Built in A.D. 80, the Colosseum represents Rome at its grandest. The Flavian Amphitheater (its real name) was mainly an arena for gladiator contests which could accommodate 50,000 roaring fans.
When Emperor Constantine (who had a vision that he’d win under the sign of the cross) defeated his rival Maxentius in A.D. 312, he became sole emperor of the Roman Empire and legalized Christianity.
The Arch of Titus commemorated the Roman victory over the province of Judaea (Israel) in A.D. 70.
This “basilica” was not a church but a Roman hall of justice. In a society that was as legal-minded, you needed a lot of lawyers—and a big place to put them.
In 1550, a church was housed inside the ancient temple. The green door shows the street level at the time of Michelangelo. The long staircase was underground until excavated in the 1800s.
It was circular and a flame always burning inside. It represented how Rome was a big family. As long as the sacred flame burned, Rome would stand.
Vestal virgins were in charge of maintaining the Vesta temple sacred flame burning. They served for 30 years after that they were allowed to marry, loose chastity and received a ton of money.
The palace was discovered in 2003 by a team of archaeologists from Oxford University and Stanford University, who were financed by the Rome-based American Institute for Roman Culture
Built in 495 BC, it’s the forum most photographed sight. It commemorated the Roman victory over the Tarquin.
According to legend/history, this is the place where the she-wolf raised Romulus and Remus. Also where Romulus founded Rome on 21 April 753 BC as a kingship. In 509 BC, Romans established a republic.
The Curia building dates from A.D. 283, when it replaced an earlier Senate building. It’s so well preserved because it was used as a church. In the 1930s, it was restored as a historic site.
This used to be the platform of free speech. Where on a stage like this, Rome’s orators, great and small, tried to draw a crowd and sway public opinion. More or less like social networks today.
The huge six-story-high Arch of Septimius Severus (A.D. 203) commemorate the African-born emperor’s battles in Mesopotamia.
These columns framed the entrance to the Forum’s oldest temple (497 B.C.). Inside was an old wooden statue of the god Saturn.Its pedestal held the gold bars, coins, and jewels of Rome’s state treasury
The spot was considered the center of the cosmos, and all distances in the empire were measured from here.
Given to commemorate the pagan Pantheon’s becoming a Christian church by Byzantine. This is Rome’s empire last built monument. A new era was beginning.
Almost an art museum. Inside you will find Raphael’s Chigi Chapel (second on left as you face the main altar) and two paintings by Caravaggio (in the Cerasi Chapel, left of altar).
La entrada es cara pero si están interesados en el lugar y la arquitectura vale la pena
In the morning, this piazza hosts a fruit-and-vegetable market. In the evening, the cafés and restaurants that line the square predominate. Later at night, crowds of drunks make it a late-night party
Giordano Bruno, an intellectual heretic who was burned on this spot in 1600. The statue, facing a Vatican building, was erected in 1889, a time when the new state of Italy and the Vatican were feuding
Now, the French embassy. The rich Farnese family hired Michelangelo to help design their palace.The whole facade has a pleasant symmetry with focus on the balcony, where Farnese nobles gave speeches.
Originally built as a racetrack by Emperor Domitian around A.D. 80. Now it presents 4 great fountains and at night, street music, artists, cafes, etc.
It was built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the man who, in the mid-1600s, remade Rome in the Baroque style.
One of the most antique and traditional coffees of Italy. Locals come here for a shot of espresso or, when it’s hot, a refreshing granita di caffè con panna.
Check the Renaissance-style Palazzo Capranica and the Santa Maria in Aquiro church with a baroque facade.
In Augustus’ day, the obelisk acted as a sundial and calendar, aligned to cast a shadow across the solarium altar on the emperor’s birthday.
Made in Carrara marble, a carved frieze winds from the bottom to the top, telling the story of Emperor Marcus Aurelius heroically battling barbarians about A.D. 170.
It’s all about honoring water. Nicola Salvi baroque masterpiece represents here the ocean, winged horses represent cresting waves, tritons, shells, and water in every form.
Used to be the marketing headquarters against reformation. Still owned by the Vatican, was designed by that dynamic Baroque duo, Bernini and Borromini.
Every December 8, the Pope comes and leaves flowers on the top. After that everyone goes home to decorate their Xmas trees.
At the foot of the steps there is a fountain built by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and uses Acqua Vergine aqueduct, as the water pressure here is low, Bernini designed the fountain to be a sinking boat.
