Rome - Do & See
Rome is one of a kind. No other city - not even Athens, Istanbul, London or New York - has as many world-class sites as Rome. Walking down Via del Fori Imperiali towards the Coliseum will impress even the most spoiled and shopping-crazed teenager. The city has so much to offer. In addition to the Roman heritage there are also medieval neighborhoods, well designed squares, colourful markets and of course, the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. This Rome guide suggests a few other places that must be seen.
What A Life Tours
What A Life Tours is a Tour Operator specialized in itineraries of the Vatican City organizing guided Tours in 4 different languages daily. They are also accredited by the Vatican directly to skip all the lines in front of the many sights, making the visits more comfortable and enjoyable.
Segway Tours
Tours of Rome with Segway. A fun way to experience the wonders of Rome with family and friends. Choose between Segway tour at the Colosseum and Forum, Baroque Rome and Vatican, Rome in a day, Rome by night or create your personalized tour.
Colosseum
Colosseum is one of the most impressive sights in Rome and one of the world’s most famous venues. Many people and animals were killed here, you could see everything from gladiatorial games and drama to killings and battles between wild animals. Emperor Vespasian began the building which was completed by his son Titus. The building was completed in 80 A.D. Inauguration lasted one hundred days, and approximately 9.000 animals and 2.000 gladiators were killed during the event. At its peak this place had 87.000 spectators.
Fontana di Trevi
The fountain is an impressive building situated on the Piazza di Trevi in Rome center. It was designed by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, and was completed by Nicola Salvi in 1762. The fountain became world famous when Anita Ekberg splashing around in the "La Dolce Vita". Today, it is forbidden to bathe in the fountain. Trevi Fountain is a "must" to visit in Rome, and tradition says that you must throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain and that this will bring happiness. The fountain standing 26 metres (85.3 feet) high and 20 metres (65.6 feet) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
Pantheon
It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but once inside it astounds you. That this dome and temples built over 2.000 years ago is powerful and impressive. Since the Renaissance, the building has also been used as a grave church, among them the painter Raphael (died in 1520) is buried here. The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda, it is located near Piazza Navona and Campo de Fiori, take the opportunity to stroll around in this area, there is much to see.
Forum Romanum
Forum Romanum, one of the world’s top tourist attractions. It is like a fairy tale with its mosaic of temple ruins, worn marble streets and basilicas. It is located in the valley between the Palatine hill and the Capitoline hill. Forum Romanum was the commercial, political, and religious centre of ancient Rome. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. When the Roman Empire fell, the Forum became forgotten, buried and was used as a cattle pasture during the Middle Ages.
Galleria Borghese
Rome falls short of Venice and Florence when it comes to art, but this gallery is an exception. The Borghese Gallery, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana shows masterpieces by artists such as Bernini, Titian and Caravaggio. The Villa was built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio.
Piazza Navona
According to some, this is not just Rome but the world’s most beautiful squares. Not only because of its statues and fountains such as Lorenzo Berninis’ Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, but because of its dimensions. It is one of Rome’s liveliest squares, with many outdoor cafes and restaurants. This large rectangular square still manages to feel intimate.
Domus Aurea – Nero’s Golden House
In the year 64, Emperor Nero built a palace almost one mile long—from the Palatine hill all the way to the Oppio hill. Some parts were covered in gold, precious stones and splendid decorations. After Nero’s death, it was all filled in with earth in order to obliterate the tyrant’s memory. It was accidentally rediscovered in the 15th century, and today you can walk through 30 of Nero’s 150 underground rooms.
Santa Costanza
Rome has more churches than almost any other city in the world. One of the most beautiful, Santa Constanza, can be found in Via Nomentana in the north of Rome, and is home to some of the most dazzling ceiling frescoes from the 4th century. The waiting time for weddings here is several years.
Spanish Steps
Spanish Steps is located at Piazza di Spagna and leads to the French church, Trinità dei Monti. The monumental stairway of 138 steps was designed in 1723 by Francesco De Sanctis, and funded by a French diplomat Stefano Gueffier. It is usually very crowded during the summer months, with tourists just sitting, chatting, and taking a rest from visiting the designer shops that cover the area. The name "Spanish Steps" is actually quite misleading because the stairs do not have anything to do with Spain, it is simply borrowed from the name of the piazza at the foot of the stairs, Piazza di Spagna, the Italian name is Scalinata della Santissima Trinita dei Monti or Scalinata di Spagna.
Museo di Roma
The Museo di Roma houses approximately 40,000 sculptures, paintings and mosaics describing Rome’s history from the Middle Ages until 1870. The museum is located in Palazzo Braschi, built in the 18th century. During the fascist regime, Mussolini moved here and made it his political headquarters. After the Second World War 300 families were evacuated to this location and many of the frescoes were damaged by the fires people lit in order to keep warm.
