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ROME ATTRACTIONS
Top 10 Ancient Rome Sites
The
glories of Ancient Rome are easily accessible to
the visitor and some can be seen for free while others are part of Rome
Passes and Cards. Most ancient sites are in Rome's historic center so
you can visit several places in one day. Even if you don't have time to
take an in-depth look, just walking by some of these places is incredible
and gives you an overview of ancient Rome's history. During the 1990's
many of these sites were renovated and updated, making them more user-
friendly.
1.
The Colosseum of Rome
Ancient Rome's huge ampitheater, holding up to 55,000 people, was built
by Emperor Vespasian in AD 80 and was the scene of many deadly gladiatorial
and wild animal fights. Today you may see men dressed in gladiatorial
costume as you walk between the Colosseum and the nearby Arch of Constantine,
built in AD 315. On Sundays, the Via dei Fori Imperiali leading to the
Colosseum is closed to traffic so it's a great place for a stroll (if
you don't mind the souvenir vendors).
The Colosseum,
sometimes spelled "Coliseum", was built between 70 and 82 AD
in the heart of Rome. It was called the Amphitheatrum Flavium or Flavian
Amphitheater becuase it was built by the the Flavian emperors, Vespasian
and Titus. Some say is was able to hold 87,000 spectators, but more likely
it was around 50,000, still monumental for the time.
The Colosseum is one of the best Ancient Sites in Rome.
There is an elevator in the colosseum enabling those with limited ability
to walk up stairs to enjoy the colosseum.
Outside the colosseum you'll find good photo ops with people dressed as
Gladiators during peak times, but you'll have to pay them for posing.
Of course there are a number of souvenir vendors, too.
2.
The Pantheon
Rome's Pantheon, the temple of all the gods, was built between AD 118-125
by Emperor Hadrian. In the 7th century it was made into a church by early
Christians and now is lined with tombs. Go inside to see the spectacular
dome. Admission is free. The Pantheon is the best preserved building of
ancient Rome and today is surrounded by a pleasant and lively piazza,
a nice place to sit in the evening and enjoy a drink. A good nearby restaurant
is Armando's, on a street coming off the piazza.
The Pantheon in Rome - Know Before You
Go
The Pantheon stands as the most complete Roman structure on earth, having
survived 20 centuries of plunder, pillage and invasion.
Facts About the Pantheon
The original Pantheon was a rectangular temple built by Marcus Vipsanius
Agrippa, son-in-law of Augustus, the first Roman emperor, as part of a
district renewal plan in 27-25 BC. What tourists see as they relax in
front in the Piazza della Rotonda is radically different than that original
temple. Hadrian rebuilt the structure; maker's stamps in the bricks allow
us to peg his restoration between 118 and 125 AD. Still, the inscription
on the architrave attributes the construction to Agrippa during his third
councilship. The portico in front of the Pantheon is what remains of Agrippa's
original temple.
The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings.
Pantheon is a Greek word meaning "to honor all Gods."
Dimensions of the Pantheon
The giant dome that dominates the interior is 43.30 meters or 142 feet
in diameter (for comparison, the White House dome is 96 feet in diameter).
The Pantheon stood as the largest dome ever until Brunelleschi's dome
at the Florence Cathedral of 1420-36. It's still the largest masonary
dome in the world. The Pantheon is made perfectly harmonious by the fact
that the distance from the floor to the top of the dome is exactly equal
to its diameter. Adytons (shrines recessed into the wall) and coffers
(sunken panels) cleverly reduce the weight of the dome, as did a lightweight
cement made of pumice used in the upper levels. The dome gets thinner
as it approaches the oculus, the hole in the top of the dome used as a
light source for the interior. The thickness of the dome at that point
is only 1.2 meters.
The oculus is 7.8 meters in diameter. Yes, rain and snow occasionally
fall through it, but the floor is slanted and drains cleverly remove the
water if it manages to hit the floor. In practice, rain seldom falls inside
the dome.
The massive columns supporting the portico weigh 60 tons. Each was 39
feet (11.8 m) tall, five feet (1.5 m) in diameter and made from stone
quarried in Egypt. The columns were transported by wooden sledges to the
Nile, barged to Alexandria, and put on vessels for a trip across the Mediterranean
to the port of Ostia. From there the columns came up the Tiber by barge.
Preservation of the Pantheon
Like many buildings in Rome, the Pantheon was saved from pillage by turning
it into a church. Byzantine Emperor Phocas donated the monument to Pope
Boniface IV, who turned it into the Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Martyres
in 609. Masses are held here on special occasions.
Pantheon Visitor information
The Pantheon is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, from
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on holidays that fall
on weekdays except for Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May 1, when it
is closed. Admission is free.
