Travel to Rome on your own

The capital of Italy has stood on its famous seven hills for about three thousand years. The city, nicknamed eternal even before our era, has seen a lot and can surprise many. You will not find such a mixture of different eras and styles anywhere else - in Rome, monuments of antiquity, early Christianity, the Middle Ages, Baroque and Renaissance have been preserved not only as individual objects, but also as entire ensembles. Therefore, a trip to Rome is a real journey into the past.

In this article we will tell you in detail how to plan a trip to Rome on your own.

We are travel experts and know how much time and effort goes into planning each trip. That's why we created a mobile application "Travel Planner and Travel Guide" for iPhone and Android. All attractions, guides and ready-made routes are part of our free mobile application. Offline maps and GPS are a bonus. So, let's go!

Here every street, every building breathes history. Unlike many European cities, Rome was virtually undamaged during the world wars of the 20th century and has retained its authentic architecture. Masterpieces of Italian painting and sculpture are also perfectly preserved: they are exhibited in many museums, churches and palaces.

In terms of the number of unique objects, no other capital in the world can compete with Rome. But this does not mean that the city is covered with the dust of centuries and lives only in the past. It has everything to enjoy life here and now: quiet picturesque parks and noisy modern streets, fashionable shops and magical antique shops, delicious food and excellent coffee, and most importantly - the special atmosphere of the city to which all roads lead.

How to get to Rome?

The easiest way to get to the capital of Italy from Russia, Ukraine and other CIS countries is by plane. Many airlines offer flights with different prices and conditions. From Moscow and St. Petersburg, the most convenient way to buy air tickets is on a direct flight with Transaero, Aeroflot or Alitalia. In this case, the flight time will be no more than 5 hours. Direct flights from Kyiv are provided only by Ukraine International Airlines, with which you will arrive in Rome within 3 hours of flight.

Flights with transfers can be found with many other airlines, for example, Lufthansa, SwissAir, AirBerlin, Turkish Airlines, WizzAir, SAS, KLM, Brussels Airlines. If longer travel time is not critical for you, you can save a lot on a connecting flight.

To easily understand the intricacies of air ticket prices and choose the most convenient flight for yourself, Ever.Travel recommends using the Aviasales service. With its help you can quickly find the cheapest air tickets. Navigation of this site is extremely simple and clear: you can select departure dates and times, airlines, and transfer options. Aviasales contains offers from hundreds of airlines and air ticket sales agencies, so you can easily choose the right flight option. In the advice section from Ever.Travel, we talk in detail about how to buy cheap plane tickets using the Aviasales service.

Where to stay in Rome?

Rome is a fairly large city, so choosing a place to stay should be approached carefully. A hotel, apartment or hostel in the right area is a guarantee that you will have enough time for all the planned attractions, and the trip to them will not take several hours. Each district of the Eternal City is attractive in its own way. Therefore, it is worth spending a little time carefully choosing a place to stay, but then your vacation in Rome will be useful and enjoyable.

Map of Rome districts

Historical Center

Undoubtedly, here is the largest number of interesting places that every traveler wants to see, especially if he is in Rome for the first time. This is where Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps are located - the names alone excite the imagination!

All these objects are within walking distance of each other, so you don’t even have to worry about transport. In addition, you will find shopping areas with the most luxurious boutiques, as well as numerous cafes, bars and restaurants. There are always a lot of tourists here, and almost always quite noisy.

Prices for accommodation in the most modest hotel start from 120-130 euros per night. This is clearly not the most budget option, but living in the very center of the Eternal City is worth it!

Hotels in Trastavere are already cheaper, but finding a free room here is not so easy. The silence and comfort of this area is also appreciated because there are numerous authentic cafes, pizzerias and trattorias where the Romans themselves simply love to spend their evenings.

Visa to Italy

To get to Italy, residents of Russia and the CIS countries must apply for a Schengen visa. Usually it is issued for six months, during which you can stay in the territory of another state for up to 90 days. There is a possibility that the validity of the visa will be increased by up to a year upon re-applying, and even by 2-3 years if you already had a one-year visa before.

The standard period for obtaining a visa to Italy is 5 days, but during the tourist season this time can increase to one and a half weeks, so we recommend that you take care of completing all the necessary documents in advance.

Since information regarding prices, deadlines, documentary evidence and other conditions for issuing Schengen visas changes periodically, we advise you to check the current data on the official website of the Italy Visa Application Center in Moscow or St. Petersburg. Citizens of Ukraine can contact the Italy Visa Application Center corresponding to their region to clarify the nuances.

How to get from Rome airport to the city

Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino Airport) located approximately 30 km from Rome. There are several ways to get from here to the city center:

• Leonardo Express Train departs every half hour and goes non-stop to Termini Station, located in the center of Rome. Travel time is 30 minutes, ticket price is 14 euros.
• Electric train- This is a cheaper but slower route since the trains make many stops. Ticket price is 5.5 euros, travel time is 45 minutes.
• They run around the clock, but at long intervals (1-2 hours) municipal buses. A ticket can be bought from the driver, the cost is 4-5 euros one way, 7-8 euros two ways. Travel time is about an hour. In addition, there are a number of private companies that own Airbuses. For example, SITB BusShuttle, which you can use for 5-6 euros for one way travel.
• Taxi waiting for passengers in a parking lot near the airport. City authorities strongly recommend using only licensed official taxis: they are white, with a “TAXI” sign on the roof. A trip to Rome will cost about 60-70 euros.

Discount airlines fly to Ciampino Airport. It is even closer to the capital and is connected to it by train, bus, and metro lines. A taxi ride from here will cost 40-50 euros.

Car rental in Rome

Throw away all stereotypes and forget about group excursions - you can travel all over Italy on your own, not only Rome, just rent a car. Renting a car in Rome using the RentalCars service is a proven and reliable way to experience the most complete impressions of all Italian beauties. How many amazing places can be found both in provincial towns and in other cities - Florence, Milan, Venice... Don't forget that there are other countries within a few hours' drive: France, Switzerland, Austria, where you can make a motor rally, regardless of which -or schedules and conventions. Treat yourself to freedom of movement! Read more about the capabilities of RentalCars in our review.

Public transport in Rome

A universal travel ticket is valid for all types of public transport - metro, bus, tram and one trolleybus route. You can buy it at the ticket offices at the entrance to the metro, at stops, at newspaper and tobacco kiosks. After 21:00, drivers also start selling tickets, but they are one and a half times more expensive.

Don't forget to validate your tickets in yellow composters! Please note that tickets in Rome are not valid for 24 hours from the moment of validation, but on calendar days until 23:59.

The most convenient way to travel around the city is considered to be a bus - with an extensive network of routes, including night routes, and short intervals. To get on the bus, you need to honk at the driver while standing at the bus stop, and to get off, press one of the buttons inside the bus. At the ATAS information point in front of Termini Station you can purchase a complete map of bus routes.

Tourist card ROMA PASS

Costs 34 euros and is valid for three days. Sold on the official website, at metro ticket offices (not at all stations), at tourist information points (Punti Informativi Turistici / PIT), in museums and archaeological sites. Allows:

• free use of city public transport (except for routes to airports);
• visit two historical places or museums of your choice free of charge and without a queue and receive discounts on tickets to the third and all subsequent ones;
• Additionally, visit a number of less popular museums for free;
• and also receive a number of other advantages - for example, a separate turnstile at the entrance to the Colosseum. Included with the ROMA PASS is a detailed map of the city, a list of museums and places worth visiting.

Self-guided tours of Rome

The most budget-friendly way to get to know the city is to make your own walking plans. This is why we have developed a mobile application "Travel planner and guide" for iPhone And Android - ready-made routes and walks, hundreds of attractions, an offline map and GPS - everything you need to get to know a new city.

Ready-made routes and walks around Rome

In addition, you can travel to the main attractions of the city on excursion buses. Usually their tickets are valid for any number of trips within 24 or 48 hours. The cost of such a 48-hour pass is from 15 to 30 euros. There are also sightseeing trams and boats in Rome.

Mobile communications and Internet in Italy

The most popular operators are Vodafone, TIM and Wind. The cost of a SIM card is about 15-25 euros, most of which is deposited into the account. Tariffs are approximately the same, there are special offers for tourists. Inexpensive calls are offered by the PosteMobile network, which you can connect to at the post office. By law, you must present your passport when purchasing. It happens that SIM cards are not activated in Russian phones, in which case you can ask the seller for help.

Pay attention to the municipal project Digit Roma, which provides free Internet access for 4 hours a day through a network of hotspots. An Italian SIM card is required for registration.

Shopping in Rome

Shops in Rome are usually open from 9:00 to 19:00 or 19:30, with a break of 2-3 hours in the middle of the day (from about 13:00 to 16:00), Sunday is a day off.

Sales are held twice a year with discounts of up to 70%: winter in January-February and summer in July-August. It is believed that prices in Italy are among the lowest in Europe. Particularly profitable purchases can be made in outlets in Rome.

The most expensive stores are concentrated around Piazza di Spagna, more democratic - in the Via del Corso area. Another popular shopping street stretches from Termini Station - Via Nazionale. The Esquilino food market is famous for its delicious goods from all over the world. On weekends, flea markets open in different parts of the city.

Roman cuisine

The basis of Roman cuisine is simple and satisfying food for workers. The most famous example is pasta carbonara, always with a raw egg. Classic dishes: “Salti in bocca alla romana”- pieces of veal wrapped in Parma ham and stewed with sage in white wine and “Tripla alla romana”- stewed beef stomach with spices.

Only in Rome you can try it “Coda alla Vaccinara”(oxtail stew) and “Rigatoni alla Pajata”(paste with calf intestines). Those who are not ready to experiment can enjoy the exquisite taste of stewed artichokes (carciofi), as well as a variety of sweets, such as donuts with whipped cream (Maritozzo con la panna).

In restaurants, the bill often includes a service charge (servizio) - up to 15%. However, if you leave a few more euros on top, no one will be offended.

By the way, there are many drinking water fountains scattered throughout Rome. Feel free to drink it and take it with you in plastic bottles.

History of Rome

Rome was founded in 753 BC, and by the beginning of our era it became the capital of the Roman Empire, which captured almost all of Europe and the Mediterranean. In the 4th century AD. the city turned into the center of the Christian world, and its ruler, the Pope, became the most powerful man in Europe. In the 5th century, due to the invasion of barbarians, Rome fell into decline, but by the 9th century it had restored its reputation, becoming the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

The deeply religious Middle Ages left the city a legacy of a huge number of amazing churches and cathedrals. By the 15th century, Rome was embraced by the ideas of the Renaissance: the best artists of the time came here in search of inspiration and recognition. In 1870, it became the capital of the newly unified Italy and began active development and construction of new territories.