The Pantheon’s dome was the model for the Florence cathedral dome, which launched the Renaissance.
This is the only gothic church in Rome and features a Michelangelo statue, Christ Bearing the Cross.
While many tourists consider Palatine Hill just extra credit after the Forum, it offers insight into the greatness of Rome that’s well worth the effort.
The 1st Roman square of architectural design, commissioned by Paulus III Farnese in 1536-46 to Michelangelo, who reversed the classical orientation of Rome's civic center from the Forum to St Peter’s.
In 1471 Sixtus IV Della Rovere donated a collection of ancient bronzes to the people of Rome, locating them on the Capitoline Hill. Open to the public since 1734, thus considered the first museum ever
In the 1930s, Benito Mussolini whipped up Italy’s nationalistic fervor from a balcony above the square.
The 1.5-hour tour with good English narration and evocative lighting features scant remains of an elegant ancient Roman house and bath.
Fu forse la prima chiesa di Roma aperta ufficialmente al culto. Nel presbiterio, in un gradino, sulla destra c'è il punto dove sarebbe scaturito olio prodigioso quale preannuncio della venuta di Gesù.
It’s the world smallest country. Full of art and faith. Amazing Saint Peter’s basílica & Vatican museums. It’s very recommended to buy online tickets for Vatican museums, the gardens and necropolis.
Designed by Bernini, it includes 284 columns and 140 saints. The columns symbolize welcoming everyone.
You can reach St. Peters tomb from the underground. The route starts at the same as the route for the Dome
Visiting before 10: 00 is one way to avoid the worst crowds. Crowds also thin after 16: 00,
To visit the gardens you need to.book online. It’s a good idea the combo with Necropolis, that includes early Christian tombs. This one does not include Saint Peter’s tomb but it’s worth.
Nature, lakes, bike riding, people watching and everything you would do in Rome’s best park.
You’ll enjoy a collection of world-class Baroque sculpture, including Bernini as well as paintings by Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, and Rubens. The museum’ has a mandatory online reservation system.
This are less commercialized and less crowded than the San Sebastiano and San Callisto. They just feel more intimate, as catacombs should.
This impressive remnant of the ancient bath complex was later transformed (with help from Michelangelo) into the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli. Amazing church!
It houses Bernini’s best-known statue, the swooning St. Teresa in Ecstasy.
Open on Sunday mornings, it’s great for people watching and buying second hand stuff.
Opens every weekend from 10 to 20 except on summer. A great hipster spot with live DJs and vintage clothing.
Amazing place, amazing jazz concerts, amazing cocktails! I heard it's the oldest Jazz club in Rome. Def my favourite!
Built in the fifth century to house the chains that held St. Peter prisoner. Now it also holds a Moses statue done by Michelangelo
Many believe that these holy stairs was the same stairs used by Jesus Christ during his trial to go to Pontius Pilate. Roman Catholic tradition suggests that this was brought back by St. Helena.
This altar also includes the original wooden altar that St. Peter and his successors are thought to have used to celebrate mass.
The las arquitectural work of Michelangelo. A bit forgotten by tourists and a gem amidst too many churches. It has some Vatican artwork and some hidden surprises.
Julio Caesar was burned in this exact spot after being killed by his adopted, Brutus.
The Farnese family funded the excavations done during the Renaissance and found these twin bath tubs.
It houses the greatest collection of ancient Roman art anywhere, including busts of emperors and a Roman copy of the Greek Discus Thrower. And the best coin collection in Europe.
Marvelous Baroque church that hosts Saint Ignatius remains and Saint Francisco Xavier arm.
The guided tour is a must, so you can see the actual synagogue and not only the museum
Explore the area surrounding the Portico d'Ottavia, ancient Augustan monument which the Emperor had built to honor his sister Octavia, and which until the 19th hosted a curious fish market
It dates from the 8th century. "In Pescheria" refers to its location close to the fish market built in the ruins of the ancient Porticus Octaviae.
Built between 1580 and 1588 by the architect Giacomo della Porta and the Taddeo Landini.The bronze turtles around the upper basin, attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini, were added in either 1658/9.
St Paul’s Outside the Walls is literally the most breathtaking and beautiful place in Rome, or possibly Italy for that matter. St Peter’s is bigger, but no Church I’ve visited can compare to it.
Costituiscono la scalinata che un tempo conduceva al pretorio di Ponzio Pilato a Gerusalemme e che, quindi, furono santificati dalle orme di Gesù Cristo durante la sua passione.