How to Experience the Pantheon
The Piazza della Rotonda is a lively square filled with cafes, bars, and
restaurants. In summer, visit the Pantheon interior in the day, preferably
in early morning before the tourist throngs, but return in the evening;
the piazza in front is especially lively on warm summer nights when the
Pantheon is lit from below and stands as an enormous reminder of the grandeur
of ancient Rome. The penny pinching backpack crowd floods the steps of
the fountain surrounding one of Rome's trophy obelisks, while tourists
throng to the bars that edge the piazza. Drinks are expensive, as you
might expect, but not outrageous, and you can nurse one for a long time
without anyone bothering you, one of the simple delights of European life.
The restaurants are mostly mediocre, but the view and atmosphere is unparalleled.
To experience good solid Roman food at a good restaurant close by, I recommend
...(Cooming soon) Best coffee at the Tazza d'Oro nearby.
3. Roman Forum
The ancient Roman Forum is a huge complex of ruined temples, basilicas, and arches. It was the ceremonial, legal, social, and business center of ancient Rome (The food stalls and brothels were removed in the second century BC). To get a good view, walk up the Capitoline Hill behind the museums. Give yourself at least 2 hours to wander around. Admission is charged as of March 9, 2008.
4. The Capitoline
Hill
Above the Roman Forum, the Capitoline
Hill was Rome's symbolic center and held the Temple of Jupiter. Today
there are two museums, the oldest public museums in the world, the Palazzo
Nuovo, with Greek and Roman sculptures, and the Palazzo dei Conservatori,
with art galleries, sculptures, and frescoes. One ticket gives you admission
to both. Just like in ancient Rome, the hill still has the best view of
Rome's center.
5.
Piazza Navona
Originally built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests
and chariot races, Piazza Navona is
now lined with luxurious cafes and is the home to three lavish Baroque
fountains. The much-touted ice-cream dessert, tartufo, is said to have
originated here and you can still try it in the cafes as a splurge.
Walking Tour of Piazza Navona in Rome
Originally
built as a stadium in the first century for athletic contests and chariot
races, Piazza Navona is lined with luxurious cafes and Baroque palaces
and is the home to three lavish fountains. It was laid out in the 15th
century on the ruins of the stadium. From 1650 to the late 19th century
the square was sometimes flooded in summer and used for aquatic games
and staged naval battles. The square still retains its oval shape. The
obelisk at the far end of the picture came from Egypt and was originally
in the Circus of Maxentius but later moved to Piazza Navona.
The modern piazza is a lively place, a place where both locals and tourists
like to hang out. Artists gather in the sqaure to paint and there are
many entertainers and vendors selling souvenirs. At night the square is
packed with people but if you want to really appreciate the beauty of
the square itself, it's best to go in early morning to avoid the crowds.
6. The Palatine Hill
The emperors and aristocrats of ancient Rome lived on the Palatine Hill starting in the first century BC. The Domus Flavia and Domus Augustana, built in the first century AD, were the official residence of the emperors for over 300 years. Admission also includes the Palatine Museum.
7. Baths of Caracalla
At the foot of the Aventine hill are the monumental ruins of the Baths of Caracalla, used from the Second to Sixth century AD. Taking a bath was a social event for the people of ancient Rome and the huge complex could hold up to 1600 bathers! Besides baths, they held an array of facilities such as a gym, art galleries, gardens, and shops selling food and drinks.
8. Trajan's Market
Thought to be the world's oldest shopping mall, the arcades in Trajan's Market are now believed by many to be administrative offices for Emperor Trajan. The shops and apartments were built in a multi-level structure and you can visit several of the levels. Highlights inlcude delicate marble floors and the remains of a library. The new Museum of the Imperial Forums houses a wealth of artifacts from all of ancient Rome's forums. Trajan's Market is at Via Quattro Novembre 94, closed on Mondays.
9. Via Appia Antica and Catacombs
The
Via Appia was once the major road to ancient Rome with construction starting
in 312 BC. The Appian Way is now a 10-mile long archaeological park, lined
with ruins of tombs and monuments. A good way to visit is by bike, although
I enjoy walking it. Some of the catacombs, burial places of the early
Christians, are open for public tours - check for the time of the English
tour when you arrive. A great restaurant is the Cecilia Metella, especially
on a nice day when you can sit on the terrace.
Catacomb Info
Catacombs
in Rome, Italy
Where to Visit the Underground Catacombs in Rome
Catacombs are interesting burial places in Italy and some of the best
are in Rome. Mazes of underground tunnels were used to bury thousands
of bodies and some of them are open to the public for tours. Here are
the best places to visit catacombs in Rome.
Rome - Via Appia Antica
Rome's Via Appia Antica, Old Appian Way, outside the walls of Rome was
used as a burial place for early Christians as well as pagans. Burials
were forbidden inside the walls of Rome as early as the fifth century
BC. Miles of tunnels were cut into the tufa to be used as burial chambers.
The Roman catacombs contain thousands of burial niches as well as some
good examples of early Christian art.