It is important to know:

• Official language: Italian
• City area: 1500 sq. km. Rome is located in the Lazio region, on the Tiber River. The main attractions are concentrated on the left bank. On the right, within the city, is the Vatican State.
• Population: 2.8 million people, mostly Italians, Catholics.
• Currency: Euro
• Visa: Schengen, standard requirements. The cost of a tourist visa is 35 euros.
• Time difference with Moscow:-2 hours in summer, -3 hours in winter
• Climate: The best time to visit Rome is considered to be spring and autumn, when the weather is comfortable and warm. In summer it can be very hot here, up to +40°C. In July-August, local residents try to go on vacation; there are fewer people in the city and more closed cafes and shops. In winter, the temperature remains confidently above zero (+5-10°C), but rain can ruin your holiday.

Holidays and non-working days:

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A post about the most popular and most interesting sights of Rome, unusual excursions from local guides, as well as two whole walking routes around Rome, compiled by me personally. Everything to make your independent trip to Rome memorable and...you want to come back here again.

In Rome, as in many other Italian cities, you can create a million different tourist routes to suit all interests and tastes.

After all, Rome is a real museum city, where different historical eras coexist peacefully, where various beauties and all sorts of cultural and historical values ​​simply press on from all sides. Just have time to turn your head and click the camera.

Here, probably, even a month is not enough to explore the length and breadth of the city, and an ordinary tourist trip to Rome is, as a rule, only a few days, in which you need to pack in all the best that Rome has to offer, without missing out on the most interesting and forgetting to leave time for shopping and gastronomic adventures in local cafes and restaurants. Well, at least treat yourself to real Italian coffee and gelato.

To the best of my ability, I will make separate posts for each attraction in Rome that I have visited. I’ll tell you about Rome’s clothing and shoe stores and outlets, and of course about food prices in supermarkets and local restaurants. I’ll also leave some rare and unusual museums and places for a separate post for “advanced tourists in Rome.”

Here, I will draw up a general travel plan for Rome, for those who are traveling here, most likely, for the first or second time, so that you can independently plan your stay in this city, based on your personal preferences and the time you have allotted.

The main attractions of Rome on the map

The most popular attractions on the map of Rome I noted that, in general, these are the main tourist destinations, as they say in such cases - must see.

If you click on the shortcut, Google contact information for each tourist point will open and you can see how you can get here, on foot or by transport.

I recommend adding this map to your favorites in your Google account before going on vacation to Rome (to do this, just click the “star” and the map will be saved to your favorite maps (Google maps even works offline).

At the end of this article you will find two route options for independent walks around Rome in order to see all these attractions in two days.

Plan and route of excursions for 1 day in Rome

If you have only one day in Rome (this means that you are most likely in Rome passing through or on business, because few people will come to this city of their own free will for just one day), then it is wiser not to spend it on any museums, but just walk around the city.

If this is your first time here, in order for the walk to be as information-rich as possible and not waste time on unnecessary searches for the main attractions, I recommend hiring someone who will introduce you to the city in a couple of hours and show you its most significant places.

In order not to waste time looking for a guide on the spot, it is better to book all interesting excursions in advance, online. There are many route options for such an excursion; check on the excursion booking website. Its cost starts from 15 euros per person and depends on the number of participants and the intensity of the program.

Or you can take a ride around Rome on a double-decker sightseeing bus:

However, Rome is a city with concentrated attractions that you can get around on foot. And if you want, you can pack the whole tourist city of Rome into one day. Now there will be a section from the category: “Are you weak?”

For example, this is what happened to me in Rome several years ago. When I went on a guided tour to the Vatican in 1 day, and spent the remaining half of the same day exploring Rome on my own with almost all the main points on the route that I had marked on the map, and even managed to “drop in” to the Colosseum just before it closed.

On the same day, I managed to pop into the shops on Via del Corso just before closing, to the Piazza España at night, and even have a late dinner in one of the restaurants in Rome. For ordinary people, all this would take at least 5 days!

Win-win! 8) And now I’m unlikely to dare to do this myself. So ! 8)

Plan and route of excursions for 3 days in Rome:

Three days are something between one day in Rome and a week, so I will give my main advice in these sections of the post, and you yourself will figure out where you will go, it will depend on what intensity and richness of the cultural program you are ready for, so that These three days are all interesting things to see, but don’t get overtired. In Italy it is very easy, they even call it “Florentine Syndrome” or “Stendhal Syndrome”.

In general terms, I will say this, if you have at least 2-3 days in Rome, in addition to the same sightseeing tour on the first day, on the second day you can plan to visit a museum, for example, the Vatican or the Roman Forum. Choose one thing, because... There is not enough time or energy for everything. Such museums require a very thorough visit.

And the last day is best spent on a leisurely walk around the city, perhaps along a route planned in advance, but you should definitely leave yourself time to sit quietly by the fountain and soak in the atmosphere of this magnificent city in all respects, as if you were living in Rome at least the last six months.)))

Plan and route of excursions for 7 days in Rome (we are planning an independent route):

A whole week in Rome or more is already an excellent opportunity to have a good time and create a real excursion program for yourself. I definitely recommend planning it in advance, while still at home, so that you can use your time in the city as efficiently as possible and not waste it standing in kilometer-long queues for tickets or overpaying for excursions.

In a week in Rome, you can not only visit all its main attractions, but even go to the sea or other wonderful cities -, or. You can read about the features of railways in my separate article.

I highly recommend it in advance download audio guides around Rome to your phone. All major museums (Roman Forum, Vatican, etc.) have their own guide apps for phones, and the appstore and Android app store are full of various general useful audio guides to Rome (both paid and free) that can compensate for your independent visits to attractions without the services of a tour guide. Please note that this audio guide works offline, as... Internet in Europe is a question for a separate post.
Someday I will review those applications that I liked and found useful.

Ideally, you should set aside a whole day for each museum, so you won’t turn into a cornered horse and will have time to see all the most interesting things in detail.

All attractions can be divided into two categories - free attractions in Rome, which you can come and inspect at any time and paid - i.e. museums, where you will need to buy entrance tickets and plan a whole day or so just for them.

Except that in the Colosseum you can see everything you can see in 2-3 hours. But mainly time is wasted everywhere because of the great excitement and queues, everywhere, for tickets, at the entrance, to some of the main values ​​of the museum in order to photograph them...

Yes, there are too many tourists in Rome now, I’m a little sorry that I didn’t have the opportunity to travel around Europe during my student days, it seems to me that 10 years ago there was such a strong crush in tourist places nowhere.

And Chinese tourists only recently rushed in such large numbers to see everything that can be seen in the world and buy everything that can be bought. I didn’t see them in such numbers in Rome on my last visit, and it was only now that they “exploded” on Lake Baikal a couple of years ago.

The best museums in Rome (paid): ticket prices, opening hours, where to buy tickets:

Which museums in Rome are worth visiting for money?

If you have at least three days planned in Rome and want to visit museums, you can purchase

Its essence is simple Roma Pass - cultural and tourist card of Rome, giving discounts on paid museums and various tourist services in the city. Options for these cards are for 48 and 72 hours, which is included and the cost can be viewed on the website, at the moment the information is as follows:

In general terms, this card entitles you to free entry to the first two museums of Rome and/or archaeological sites of your choice, one after the other for a limited time (according to card rates), as well as a discount to all subsequent museums and ( or) archaeological sites from the proposed list.

Museums of Rome: Museum of the Roman Republic and the Memory of Garibaldi, Bilotti Museum in the Villa Borghese Park, Canonica House Museum, Museum of the Walls, Napoleonic Museum and Villa Massenzio (which can be visited within the Roma Pass, in addition to 2 free entries (usually these are the Colosseum and the Roman Forum).
This also includes free travel on public transport within a certain time interval.

You can buy a Roma Pass at the airport, at railway stations, at public transport stops, or online http://www.romapass.it

If you need a Roma Pass and entrance to additional museums just because, and if you know for sure that you don’t want to go to museums with a guide and a tour, then just buy the general ones tickets to the museums of Rome directly on their official websites.

Now they apply to several attractions at once, and, firstly, you don’t have to waste time queuing at the box office of EACH of these museums, and secondly, separately it turns out to be somewhat more profitable.
I will give all the basic information and official websites of the museums of Rome here in a list:

Official information on the museums of Rome

VATICAN

Vatican website - www.vatican.va

To avoid a giant queue at the entrance, it is better to buy tickets to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel on the website - biglietteriamusei.vatican.va (information in English; to select standard tickets without excursions, go to the tab - admission tickets).

Ticket prices: A full ticket to the Vatican costs €16 , additional payment for online booking is €4 for each ticket,
audio guide (optional) €7 for children €5 (you can use the official museum application on your phone)

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, last visitor enters the museum at 16:00; last Sunday of the month 9:00-16:00, last visitor at 12:30. Closed: Jan 1 and 6, Feb 11, March 19, April 20, 21, 27, May 1, June 29, Aug 14 and 15, Nov 1, Dec 25 and 26; address Viale Vaticano.
The last Sunday of the month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free!

Or you can use the services of the Sputnik travel service and book an excursion to the Vatican with a Russian-speaking guide:

COLISEUM and ROMAN FORUM

official website of the Colosseum and Roman Forum— www.coopculture.it

This site is used as the official site by the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine, Baths of Caracalla and some other ancient monuments and museums of Rome.

By purchasing tickets here you can avoid the queue at the entrance to the Colosseum or Forum. Although in my reviews of these attractions I will tell you where and how you can buy tickets to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum without a queue or almost without a queue, depending on your luck. But you can stand for five minutes to save 2 euros per person, which they charge for online purchases.

Ticket price: Adult ticket costs €12 , additional fee for online booking €2, audio guide optional - €5.50;
The ticket covers the Forum and the Palatine Hill and is valid for 2 days.
Colosseum opening hours: Mon-Sun from 8:30 to 16:30-19:15 (depending on the season), the last visitor starts 1 hour before closing.

CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS OF ROME

www.museicapitolini.org

Ticket price: adult/reduced €12/€10, audio guide €5;
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:00-20:00, 24 and 31 Dec 9:00-14:00, last visitor 1 hour before closing. Closed Mon, Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25
The address is Piazza del Campidoglio 1.

BORGHESE GALLERIES

www.tosc.it/tickets

This is the official website for purchasing tickets to the Borghese Art Gallery, one of the most inaccessible museums in Rome, a visit to which must be planned in advance

Ticket price: adult/reduced €11/€2 (children under 18 years old), audio guide €5;
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8:30-19:30, last visit 19:00, closed Mon, 25 Dec, 1 Jan; Tickets can only be purchased by reservation.
Address Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5.

EXCURSIONS ANCIENT ROME IN 3D

www.viaggioneifori.it

Ticket price: adult €15, combined for both shows €25, online booking fee €1/€2 respectively.

Address: Via Alessandrina (Forum of Augustus in 3D) and Foro di Traiano entrance near Trajan's Column (Forum of Caesar in 3D), daily from April 25 to November 01:
Opening hours: Forum of Augustus at 21:00, 22:00 and 23:00, Forum of Caesar from 19:00-20:30 to 23:40-23:50 (depending on season), duration of each show is 40 minutes.

