Rome is large,
busy, noisy and vibrant. It's not called
the "eternal city" for nothing. For
many Rome is still thecentre of the
world.
It's endless cafes, museums, churches,
restaurants, parks, and gardens are
full
of treasures and many travellers find
it is a highlight of their visit to
Italy.
VATICAN CITY
Mussolini gave the Pope full sovereignty
over the Vatican City in 1929. It has
it's own postal service (apparently more
reliable than the Italian post), currency,
newspaper, radio station, train station
and army of Swiss Guards. Saint Peter's Basilica (Basilica
San Pietro)
Saint Peter's is the most famous Christian
church in the world and the most important
building in the Catholic world, not to
mention the pope's local church. The original
church was built in the 4th century, and
in the 1500's Pope Julius II commissioned
the architect Bramante to rebuild it.
Michelangelo took over the project but
died before it was completed. Admission
free. Open: Summer 7am-7pm daily; Winter
7am-6pm daily.Piazza San Pietro, Vatican
City. Metro: Ottaviano. Tram: 19. Vatican Museums and the Sistine
Chapel
Huge queues of people constantly wait
outside the Vatican Museum to see an incredible
collection of art and treasures accumulated
by the popes. Get there early or be prepared
to endure the wait - but it is worth it.
The Sistine Chapel is just one of the
treasures inside, and comes at the end
of the visit. Michelangelo's frescoes
of the Creation and the Last Judgement
have both been recently restored. Also
inside is the Egyptian Museum, Etruscan
Museum and the Raphael Rooms. Admission:
€9.30, students €6.20, free on the last
Sunday of the month. Open: Jan-Jun & Oct-Dec
(excluding Easter) Mon-Sat & last Sun
of the month 8.45am-1.45pm; Jul-Sep &
Easter Mon-Sat & last Sun of the month
8.45am-4.45pm. Metro: Ottaviano. Tram:
19. St Peter's Square
This square was designed in the 17th century
as a place for Christians of the world
to gather. It is still used for public
addresses of the Pope and other religious
events. On Wednesdays at 10 or 11am the
pope usually gives a public audience (if
he is at home). But you must make a booking
either in person or by fax. Contact the
Prefettura della Casa Pontifica ph: 06
9 883017 - fax: 06 9 885863.
PIAZZAS
Piazza Venezia
This piazza was built to commemorate Italian unification and includes a
monument dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, the tomb of the unknown soldier,
the Museo del Risorgimento and the 15th century Palazzo Venezia which was
Mussolini's residence and is now a museum.
Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
This has long been the gathering place for tourists and Italian men trying
to pick up female travellers. Be on your guard. It has become incredibly
touristy and is always busy. An elaborate staircase leads up to the church
of Trinità dei Monti, to the right as you face the steps is the house where
Keats died in 1821 and the Via Condotti shopping street leads off from the
piazza. Metro: Spagna. Bus: 199.
Piazza Navona
This large square is lined with baroque palaces and features Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish
Steps
This has long been the gathering place
for tourists and Italian men trying to
pick up female travellers. Be on your
guard. It has become incredibly touristy
and is always busy. An elaborate staircase
leads up to the church of Trinità dei
Monti, to the right as you face the steps
is the house where Keats died in 1821
and the Via Condotti shopping street leads
off from the piazza. Metro: Spagna. Bus:
199. Piazza Navona
This large square is lined with baroque
palaces and features three fountains. Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
If you want to find the centrepiece of Rome (as in the saying "all roads
lead to Rome" you must visit the Roman Forum which was the centre of life in
the Empire. There are temples, law courts, public squares and the site where
Julius Caesar was killed and cremated. Admission ?3.20. Open: Apr-Sep
Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm; Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 9am-1pm. Largo
Romolo e Remo, Via dei Foro Imperiali. Metro: Colosseo. Colosseum (Colosseo)
Many people come to Rome to see this, the most famous and impressive
monument and a signature piece of the Roman Empire. It was started by
Emperor Vespasian in 72 A.D and was used for bloody gladiator combat and
wild beast shows and where many Christians were fed to the lions. It became
a fortress in the Middle Ages and was later used as a marble quarry so much
of it has been destroyed. However there is certainly enough of it left to
imagine it during past ages. Admission: ?5.20. Open Mon-Tue & Thu-Sat 9am
till two hours before sunset, Wed & Sun 9am-1pm. Piazza del Colosseo. Metro:
Colosseo.
REMNANTS
OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Baths of Caracella (Terme
di Caracella)
These Roman baths date from the 3rd century
BC and once held 1600 people with shops,
libraries, gardens, and entertainment.
They were used until the 6th century.