To get to the catacombs and Via Appia Antica, take bus 218 from the San
Giovanni Metro Stop or take the Archeo bus that stops several places in
Rome. The catacombs are visited with a guide and tours, usually lasting
20 minutes to an hour, are given in several different languages. The three
catacombs easiest to visit have different closing periods so you should
always find at least one of them open. Hours are generally 8:30-12:00
and 2:30-5:00. You can buy tickets for the tours at the entrance to each
catacomb.
Find the location of these catacombs and other Via Appia Antica monuments
on this Appian Way Map.
" Catacombs of St. Callixtus, Catacombe di San Callisto: St. Callixtus,
the biggest and most popular, has a network of galleries about 19 km long
and 20 meters deep. You'll also find the most tours and tour buses here.
Highlights of the catacombs include the crypt of nine popes and early
Christian frescoes, paintings, and sculptures. St. Callixtus is closed
on Wednesdays and in February.
" Catacombs of St. Domitilla, Catacombe di San Domitilla: St. Domitilla
has the oldest catacombs. Entrance is through a fourth century church.
Tour groups at St. Domitilla tend to be smaller. One of the highlights
is a second century fresco of the Last Supper. St. Domitilla is closed
on Tuesdays and in January.
" Catacombs of St. Sebastian, Catacombe di San Sebastiano: St. Sebastian
has about 11 km of tunnels but the tour is restricted to a very small
area. Highlights of the catacombs include early Christian mosaics and
graffiti. St. Sebastian is closed Sundays and November 13-December 11.
Rome - Via Salaria
St. Priscilla's Catacombs, Catacombe di Priscilla, are among Rome's oldest
catacombs, dating back to the late second century AD. The catacombs are
at Via Salaria 430 - Via Salaria is another of Rome's ancient roads leaving
Rome at the Salaria gate, Porta Salaria, and heading east to the Adriatic
Sea. The catacombs are closed on Mondays and in January.
Rome - Historic Center
Rome also has interesting catacombs beneath some churches and streets.
One of the most impressive is the Capuchin Crypt beneath the Capuchin
Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1645. The crypt contains
bones of over 4,000 monks, many arranged in patterns or even forming objects
such as a clock. Here are a few pictures from the Capuchin Crypt with
more information. You'll find the church and crypt on Via Veneto near
Barbarini Square.
Catacombs in Syracuse and Mummies in Palermo
While the catacombs found in the Sicilian city of Syracuse are similar
to those found in Rome, the catacombs in Palermo are very unusual - Palermo's
catacombs contained a preservative that helped to mummify the bodies of
the dead.
" Catacombs of St. John, Catacombe di San Giovanni: Syracuse's catacombs
are found below Chiesa di San Giovanni, the Church of St. John, in Piazza
San Giovanni, just east of the archaeological zone. The Church of St.
John was established in the third century and the Crypt of St. Marcianus
lies under what is believed to be the first cathedral erected in Sicily.
The catacombs are closed in February and open Tuesday-Sunday, 9:00-12:30
and 2:30-4:30, be sure to allow plenty of time to exit before closing.
" Catacombs of the Capuchins, Catacombe dei Cappuccini: Palermo's
catacombs are found in the Capuchino Monastery in Piazza Cappuccini, on
the outskirts of Palermo. The catacombs contain mummified bodies, many
in good shape that still look lifelike. Some even have hair and clothes
remaining. Sicilians of all classes were buried here in the nineteenth
century. The last burial here, that of a young girl, took place in 1920.
These catacombs are not recommended for the squeamish or for children.
The catacombs are open 9:00-12:00 and 3:00-5:00 (later in summer) and
closed on holidays.
Similar to the mummies in Palermo (page 2), there are mummies in central
Italy's Le Marche and Umbria regions that have been naturally preserved.
Here's where to go to see them.
" Church of the Dead, Urbania Mummies Cemetery: Church of the Dead,
Chiesa dei Morti, is a tiny church in the Le March town of Urbania that
holds an interesting and slightly macabre display. The Mummies Cemetery,
Cimitero delle mummie, is in a tiny chapel. A guide takes you into the
chapel and tells you about the mummies on display. Get visiting details
in Urbania Mummies Cemetery.
" The Mummies Museum: The tiny town of Ferentillo in southern Umbria
holds an interesting surprise below the Church of Santo Stefano. Bodies
buried there were preserved by a rare microfungus that attacked the corpses
and turned them into mummies. Some of the best preserved mummies are on
display in what is now the mummy museum in the bottom part of the church.
10.
Ostia Antica
The ruins of the ancient Rome port of Ostia Antica, accessible from Rome
by public transportation, are well worth a visit. It is a huge complex
and you can easily spend several hours wandering around the old streets,
shops, and houses. You should plan at least a half day for this trip.
To get there, take the Metro Line B to Magliana and take the Ostia Lido
train from there.
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WHICH ARE THE 10 MONUMENTS ABSOLUTELY TO SEE IN ITALY FOR YOU?
Italy is geographically divided into 20 regions
