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Rome
The timeless city of Rome is a living museum of the ancient world, home to the ruins of ancient Rome and once the centre of the world, when it was ruled by the Caesars of times gone by. The centuries peel back with each new vista in this great city of gladiators, lunatic drivers and well-rounded pasta posteriors. Vespas, nippy little Fiats and red sports cars speed past trendy sidewalk bistros and nightclubs, revealing the Rome of Fellini's La Dolce Vita. The chillingly stark facades of the Stadio Olimpico complex bring back Mussolini's attempts to reinvent the architecture of the Caesars.
A walk through the Piazza Navona offers visitors the chance to drop a coin in the magical Trevi Fountain and a taste of the Baroque can be found on the Spanish Steps. Renaissance splendour is perhaps best revealed in the Pope's residence, the Vatican Palace, or in Michelangelo's efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From early Christian Basilicas to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the height of the Roman Empire.
Part of Rome’s he enchantment lies within its ability to mix the old with the new in a beautiful blend of timeless and chic designs. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced with new ones, but Rome remains.
Capitoline Hill
The Italian government resides on Capitoline Hill in Rome, which was the original capital in ancient Rome and remains so today. The main feature of the area is Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio, a testimony to the superiority of Renaissance town planning. The piazza is bordered by three palaces: the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the twin structures of the Palazzo dei Senatori and Palazzo Nuovo which house the Musei Capitolini, containing the largest collection of classical statues in the world. Among the notable statues found here are the Dying Gaul and the Satyr, the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus and the Spinario. Paths cut along the side of the hill from the Campidoglio giving way to panoramic views of the ancient sites of the Forum and Colosseum.
Opening time: Museums open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 8pm; Admission: €6.20
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The valley nestled between the Palatine and the Capitoline hills was the site of the religious, commercial and political centre of ancient Rome. The Forum's main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, slices through the old market square and former civic centre. To make sense of the ruins and relics of the old Republic it is helpful to consult a map of the area. Some of the best preserved and most notable monuments include the impressive Arch of Septimus Severus - a construction designed to celebrate Roman victory over the Parthinians - and the former atrium of the House of the Vestal Virgins and Temple of Vesta. Also of note are the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and the Arch of Titus, built to celebrate Titus' destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. To the right of the arch are stairs snaking up the Palatine hill through a series of terraces to the Farnese gardens. The scented avenue festooned with roses and orange trees gives way to a vista over the Forum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali; Telephone: (06) 3996 7700; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7.30pm (April to September) and 9am to 4.30pm (October to March); Admission: Free
The Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome endures the ravages of time and still stands impressively in the modern city as a timelessly historic stadium, which once was home to ancient gladiators and the Caesars. Its architecture boasts an impressive array of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and an underground network of cells, corridors, ramps and elevators that were used to transport animals from their cages to the arena. The magnificence of the original structure has been eroded through the years of pillaging and earthquakes so that only a skeletal framework remains.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo; Telephone: (06) 700 4261; Transport: B line metro to Colosseo station; bus 60, 75, 85, 87, 175, 810 or 850; electric minibus 117; tram 3 or 8; Opening time: 9am to 7.30pm (April to August), 9am to 7pm (September), 9am to 6.30pm (October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to 15 February), 9am to 5pm (16 February to 15 March), 9am to 5.30pm (16 March to end
March); Admission: €8
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the world's most interesting designs and is architecturally magnificent to look upon. Fittingly built as a temple to the Gods by Hadrian in 120AD, its perfectly proportioned floating dome rests seductively on sturdy marble columns. The only light source flowing through the central oculus was used by the Romans to measure time (with the aid of a sundial) and the dates of equinoxes and solstices. The south transept houses the Carafa Chapel and the tomb of Fra Angelico rests under the left side of the altar.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda; Telephone: (06) 6830 0230; Opening time: Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 7.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 6pm; Admission: Free
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
The elegant Spanish Steps were constructed in 1725 and gracefully curve from the Piazza di Spagna to the neoclassical and pastel tinted Church of Santa Trinit dei Monti. The shopper's paradise of Via Condotti leads back from the Spanish steps to Via del Corso, and during spring the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. At the foot of the steps lies Bernini's boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain and to the right is the unassuming Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
Transport: Take Metro Linea A to the Spagna stop; bus 60 and 492 to Piazza Barberini or 117 to Piazza di Spagna
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
The enchanting Trevi Fountain is located on the small Piazza di Trevi and was originally constructed for the Pope Clement XII. The statues adorning this watery display represent Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity, the Virgin and Neptune guided by two tritons. Tossing a coin into the fountain is supposed to guarantee a return trip to Rome.
