Whats better than searching for a building? and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Ok, this is supposed to be a "Must See" thing in Rome. Just to warn you, its hidden. Well not hidden but not out in the open either. So bring a map, but it is worth seeing this ancient ruin in the middle of the booming city.

Lonely Planet- "The Pantheon is the best preserved building of ancient Rome. The original temple was buiilt in 27 BC by Marcus Agrippa, son-in-law of Emperor Augustus, and dedicated to the planetary gods. Agrippa's name remains inscribed over the entrance.

Over the centuries the temple was consistently plundered and damaged. The gilded-bronze roof tiles were removed by an emporer of the eastern empire, and Pope Urban VIII had the bronze ceiling of the portico melted down to make the canopy over the mail alter of St Peter's and 80 cannons for Castel Sant' Angelo. The Pantheon's extraordinary dome is considered the most important achievement of ancient Roman architecture. The Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I and the painter Raphael are buried there.

Leave a Comment

Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Other Contact: Free admission

Piazza Venezia is dominiated by this fortress of a monument. What a beautiful sight though, and belive me you cant miss it. Plus watch out, its guarded day and night. And dang can though guards be intimidating after midnight.

Lonely Planet- " this piazza is overshadowed by the neoclassical Monumento Vittorio Emanuele II, often referred to by Italians as the macchina da sscrivere (typewriter) due to its appearance. Built to commemorate Italian unification, the piazza incorporates the Altare della Patria and the tomb of the unknown soldier, as well as the Museo del Risorgimento. Also in the piazza is the 15th century Palazzo Venezia, which was Mussolini's official residence."

Leave a Comment

Ok people, this is the real party seen for the romans. NOOOO people not Russel Crow, the real Gladiators. Now it really is this big and it really is this impressive. So when you go to see it be careful that you dont faint or anything from the "shock and awe."

Lonely Planet- "Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, Rome's most famous monument was begun by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72. The massive structure could seat 80,000 and featured bloody gladitorial combat and wild beast shows that resulted in thousands of human and animal deaths.

In the Middle Ages the Colosseum became a fortress and was later used as a quarry for traverine and marble. Resoration works have been under way since 1992. Avoid having your photo taken with the muscly dudes dressed as gladiators, who will make extortionate demands for money.

Leave a Comment

Phone: 06 700 4261
Other Contact: Admission with Palatine 8euro

This is a living history lesson folks. What a way to learn about the past, but to walk the streets where the history was made.

Lonely Planet- "The commercial, political and religious centre of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum stands in a valley between the Capitoline and Palatine (Palatino) hills. The area became a centre for political ralleis, public ceremonies and senate meetings. The area was systematically excavated in the 18th and 19th centuries. You can enter the Forum from Via dei Fori Imperiali, which leads from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum.

As you enter to you left is the Tempio di Antonino e Faustina, erected by the senate in AD 141 and transformed into a church in the 8th century. To your right are the remains of the Basilica Aemilla, built in 179 BC and plundered for marble during the Renaissance. The Via Sacra, which traverses the Forum from northwest to southeast, runs in front of the basilica. Towards the Campidoglio is the Curia, once the meeting place of the Roman Senate and converted into a church. In front of the Curia is the Lapis Niger, a large piece of black marble which legend says covered the grave of Romulus.

The Arco di Settimo Severo was erected in AD 203 in honour of this emperor and his sons, and is considered one of Italys major triumphal arches. A circular base stone beside the arch marks the umbilicus urbis, the symbolic centre of ancient Rome.

South along the Via Sacra is the Tempio di Saturno, one of the most important temples in ancient Rome. The Basilica Giulia, in front of the temple, was the seat of the justice. Nearby is the Tempio di Giulio Cesare (Temple of Juilius Ceasar), erected by Augustus in 29 BC. Its the spot where Mark Antony read his famous speech.

In the Area southeast of the temple is the Chiesa di Santa Maria Antiqua, the oldest Christian church in the Forum. Back on the Via Sacra is the Case delle Vestali, home of the virgins who tended the sacred flame in the adjoining Tempio di Vesta."

Leave a Comment

After searching through narrow streets the buildings clear away and open to show the world this man made wonder. How glorious the gods must have been when this masterpiece was finally finished. To bad it took 30 years or so to complete.

Lonely Planet- " The high-baroque Fontana di Trevi was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732. Its water was supplied by one of Romes earliest aqueducts. The custom is to throw a coin into the fountain (with your right hand over your left shoulder while facing away) to ensure you return to Rome. If you throw a second coin you can make a wish."

Ok I heard that if you throw 1 coin you are to return to Rome. If you throw 2 you, you are to return and fall in love. 3 coins means you will fall in love and get married in Rome. But thats just what i heard.

Also if you look up at the top window on the right of the building it is bricked up. I heard a ghost story while on a tour of the fountain. The familiy who commissioned the fountain found the son one morning dead on the side of the fountain. It looked as if he had been thrown out of the window and murdered, but he pope called it a suicide leaving the mans soul to roam. Sighting of him had become so frequent that they bricked up the window hoping to cause his spirit to leave. But take a look for yourself and see. Maybe make up your own ghost story.

Leave a Comment

Other Contact: Dont forget your coins!!!

The Spanish steps, which were actually built by the French for the Spanish to try and bring peace between the embassies in Rome. They also lead to the most expensive shopping district in Rome along with the Cafe Greco. Famous more for its customers than for its coffee.

Lonely Planet- "This piazza, church and famous staircase have long provided a major gathering place. Built in 1725 and named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, the steps lead to the church of Trinita dei Monti. In the 18th century beautiful Italians gathered there, hoping to be chosen artists' models, and many beauties of both sexes are still around. To the right as you face the steps is the house where John Keats spent the last 3 months of his life in 1821. In the piazza is the boat-shaped Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo. One of Romes most elegant and expensive shopping streets, Via Condotti, runs off the piazza towards Via del Corso."

Leave a Comment