Top 10 things to do in Rome
The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine HillThe Colosseum, built between 71-80AD as a gift to the Roman people, was the site of many gladitorial games and hunts. After the demise of the Roman Empire, it fell into disrepair until the eighteenth century when restoration was begun. Across from the Colosseum, you will find the Forum which used to be the marketplace and the centre for business and civic activity. It was expanded to include temples, law courts and a senate house. Unfortunately, much of the Forum has been destroyed with the passage of time or materials used to build nearby churches or buildings, but still remains a fantastic sight.
Palatine Hill, the centremost of Rome’s seven hills and is believed to be where Romulus and Remus were found by their wolf mother. In the end, Romulus decided to build Rome on the site, making the Palatine Hill where the Roman Empire began. By the time of Rome’s Republican Era, the hill was the fashionable place to live because of the amazing views the hill afforded to its inhabitants. With excavation begun in the eighteenth century, today you will find some impressive ruins such as the palace of Septimius Severus, the remains of Domitian’s Palace and the well preserved House of Livia, where Augustus and his wife Livia lived in the 1st century BC. At the north west end of the hill, you can visit the botanical garden of Cardinal Alessandro Farnese, the first of its kind in Europe.
The Vatican
The Vatican City State is situated on the Vatican hill, within the city of Rome and is the sole survivor of the Papal States. It comprises St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican museums. On what used to be a site of Nero’s circus where chariot races and the execution of Christians took place, stands the stunning St Peter’s Basilica. When Christians were granted their freedom under the rule of the Emperor Constantine, it was decided to build a basilica on the spot of where St Peter, the Prince of the Apostles, was buried. This is marked by the Papal Altar and the spot of his crucifixion by St Joseph’s Altar. Building continued from the time of Constantine until 1500 where it was in such a state of disrepair that Pope Julius II decided to build a new and more magnificent structure. Work began in 1506 and many famous artists such as Bramante, Sangallo, Raphael, Michelangelo, Maderno, Della Porta, Bernini and Fontana were contributors. Today you can admire Bernini’s spectacular colonnaded entrance, his canopy above the Papal Altar, Michelangelo’s La Pieta and spectacular Sistine Chapel.
The Vatican Museums started as a collection of sculptures by Pope Julius II and is now a fantastic complex of different Papal collections ranging from Egyptian and Etruscan artefacts to works by Raphael and Fra Angelico.
La Fontana di Trevi
Three of the most recognised attractions in Rome’s city centre and always packed with tourists. The source of water for the Fontana di Trevi was first discovered by the Romans but the stunning monumental facade which combines palacial front and fountain, was designed by Nicola Salvi after his plan was chosen in a competition. Construction began in 1732 and was completed after Salvi’s death by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762. Visit at night when the central triumphal arch, mythological and allegorical figures, natural rock formations and gushing water are lit up beautifully. Remember to toss a coin over your left shoulder to ensure you come back to Rome and have good luck!
Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the greatest spiritual buildings in the world. Starting as a Roman temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome and later consecrated as a Catholic Church, it has a monumental colonnaded entrance with huge bronze doors that lead you into a circular room. Above you rises the dome with a hole that allows the sun’s rays to shine through and as the sun moves, so do the shafts of light, illuminating different sections of the walls for a beautiful effect. For a spectacular sight, visit when it is raining to see water cascading down. As well as many monuments and paintings, buried in the Pantheon is Raphael and nearby his fiancee, King Victor Emmanuel II while the burning lamp above is for King Victor Emmanuel III who died in exile.
Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori
Piazza Navona was built on the area that used to be Emperor Domitian’s stadium and still retains the oblong shape. Later the Piazza became a Baroque masterpiece with two stunning fountains designed by Bernini, the Fountain of the Moor and the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the latter being the most recognised. An obelisk from the Circus Maxentius was erected over a rocky grotto, from which a lion and a horse emerge. The large figures represent the main rivers of the four continents known at that time: the Danube, the River Plate, the Ganges and the Nile. Calderari constructed the Fountain of Neptune while Rainaldi, Borromini, Bernini and Pietro da Cortona contributed to the Church of St Agnes. The Piazza has a charm and an elegance that makes the it a popular place to take a walk with many cafes and restaurants situated on the edge. You can find many artists and painters selling their works here and at night, the Piazza has a special atmosphere when it is lit up and seasonal markets are held.
