The Pantheon and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

We actually came across the Pantheon by accident. I know what your thinking. What kind of loser "accidentally" finds the Pantheon. We were looking for the Trevi Fountain. We had turned off this narrow street that opened up into a crowded space and there it was. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Ooo, Look at that building. Isn't that something. Wait, I think that's the Pantheon!
Husband: It is?
Me: No, nevermind. That's not the Pantheon. Huh, I think it is the Pantheon.

It stood out in a quiet way. It wasn't as tall on the outside that it appears to be in pictures. It's just this amazing building stuck in time as the city grew around it. It's when you walk up to it and inside that you are truly overwhelmed.

The most remarkable thing is how well preserved it is. The Pantheon was originally built as a temple to the Roman gods. Fortunately in 609 BC it was consecrated a Christian church which made a crime to remove even one stone from the structure.

It is also used as a tomb. The two kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I were buried there, as well as Raphael.

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We got lost looking for the Trevi Fountain. It was our first day in Rome and it was late. We went twice. The first time at night which is the most beautiful time to go in my opinion. The second time during the day. Both times were extremely crowded but still worth it. Of course I had to toss a coin over my shoulder. Hey, I want to come back to Rome! There are many different legends to the coin toss but it goes something like this-throw one coin, you are ensured a return to Rome and two coins to get married.

The fountain which was completed in 1762 depicts the kingdom of the Ocean. The sea god Oceanus or Neptune with horses, tritons and shells. The two horses, one quiet the other wild, represent the two personalities of the sea.

The fountain became popular with the film La Dolce Vita and Three Coins in the Fountain.

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Address: Piazza di Trevi

The Roman Forum was the center of life in ancient Rome. There were various shrines and temples in the forum however much of it has been destroyed. Columns and stone blocks are all that remain of some temples. The arch of Titus and the arch of Septimius Severus are in good shape. Like many other ancient buildings, including the Colosseum, stone blocks have been removed from the Forum and used to build nearby churches and palaces. And after the fall of Rome the area became a cow pasture.

I didn't think I would be impressed by the Roman Forum. A lot of guide books talk about how little remains but all you need is a some imagination to really enjoy it.

One of my favorite structures was the basilica of Maxentius because it's size was impressive and also because it was slightly off to the side and away from the crowds. I also liked the Curia. It was plain on the outside but inside held two marble reliefs and a beautiful inlaid floor. There was always an interesting find such as a 4th century bronze door or marble statue.

One thing I regret is not buying one of the maps being sold. I had a good guidebook and I thought that would be enough but knowing which building you were looking at can be confusing and we often got them mixed up. So definately go with a tour or be sure to have a good map/guide book.

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Another place I found by accident. I did want to see the Piazza Navona but I was looking for something else at the time. A nice businessman saw me looking at a map said "Piazza Navona?" and gestured to a street off to the side so I decided to take a look.

Another place I really enjoyed. The piazza was filled with all types of artists. The famous Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers) was covered but the beautiful Fontana Del Moro also by Bernini was running. It was a popular place but not over-crowded like other attractions. Very nice and relaxing. There were many restaurants at the edge of the square.

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We followed VTer's advice and bought our tickets at Palantine Hill.

The only problem was we couldn't figure out which entrance or line was for people with tickets. It's very crowded and confusing. A tour guide told us the line to the left side was for people with tickets so got behind her tour group and walked in with them. Well, someone in line started yelling at us "I hope your happy with yourselves...going to the front of the line." I don't know if he didn't realize we had tickets or we were actually cutting in line (quite possible) or what. Very confusing.

Anyway, I had downloaded a good walking tour on my iPod and really enjoyed myself once I was inside. Although very little is left of the colosseum it was still a very impressive structure. It took 8 years to build the ampitheater starting in A.D. 72 to it's inaugeration in A.D. 80. and could hold up to 50,000. Many of the stones were scavenged to build churches and palaces.

The prophecy goes "while the Colosseum stands, Rome shall stand: when the Colosseum falls, Rome shall fall: when Rome falls, the world shall fall."

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Built in 1622, the Piazza di Spagna is named for the Palazzo Spagna. The residence of the Spanish ambassador to the Holy See.

Our hotel was about a half block away from the Spanish Steps so in the evenings we would sit and people watch. It was always busy with tourists, locals and students. There was always at least one person playing a guitar with a group of people gathered around. Of course you had the various vendors trying to sell bubbles or that glowing thing they toss into the air and of course roses. Overall it was a very laid back place day or night.

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Located near the Piazza Navona. Campo de' Fiori is a great place to get away from the throng of tourists elsewhere. The streets surrounding the square are named for various trades such as the Via dei Giubbonari (tailors) and Via dei Chiavari (Keymakers).

Campo de' Fiori translates as "field of flowers". A bustlilng street market filled with fruits, vegetables, flowers, anything you could want. It is very similar to the farmer's market in the U.S. My husband and I walked around and sampled the food from different booths including some amazing cheese and pastries. We ultimately bought a jar of organic nocciole (hazelnut) to go with our breakfast. Yummmm.

In the center of the square is the statue of Giordano Bruno, the philosopher burned at the stake at for heresy in 1600.

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We took the Metro to Cipro. It was easy to find from there if you looked for the signs.

The line to get in was long but moved fast. I enjoyed walking through the rooms of the museum which had everything from Egyptian artifacts to works by Raphael. It was a long walk to the Sistine Chapel. And we couldn't have rushed through even if we wanted to because of the crowds. Both the ceiling and the Last Judgement were breathtaking. I could have sat there for hours just looking at all the little details. There is no talking and pictures are not allowed. And there was a guard whose job it was to prevent pictures and keep everyone quiet. He kept saying "Silence....Silencio...No talking...No Camera...No Video" over and over in a monotone voice which was interrupted only by three sharp claps when the whispers became too loud. I took a few pictures while he went into the crowd to yell at a woman taking pictures. That's so tacky I know but I was very subtle and placed the camera in my lap and didn't use my flash:)

Michelangelo was in his 30's when he painted the Sistine Chapel. He considered himself a sculpter not a painter and didn't want to take on the project. He was working on the tomb of Pope Julius II at the time when the pope requested that he paint the frescoes. The physically demanding project took 4 years throughout which Machelangelo and Pope Julius II argued frequently. Michelangelo once locking the doors to prevent the pope from checking on the project and the pope threatening to topple Michelangelo from the scaffolding.

The Rough Guide has some interesting background on Michelangelo and these two projects that is worth reading.

As you leave the museum there are many shops and a post office where you can have your mail postmarked from Vatican City.

Shorts, sleeveless tops or any other revealing clothing are not be allowed in St. Peter’s Basilica or the Vatican museums. There are people selling scarves outside if you need them to cover up.

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After our visit to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel we were exhausted but walked over to St. Peter's Square. Even though it can be crowded at times it was very peaceful to sit under the vast columns and watch the crowds and take in the surroundings. The piazza, another on of Bernini's creations, was designed to hold the large crowds who arrive during religious events. It was exciting to see in person what I have only seen in news coverage.

There is a red stone on the north-west side of the square on the exact spot where Pope John Paul II was shot.

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