CASTLE OF THE HOLY ANGEL

www.castelsantangelo.com

Ticket price: 10.5 euros, reduced price - 7.5 euros. For groups starting from 20 people, the online booking fee is €1.
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 19:30; The ticket office closes at 18:30
The first Sunday of every month, visiting the museum at Castel Sant'Angelo is free.
Address Lungotevere Castello, 50

All these museums are the calling cards of Rome, and at least something from this list should definitely be present in your excursion program. If you are not an art critic or a connoisseur of painting and architecture, for your first acquaintance it is wiser to hire a professional guide who will not only show, but also tell.
I have had experience visiting the museums of Rome both with a guide and on my own, and I can definitely say that taking guided tours to the Vatican Museums or the Roman Forum is definitely worth it - not a single guidebook, or audio guide, can completely replace a good live guide.

Visiting these museums on your own allows you to get lost a little and look into “secret rooms” and corners where excursions usually don’t take you, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing interesting there?
You can take a ready-made excursion to the museums of Rome with a Russian-speaking guide, and then “get lost” yourself and see what you find especially interesting. Firstly, you won’t have to buy tickets separately, spend money on an audio guide, stand in lines for extra time and wander around the halls in search of the most interesting things.

This may turn out to be much more interesting and less labor-intensive than a self-guided tour of such places. The difference in price between tickets and tickets with a guided tour is not catastrophic. The main thing is to check the size of the group; after all, the more compact the communication with the guide, the better. Well, even if you speak English well, an entire excursion with a Russian guide will, in my opinion, be more appropriate.

Free attractions in Rome:

Well, first of all, the free attractions in Rome are everything, including all the museums in Rome that you won’t go inside. 8) The Trevi Fountain or Piazza Navona is at your disposal at any time of the day or night and completely free of charge. Well, you must admit that it’s already interesting to look at the Colosseum or the Castel Sant’Angelo from the outside.

Since July 2014 throughout Italy, on the first Sunday of the month, all state museums admit visitors free of charge. This rule also applies to such significant objects as the famous Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Roman Colosseum, Pompeii, etc. But I’m even afraid to imagine WHAT the queues are like there on this day.

But there are also attractions in Rome with truly free admission, for example, here:

PANTHEON

free entry, audio guide €5,
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8:30-19:30, Sun 9:00-18:00.
Address Piazza della Rotonda
Official site: www.turismoroma.it/pantheon/

VILLA BORGHESE

I gave information about the Borghese Art Gallery above, but here I will say that visiting the gardens of this villa is completely free.

NAPOLEON MUSEUM (Museo Napoleonico)

Anyone who is interested in the personality of the legendary French commander and emperor has the opportunity to visit the Napoleon Museum, located in the Primoli Palace, built in the 16th century. Its exhibits, located in 13 halls, will help you learn more unknown and juicy details about the life of the Bonaparte family.

Address: Piazza di Ponte Umberto I. Palazzo Primoli. From Piazza Navona to the museum it is only a 5-minute walk, and from the Castle of St. Angel's walk will take no more than 10 minutes.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00.
Official website: museonapolonico.it

MUSEUM OF SOULS IN PURGATORIO (Museo delle Anime del Purgatorio)

This mystical museum is located in the sacristy of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Christ (Sacro Cuore di Gesu’ in Prati). Here you can see the imprints of soles on the floorboards, fingers and hands left by the souls of the deceased on household items, paper and fabrics. All this is interpreted as a unique way to declare oneself from the “other world” and ask the living for prayer and help.

Address: Via Ulpiano, 29. Sacro Cuore di Gesu’ in Prati. (NearCastle Sant'Angelo)
Opening hours: daily from 9.00 to 12.30 and from 17.00 to 19.00.

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SAINT LUCA (Accademia Nazionale di San Luca)

National Academy of St. Luke, located on the square of the same name in the Palazzo Carpegna building (XVI century). Today there is an art gallery where you can see sculptures and paintings by Italian, French and Flemish masters, most of which date back to the 17th-18th centuries.

Address: Piazza dell'Academia di San Luca, 77
Opening hours: Monday-Friday from 10.00 to 12.30
Official website: accademiasanluca.it

There are also a few free museums, but not very well known. I don’t know if information about them is needed here, since the post is about the main attractions of Rome? I think in such cases it’s easier to ask a professional guide who can tell you about some secret corners of Rome and less traveled hiking trails,” although, knowing this city, I doubt that there are any such people left here.

But still, I found several interesting excursions and rare routes.

Rare routes and excursions in Rome:

Everyone knows these attractions, which is why not every tourist comes. You can get no less impressions from them than from traditional Roman ruins. And on occasion, there is always something to show off in front of friends who have not seen anything else in Rome except the Colosseum and outlet stores 8)

CATACOMBS ON THE APIAN ROAD

KOPEDE QUARTER

ROMAN CASTLES

Despite the fact that all the sights of Rome are located quite compactly, I still recommend dividing your walk around Rome into at least two parts, which means two or three days, because it is, of course, possible to fit this entire walking route into one day, but The question is, how much is it necessary?

In this case, I arranged all the attractions logically, “in the direction of travel,” so that you could calmly follow this route from one attraction to another and not waste time on extra steps in the opposite direction.

From which point to start the route and which points to skip, and where to stay longer - it’s up to you to decide. This is the beauty of independent travel.

Route 1 for a self-guided walking tour of Rome

Route No. 1 I suggest starting with St. Peter's Square, the largest Christian cathedral of St. Peter's not only to the Vatican e, but all over the world, from here to go to the pompous and majestic Castel Sant'Angelo and be sure to walk along its beautiful bridge with gilded angels; if you wish, you can also look into Napoleon Museum, it’s very close here, and besides, as I wrote above, entry there is free.

Well, from here you can go straight to Piazza Navona - the first Roman stadium for athletic competitions, built by Gaius Julius Caesar himself, look at Fountains, which no longer have anything to do with Caesar, but nevertheless 8), there are three of them on Piazza Navona (Neptune's Fountain, the Moor's Fountain and the Fountain of the Four Rivers), all the fountains here are one more beautiful than the other.

In addition, as I wrote above, fountains in Rome are completely free. But not always and not for everyone. According to historical data, during the time of Pope Innocent X, who introduced special taxes for the construction and reconstruction of the fountains of Rome, he received a protest meeting from city residents under the slogan: “Pane, pane, non fontane!” (“Bread, bread, not fountains!” )

People, such people! Everyone is always unhappy. What a beauty! And now there are even heaps of bread, including thanks to the same fountains in Rome 8) By the way, if you didn’t know, in Rome you can drink water from ANY fountain. Very convenient and really safe. I have personally verified this fact more than once. All is good! 8)

If you are in Rome on Christmas Eve, then it is here, in Piazza Navona, that they organize the traditional Christmas market - “Befana di piazza Navona”.

From Piazza Navona you can run to Campo de' Fiori, where Giordano Bruno was burned for denying the scientific dogmas of his time, and now a monument to him is erected on this site. Next to the monument, there is a flea market in Rome until lunchtime, where, if you don’t come too late, you can buy souvenirs, food and all sorts of things at a good price.
And behind Bruno there is still a street with shops and a pharmacy where they sell “Monastery Cosmetics”, you can only buy it in this place.

Then from here you can go to Piazza della Rotonda to to the Pantheon, “temple of all gods,” a majestic structure with a hole in the ceiling. They say that the dome of the Pantheon is designed in such a way that rain does not enter the room through it. Others say it's a PR stunt. I haven’t had the opportunity to check this yet; I’ve never been to the Pantheon during the rain.

The Latin inscription on the pediment of the Pantheon reads: “M. AGRIPPA L F COS TERTIUM FECIT", which translates as: "Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, elected consul for the third time, erected this." It represents a great engineering achievement of antiquity. Some famous people of Italy are buried in the Pantheon, notably Raphael and kings Victor Emmanuel II and Umberto I.

From the Pantheon you can go straight to Trevi Fountain, adjacent to the façade of Palazzo Poli. There is a belief that the person who throws a coin at him will come to Rome again. Two coins - a love meeting. Three - wedding (marriage). Four coins - wealth. Five coins - separation. The amount of money that utility services “catch” from the Trevi Fountain reaches 700 thousand euros per year. On the right side of the fountain there are “lovers’ tubes.” According to legend, young couples who drink water from them will love each other and live in harmony until old age.

And from the Trevi Fountain, having filled it with plenty of coins, you can go to Plaza de España, throw coins here, in fountain-boat Barcaccia, the work of Bernini himself. Well, if you find a place, sit on that very famous Spanish Steps(Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti), the longest and widest staircase in Europe.

In the spring, it is decorated with blooming azaleas, in the summer, a fashion festival takes place here, and models parade along the steps, demonstrating the work of famous couturiers; in winter, the attention of tourists is attracted presepio- Christmas scenes. At any time of the year, a magnificent view opens from the steps, especially at sunset. Therefore, there is nowhere for the apple to fall at almost any time.

Piazza di Spagna is also the center of Rome's fashion district; the most famous Italian fashion brands are represented on Via Condotti, which begins at this square.

And from Piazza di Spagna you can already head to Villa Borghese, this is the third largest public park in Rome (80 hectares) after the park of Villa Doria Pamphili and Villa Ada, and if you buy a ticket in advance, you can also see the famous Galleria Borghese, along the way you can also look at Villa Medici, a family that had no equal in the physical elimination of its political opponents. The Medici had no shortage of imagination and invention in this matter.

This entire route takes only about an hour and a half, but if you stop somewhere to take photos, and go to 1-2 small museums along the way to explore them, a whole day for this entire route may not be enough for you. So keep that in mind. And don't forget to save this map to your Google account:

Route No. 2 for an independent walking tour of Rome:

The second route can be called “Ancient Rome” because This walk mostly included all the ancient antiquities and ruins of Rome.

It starts from Piazza Venezia, where one of the most beautiful buildings in Rome, in my opinion, is located - Vittoriano monument(Il Vittoriano) or Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria), also nicknamed “The Typewriter”, I don’t know why the Romans didn’t like it so much, I always admire this monument and was even sure that it was some kind of government agency in Rome .

Not far from it, you can go see the multi-story “Khrushchev” buildings of the ancient Romans, in which not Roman emperors or nobles lived, but ordinary people, in houses called insulins.

And from Trajan's market to Roman Forum close at hand, I recommend approaching it from the side Capitoline Museum, where it is located Capitoline wolf

the same she-wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus, who founded Rome.

Right there with observation deck You can look at the Forum itself from above and admire its scale without even going inside. If you want to go there, it’s better to set aside a visit Roman Forum the whole day (or even two) and it’s better to take a tour with a guide who will tell you everything.

On the other side of the Roman Forum is Via Appia Antica, a highway made of ancient paving stones, which probably still remembers ancient Roman chariots and the steps of real Roman legionnaires.

Well, my Rome-weary legs should have remembered this road too 8)

It’s right there,

behind which there is a majestic building “hiding”, which I think there is no need to even talk about, this is the most recognizable symbol of Rome.

Having walked around the Colosseum in a circle, you can come to the very one where you became the unwitting participants of a real gay pride parade. This street is notable not only for this, but also for the ancient ruins located right here. Gladiator Schools (Ludus Magnus), and walking up this street you can reach Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on the Lateran Hill or Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

Where to go from now? Baths of Karakala, officially called the Antoninian Baths , see how the ancient Romans set up SPA salons, and complete this entire one and a half hour hike "By the lips of truth", yes, the same ones that we could see in the film “Roman Holiday”. Of course, there were other sights of Rome in the film. But for some reason, it was the episode where the main character, for humorous reasons, cannot pull his hand out of this stone mouth, that I especially remember.

