The Pantheon:A Myth not at all and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Far from it what may seem, and under the crosses and Madonnas, this is a pagan temple. There's a myth that says that the architecture of this building is so smooth that it keeps rain from falling in, even considering the ceiling has a big hole in the middle of it of some tenths meters... of course, this is false, and when it rains, the only thing it keeps the floor from becoming dumped is a good sinking that drains the water down under the surface :) (actually, when it only drizzles, it is feasible that the hot air leaving the building keeps the water out, or just dries before contacting the floor, but when it rains, it gets wet, I can tell you!)

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Address: Just at Pza. della Rotonda
Directions: Not far from Pza Navona, half way to Via del Corso. For a straigth path, try from L.go di Torre Argentina by Via di Torre Argentina, it's, after walking about 200m, just on your right.

This place is an interesting crossroad on the old Rome, as it is the natural way and center from the commercial Via del Corso (good place to by cheap silk ties, for an instance), with all the monumental places beside (a wide span from Pza. del Quirinale to Pza. Navona), and the vast roman rests on the other side (Campidoglio, Foro di Trajano, Foro Romano, the Palatino areas, and finally, the Colosseo and Circo Massimo). The monument itself is... big.

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Address: Pzza. Venezia

This is a relatively modern basilic, nicely decorated and really huge from the inside. If also has the portrait of all the popes in history, spread around the walls of main hall. As it is not far away from the metro station, I recommend it as a stop when you go or return from the Ostiense train line (to Ostia Antica, o Lido) and you have to transfer to the metro Linea B: why not to have a short break of train and see some art?

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Address: 150m from Basilica San Paolo metro and train stn.

This great building was built in the place a "signal" was received by the people in that times (snow falled in a summer just in that place). That occasion is conmemorated every year by throwing white rose petals -I don't remember the day-. Worth a visit. If you feel tired of art and churches, you can walk down Via Carlo Alberto to the Piazza Vittorio, where you find a dirty-cheap street market for clothes and such things... I recommend the church, in this case, anyway.

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Address: Pza. dell Esquilino
Directions: Walking by Via Cavour, 4 blocks from Termini station. Between metro stations Termini and Vittorio E.

This is a must see rest, although there's not much to see of the original place, as only some parts of the building's skeleton remain. Even that, it is impressive. Pretty huge, and still keeping still.

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Address: Pza. del Colosseo
Directions: Close to the Foro Romano and the Palatino, easy to find.

What can I say about this fountain... It's probably the most famous, perhaps in the world. Actually, it's a must see place, it occupies most of the space on the square it is located, happening to pop up from the buildings on one side of it... well, interesting... do not look for details, it is also populated by a mess of electric cables, and, definitively, coins. Do not know if your desires come true after donating to the fountain, but be careful in Rome: there are hundreds of fountains, so bring a lot of change if you want your desires come true... :)

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Address: Fontana di Trevi
Directions: Very close to Pza. Colonna (in Via del Corso) and also to Pza. del Quirinale.

This place is often a must visit, due to the famous Bocca della Verita, who is said to bit your right hand if you inserti ti on its mouth and you're a lier... well. But if you get there, just have a look around, there are still other things to see in these place: just walk to the river side to enjoy of a nice view of these ancient remains!

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Address: Pza. Bocca della Verita'
Directions: Just behind the Circo Massimo

Walking by the Tiber river, you realize there are a lot of bridges, many of them not very old (only some hundred years). But there's still one piece of an original roman bridge, pretty carved and reasonably standing still.

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Address: Ponto Rotto
Directions: Close to Isola Tiberina, a few meters from the Pza. Bocca della Verita'

Walking by this piece of Rome is, appart from an exercise of orientation, a pleasure. Narrow winding streets, easy small village life, and a lot of trattorias (familiar restaurants) are smell in the air. Actually, not very different from the area of Campo de Fiori...

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Directions: Opposite to the Palatino area, on the other side of the Tiber river. Look for the Isola Tiberina (Tiberine island) on your map... then on your left.

A smooth walk by several interesting rests, if you are able to avoid crowds, kids, portrait lovers... amazing how the architecture sticks onto the uneven terrain of a small hill: romans had to be in good health or use horse power intensively! :)

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Address: Pza. d'Aracoelli
Directions: A few meters down to the Tiber from Pza. Venezia (looking from the square at the Vitorio Emanuele II monument -the big building- walk by the street on your right)