It is likely to have been mentioned in your school textbooks as the capital of the sprawling Roman Empire. Well, Rome is all that and more. The complex story of the Roman civilization has a multitude of lessons to teach us about power, people and life in ancient times, which is what fascinates its many visitors every year. Nowhere in the world will you get a more concentrated explanation about how Romans changed the world than in the heart of the “Eternal City.”
For the best experience, I recommend visiting in the tourist off-season, but then again, I’m not a fan of the summer heat or heavier crowds. With a bit of planning and prioritizing what you want to see, you can take full advantage of your time in the city.
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME
Popular: Colosseum & Roman Forum
Tickets: www.coopculture.it/en
You’ve seen it in movies and depictions of everything Italian but standing on the arena floor of the massive Colosseum of Rome will still have you feeling awestruck. The best view of the Roman Forum right next door is from the Palatine Hill terrace, so if you have the time, seeing all three sites is possible with a little planning. It is now required to purchase your tickets online and you run the risk of tickets being sold out if you try to book them on the same day. You can also use a tour company that can take care of it for you and in the meantime check out the website to decide what you’re most interested in seeing. Do you want to explore the hypogeum (underground portion) or actually walk out onto the arena floor as the gladiators did? You can also add on the S.U.P.E.R. pass, which stands for “Seven Unique Places to Experience in Rome,” which allows you to check out some historically significant and magnificent spaces.
Bonus Stop: Basilica di San Clemente
Tickets: basilicasanclemente.com
A perfect example of the literal layers of history in Rome is the Basilica di San Clemente, a six-minute walk from the Colosseum. An ornately painted and gilded interior of a 12th-century basilica welcomes you just past the cloisters. The magnificent display is just the start of your journey backward through time as you walk down steps through a simple side door. You can gain access to the archeological site underground by booking online first for 10 euro. This allows you to view the 4th century basilica and even further down, the remains of a first-century alleyway of former shops and even a temple of Mithras.
Popular: Trevi Fountain
Relatively youthful compared to the many ancient sites of Rome, the Trevi Fountain is a quintessential view that many have put in their travel photo albums. It is an eight-minute walk from the Pantheon and free to gaze at, so why not walk over and toss in a coin? (Over your shoulder of course.) If you want a photo without ridiculous crowds, go early in the morning. Nighttime will still be crowded. Remember that Italian businesses stay open late and dinnertime is even later in the evening, so Romans and tourists alike will still be out and about.
Bonus Stop: Vicus Caprarius
Tickets: www.vicuscaprarius.com/en
If it wasn’t for its discovery in the 1990s, this first-century residential complex would still be buried under the affluent neighborhood of Trevi. You can reserve a guided tour or explore through the underground archways and hear the trickling pools of the still-active Virgin Aqueduct, hence the nickname the “City of Water.” The water feeds into the Trevi Fountain nine meters above.
Popular: Pantheon
Tickets: www.pantheonroma.com
The Pantheon is a brilliantly engineered structure that was built as a Roman temple to all gods in the first century. It served as a Christian church and an important burial site for several famous Italians during the Renaissance and even into the 19th century. Its design has been replicated as a model of impressive power across the world, as any classical rotunda of a capital building or monument will tell you. Its massive spherical dome has an opening at the top, the “oculus,” which beams sunlight (or rain!) into the massive space. A guided tour is recommended here because there is so much to learn about its history.
Bonus Stop: Welcome to Rome Museum
Tickets: welcometo-rome.it
This museum is an interactive visualization of Rome’s construction and changes over time. Watch the short film to get a solid foundation of the city’s 2,700-year-old history. This is a great first stop if you have the time, especially if you are going without guided tours to popular sites.
EXPERIENTIAL VISITS
Villa Torlonia
Tickets: www.museivillatorlonia.it/en
Villa Torlonia is a park built in the 1800s filled with visual masterpieces. In the Museum of Villa Torlonia, collections of sculptures and stained glass also attract a living community of artists participating in workshops and art shows throughout the year. The Casina Delle Civette is a castle manor on the grounds of the park, with a quirky combination of architectural styles. Every room and surface appears to go on its own tangent of embellishment, some of it in art nouveau and some medieval. This structure is lucky to have come back from its destitute years of fires and disrepair. It was even occupied by American troops toward the end of World War II. In the 1990s, it was restored to its former glory.
Eyes of Rome
Tickets & Tour Options: eyesofrome.com/our-tours/rome-vatican
There is something romantic and thrilling about strolling through Rome at night. Take an evening tour of the city center or a ghost tour. Tour the ancient city passages underground or the Vatican, the world’s smallest country. Reach out to a reputable private tour company like this one for options that will fit nicely into your itinerary.
Capitoline Museums
Tickets: www.museicapitolini.org/
One intriguing museum hub in the city is on top of Capitoline Hill, the smallest hill of the seven in Rome. The Campidoglio links the gallery-filled palazzos as an elegantly designed outdoor square, a creation of Michelangelo. The web of buildings displays not only Roman, but Greek, Egyptian, medieval and Renaissance art and sculptures. It was conceived partially as an alternative location for pagan symbolism from the Vatican and to house the many artifacts of the Roman Empire.
Important Tips
· Pre-book your admission tickets for these tourist sites online to save yourself time so you don’t have to wait in as many long lines and to guarantee you’ll be able to see the places you’re most excited about.
· Get the Roma Pass for free or discounted entry to certain sites and local public transportation. For more details, visit www.romapass.it/en.