Well, from here you can go out to the Tiber embankment and, if you have any strength left, go, just wherever your eyes look, I really love such non-committal walks in unfamiliar cities. If you no longer have the strength, then you can find some restaurant along the road and sit there over a plate of pasta with a glass of Italian wine.

Google again calculated this route for an hour and a half, but in fact you will get much more. Save this map to your Google account so as not to lose it.

And another option for a route around Rome:

If on the third day, or simply, tired of museums and all sorts of Roman antiquities, you again want to go for a walk around Rome, then I suggest you take a walk along the long embankment of the Tiber River, with its beautiful bridges, centuries-old plane trees and ordinary buildings along the way. non-tourist life in Rome.

And in general, go somewhere out there, into the unknown, where there will be no crowds of tourists and real Romans live. Not ancient, but modern. Believe me, even here Rome will be able to surprise you. Someday I’ll arrange posts on my blog with such photo walks.

Well, yes, let me remind you again, don’t forget to at least sometimes look into cafes and restaurants in Rome. I can hardly tell you everything, but I will definitely tell you where I went, what dishes I tried, or the most remarkable historical restaurants in Rome.

The best shops in Rome, the La Rinascento shopping center, as well as boutiques of all famous brands in Rome are located via Condotti and on via del Corso and the adjacent streets. They are located just between the first and second routes from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Venezia, so while walking from one attraction to another, you can inadvertently buy yourself new shoes or a dress. But we will also talk about this topic in more detail separately.

OFFICIAL TOURIST SITE OF ROME

turismoroma.it is the official tourist website of Rome with information about events and various promotions, which is noteworthy, with a version in Russian.

Order a taxi (transfer) in Rome:

In order not to miss new posts on the site through

Self-guided walking tours in Rome– this is the best way to get to know the Eternal City.

Walk a lot and never get on the bus or go down the subway. This is the only way you can penetrate the soul of Rome, discover its secluded sides, little-known streets, parks, private gardens and non-tourist restaurants and bars.

“The breeze carries the scent of the Tiber. You don’t look at Rome, but dive into it, and it accepts you like warm water. History is everywhere, like a layer of healing mud on a river bottom.” Graham Joyce

For your convenience, I have tried to prepare the best, In my opinion, walking tours of Rome, which you can easily organize on one's own.

Route No. 1.

Start of the route– Colosseum (metro line B – Colosseo)

End of the route– Navona Square (piazza Navona)

« The Colosseum, Rome's largest and sweetest candy, half eaten by time, still bears the marks of history's teeth." Graham Joyce

• The real name is the Flavian Amphitheater in honor of the imperial family.
• In Ancient Rome, a third of the life of the local population took place in the Colosseum, where battles, competitions and holidays took place for up to 100 days a year. Admission was free, and the spectators were given food - panies et circenses - bread and circuses, as the poet Juvenal spoke about this custom in 100 AD.
• The architectural and logistical solution used in the Colosseum and called vomitoria (from the Latin vomere “to spew out”) is still used in the construction of stadiums: many entrances are located evenly along the entire perimeter of the building. Thanks to this layout of the Colosseum, the public could fill the Colosseum in 15 minutes and leave in 5 (the Colosseum had 80 entrances).
• According to various sources, the Colosseum accommodated from 55 to 77 thousand spectators.
• On its roof, during performances, sailors of the imperial fleet were stationed, sent to stretch a huge awning over the amphitheater to protect spectators from the scorching rays of the sun or from bad weather.
• Fights between animals in the Colosseum sometimes took on a very interesting form: a crocodile was released against a lion, a python against a bear.
• More than 9,000 animals died during the opening of the arena and another 11,000 were killed during the 100-day festival hosted by Emperor Trajan. According to conservative estimates, over the course of its existence, more than 500,000 people and more than 1 million animals died in the Colosseum arena.
• After the fall of the Roman Empire and more than 450 years of gladiatorial combat, executions, and animal persecution, the Colosseum was filled with shacks and stables, and its stones were used to build other structures.
• Paul McCartney became the first rock musician to perform at the Colosseum in 2003. Only 400 spectators attended the concert. Tickets for the concert could be purchased at a special auction; the starting price started at $600.

Interesting facts about the Roman Forum:

• The Roman Forum is the center of the social and political life of Ancient Rome.
• The speeches of Roman orators, politicians, and military leaders were heard from its stands. It was the main arena for public meetings and celebrations. All the most important city events took place at the Forum.
• In Ancient Rome, the population reached 1.5 million people. Such a huge city could exist normally only if there was a high-quality water supply and sewerage system. Otherwise, Rome would have been doomed to extinction from epidemics.
• The ancient Romans built water pipelines, aqueducts, fountains, baths, and between the Palatine and Capitoline hills, under the Roman Forum, the Great Cloaca (Cloaca Maxima) is still located. This is one of the largest ancient sewer systems. It is interesting that this canal, created in the 5th-6th centuries BC, is still functioning.
• With the fall of the empire, the Roman Forum lost its social significance and was almost overgrown with weeds, until Christians began to build their temples on it. In the 19th and 20th centuries, archaeological excavations began here, as a result of which the forum acquired modern cultural significance.

Other interesting facts:

• The average age of life of the ancient Romans did not exceed 41 years.
• The month of August was named after the Roman Emperor Augustus.
• The tradition of the wedding kiss came to us from the Roman Empire.

I don't recommend visiting Roman Forum itself. An unprepared traveler will not be interested here, and in hot weather the walk will become simply unbearably difficult: a chaos of columns, porticos, arches... it is very difficult to figure out what is what without a historical education. Many of the ruins here look so ruinous that even imagination cannot help you imagine what the forum looked like in ancient Rome.

Don’t spoil your impression and don’t waste your money senselessly - it’s better to book at the Roman Forum or watch films about Ancient Rome and the history of the Roman Forum in advance.

Restored Roman Forum - 3D reconstruction

Ancient Rome: History of appearance

1. Capitol Square and the Church of Santa Maria Aracheli.

Interesting facts about the Capitol:

• In ancient times, this was the highest part of the city (acropolis - upper city). From time immemorial, temples were built on the hill, and in the Middle Ages it was the political center of Rome. By the way, today the city hall is located here.
• Michelangelo himself designed this elegant piazza and completely rebuilt it. He changed the orientation towards St. Peter's Basilica, which at that time became the new political center of the city.
• Thanks to Michelangelo's reverse perspective effect, the area appears much larger than it actually is.
• Star paving, enhancing this effect, was added in 1940.
• In the center is a copy of a bronze equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (originally located in the Roman Forum). The original survived and was not destroyed along with other pagan idols due to the fact that it was long mistaken for a statue of Emperor Constantine.
• Where the Temple of Juno Moneta (the mint of imperial Rome) was located, the Franciscan Church of St. Mary of Araceli was built. The first written mentions of the basilica date back to the 8th century.
• The basilica houses the relics of Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, as well as a copy of the wooden sculpture of the Holy Child (Santo Bambino). The original was made in the 15th century from an olive tree grown in the Garden of Gethsemane. The baby was believed to have miraculous powers. In 1994, the original sculpture was stolen and has not yet been found.
• The Cordonata staircase, consisting of 124 steps, leads to the basilica. It was also designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century, commissioned by Pope Paul III.
• In the 18th century, with the spread of lotteries in Rome, it was believed that if you climb the steps on your knees and say a prayer, the winning numbers will definitely appear.
• At the bottom of the stairs there are two granite Egyptian lions. An interesting fact is that during the holidays dedicated to the election of popes Innocent X (1644-1655) and later Clement X, white and red wine flowed from the mouths of these lions.
• At the top of the stairs are statues of the Dioscuri, the legendary twins Castor and Pollux, born of the earthly woman Leda from Zeus. Geminis were always depicted with horses, as they were believed to be the patrons of these animals. The statues were found in 1583 during excavations of the Theater of Pompey.

1. TimeElevator – 5D

I suggest making the next stop on Via dei SS. Apostoli, 20 – 00187 Roma (RM).

Here you will find a 5D cinema: in a fun and interactive way you can learn the most important historical facts about Rome, and special effects will help enhance the experience.

The cinema's audio system allows you to watch a film in 5 languages, incl. and in Russian.

Ticket price: children – 9 euros, adults – 12 euros.

1. Shopping on the streetviadelCorso and ice cream break at one of the oldest gelaterias in Rome -Giolitty

• This place still belongs to the descendants of its founders.
• Since 1890, there have been no fundamental changes in the interior, and the recipes, as expected, are shrouded in a dense veil of secrecy.
• This place is visited by many famous Italians: Silvio Berlusconi, Monica Bellucci, Romano Prodi, Giorgio Napolitano and of course high-ranking (and not so high-ranking) tourists - Barack Obama, John Travolta, Justin Timberlake and others).

6. The next stop on our self-guided walking tour in Rome is the Pantheon.

• Pantheon – “temple of all gods”. In its modern form, it was built in 126 under Emperor Hadrian.
• Being a pagan temple, the building has survived to this day thanks to the fact that on November 1, 609, under Pope Boniface IV, it was consecrated as the Christian Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs.
• Until the 19th century, the dome of the Pantheon was considered the largest in the world. Its construction was made possible thanks to the invention of concrete by the Romans. Since this fact was kept secret for a long time, there was a legend that the dome was built on top of a hill of earth mixed with gold coins, which were poured inside the structure by order of Hadrian. Upon completion of construction, it was announced that anyone could take the coins for themselves. For several days, the townspeople searched for gold and cleared out the Pantheon in the process. The height of the building is 42.7 meters, the diameter of the dome is 43.3 meters (equal to the diameter of the rotunda).
• The artist Raphael, King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy, his son King Umberto I, Queen Margaret of Savoy and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi are buried in the Pantheon.

1. Next we head to the most beautiful square in Rome - Piazza Navona.

Interesting facts about Piazza Navona:

• On the site of Piazza Navona from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD. There was the Domitian Stadium, where running competitions were held. The second name of the stadium is Agonov Arena (from the ancient Greek “ἀγών” - “competition”). Closer to the Middle Ages, this term was transformed into “n’agone”. The name was eventually simplified to "navona".
• Piazza Navona is the most outstanding example of Baroque in Rome.
• In the 16th-17th centuries, residential buildings began to be built on the site of the stands, and the arena itself turned into a square.
• Churches began to be built here, the first of which appeared on the site of a former brothel. This temple was dedicated to the Holy Martyr Agnes, very revered by Catholics.
• Saint Agnes lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (3rd – early 4th centuries). At the age of 12, she decided to devote herself to serving God, so she rejected the advances of the son of the Roman prefect Sempronius. The prefect, having learned about this, accused the girl of witchcraft and gave her a choice: either make a sacrifice to the pagan goddess Vesta, or go to a brothel. Agnes refused and was taken to a brothel in Piazza Navona. When the Christian woman's clothes were torn off, her hair instantly grew back and covered her nakedness, then an Angel appeared and illuminated the girl with light. They tried to burn her at the stake as a witch, but the fire went out, then one of the soldiers pulled out a sword and cut off the unfortunate woman’s head. Agnes's body is buried in the Roman catacombs, which bear her name Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura, and her head is kept in the crypt of the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. For millions of believers, Saint Agnes is a symbol of holiness, purity and purity.
• The Church of Sant`Agnese in Agone was built on Piazza Navona by one of the geniuses of architecture, Francesco Borromini. Borromini visually expanded and extended small spaces, replacing straight architectural lines and planes with curved and rounded ones, showing his genius in this.
• Opposite the church is a fountain created by Borromini's main rival, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini - the Fountain of Four Rivers. The Fountain of the Four Rivers is considered one of the most precious fountains in Rome. Four marble statues of the river gods - the Nile, the Danube, the Tigris and La Plata - recline in limestone grottoes.
• In the center of the fountain is a Roman copy of an Egyptian obelisk.