Campo dei Fiori is close by and has always been a centre of commercial and street culture as shown by the surrounding street names which have the names of trades. It was also a handy corridor to pass from the Basilica di San Giovanni and the Vatican. In the centre is a monument of Giordano Bruno who was burnt alive in 1600 for his heretical views. The ancient fountain “La Terrina†keeps the flowers fresh that seem to on sale 24 hours a day and the Campo is always a popular meeting place for young and old.
Spanish Steps and
The Spanish Steps link the Piazza di Spagna with the Church of the Trinita dei Monti and are a popular meeting point. The steps were designed by Francesco de Sanctis in 1723 and take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See which was situated in the Piazza.
La Bocca della Verita
The actual origins of the Pavonazzetto marble medallion called La Bocca della Verita are unknown, but theories range from a drain cover to a fountain. Popular belief states that anyone who puts his hand in the mouth and swears falsely, cannot withdraw it. You can test your honesty at the atrium of St Mary’s in Cosmedin Church near Circo Massimo.
Great Views of Rome
Get a sky high view of Rome by climbing up the Sal. Di Pincio. Start at Piazza del Popolo and enter through La Porta Flaminia which was built to impress the pilgrims that entered the city in the 1500s. Then admire the Egyptian obelisk which was moved from the Circus Maximus in 1589 before turning your gaze to the two symmetrical churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and the Santa Maria in Montesanto designed by Rainaldi at the end of the Piazza. Then climb up the Sal di Pincio off the left side of the Piazza to attain an awesome view over the city. This will lead you into the Borghese Park where you can explore shady lanes and find temples, fountains and statues. You can also enter Villa Borghese which houses some important art collections containing works by Titian, Raphael and Rubens. For another fantastic view of the city, climb up the hill to Piazzale Giuseppe Garibaldi.
Shopping and Eating
Spend some well earned cash by going shopping down Via del Corso which is filled with a diverse range of stores to suit all budgets. Grab a jersey from the Nike store, browse through the stores by Puma, Adidas, H&M or Zara to pick up some new clothes. If you wish to torture yourself, walk down the ultra chic Via Condotti and go window shopping at Prada, Armani and Chanel among a few names. Walk back down to Piazza Navona to energise with a pizza or pasta and some fantastic gelato for dessert.
Trastevere
Named for its position “over the Tiberâ€, Trastevere is a picturesque and charming medieval area where you can go exploring through its narrow lanes. The area has become more trendy but still maintaining its charm and you can find nightclubs and bars alongside traditional chocolate shops. Piazza di Santa Maria is the heart of Trastevere and is a square only for pedestrians with restaurants and bars as well as the church. The fountain is a hang out spot for an unusual crowd and provides great people watching opportunities. In the narrow lanes, plants hang down the walls and the faded faces of the Virgin Mary watch you pass by. For something to eat, head down to the river and enjoy a great meal at an unpretentious restaurant. If you get the chance, visit on a Sunday morning to check out the Porta Portese flea market where you can buy a unique souvenir.
Just few minutes away
Ostia Antica, Villa Adriana and Villa d’Este
Ostia is the harbour city of Ancient Rome and has some spectacular Roman ruins that you can explore that aren’t as crowded as the Palatine hill. It is believed the city started as a colony and developed into a bustling city in the second and third centuries AD with 75, 000 inhabitants. With the end of the Roman Empire the city fell into a slow decay and was eventually abandoned in the ninth century. Even thought the city was sacked numerous times and the marble used to build other structures such as the Tower of Pisa, Ostia is still an amazing sight with ruins of the baths, ampitheatre, forums and temples.
Villa Adriana was built by the Emperor Hadrian and offers a relaxing walk through a beautiful green area while admiring some fantastic ruins. It was started in 117 AD and is the most extensive Ancient Roman villa, covering an area nearly the size of Pompeii. After the site was excavated many of the statues are in the Capitoline Museums in Rome, but what remains of the buildings is a testament to the strength and ingenuity of the Roman people.
Villa d’Este is situated at Tivoli and is an outstanding jewel of Italian architecture and garden design. The Villa was commissioned by the Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, constructed under Alberto Galvani while the spectacular interior design was in the hands of Livio Agresti Forli. The numerous, inside rooms are completely covered in stunning murals, rich in detail while the gardens had an influence on garden design with the marvellous fountains and water features.
Just visit our website at www.mejplacehostel.com and book your room today.
M&J Place Hostel Rome Dorms and Private rooms.
