Rome Off the Beaten Path Tips by abarbieri

The church of Santa Maria della Vittoria holds one of Bernini's most famous works: The Ecstasy of St.Teresa in the Cornaro chapel(the fourth on the left).
This Art Gem is more visited now because it is mentioned in the Angels & Demons book by Dan Brown.
Located on Via XX Settembre 17, not far from Piazza della Repubblica and Via Veneto, can be visited from 8.30 till 11am and from 3.30 till 6pm but I suggest to call ahead and check.

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Phone: 06.42740571
Website: www.chiesasmariavittoria.191.it

There are several Catacombs available in Rome. Not all of them can be visited and some of them are more easy to reach.
This of Priscilla are not that far from the city center and they are very interesting.
Tours are available in English.

Catacombe di Priscilla
Via Salaria 430
Open 8.30/12 - 14.30/17
Closed Monday

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Phone: ++39.06.86206272

This site is not open to the public but you can take part to a private visit organized by the well known Pierreci company. Reservation is essential and I suggest to call at least 10 days in advance. Visits are available the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month at 11am.
There are many other sites not open to the public that you can be visited the same way and they are all included in the "Archeologia Nascosta" programme (find full listing on the web site)

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Phone: +39.06.39967700
Website: www.pierreci.it

It is not open to the public but small groups (minimum 10 people) can send a written request (fax) to the Amministrazione Boncompagni for a Friday morning private visit that will cost Euro 12 per person.

It was built by Cardinal Ludovisi in the 17th century and frescoed by the Italian painter Giovan Francesco Barbieri named "Guercino". The ceiling fresco's subject is Aurora the goddess of dawn.

You will also admire the painting "Jupiter, Neptune and Pluto" by the Italian Baroque master Michelangelo Merisi called Caravaggio. It is unusually painted in oils on plaster (oil painting is normally on canvas or sometimes on wood).

Entrance is from Via Lombardia 44, right in front of Hotel Sofitel

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Phone: 06.483942
Other Contact: fax 06.42010745

This is one of the most exclusive places in Rome where to arrange great big events and gala dinners. Also the Princess Isabelle Apartment can be rented for this purpose.

However individuals do have the possibility to visit it every Saturday morning (9am-1pm) all year around but not in August. Access to the Palace will be from Via della Pilotta 17.

Find out more about the real cannon ball you see on the steps of the gallery!!

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Phone: +39.06.6784350
Website: www.galleriacolonna.it

Palazzo Massimo alle Colonne
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II n°141

The residences of the Massimo Family is a master work designed by the great Italian architect and painter Baldassarre Peruzzi in 1532.
The little chapel on the 2nd floor was the room where the young Paolo (14 yrs - member of the Massimo Family) was recalled briefly to life by Saint Philip Neri in March 16, 1583. The palace is open to public only on that day every year and a mass is celebrated in the morning to commemorate the miraculous event.

I have noticed that VT member MM212 has great Rome pages and a tip about it too.

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The Palace is not open to the public but every first day of the month you can visit the palace's main attraction: the Casino dell'Aurora. The casino overlooks the Piazza Quirinale and contains what is considered Guido Reni's fresco masterpiece: The "Aurora" ("Dawn" bringing light to the world).

Address:
Via XXIV Maggio, 43 (right in front of the Scuderie Papali)

Opening hours:
10-12/15-17 the first day of each month (not on January 1st though!!)

Free of charge

Part of the same Palace is also rented out for congresses, meetings and gala dinners:
www.congressirospigliosi.it

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Phone: +39.06.4814344
Website: www.casinoaurorapallavicini.it
Other Contact: +39.4742615 fax

They are located not far from the Colosseum. Interesting especially for those visitors who have time available and like underground Rome and digs.
Many local couples do get married in the church (Basilica dei SS Giovanni e Paolo al Celio) located just upstairs.
Full information are provided on the web site.

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Website: www.caseromane.it

A must for Renaissance art/architecture lovers!!
It is located on Via della Lungara 230 in the Trastevere area, just beside the Tiber river.
It is not a huge place but it has great art works and many interesting stories/legends related to it:
-Triumph of Galatea by Raphael
-Loggia of Cupid and Psyche with Raphael's painting of the Three Graces
-Salone delle Prospettive (frescoes - upstairs) by Baldassarre Peruzzi
-The wedding of Alexander and Roxanne (upstairs) by Sodoma

It is open only in the morning from 9am till 1pm Mon-Sat. Entrance fee is Euro 5 per person.
Visitor's help desk can be contacted at tel. +39.06.68027267 or send a fax to +39.06.68027513

More information on the web at:
http://www.lincei.it/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=27

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Phone: +39.06.68027268 Ticket's office
Website: www.lincei.it
Other Contact: farnesina@lincei.it

It located just next door to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme and only 10 minutes walk from the Basilica of St. John in Lateran.
This place is now little more famous because there was some press coverage when the new iron and glass door by contemporary artist Jannis Kounellis was officially presented to the public (November 2007)
You can also buy their produce from the little shop open few days a week.
I suggest to call ahead or send an email to find out about guided tours and opening hours.
There is also a hotel in the same complex :www.domussessoriana.it

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Phone: +39.06.7014769
Website: www.basilicasantacroce.com