Castel Sant Angelo and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

Being an avid Dan Brown "Angels and Demons" fan - I simply had to go around Rome and to see the many places that were featured in the book.

Castel Sant Angelo was one of the prominient places featured as this was where the climatic meeting between the Assasin and the hero of the book had their final encounter.

The Castle has five floors. This castle is now used as a military museum and one is able to climb up to the terrace on top to get a birds eye view of the city!.

I was a bit sceptic by the claim in the book stating that there was/is a corridor connecting the Vatican city (which is just a stone's throw away btw and can be seen from the castle) to the Castle but apparently this is a fact. Castel Sant'Angelo was connected to the vatican by allowing the castle to become a refuge of Popes when Rome was under seige.

Castel Sant'Angelo was an equal opportunity castle, it also hosted popes in its prisons.

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Address: Piazza P. Paoli
Directions: Castel Sant'Angelo open daily from 9am to 7pm, closed Monday.

You will be able to see the Castle from the Vatican city - the Angel is hard to miss.

The Bridge of Angels that was constructed by the Emperor Aelius Hadrian across the Tiber to access to his mausoleum which is the now the 'Castle of Angels' (it was converted as a fortress by the Popes in the middle ages).

The bridge itself is decorated with ten statues of angels based on designs by Bernini in the 17th century. It symbolises the transformation of Rome from the centre of the Roman Empire into the centre of Christianity.

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Address: Castel Sant'Angelo

Admittingly I have not been to any other country outside of London to see so many landmarks in one city but the Trevi Fountain must be one of the more famous landmarks in Rome.

The main focus is to the sea God Neptune, riding a winged chariot driven by sea horses.The chariot is drawn by winged steels and is led by a pair of tritons, the figures in the side represent good health and fertility.

Many a tourist throw coins into the fountain as its claimed that if one throws a coin, the fountain it guarantees your return to Rome. A second subsequent coin, if thrown in allows for a 'wish' - or so the claim says.. I think I got this from a Lonely Planet book. Do remember tho that the coin must be thrown using your LEFT hand over the RIGHT shoulder.

I loved this place so much that I came back to get night snaps - as my pic shows.

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Address: Trevi Square
Directions: Within walking distance of the Spanish steps and the Novana Square. Easy markers are visible as guide.

Contrary to popular belief, the Coliseum was not built by Nero but by the the Vespasiano and followed on by his son Titus. The original name to the now famous Coliseum was The Amphitheatrum Flavium but got its current name due to the huge oval stadium.

I took the one of the guided tours available when buying my entrance fee into the Coliseum and its well worth the E$

Here I learnt that the Colliseum is over 5 stories tall and with 80 entrances and it its hey-day could hold upwards of 50,000 spectators. The events itself was not a full blood bath as claimed as the the professional gladiators were actually revered by the Romans are were often used as soldiers during wars and were often given 'privileges' that was not available to the citizens. Mind you, that does not mean that there was no blood shed. As entertainment to the citizens (as well as to keep them in the good side to avoid any coups), wild animals brought in from Africa and Asia. There were instances where the whole arena would be flooded over for mock navy battles! These battles were arranged by removing the heavy wooden flooring and flooding the lower cells, which usually housed the animals and prisoners.

A must see for sure.. and yeah, I went back for a night pic :-)

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Phone: +39 067004261
Address: Piazza del Colosseo
Directions: Take map will travel! Its near the Roman columns, around 20 mins walk away from the Termini. Otherwise take the train to the Colosseo station

Even before the book 'Angels and Demons' by Dan Brown, the Pantheon was already established as one of the must see places in Roma.

The Pantheon is a popular tourist attraction with a bustling piazza. The interiors only source of light is the opening at the dome's apex - or the oculus - in the book. It is an open hole hence should it rain, it does get wet!

The Pantheon is now the final resting place for many a famous Italian which includes Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele I.

Note: Do not forget to sign the guest book.

Enterance is free

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Phone: +39 0668300230
Address: Piazza della Rotonda
Directions: Walking is always an option, otherwise the nearest train station is SPAGNA. If you are around the vicinitu of the Piazza Novona, its 5 mins away.

Nooooo..the Spanish steps was NOT built by the Spanish in Italy so get rid of that thought immediately. Rather, this steps were named as it was close to the Spanish embassy - at that time.

It leads up to the to the chiesa di Trinitą dei Monti. Fashion shows are regularly around the proximity of the steps, or on the steps - easily done as the designer boutiques such as Gucci and Rolex (its very large poster now adorn the top of the steps as it can be seen on my pic).. and where I got my handy Amex replacement card (trust me, Amex did NOT pay me for this constant endorsement I am doing on my Rome pages..its jz that I am eternally grateful!)

Did I mention that this is the main shopping area for designer stuff??

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Address: Piazza di Spagna
Directions: Its a 5 or so min walk from the Piazza Barberini

I try... I DO try to actually add some personal insights as well as jz mundane boring things about my own experiances when it comes to the tips and hits that I put on my page. Sometimes this is a task that I do exteremely well, othertimes I fail miserably.

Nevertheless, I will preserve and continue on.

Now - yes, when at the Spanish Steps, do not disregard the charming lil fountain sitting at the foot of the steps. Take a look (or several perhaps) - walk around the fountain, maybe even touch it. Done it? Satisfied? Good. Let me explain. This is yet another beautiful example of a commission done by Barberini. The fountain, shaped as a boat and is therefore known as the 'Barcaccia' was created by Barberini to commemorate the alliance made with the King of France whose coat of arms can be seen on Trinitą dei Monti.

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Address: Piazza di Spagna
Directions: See my Spanish steps tip for directions ;-)

This piazza, situated a mere stone throw away from the Panteon again has one of Bernini's creation in the form of a fountain *and yes, I am going into THE book again* - this is where the 'water' clue can be found :-)

The main feature to this piazza is the central fountain by Bernini - the Fontana dei Fiumi.
The first thing obvious is the structure that supports an obelisk that was an ancient Roman imitation of the Egyptian form. All around this structure are four giant statues by Bernini's pupils following his designs representing the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Rio della Plata, each representing one of the four quarters of the world.

The piazza itself is flanked by open air cafes so there is plenty of opportunites to simply relax, enjoy the ambience and have a cuppa relaxing coffee *or tea if that catches your fancy*. There is also plenty of buskers around the piazza, a pleasant occupation to see.. a coupla euros and some of the mimes will even have do a stint or two for you!

Unfortunately, the piazza's gorgeous views is marred by the fact of the tons of street peddlers selling their wares - usually fake designer bags. There was this huge fight between an Italian peddler and a foreign one (I think its Indian and African) that knocked the Indian out cold and plenty of bloodshed on the Italian - the intervention of the local police did not dispel some of the fear of the piazza, especially at night! And this fight was in broad daylight even.

Don't let this tip stop you from going tho - jz be careful.

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Address: Piazza Novona
Directions: Plenty of signs available as a guide fom the Pantheon.