Transport: Take the bus to Piazza San Silvestro
Vatican City
The independent state of Vatican City is one of the world's richest countries, which is administered by the Roman Catholic Church. The population of this enclave doubles during the working week as the residents from Rome cross into the Vatican City to work within its boundaries. Scandal and intrigue has tarnished the papacy's image over the years, but this does not detract from the magnificence of the art collections housed within its buildings. The must-see sights of Vatican City include St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Library. The Pilgrim Tourist Information Office is located at P San Pietro (Telephone: 69 88 44 66 or 69 88 48 66). The Vatican Gardens are open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 7pm.
St Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
St Peter's Basilica is situated above the site, which is reputed to be the final resting place of St Peter. It is an overwhelming interior containing notable sculptures including Michelangelo's Pieta, which is protected by bulletproof glass since the damaging attack on it in 1972. In the central aisle stands Arnolfo da Cambio's bronze statue of St Peter, its foot worn down by the constant flow of pilgrims' kisses. Proudly resting above the papal altar is Bernini's Throne of St Peter. Steps from the statue of St Longinus can reach the Vatican Grottoes, containing papal tombs. The Necropolis is located one level below the grottoes. This is the legendary site of St Peter's tomb and advance permission has to be obtained to view it.
A walk through the Piazza Navona offers visitors the chance to drop a coin in the magical Trevi Fountain and a taste of the Baroque can be found on the Spanish Steps. Renaissance splendour is perhaps best revealed in the Pope's residence, the Vatican Palace, or in Michelangelo's efforts on the roof of the Sistine Chapel. From early Christian Basilicas to the Roman Forum, the Colosseum and the Pantheon, the sequence of history trails back to the height of the Roman Empire.
Part of Rome’s he enchantment lies within its ability to mix the old with the new in a beautiful blend of timeless and chic designs. Empires have risen and fallen, old gods have been replaced with new ones, but Rome remains.
Capitoline Hill
The Italian government resides on Capitoline Hill in Rome, which was the original capital in ancient Rome and remains so today. The main feature of the area is Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio, a testimony to the superiority of Renaissance town planning. The piazza is bordered by three palaces: the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the twin structures of the Palazzo dei Senatori and Palazzo Nuovo which house the Musei Capitolini, containing the largest collection of classical statues in the world. Among the notable statues found here are the Dying Gaul and the Satyr, the Capitoline Wolf with Romulus and Remus and the Spinario. Paths cut along the side of the hill from the Campidoglio giving way to panoramic views of the ancient sites of the Forum and Colosseum.
Opening time: Museums open Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 8pm; Admission: €6.20
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
The valley nestled between the Palatine and the Capitoline hills was the site of the religious, commercial and political centre of ancient Rome. The Forum's main thoroughfare, Via Sacra, slices through the old market square and former civic centre. To make sense of the ruins and relics of the old Republic it is helpful to consult a map of the area. Some of the best preserved and most notable monuments include the impressive Arch of Septimus Severus - a construction designed to celebrate Roman victory over the Parthinians - and the former atrium of the House of the Vestal Virgins and Temple of Vesta. Also of note are the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, and the Arch of Titus, built to celebrate Titus' destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. To the right of the arch are stairs snaking up the Palatine hill through a series of terraces to the Farnese gardens. The scented avenue festooned with roses and orange trees gives way to a vista over the Forum.
Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali; Telephone: (06) 3996 7700; Opening time: Daily 9am to 7.30pm (April to September) and 9am to 4.30pm (October to March); Admission: Free
The Colosseum
The Colosseum in Rome endures the ravages of time and still stands impressively in the modern city as a timelessly historic stadium, which once was home to ancient gladiators and the Caesars. Its architecture boasts an impressive array of Doric, Ionic and Corinthian columns and an underground network of cells, corridors, ramps and elevators that were used to transport animals from their cages to the arena. The magnificence of the original structure has been eroded through the years of pillaging and earthquakes so that only a skeletal framework remains.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo; Telephone: (06) 700 4261; Transport: B line metro to Colosseo station; bus 60, 75, 85, 87, 175, 810 or 850; electric minibus 117; tram 3 or 8; Opening time: 9am to 7.30pm (April to August), 9am to 7pm (September), 9am to 6.30pm (October), 9am to 4.30pm (November to 15 February), 9am to 5pm (16 February to 15 March), 9am to 5.30pm (16 March to end
March); Admission: €8
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the world's most interesting designs and is architecturally magnificent to look upon. Fittingly built as a temple to the Gods by Hadrian in 120AD, its perfectly proportioned floating dome rests seductively on sturdy marble columns. The only light source flowing through the central oculus was used by the Romans to measure time (with the aid of a sundial) and the dates of equinoxes and solstices. The south transept houses the Carafa Chapel and the tomb of Fra Angelico rests under the left side of the altar.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda; Telephone: (06) 6830 0230; Opening time: Monday to Saturday between 8.30am and 7.30pm and Sunday from 9am to 6pm; Admission: Free
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
The elegant Spanish Steps were constructed in 1725 and gracefully curve from the Piazza di Spagna to the neoclassical and pastel tinted Church of Santa Trinit dei Monti. The shopper's paradise of Via Condotti leads back from the Spanish steps to Via del Corso, and during spring the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. At the foot of the steps lies Bernini's boat-shaped Barcaccia fountain and to the right is the unassuming Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
Transport: Take Metro Linea A to the Spagna stop; bus 60 and 492 to Piazza Barberini or 117 to Piazza di Spagna
Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
The enchanting Trevi Fountain is located on the small Piazza di Trevi and was originally constructed for the Pope Clement XII. The statues adorning this watery display represent Abundance, Agrippa, Salubrity, the Virgin and Neptune guided by two tritons. Tossing a coin into the fountain is supposed to guarantee a return trip to Rome.
Transport: Take the bus to Piazza San Silvestro
Vatican City
The independent state of Vatican City is one of the world's richest countries, which is administered by the Roman Catholic Church. The population of this enclave doubles during the working week as the residents from Rome cross into the Vatican City to work within its boundaries. Scandal and intrigue has tarnished the papacy's image over the years, but this does not detract from the magnificence of the art collections housed within its buildings. The must-see sights of Vatican City include St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Library. The Pilgrim Tourist Information Office is located at P San Pietro (Telephone: 69 88 44 66 or 69 88 48 66). The Vatican Gardens are open Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 7pm.
St Peter’s Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro)
St Peter's Basilica is situated above the site, which is reputed to be the final resting place of St Peter. It is an overwhelming interior containing notable sculptures including Michelangelo's Pieta, which is protected by bulletproof glass since the damaging attack on it in 1972. In the central aisle stands Arnolfo da Cambio's bronze statue of St Peter, its foot worn down by the constant flow of pilgrims' kisses. Proudly resting above the papal altar is Bernini's Throne of St Peter. Steps from the statue of St Longinus can reach the Vatican Grottoes, containing papal tombs. The Necropolis is located one level below the grottoes. This is the legendary site of St Peter's tomb and advance permission has to be obtained to view it.
