"Rome : A Surpise Around Every Corner" Top 5 Page for this destination Rome by von.otter

Rome Travel Guide: 12,388 reviews and 27,842 photos

Lion & Horse, Capitoline Museum, December 2000

I have had a fascination with the Eternal City since I was child. The history and the art and the spirituality speak out across the centuries to stir something deep within me.

Within the last nine years we have visited Rome three times. Each visit has brought great joy, great wonder, great surprises.

Lion & Horse, Capitoline Museum, May 2007

The three photos shown here, all of the same subject, a lion attacking a horse, offer an example of the joy, the wonder and the surprise that Rome holds for me.

The first photo was taken in December 2000 from the rooftop terrace caffè at the Capitoline Museum at the Campidoglio. When I looked over the parapet wall and saw this ancient sculpture I gasped. What a surprise! What a joy! What wonder!

Lion & Horse, Capitoline Museum, May 2007

Seven years later, I rounded a corner within the same museum to see the same work of art at ground level. This perfectly marvelous emissary from the Ancient World had the power to move me yet again; I gasped.

And it serves as a metaphor for all of Rome: around every corner there is something wonderful to dazzle, to excite, to bring joy and wonder.

Pros and Cons

Pros:A treasure of art and history.
Cons:Too much graffiti & too many tour group buses
In a nutshell:Stirring inspiration from art, history, religion: all in one place.

Last visit to Rome: May 2007
Intro Updated Oct 2, 2009
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Reviews (161)

Well Situated Hotels (2)

“Rome has grown since its humble beginnings that it is now overwhelmed by its own greatness.” —Titus Livius (59-17... more travel advice

The Obelisk, St. Peter’s Square, May 2007 - Rome

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Porte di Roma Off The Beaten Path (8)

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Church of Sant'Ivo, Interior, Rome, May 2007 - Rome

Church of Sant'Ivo, Interior Things to Do (126)

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Local Customs (6)
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Warnings and Dangers (1)
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Shopping (4)
See All Marble: An Italian Tradition
What to Pack (1)
Pack Lightly
Restaurants (8)
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Travelogues (5)

Written Oct 2, 2009

8 photos

Marble Athletes
Written Jul 12, 2009

8 photos

Papal Coats-of-Arms
Written Apr 21, 2009

8 photos

Penecost Sunday : Magic at the Pantheon
Written Dec 3, 2010

8 photos

The Protestant Cemetery : “So Sweet a Place”

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Comments (17)

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Maurizioago Nov 21, 2014 at 2:08 AM

Very good page....it takes ages to read all tips here.

Ciao!
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IreneMcKay Dec 11, 2012 at 3:49 AM

Lovely page with fascinating tips. Keep up the good work. Cheers, Irene
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hunterV Aug 5, 2012 at 11:42 AM

~~ Great places to visit! Thanks for your very detailed and interesting pages!
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asiantraveler Mar 8, 2012 at 1:48 PM

nice page!
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gilabrand Dec 9, 2010 at 12:24 PM

Very good restaurant tips!
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mxtierney Jul 28, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Great place, no tourists, but me. I love Carla-- captured a pic of her smiling lovingly at season's 1st fresh artichoke. Every course incredible, wines were excellent & affordable! We sipped homemade lemoncello together til 2:30 am! Went back a 2nd night!
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jeffdufour Jul 9, 2010 at 9:19 AM

re: Sermoneta - bought there in Sept. 2007 - now they don't seem to be there anymore. Do you know anything more about them? Thanks
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icunme Jul 11, 2009 at 8:26 AM

Your Rome pages prompt study, especially liked the story of the geese. Am returning to the Museo Cap tomorrow and looking for many things I read on my tour w/you. Grazie for all your work!
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breughel Apr 16, 2009 at 5:30 AM

Interesting details on the architecture of the Pantheon.
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daddygila Mar 29, 2009 at 9:10 AM

Absolutely wonderful info and pictures of Vatican gardens. Will be in Rome this Easter....can't wait !