What to see in Rome in seven days

Rome is not called the Eternal City for nothing! Its cultural and historical riches span several millennia, while remaining always relevant, interesting and inspiring. And you can study them endlessly! No matter how many times you come to Rome, no matter how many days you spend in it, it will never be enough. Traveling on your own and planning to spend a week in Rome? If you manage your time wisely and correctly plan routes for walks and independent excursions around Rome, in 7 days you can get a lot of vivid impressions, useful information and pleasure. The routes suggested below can also be used if you are traveling to Rome for 6, 5 days or less - just select the most interesting and important routes for you and shorten the program.

We have collected the most interesting sights of Rome, added our travel experience to them, and added a pinch of inspiration... And we got detailed routes for self-guided tours of Rome. We warn you: we are curious travelers, and therefore many routes are quite intense. If you prefer more relaxed walks, simply shorten them, leaving only those places that you definitely do not want to miss.

Guide to Rome for 7 days

The first day:

The Colosseum, Imperial Forums, Capitoline Hill, Piazza Venezia, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo dei Fiori and other places in the center of Rome

From the first day, we will plunge into the thick of things and immediately head to the main symbol of Rome -. Against the backdrop of the stone giant, a vibrant tourist life is always in full swing: tourists, disguised “gladiators”, “living” statues, street actors and musicians, merchants and other people fill the square around the Colosseum and the Fori Imperiali street branching off from it. In order not to get “stuck” in this commotion for a long time and not languish in line, we recommend booking a ticket to the Colosseum in advance. If you know English, it is very easy to do it yourself on official website. Once in the Colosseum, you will see entire stone labyrinths left over from the underground structures located under the Colosseum arena. But just looking at or photographing is quite boring - these stones must be “revitalized” with an interesting story. You will find it in the audio tour for iPhone "". An audio guide to the Colosseum will help you look into the distant past, vividly imagine the events that these ruins still remember, and learn many interesting and unusual facts about this truly iconic place.

After the Colosseum we will admire the majestic Arch of Constantine. By the way, it is the latest of the surviving triumphal arches of Rome and one of the symbols of the era of late antiquity. Behind the Arch of Constantine you can see the picturesque ruins of the Roman Forum, and nearby is the entrance to the archaeological complex of the Palatine. But these places are worth special attention. In order not to mix everything together, we will leave them for another day and devote a separate walk to them. In the meantime, let's continue to study imperial Rome.

So, from the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine we will head along Fori Imperiali street towards Capitol Hill. This street was built under Mussolini right on the ruins of the ancient imperial forums. Actually, its name means “Imperial Forums”. On one side of Via dei Fori Imperiali you can see the remains of the Roman Forum, on the other - the ruins of the imperial forums, most of which ended up under the street. If we follow from the Colosseum along the Fori Imperiali street towards the Capitol, then in front of us we will see successive forums bearing the names of the emperors who built them: the forums of Vespasian, Nerva, Augustus, Trajan. The ancient forums were majestic architectural complexes consisting of squares, public and commercial buildings, pagan temples, ceremonial monuments and other buildings designed to emphasize the wealth of the empire and the greatness of the emperor.

Remembering the splendor and grandeur of imperial Rome, we will reach Capitol Hill, which was the most important and most fortified part of the ancient city. At the foot of the Capitol it is interesting to look into Mamertine prison- the oldest prison in Rome, existing since the 4th century BC. Moreover, this place is also connected with Christian history: according to legend, the holy apostles Peter and Paul were kept in the Mamertine prison before their executions. It is no coincidence that a church was later erected over the stone bag in which the ancient criminals languished. Currently, the dungeon can only be accessed with an entrance ticket, which includes a multimedia tour.

At the top of the hill we will see a magnificent architectural ensemble Capitol Square, created by the great Michelangelo and impressive with harmony and sophistication. If you have the desire and strength, you can look into Capitoline Museums, located on the square. Or you can just admire the area and views.

Capitol Hill is double-headed. On the second, highest peak, stands a beautiful ancient church Santa Maria in Aracoeli. From the outside it impresses with its austere medieval appearance, and from the inside it amazes with the richness of its decoration and splendor. The temple houses the ancient miraculous icon of the Mother of God, as well as the relics of the holy Queen Helen (mother of Emperor Constantine, whose triumphal arch next to the Colosseum bears his name).

If you climbed the hill along the stairs from the Mamertine prison, then you can go down from it along one of the other two famous stairs. One of them is part of the ensemble of the Capitoline Square - this is a magnificent Cordonata with wide, gentle steps, designed by Michelangelo. And from the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli a steep medieval staircase descends. By the way, it offers good panoramic views.

Not far from the Aracoeli staircase, note the remains antique insula– this is what multi-storey apartment buildings were called in ancient Rome. In the excursion “Imperial Rome” we will tell you a lot of interesting things not only about the majestic imperial buildings, but also about the daily life of ordinary Romans who lived in such high-rise buildings. By the way, the excursion route practically coincides with the one proposed above. You can find not only a description of the excursion, but also the operating hours of the visited sites, which will be useful to you when planning a walk around Rome.

Near Capitol Hill is Venice Square with a magnificent structure Vittoriano– a monument to the first king of united Italy, Vittorio Emmanuelle II. At the top of the structure there is an observation deck, which offers wonderful views of the center of Rome.

Another notable structure on the square is Palace of Venice- an example of a Renaissance palace, inside of which there is now a museum.

Several busy streets run from Piazza Venezia to different parts of Rome. One of the most interesting for tourists is Via Corso. We will continue along it. And along the way you can look into interesting basilicas, for example, Santa Maria in Via Lata or Church of the Twelve Apostles(to find it, you need to “dive” from Corso into one of the narrow alleys).

A free tour of Rome with a Travelry audio guide will help you pay attention to the most interesting places in and around Piazza Venice, and learn many interesting facts and stories.

Well, then we will head to the very heart of the Eternal City - to. It is there that you can feel the taste and unique atmosphere of the Italian capital. If you have the strength and inspiration, we recommend walking along the excursion route “” - from Piazza Barberini to Campo dei Fiori. Or shorten it a little (for example, starting not from Piazza Barberini, but immediately from the Trevi Fountain). This route covers the most interesting places in the historical center of Rome (and on the page with the description of the excursion you will also find the opening hours of the Roman basilicas and other places included in the walk route).

Piazza Barberini is interesting with two beautiful fountains. Well, one of the most luxurious fountains in Rome awaits us at the intersection of three small streets. Actually, this is where its name comes from: in Italian, “three streets” sounds like “tre vie”. A is a must-see in Rome, a place that simply cannot be missed! Please also pay attention to Church of Saints Vincenzo and Anastasio, overlooking Trevi Square.

Next, let’s direct our feet to Column Square. It got its name from the ancient column of Marcus Aurelius, which stands in the center of the square. Around the square are three beautiful palaces, some of which today house active government offices. That’s why in this square you can often meet journalists and people with protest slogans (Italians love to protest). And in the center stands an antique Doric column of the 2nd century made of white Carrara marble.

Not far from Piazza Colonna, another portion of admiration for Roman architecture and history awaits us - a grandiose one. The Roman Pantheon is a unique architectural and engineering monument of antiquity, a Christian shrine and one of the symbols of the Eternal City.

If, after visiting all the places listed above, your tourist enthusiasm has not yet dried up, take a look at Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva– she’s very close. Built back in the 13th century, this church is interesting because it is considered the only Gothic temple in Rome.

Next we will head towards Piazza Navona. And along the way we will meet many interesting and beautiful churches, almost each of which can “boast” of picturesque, sculptural or architectural masterpieces and a rich history. Among them are churches Sant'Eustachio, Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza, San Luigi dei Francesi, Sant'Agostino. The last two temples house paintings by Caravaggio.

Not far from Piazza Navona is also located Altemps Palace, which houses part of the collection of the National Museum of Rome.

Piazza Navona- a real pearl of the Roman Baroque and a favorite place for tourists and the Romans themselves. The square is located on the site of the ancient stadium of Domitian, which explains its elongated oval shape. In the very center of the square there is the famous fountain "Four Rivers" works by Bernini. The square is also decorated with an elegant baroque building Basilica of St. Agnes (Sant Agnese in Agone) And Palazzo Pamphili.

Basilica of Saint Agnes in Piazza Navona

Not far from Piazza Navona is one of the “talking” statues of Rome - Pasquino sculpture. Having examined this one and checked whether the next lampoons are glued to its pedestal (this is the local tradition), you can delve into the streets of the center of Rome and walk, paying attention to Palace of the Chancellery (Palazzo della Cancelleria), to the square Campo dei Fiori (CampodeiFiori). The name of this cozy square translates as “field of flowers,” reminiscent of the times when there was a meadow overgrown with grass and flowers. Well, today life is in full swing here: in the mornings there is a food farmer's market on the square, and in the evenings the square turns into an entertainment center for Roman youth. At the same time, the stern figure of Giordano Bruno, who was burned on this very square in 1600, does not let us forget about the rich history of this place.

You can spend the rest of the day pleasantly in this area. Near Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona you will find many picturesque alleys and small squares, interesting shops, trattorias, restaurants and other places where you can unwind, relax and refresh yourself.

Let's summarize the first day in Rome:

Starting with the monuments of the great Roman Empire (Colosseum, forums, Capitoline Hill), remembering ancient legends and looking into antiquity, we will continue our acquaintance with Rome in the monuments of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, and then, walking along Corso, we will discover the luxurious architectural creations of the Baroque masters . From the observation deck of Vittoriano and from the top of the Capitoline Hill we will be able to look down on Rome, and in the ancient crypts of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Via Lata and the Twelve Apostles we will look into underground Rome. The proposed route for a walk around Rome will lead us to the lively and beautiful squares of the historical center, which will delight us with beautiful fountains, sculptural and architectural riches. The day is supposed to be eventful, interesting and full of bright impressions! And there is still almost a whole week ahead in Rome...

