Piazza delle Coppelle
- Piazza di Sant'Ignazio- small and attractive piazza tucked away in a neighborhood near Pantheon
- Piazza Montecitorio - where you can find the building of the House or Representatives
- Piazza Colonna - where there is the building of the Italian Government, Palazzo Chigi. Also there is a marvelous carved column (hence the name) dating back to Imperial Rome
- Piazza Barberini - with Bernini's famous Triton Fountain. Via Veneto starts here too.
- Piazza della Rotonda - where you can see the Pantheon
- Piazza Venezia- more of an enormous traffic circle than a piazza, but a good central location. The centerpiece is the enormous Vittorio Emmanuale Monument (aka the Wedding Cake) with the Capitoline hill next door. Piazza Venezia is also very close to the Forum
- Piazza del Campidoglio - On top of the Capitol hill. It was designed by Michelangelo. The Capitoline Museum is housed in the palaces flanking the piazza. You can walk behind the palaces and to a wonderful viewpoint which overlooks the entire Forum
Historical Buildings
- Palazzo Venezia In the very heart of the city center, the building was for centuries ago the seat of the Venice embassy. Today it houses a museum and galleries art.
- Palazzo della Cancelleria
- Palazzo Farnese
- Palazzo della Sapienza - 8, Corso Rinascimento tel 06 686 4987. Bus 70 81, 87, 492. Close to Navona square, this building housed the University of Rome since the middle of the 15th century until 1935. The splendid interior courtyard was created by Giacomo della Porta. The inside church of St Ivo is one of the masterpieces of Architect Borromini.
- Palazzo Altemps - 8, Sant' Apollinare street tel.06 6897091. Bus 70, 81, 87, 492. Simple and elegant lines make up this building, whose construction began in 1480 for Count Girolamo Riario, nephew of Papa Sisto IV and was taken up by architect Martino Longhi for the new owner, Cardinal Marco Sittico Altemps.
- Palazzo Taverna - Via di Monte Giordano. The building is located in one of the most set-apart corners of the city center among the Navona square and Castel Sant Angelo. It served as residence for the Orsini Family. Nowatdays it is a private property and one can only glance at the courtyard and the inside amazing fountain erected in 1618 by architect Antonio Casoni. However, the brief moment is worth it.
- Palazzo Crivelli - Via dei Banchi vecchi, 22 This building also know as the Doll House was built in the 16th century. It is unique for the quantity and quality of the decorations - lions heads, satyrs and disfigured heads that adorn the facade attributed to the sculptor Giulio Mazzoni.
- Palazzo Spada Piazza Capo di Ferro - This building was erected in the 16th century by Giulio Merisi Caravaggio for Cardinal Capodiferro. One century later it was acquired by another powerful Cardinal, Bernardino Spada and was restored by Borromini.
- Palazzo Barberini
- Villa Farnesina This Renaissance house is in Trastevere, very close to the river and not far from the Vatican. You can tour several beautiful rooms covered in frescoes, including some by Raphael.
Others
- Castel Sant'Angelo - Perhaps the most fascinating building in Rome. The core of the structure began life as the mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian, built between 135 and 139 AD. Subsequent strongholds built on top of the mausoleum were in turn incorporated into a residence and castle by medieval Popes. The building was used as a prison until 1870, but now houses a museum. Opera buffs will be exhilarated to visit the balcony from which Tosca leaps to her death.
- Trastevere
- Il Gianicolo
- Piramid, at the Piramid metro station.
The Pyramid
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Colosseo
Made by klausthebest
The Coliseum was built of brick and covered with travertine in a valley between the hills Palatine, Celio and Esquilino, after draining a small lake that Nero used for the Domus Aurea. The building of four storeys, with a height of 48.50 metres and an extension elliptical covering an area of approximately 19000 square meters, measuring axis greater than 188m and 156m less. The first floor is high with 10.50m semi Doric style, the second highest of about two metres is formed by Ionic columns, the third high 11.60m has Corinthian columns while the fourth wall with small square windows. At this level there are also holes required to support the beams of velario that, in ancient times, was used to protect spectators from the sun flying. The Coliseum is made up of areas that we could access through ladders and tunnels in which, during the shows, vendors were placed chickpeas, beverages and pillows. Along the sidelines, including places for the senators and members of the court was built by order of the stage of the emperor Augustus ( pulvinar). It was probably entitled to access through an underground corridor known as passage of Commodus, the fact that, in a passage of the Roman History, Dione Cassius tells how the emperor Commodus had suffered an attack in what was described as a dark ways. The elliptical arena, Flavian Amphitheater, which measures along the approximately 77m to 46, was formed by a wooden desk covered with sand. To access existed two inputs: west Gateway Triumphalis, which entered the gladiators or animals, and to the east Gateway Libitinensis, which were taken away the lifeless bodies of fighters (Labitinia Goddess of Death) . Under the arena of the Coliseum extended several corridors and environments destined to host the gladiators and wild beasts that could be brought to centre stage by forklifts and ramps. Along the edges paved the arena there was a porch to two orders of which there were received around the remains while running at a pavement with marble which was set on the velarium. Outside the building you can see inscriptions that recall the work of consolidating the amphitheatre and especially the prohibition of Pope Benedict XIV to pillage the monument.
Sacred & profane
Made by klausthebest
This is Antoninus and Faustina temple, which has been able to keep in very good condition until today, thanks to its conversion into a church (San Lorenzo in Miranda) between the seventh and eighth centuries A.D. The temple was built in 141 A.D. by emperor Antoninus Pius in memory of his wife Faustina and thereafter was dedicated to the emperor by the Senate after his death in 161 AD, as an inscription on the architrave. The temple stands on a high podium made of peperino marble blocks (peperino is a particular kind of marble), preceded by a staircase (rebuilt on the old) in the middle which you can see the remains of marble brick. The pronaos consists of ten cipolin marble columns, six on the front and two on each side, 17 metres high and with bases and corinthian capitals in white marble. On top of the columns, visible angular grooves were traced to hold the strings with which It tried in vain to bringing down the building in order to recover materials. The cell, as amended by the Baroque facade of the church, was also made by peperino blocks and was covered with marble.
Staircase of the Vatican Museum
Made by _Robert C_
The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are the public art and sculpture museums in the Vatican City, which display works from the extensive collection of the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Julius II founded the museums in the 16th century. The Sistine Chapel and the Stanze della Segnatura decorated by Raphael are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums. As of November 2006, it was visited by more than 4,000,000 people for the year.
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A walk around the Lake
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