Admission: ?4.15. Open Sun-Mon 9am-1pm,
Tue-Sat 9am-two hours before sunset. Viale
delle Terme di Caracella 52. Metro: Circo
Massimo. Bus: 90, 90b, 93, 93b, 118, 160,
671. Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
If you want to find the centrepiece of
Rome (as in the saying "all roads lead
to Rome" you must visit the Roman Forum
which was the centre of life in theEmpire.
There are temples, law courts, public
squares and the site where Julius Caesar
was killed and cremated. Admission ?3.20.
Open: Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm;
Oct-Mar Mon-Sat 9am-3pm, Sun 9am-1pm.
Largo Romolo e Remo, Via dei Foro Imperiali.
Metro: Colosseo. Palatine (Palatino)
This hill overlooking the Roman Forum
is where wealthy Romans built their homes
and according to legend, is where Romulus
founded the city. There are a number of
private residences worth looking at. Admission
is included in the entry fee for the Roman
Forum (?3.20. Open: Mon & Wed-Sat 9am
till two hours before sunset, Tue & Sun
9am-1pm. Via di San Gregorio. Metro: Colosseo.
Bus: 11, 15, 27, 118, 673. Colosseum (Colosseo)
Many people come to Rome to see this,
the most famous and impressive monuments
and a signature piece of the Roman Empire.
It was started by Emperor Vespasian in
72 A.D and was used for bloody gladiator
combat and wild beast shows and where
many Christians were fed to the lions.
It became a fortress in the Middle Ages
and was later used as a marble quarry
so much of it has been destroyed. However
there is certainly enough of it left to
imagine it during past ages. Admission:
€5.20. Open Mon-Tue & Thu-Sat 9am till
two hours before sunset, Wed & Sun 9am-1pm.
Piazza del Colosseo. Metro: Colosseo.
Pantheon
This is one of Rome's best preserved buildings. It was
built as a temple in 27BC by Marcus Agrippa, and
rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 120 AD. The main
feature is the dome, the most important achievement of
Roman architecture. Two Italian Kings and the painter
Raphael are buried in the Pantheon. Admission is free.
Open: Apr-Sep Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-1pm; Oct-Mar
Mon-Sat 9am-4pm. Piazza della Rontonda. Bus: 119. Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo)
If you want to see the Ben Hur stadium go to the
Circus Maximus where chariot races were held from the
4th century BC. Metro: Circo Massimo. Bus: 11, 15, 27,
90, 94. Tram: 13, 30.
FOUNTAINS
AND GARDENS
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
This is Rome's most famous fountain with its baroque
statues. It's a popular meeting place but very
touristy. According to legend if you toss a coin into
the fountain over your shoulder you will return to
Rome. If you throw a second coin you can make a wish.
Piazza di Trevi. Metro: Barberini. Villa Borghese
This beautiful park is a lovely place
to escape from the hustle and bustle of
Rome. Inside the park is a zoo, several
museums and villa houses. Metro: Flamino.
Train: Piazzale Flamino. Bus: 95, 490,
495. Tram: 19, 19b, 30, 225.
MARKETS
Trajan's Markets
(Mercarti Traianei) Rome's
earliest shopping mall once housed 150
traders. Open: Apr-Sep Tue-Sat 9am-7pm,
Sun 9am-1pm; Oct-Mar Tue-Sat 9am-1.30pm,
Sun 9am-1pm. Via IV Novembre 94. Campo de' Fiori
This is a flower and vegetable
market held every morning (bar Sunday)
.
OTHER SIGHTS
Trastevere
This is the medieval quarter of Rome with lovely
narrow streets and a great place for food and drinks.
The Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere in the
piazza of Santa Maria in Trastevere is worth seeing. Catacombs
Rome has about 300 kilometres of catacombs that were
the meeting and burial places of early Christians.
Many date from the 4th century BC. The Catacombs of
San Callisto and San Sebastiano are the most popular.
Both are on the Via Appia Antica. Admission 6,000.
Open Thu-Mon 8.30am-12noon & 2.30pm-5.30pm. Via Appia
Antica 110. Bus 118. Catacombes of San Sebastiano.
Admission €4.15. Open Fri-Wed 9am-12noon &
2.30pm-5.30pm. Via Appia Antica 136. Bus 218. Ostia Antica
Few people make the journey to this port city that the
Romans founded at the mouth of the Tiber in 4th
century B.C This means it is generally realtively free
of tourists. It's worth a visit to the escavated city.
The ruins contain a temple, theatre, forum, offices
and mosaics. Open 9am to an hour before sunset.
Admission? Metropolitana Linea B to Magliana, and then
the Ostia Lido train to Ostia Antica. Tivoli
Tivoli was a Roman resort town and is famous today for
the terraced gardens and fountains of the Villa d'Este
and the ruins of the Villa Adriana built by the Roman
Emepror Hadrian. 40km east of Rome. Metro Linea B from
Stazione Termine to Rebibbia. COTRAL buses leave from
the station every 15 minutes.