Here's what our itinerary for walking around Rome looks like on the first day (we've color-coded the routes of the three audio tours with the Travelry guide):

Second day:

Palatine, Roman Forum, Trastevere and Janiculum Hill

If you have a week in Rome, you will have time to look into a variety of eras. We suggest devoting one of the days to traveling around! Palatine and Roman Forum are united into a single archaeological complex - they have a common ticket, and it is logical to visit them together, plunging into ancient history and remembering ancient legends. And so that the ancient ruins “come to life” and can “tell” you about their great past, we created . On the excursion page you will also find the complex’s operating hours and tips for visiting it. The entrance to the Palatine is located at via di S. Gregorio 30, near the Colosseum.

After visiting the archaeological complex and its picturesque stone ruins, it will be nice to see a slightly more modern Rome and “refresh” your impressions. A good solution would be a relaxed walk around the beautiful area Trastevere.

And along the way, if you wish, you can look into such interesting places as Church of Il Gesu(beautiful baroque architecture and luxurious decoration), Largo di Tore Argentina(another small archaeological zone and part-time official cat shelter!), Theater of Marcellus (TeatroMarcello) – an ancient theater, later converted into a medieval castle. You can also stroll through the ancient Jewish ghetto(one of the oldest in the world), see Matei Square with a curious Fountain of Turtles.

The name of the area Trastevere means “across the Tiber” and tells us that you can get to Trastevere by crossing the river. We recommend doing this by Fabrizia Bridge, through Tiberina Island.

Trastevere will charm you with its cozy atmosphere and unique flavor. The area is worth visiting the ancient Church of St. Cecilia(patroness of music), San Crisogono(under the building you can see the remains of an early Christian church from the 4th century) and, of course, the “pearl” of Trastevere - the church Santa Maria in Trastevere. This is one of the oldest Roman churches. It preserves elements of medieval decoration, in particular, beautiful mosaics from the 12th century. After looking at the ancient churches, allow yourself to relax a little Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere– sit by the fountain, enjoy some ice cream….

Other notable places to see in Trastevere include the gate Porta Settimiana, formerly part of the ancient Aurelian Wall, Renaissance Villa Farnesina, Palazzo Corsini. You can also get to Janiculum Hill, from the top of which magnificent panoramic views open.

Trastevere is famous for its abundance of wonderful restaurants and taverns, and therefore you can have a tasty and cozy dinner here and have a wonderful evening on the second day.

An audio tour of Trastevere is not yet available in the app, but is in development and will be added in the future. In the meantime, you can simply walk around this area, exploring its most interesting sights - although without audio, they are all marked (with brief descriptions and photos) in ours.

So, we have already planned a trip to Rome for two days. Let's summarize the plans for the second day:

The first part of the day is devoted to “time travel” - a walk through the Palatine and the Roman Forum. We strongly recommend doing this with an audio guide, since without lively stories and timely comments it is very difficult to imagine what those magnificent architectural complexes of Ancient Rome were like, from which picturesque ruins remain, and how people lived here many centuries ago. We suggest spending the second part of the day on a quiet walk around Trastevere (and on the way to Trastevere you can also “capture” the Jewish ghetto, visit the island of Tiverene and see other interesting places). The perfect end to the day will be a delicious dinner in Trastevere, in one of the many cozy trattorias for which this colorful Roman area is famous.

Walking route around Rome on the second day (the “maximum” program is marked on the map, shorten it so that everything is within your capabilities and brings pleasure):

Day three:

Vatican, Castel Sant'Angelo

The Vatican is one of the "must" places to visit in Rome. However, the route will depend on what exactly you want to visit. If you plan to explore both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica, then you should calculate your strength in advance and decide whether you are ready to cover both places in one day, or whether it is better to divide them into two days. This decision largely depends on your endurance, because both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica are distinguished by their enormous size and abundance of masterpieces. Visiting both places at once will require a lot of time and will take almost the whole day, so many travelers explore the Museums in one day, and visit the Cathedral separately, with fresh energy. The decision is yours!

In any case, if you want to walk around the expanses of the Vatican Museums, we recommend starting in the morning, while you are full of energy. After all, you will see an incredible variety of masterpieces! And be sure to book your tickets in advance so as not to languish in a long line. The most convenient way to get to the Museums is from the Via Cipro/Musei Vaticano metro station.

Well, St. Peter’s Cathedral will best be “opened” to you with ours. In it we will tell you many interesting facts and stories about the Vatican, about the grandiose cathedral and about the majestic square in front of it.

Next, still impressed by the grandeur and splendor of St. Peter's Cathedral, we will head along the wide street Via della Conciliazione(“Street of Reconciliation”), built by Mussolini. From this street, moving a little away from the Vatican, we will again look at St. Peter's Basilica - it is from here that the famous dome of the cathedral, designed by Michelangelo, can be seen in all its glory. It cannot be seen directly from St. Peter's Square, since the dome is covered by a magnificent baroque façade.

The street will lead us straight to Castle Sant'Angelo. The history of this amazing structure dates back to ancient times - it was originally built as the mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. In the Middle Ages it became a fortress, later it managed to be the residence of pontiffs, and a dungeon, and, finally, a museum, which it is today.

One of the most beautiful and famous Roman bridges across the Tiber departs from the Castle - Bridge of the Holy Angel, named after the castle. On the bridge you can cross the Tiber and head into the cozy alleys leading to Campo dei Fiori and Piazza Navona, which are already familiar to us after the route of the first day. Tired but satisfied, you can end your day of sightseeing in this atmospheric historical area with dinner at one of the many trattorias in the center of Rome. And if you wish, you can also get to the already familiar Trastevere district, which is so pleasant to just walk around and which offers many opportunities for a delicious dinner.

So, we already have a plan for walking around Rome for three days!

We dedicate the third day of the trip to the Vatican. Fully or partially – it’s up to you! If you are resilient and feel that you can “tackle” both the museums and the cathedral in one day, then the Vatican will take almost the whole day. If you decide to feel sorry for yourself and perceive the beauty and cultural riches of the Vatican “with a fresh mind” (we are inclined to the second option), then you will still have a decent part of the day to spend on a pleasant walk around Trastevere (especially if you have not had time to “master » this area the previous day).

The walking route around Rome on the third day is not as intense as on the previous days, because you will spend quite a lot of time in the places visited - you should not visit them at a gallop.

Day four:

Piazza Popolo, Piazza di Spagna, Quirinal, Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore, churches of San Pietro in Vincoli and San Clemente, Laterano, Basilica of the Holy Cross

During the first three days in Rome, we will have time to get acquainted with the heritage of Ancient Rome, look into the Rome of the Middle Ages, admire the masterpieces of the Renaissance and Baroque, discover the Vatican... On the fourth day, we invite you to add to your collection of vivid impressions of the Eternal City and see many more magnificent architectural, sculptural, and pictorial creations, as well as beautiful squares and streets.

Let's start our walk from the Northern Gate of Rome - Porta del Popolo. This is the ancient Flaminian Gate, through which many travelers have arrived in Rome since the 3rd century. Here, at the foot of Pincho Hill, Piazza Popolo stretches out in front of us. Its harmonious architectural ensemble is decorated with an ancient Egyptian obelisk from the time of Ramses II, fountains and beautiful churches. On one side stands the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, which houses many cultural treasures, including paintings by Caravaggio, works by Raphael, Bernini and other masters. On the southern side of the square, opposite the Porta del Popolo arch, the ensemble of the square is complemented by two twin churches: Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto.

By the way, from Popolo Square there is a small staircase leading up to the top of Pincho Hill. You can climb along it to the famous Villa Borghese. This is a huge landscape park on the Pincio hill, one of the largest and most beautiful in Rome. We suggest planning a visit to Villa Borghese for one of the days (we set it on the sixth day of the trip) and combining a walk in the park with a visit to the magnificent Borghese Galleries is a small but wonderful museum with a wonderful collection of works of art. Just keep in mind that you can’t visit it impromptu! Advance online reservation required.

In the meantime, let's continue our walk from Popolo Square and go along the small street Babuino, and then turn onto Margutta street. For what? To see not only monumental palaces and squares, but also cozy Roman alleys, full of charm and color. This combination will be vividly revealed to us in the audio tour “” with the Travelry audio guide. By the way, the excursion route almost completely corresponds to the plan for our walk around Rome for the first part of the day. Via Margutta is also interesting because representatives of Italian bohemia once lived here, including Federico Fellini and his wife Giulietta Masina. In addition, this is where Mr. Bradley's house from the legendary film "Roman Holiday" was located!

We move further towards Plaza de España. And on the way, don’t forget to look at one of the “talking” statues of Rome - baboon statue, located on the street of the same name. Next we will go to the famous Plaza de España, with its legendary and beloved by tourists Spanish steps() and charming fountain "Boat". It rises a little further Column of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary.

Our route passes through a beautiful Basilica of Sant'Andrea dell'Frate(Sant’Andrea delle Fratte), on which the famous architect Borromini worked. And inside there are two marble angels that were created by Bernini for the Ponte Sant'Angelo, but copies of them ended up on the bridge, and the beautiful originals were not dared to be displayed in the open sky.

If you walk along this route with an audio guide, then, passing by the building Nazareth College (Collegio Nazareno), find out what was interesting about the world’s first public free school located here. And then, walking past an inconspicuous door under an arched vault, behind which are hidden the remains of one of the 11 ancient aqueducts of Rome, you will learn about the history and features of ancient Roman aqueducts...

Let's head to Barberini Palace (Palazzo Barberini). It is interesting and beautiful in itself, because many outstanding architects worked on the construction. In addition, today the National Gallery of Ancient Art is located inside (art fans can additionally plan a visit to it).

The Barberini Palace's façade overlooks Street of Four Fountains. The name of the street tells us what there is to see and where to get water!;) The intersection of the Four Fountains is special in that on its four corners there are four sculptural compositions that allegorically depict the Tiber River (as a symbol of Rome), the Arno River (as a symbol of Florence), as well as the ancient goddesses Diana and Juno.

At the corner of the intersection, notice the amazing Church of San Carlo At the Four Fountains, or San Carlino, as the Romans affectionately call it due to its small size. This is one of the main masterpieces of the architect Borromini. And not far from him is the creation of his main rival and competitor, the architect Bernini. It's elegant Church of Sant'Andrea.

You can relax for a while in the nearby Villa Carlo Alberto. This is a small beautiful park in front of the Quirinal Palace. But visit it yourself Quirinal Palace, located on top of the Quirinal hill, on Quirinale Square, possible only by prior reservation. After all, it houses the current residence of the President of the Italian Republic.

Still not tired of the abundance of masterpieces and works of art? Then let's continue! If you have enough strength left, you can walk from the Quirinal to Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, which houses the famous Baroque masterpiece - the sculptural composition by Bernini “The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa”. Also notable in the interior of the church is the Cornaro Chapel - its design is distinguished by the deliberate theatricality characteristic of the Baroque style.

Next, after admiring fountainAcquaFelice, let's head to Republic Square, located near Termini station and the Baths of Diocletian. In the center of the square there is a sensual composition Naiad fountain, or nymphs. Also on the square is Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, built on the ruins of the ancient baths of Diocletian in the middle of the 16th century. The design of the temple was probably prepared by Michelangelo. Not far from the square castlePalazzoMassimoalleTerme, which houses the National Roman Museum. It will be of interest to connoisseurs of ancient culture, as it houses one of the largest collections of classical art in the world.

Our next destination will be the grand and beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore(that is, the “Great” or “Main” Basilica of the Virgin Mary), built in the 4th century, is one of the oldest Christian churches in Rome.

By the way, we smoothly moved on to the route of another audio tour of Rome - “”. In it we propose to visit the most interesting ancient basilicas and churches of Rome. While in the Esquilino area, be sure to check out Church of Saint Praxeda(Santa Prassede), built in the 9th century and decorated with magnificent Byzantine mosaics. Don't ignore the nearby Church of Saint Pudenziana- one of the oldest in Rome.

Then we’ll walk along Panisperna Street and find ourselves in a cozy and bohemian Monti area. By the way, you can have a tasty and pleasant lunch there to gain strength for the rest of the walk.

Next let's head to Church of San Pietro in Vincoli(St. Peter “In Chains”). Christian pilgrims are attracted to it by the relic of the temple - the chains (chains) of the Apostle Peter. And art lovers flock here to see the sculpture of Moses by Michelangelo himself.

Another interesting church that we recommend visiting on this walk around Rome is located very close to the Colosseum. This Church of San Clemente, one of the oldest and most interesting in Rome. It is distinguished not only by the beauty of its interior, but also by its unique historical layering. Going down to the underground levels, you can examine the remains of a church of the 4th century, and even lower - a piece of the ancient city and the ancient temple of Mithra, preserved from the 1st century!

While in Rome for a week, you cannot ignore the grandiose Cathedral of San Giovanni in Laterano. Moreover, it is the main cathedral of the Catholic Church and is called the “archbasilica”. And next to the cathedral, dating back to the 4th century, the oldest Lateran baptistery(place of baptism).

Next we will walk along the boulevard, which runs along Carlo Felice Street on one side and along the ancient city wall on the other. And we'll get to Church of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem(Santa Croce in Gerusalemme). It contains relics related to the suffering of Jesus Christ, brought by the holy Queen Helena from Jerusalem.

This is where you can finish the route of the fourth day. If you wish, you can find budget trattorias or pizzerias in the Laterano or Porta Maggiore area. From here it is also quite easy to reach other central areas.

So, we already have a plan for conquering Rome for four days. We summarize our expectations from the fourth day of our trip to Rome:

On this day we continue to discover the most different facets of Rome. Starting from the “northern gate” of the Eternal City – Porta del Popolo and the square of the same name – we move to the famous Piazza di Spagna, not forgetting along the way to look into interesting places and alleys where interesting sights of Rome are hidden. Next we head towards the Quirinal Hill, admiring the beautiful palaces, fountains and ancient churches. After the Quirinal, you can see the interesting sights of Rome in the area of ​​the Republic Square, and then head to the Esquiline Hill. We devoted the second part of the day to ancient Roman churches and cathedrals, which cannot leave connoisseurs of beauty indifferent! We recommend refreshing your strength in the Monti area - there you can find wonderful restaurants and trattorias. We will finish our walk in the Laterano area.

Day five:

Neighborhoods of Rome (optional): Tivoli / Ostia Antica / Appian Way and Roman Catacombs

One of the days of your trip to Rome can be made “out” and devoted to interesting places in the vicinity of Rome. We offer several options for your choice.

Tivoli (Tivoli)

The Tivoli area is 25 km away. from the Italian capital. It is located on the Sabine Hills, on the site of the ancient city of Tibur, in the vicinity of which country mansions began to be built in ancient times. Once upon a time here were the possessions of Maecenas, Horace, Propertius, as well as Emperor Hadrian. Three beautiful villas are noteworthy in Tivoli: a grandiose architectural complex Villa Adriana, where you can admire ancient art, elegant Villa d'Este with a wonderful garden, built in the middle of the 16th century by Cardinal d’Este, and Villa Gregoriana– a large picturesque park with grottoes and fountains. These are magnificent palace and park ensembles that will decorate your trip and allow you to spend a pleasant, relaxed day.

Ancient Ostia (Ostia Antica)

An ancient Roman city, which today is an archaeological reserve. On the territory of Ostia Antica, the remains of many ancient buildings have been preserved, allowing you to imagine the life of the ancient city: a theater, pagan temples, warehouses and living quarters decorated with mosaics, baths and other buildings.

Appian Way (ViaAppiaAntica) and Roman catacombs

The Appian Way is one of the oldest Roman roads. Once it connected Rome with the southeastern part of the empire. The road is named after Appius Claudius, the Roman censor under whom in 312 BC. its construction began. Along the road (on which the antique pavement is partially preserved) there are many monuments of the ancient and early Christian era: ancient tombs and mausoleums (the most famous is the tomb of Cecilia Metela), as well as catacombs that served for the burial of the first Christians and are decorated with wonderful paintings and mosaics. Along much of the ancient road there is a park area, so a walk or bike ride will be a great addition to your trip to Rome.

We have already mentioned Ville Borghese and located on its territory Galleria Borghese. You can start your sixth day by visiting these beautiful places and have a nice time in the park. Don't miss the observation deck, which offers excellent views of the Eternal City!

If you are interested in art or history, then Rome will delight you with a huge number of museums for every taste. Part of the sixth day can be devoted to art or history by visiting a museum (or even several) that interests you. Among the most famous are the National Museum of Rome, the Capitoline Museums, the Vatican Museums (if you have not visited them on the third day), the already mentioned Borghese Gallery, the Doria Pamphili Gallery. You can find the most interesting museums in our application, on this or on the map with the 6 day route (see below).

Rome has long been called the “Eternal City”. He received this title back in the 1st century AD. By that time, the city was already quite old, but it could not be called aging: it was growing, rebuilt and settling down. Rome changed over time, but remained Rome. Centuries passed, eras changed, states arose and disappeared, but Rome stood, absorbing all the changes and innovations.

Today this city resembles an avid traveler’s chest of drawers, where everything is mixed up: antiquity and modernity, baroque grandeur and the bad taste of our time, priceless and depreciated.

The city on seven hills is so full of attractions that it is sometimes difficult to choose. where to go And what to see.

Visited Rome

You can combine several Roman attractions into one trip around the city and even create a themed route. Most of the most famous places in this city are not very far from each other.

I will try to offer you several routes for exploring the Eternal City on your own. Let's say you have three days to explore Rome. To get started you need to do two things:

- first, is to get a city map,

- second, get used to the idea that even a month is not enough to thoroughly study Rome.

The map will help you navigate the interweaving of Roman streets in the historical center. The routes I offer are for independent walking. Sometimes some sections of the route can be traveled by public transport. These itineraries will help you get to know Rome in a way that you wouldn't on a group tour or a tour bus ride. After all, my routes are also thematic. So,

Day 1. Rome ancient

It’s logical to start getting acquainted with Rome from the beginning - from Ancient Rome. The main ancient Roman attractions are located very close to each other, but it is best to spend a whole day exploring them. There will be a lot of impressions.

Ancient Rome - Forum and ruins

From 8:30 am to 7:00 pm (the ticket office stops selling tickets one hour before closing) open to the public Palatine Hill, Roman Forum And Coliseum- the center of Ancient Rome. There is only one ticket there, it’s worth it 16 euros and is valid for two days. This means that today you can see, for example, the Palatine and the Forum, and tomorrow go to the Colosseum. It’s best to come early; at nine in the morning there are already long lines at the box office. Several cash registers: at the Colosseum,at the exit from the Roman Forum and on Via di San Gregorio, this is behind the Arch of Constantine, at the entrance to the Palatine. By the way, this is the most convenient place to buy a ticket (there are always fewer people in line there) and start the excursion.

Palatine Hill

First things first, you need to go to Palatine Hill. This is where Rome began. It is quiet here, in the hot summer in the shade of the trees it is even savingly cool and, unlike modern Rome, it is not so crowded. Surprisingly, fairly large groups of tourists do not create crowds. People wander along the paths among the ruins of aqueducts, palaces and temples.

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Unfortunately, it is impossible to find the ruins of the houses of the first settlers. The Palatine has been actively developed over the centuries. Since ancient times this has been the city center - the most prestigious area. Among the excavations, archaeologists found the site of the supposed home of Romulus, the legendary founder of the city. You will be able to see the houses of residents from the times of imperial Rome, the remains of the temples of Republican Rome. The main place on the Palatine is occupied by the skeletons of palaces, baths and stadiums of Rome during the imperial era. The scale of the buildings is amazing - the Romans did not consider gigantomania a disease. From some sites the Palatine is clearly visible Great Circus(Circo Massimo), a giant hippodrome that could accommodate more than 200 thousand spectators.

Temples on this hill were adjacent to houses, houses to palaces, they were separated by gardens and parks. Such a city garden still remains on the Palatine. Now the trees growing here are quite young, they are not more than two thousand years old. But the garden is the same place. From everywhere: from the platforms of ancient palaces, from the Palatine squares - modern Rome is visible. It surrounds the Palatine Hill on all sides. The two Romes are very similar to each other: in both, eras and times are mixed. But Palatine's Rome is quiet and wise. He looks at his heir from the heights of the hill and age and good-naturedly and grumblingly rustles the leaves of the trees and scatters pine needles on the ground.

In the very center of the Palatine Hill, a white building rises among the ruins. This Palatine Museum - Antiquarium. There are a large number of statues, mosaics and bas-reliefs found on the Palatine during excavations on display here.

Roman forum

From the Palatine you will descend to Roman forum. The fairly vast area between the Palatine and Capitoline hills was once a swampy valley. Under King Lucius Tarquinius Prisca (this is the 6th century BC), the swamps were drained and the valley began to be built up. If residential buildings were built on the hills, then this lowland was given over to public life. Temples, triumphal arches, libraries, basilicas and public buildings were erected here, the market was noisy here, and there was a place for comitia - open areas for public meetings. The forum was simply filled with statues of politicians and heroes. At one time, the triumphs of Roman generals took place along the streets of the Forum. In short, the forum was full of life.

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Walking along the paths among the ruins of temples, past the remaining columns, you will see how dense the buildings were, which means how important this place was for the Romans. One forum flowed into another; there were several of them in this valley.

Running next to the Roman Forum Street of the Imperial Forums(Via dei Fori Imperiali) was built by order of Mussolini in the 20th century. It simply divides the entire forum space into two parts. And for more than two thousand years this whole place was single and large.

Despite the proximity of the Imperial Forum Street to the forum, the forum itself is also quite quiet. Ancient stones inspire awe and respect for the history of the city and country.

It's best to leave the Roman Forum at the Colosseum and Arch of Constantine. We will return to the Colosseum later. Now you need to walk along Via di San Gregorio and turn left. Our path lies in. Along the shady street of the Baths of Caracalla (Via delle Terme di Caracalla) you will reach there in 7-10 minutes.

The huge complex of buildings (it covers an area of ​​11 hectares) was a public bath in the 3rd century AD. The emperors of Ancient Rome competed with each other to see who would leave a more grandiose legacy for their descendants. Caracalla managed to build baths, which at one time were considered a wonder of the world on a par with the Egyptian pyramids. Here people not only washed, here they met, talked, and resolved important issues. In the thermal baths, in addition to the baths and pools themselves, gymnasiums and a library were built.

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There was a stadium next to the baths; one could watch the competition without leaving the baths. The design of the baths itself was quite complex and innovative for Rome at that time. A grandiose system of aqueducts supplied water to the thermal baths, which was heated here and supplied to the necessary halls and pools. The Baths of Caracalla were stunning not only in size and structure, they were incredibly beautiful in architecture and decoration. Today, in different places on the territory of the complex you will see examples of marble wall decoration, floor mosaics, and the remains of columns. Many statues, exhibited in the halls of the best museums in Rome, once decorated the interiors of the Baths of Caracalla. A wonderful park was laid out around the Baths, where visitors strolled before and after taking baths.

With the onset of the Middle Ages, the Baths of Caracalla were abandoned; at some time, with the official permission of the Pope, the stones and marble of the baths were used for the construction of papal palaces. Nowadays, the museum complex of the Baths of Caracalla is used not only as a historical attraction. Opera performances and symphony concerts are held here.

A ticket to the Baths of Caracalla costs 8 euros.

Working hours:

• from 9:00 to 19:15 (from March 31 to August 31),
• until 19:00 (during September),
• until 18:30 (in October),
• to 16:30 (from the end of October to February 15),
• until 17:00 (from February 16 to March 15),
• to 17:30 (from March 16 to the end of the month)

You can find information about performances and concerts at the Baths of Caracalla here: www.operaroma.it

After the Baths you will return to the Colosseum. On the way you can turn to Great Circus to inspect it and evaluate its dimensions. There are no special beauties there now: the Great Circus was dismantled piece by piece after the fall of the Roman Empire. Today it is simply a huge field where mass events are sometimes held, for example, rock music concerts.

Coliseum

Coliseum - one of the obligatory points of our route. Officially this building is called Flavian Amphitheater. But because of its size, it almost initially began to be called what it is called today - the Colosseum. Its construction meant the end of Nero's despotic rule and the ensuing civil war. Emperor Vespasian (1st century AD) decided to build an amphitheater on the site of a park with a lake, which were part of the huge complex of Nero's Golden Palace. With his decision, the new emperor seemed to erase the memory of the despot Nero, and gave the land from under the palace to the people. The amphitheater was built quite quickly: in 8 years.

Inside the famous Roman Colosseum, the Colosseum immediately became the main place for entertaining the people. Gladiator fights, naval battles (naumachia), baiting of animals, and magnificent and pompous festivals were held in its arena. The stands of the amphitheater accommodated about 50 thousand spectators.

As soon as Christianity became the official religion in the empire, times of decline began for the Colosseum. In the Middle Ages, it served as a fortress for noble Roman families and was used in their struggle for influence and power. In the 14th century there was a strong earthquake and the Colosseum was badly damaged. Since then, they began to look at it as a source of building material for palaces and temples. Only in the 18th century did attitudes toward the building change; they began to, if not protect it, then at least protect it from destruction. The excavations revealed to viewers the most interesting arrangement of the premises under the arena. Exhibitions dedicated to the history of the Flavian Amphitheater are presented on different floors. Among the exhibits are drawings and models, fragments of decoration of walls and internal arches.

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Walk through the corridors of the Colosseum, rise from level to level, and you will feel the full power of this grandiose structure. Entering the spectator stands, you will see the arena and be amazed at the strength and flexibility of the engineering thought of the creators of the amphitheater. And when you look out from the arches of the Colosseum, the entire surrounding landscape will seem small to you: the Arch of Constantine will look like a children's toy, and the neighboring Palatine Hill will seem like a poor city outskirts.

It is not without reason that the Colosseum is considered the hallmark of Rome, one of its symbols. It's always very crowded here.

You can also buy tickets for the Palatine, the Roman Forum and the Colosseum online: www.isromantique.it or www.ticketsrome.com/it. This will save you from having to stand in queues.

"The Golden House" of Nero

We'll be next on the route "The Golden House" of Nero, Domus Aurea. You need to leave the Colosseum and find Via della Domus Aurea. It is located next to the pedestrian crossing from Piazza Colosseo to Via Labicana. Very close to the beginning of Via della Domus Aurea, Via Serapide joins it. The ticket office of the “Golden House” is located on this street; the entrance to the complex is located on Via della Domus Aurea. The ticket costs 14 euros.

Of course, the “Golden House” itself has been gone for almost 2000 years. After the death of Nero, the palace was dismantled, and its vast territory was built up. But in the museum complex at the excavation site you will be offered virtual tour of the Golden House. You can imagine the scope of Nero’s idea, what his palace was like, which cannot even be called a palace: a city within a city. You will see the remains of some halls, fragments of mosaics and wall paintings.

For a group excursion (there are no individual excursions) to the “Golden House” you must pre-register. You can do this on the sites: www.isromantique.it , www.ticketsrome.com And www.coopculture.it. Here you will sign up and buy your ticket online. When purchasing a ticket online, you will have to pay extra 2 euros for placing an order.

Excursions are held on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 18:15 accompanied by a guide - in Italian, English, Spanish and French. The duration of the excursion is 75 minutes. Don't forget to take warm clothes with you. In order to preserve the wall paintings, the temperature in the halls is maintained at no higher than +10.

Museum complex "Markets of Trajan"

Museum complex Trajan's Markets

And finally, one more place. From the Colosseum, walk up the Via Imperiale Forum to Piazza Venezia. The Street of the Imperial Forum starts from Trajan's Column. This is where you need to go. Go around the column, turn right behind it and along Via Magnanapoli go up a block. On the right side of the street you will see the entrance to museum complex "Markets of Trajan". The complex includes buildings from the 2nd century AD, Trajan's Forum and market premises. You will be able to walk along the streets of imperial Rome, see the buildings of the beginning of our era and even touch the marble decoration of ancient buildings, walk through the Trajan Forum, visit the market and appreciate the construction technology of that time - perhaps, outright multi-story buildings were used here for the first time.

The complex is open daily from 9:30 to 19:30. The ticket costs 11.50 euros.

Second day. Rome Christian

As you know, Christianity did not originate in Rome, but in Rome it received incredible development and, ultimately, official recognition. The initial fate of this religion is quite dramatic. The lives of the first Christians constantly hung in the balance, they were subjected to terrible persecution, they often had to hide not only during life, but also after death. Having become official and main, this religion developed very powerfully. I propose to devote the route of the second day to the history of this development. And I advise you to start the journey from a visit to the Roman catacombs.

Catacombs of Rome- this is a huge network of underground galleries, corridors and tunnels that were used in early Christian times for prayer meetings, and most importantly, for burials. There are about 60 different catacombs in Rome, the total length of the corridors is about 170 km, in total they contain about 750,000 burials. Not all catacombs are Christian. Among them are pagan and Jewish. Not all catacombs are open to the public. Their area is incredibly large; many catacombs are in disrepair. But those that are open are a must to visit.

The Catacombs of Saint Callistus are located on the Old Appian Way. It’s not difficult to find them; it’s a bit of a walk. Take a look at the map. The road is straight all the time and consists of several parts. From the Baths of Caracalla, go straight to Piazzale Numo Pompilio, then along Via di Porta San Sebastiano and Via Appia Antica. There will be a fork in front of the Domine Quo Vadis territory: the Old Appian Way will go to the left. You can follow any of the roads: they will lead you to the Catacombs of St. Callistus. There is an option to get from the Catacombs by bus. Route № 118 walks along the Old Appian Way and stops almost at the entrance to the territory of the catacombs (stop “Catacombe S. Callisto”). Bus № 218 passes from the opposite side of the catacomb territory (stop “Fosse Ardeatine”).

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A forty-minute excursion accompanied by a guide (there are no Russian-speaking guides here) will take place at a depth of 10 meters. You will see early Christian burials, underground chapels, wall mosaics and paintings, the first Christian symbols.

Catacombs opening hours: daily from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00 (the Catacombs are closed on Wednesdays). The ticket costs 8 euros. Website: www.catacombe.roma.it

Lateran Basilica

The best way to get from the Catacombs is to take a bus № 218 and get to Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. In this square we are interested Lateran Basilica(Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano).

The uniqueness of this place is that this basilica is much more important and valuable in terms of the status of the Vatican itself.
Rome Cathedral - every newly elected pope serves his first service here

Once upon a time there was an estate of the Lateran family on this site. Emperor Constantine, having converted to Christianity, donated the Lateran Palace (he got it as a dowry) to the church. A temple was built at the palace. All the popes of the first millennium of the existence of this basilica lived in the Lateran Palace. It was here that five ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church were held. Both the temple and the palace were decorated with luxury: rich gifts were given to the popes. The main relic of the basilica was the Holy Staircase. According to legend, Saint Helena brought her to Rome. According to legend, Christ ascended this staircase to trial before Pilate. Now the Holy Staircase is located opposite the Lateran Basilica. During and after the Avignon captivity of the popes, the basilica fell into disrepair. The papal court moved to the Vatican, but the basilica was rebuilt. Today this grandiose building is a mixed-style building, but it is still majestic and beautiful.

The Lateran Basilica is the cathedral of Rome. The temple is very beautiful both outside and inside. Stored here frescoes by Giotto, mosaics by Torriti and Camerino. Several popes are buried in the cathedral.

The basilica is open to tourists from 10:00 to 17:00(Monday to Friday) and until 15:00 on Saturdays, on Sunday the temple is closed for tourists, the basilica museum is open from 10:00 to 17:30.

Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four main basilicas of Rome and seven pilgrimage churches

From the Lateran Basilica, the straight Via Merulana leads to the left. 20 minutes walk along this street and you are already in front of the entrance to the basilica Santa Maria Maggiore. According to legend, the basilica was built at the behest of the Virgin Mary, who appeared in a dream on a summer night in 352 to Pope Liberius and ordered the church to be built where snow would fall tomorrow. On August 5, 352, there was snow on the Esquiline hill, where the basilica now stands. There is no point in describing the interior, you have to see it. Let me just say for starters that the gilded coffered ceiling is of particular interest. The temple was constantly decorated and completed. Several are buried here popes x, here lies the architect Giovanni Bernini. The cathedral contains Christ's manger.

You can visit one of the most ancient and beautiful basilicas in Rome every day from 7:00 to 18:45. Basilica page: www.vatican.va

St. Peter's Square and Vatican

And already from this basilica, as they say, God himself ordered to go in a straight line and not just anywhere, but to Vatican, to St. Peter's Square. The best way to go this route is on foot. The path is not close, but not difficult, it will take about 50 minutes. But you will explore the city center. From the basilica, Via Panisperna goes to the left, along which you will enter Piazza Venezia. From the square to the left goes Plebescito Street (Via del Plebescito), which a little later flows into Victor Emmanuel II Avenue (Corso Vittorio Emanuele II). The avenue crosses the Tiber and flows into Reconciliation Street (Via della Conciliazione), which will lead you straight to St. Peter's Square and the cathedral of the same name. I suggest taking a walk around the square, and be sure to stop by the cathedral.