Tourist Guide Rome

• Rome
• Colosseum-symbol-of-Rome
• Circus-Maximus
• Roman-Forum
• Pantheon-Rome
• St-Peters-Basilica-and-St-Peters-Square
• Castel-Sant-Angelo
• Sistine-Chapel-and-Vatican-Museum
• Catacombs-tombs-of-early-Christians
• The-Trevi-Fountain-as-a-meeting-place-for-lovers
• The-Spanish-Steps
• Domus-Aurea-Golden-House-of-Nero
• Capitol-seat-of-the-first-museum-in-the-world
• Santa-Maria-Maggiore-Lateran-Basilica
• Via-Appia-Antica
• Ostia-Antica
• Roman-Nightlife
• Amusement-Parks-in-Rome
• Cultural-Activities-in-the-Eternal-City
• Accommodation-Rome
• Rome-a-paradise-for-Shopping
• Good-and-cheap-public-transport
• Roman Thermae

Rome the Eternal City

There are many large and beautiful cities in the world, be it Paris, London, New York, Sydney, Hong Kong or Tokyo. However, few cities offer the traveller – whether young or old, individual tourist or a school excursion such a wide variety of impressions, sights and stimulations as the ‘Eternal City’ on the Tiber. When one says Rome – one implies history. Here one feels like the history is practically alive making it so different in comparison to the dry history-books or boring Latin lessons. Rightly so, as Rome is one of the world’s culture capitals.

Since 1871 Rome has been the capital of the Republic of Italy. In ancient times Rome was for its time a gigantic metropolis with over a million inhabitants. During the period of migration this number fell to just 20,000; it took centuries before the population recovered. Only in 1936 did the number of inhabitants reach the ‘one million’ mark. Today Rome is once again the largest city in Italy and has a population of approximately 2.7 million, with almost 3.5 million living in the vast city. Although the official founding date of Rome was the year 753 BC, several settlements existed there long before this date. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the city has been inhabited continuously for more than 3000 years. Despite the population of Rome being surpassed by many other world metropolises, few other cities can beat the eternal Rome on the number of sites it has. One almost stumbles over ancient buildings, monuments or graves. Furthermore, there aren’t just sights from the time of the Caesars – the Middle Ages and more modern times are represented by many sights and worthwhile tourist attractions.

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Part of the city on the seven hills is the Vatican City. Being smaller than 0.5 square metres in size and with 900 nationals it is the smallest country in the world and lies as an enclave in the middle of the city of Rome. There will hardly be a visitor to the city of Tiberius that does not pay a visit to the Vatican City – at least to those parts open to the public. Especially on major religious occasions e.g. Easter when the Pope delivers his famous blessing “urbi et orbi”, thousands of believers from all over the world crowd onto the famous St. Peter’s Square. Besides this the Vatican City has unique art treasures and cultural heritage to offer.

One thing that should by all means be remembered when visiting Rome: staying in the Italian capital is stressful. There is so much to see and experience that one can under no circumstances see everything in a few days. In addition, Rome is a first class international attraction not just for tourists but also for politicians, scientists and the jet-set. Accordingly large are the crowds that appear at the famous sights; one shouldn’t be afraid of people. Also for the calm and solitude-treasuring nature lovers Rome is not a good holiday destination. If however one is willing to patiently endure the inevitable hardships, one will be rewarded with impressions that you can keep for the rest of your life. Even if one has seen the famous buildings of Rome many times on the television or cinema – nothing can replace first hand impressions and personal experiences. The atmosphere of a city has to be experienced first hand. For this reason a trip to Rome is definitely worthwhile.

The Colosseum - a symbol of Rome

The Colosseum of Rome
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The sights of Rome are so numerous that not each and every one can be taken in- rather only the most important and interesting. Thus, for example relatively few people know that one of the many epithets of Rome – ‘City of Obelisks’ comes because the Romans during their rule over the ancient Egyptians, brought many of theses stones back with them as a sign of victory and erected them in public places.

One of the most important ancient monuments and landmarks of the city is the Colosseum. At its time it was the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire and was built in an astonishingly short amount of time from 72-80 AD. It is astonishing when one considers that at that time no modern machinery and lifting equipment was available.

Book your flights today to enjoy one of the most identifiable symbols the city of Rome has long been famous for, the imposing Colosseum located in Rome's historic city centre! The Colosseum is considered as one of the greatest examples of Roman engineering capable of seating over 50,000 spectators and is a marvel of architecture with its unique design and elliptical structure. Tourists and first time visitors to Rome never fail to be amazed at the sight of the Colosseum and this is why it is acknowledged as one of Rome's most famous and visited attractions.

According to the latest research the arena could even have been flooded to re-create naval battles. The Colosseum gave host to more than 50,000 spectators. To protect against the scorching heat of summer the arena could be kept in the shade by the use of specially constructed sun-shades; a state of the art technology that has only been utilised again in more modern sports stadiums. The bloody gladiator fights and the mock battle scenes were very popular amongst all levels and classes of Romans. Also it was here that many of the first Christians were cruelly executed and died the death of martyrdom for their beliefs. During the time of the Ostrogothic Kingdom of Theoderic in the year 532 the last of the games were held in the Colosseum.

The Colosseum - a symbol of Rome
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Volker Wiedemann

Later the building complex fell into disrepair and during the middle ages and the period immediately after it was used as a quarry. This practice was only stopped by Pope Benedict XIV who because of the many Christian Martyrs, who were slaughtered there, secured the building from any further demolition in the year 1750. Today the Colosseum is one of the main tourist attractions in Rome open to the public. It is opened daily – in summer between 9.30- 19.30 and during the rest of the year till approximately one hour before sunset.

The entrance fee is a few Euros with discounted rates for students. There are also guided tours and special exhibitions that can be visited for a small fee. The Colosseum is very conveniently located and can be easily reached via the metro – Line B alighting at Station Colosseo, or using the Bus- route 75, stopping at Piazza de Colosseo.

The Circus Maximus – the largest competition stadium of all times

Circus Maximus
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The Circus Maximus is another well known attraction from ancient Rome – located at the ‘Via Appia Antica’. The building was erected early in Roman history – in the year 500BC and over the centuries was expanded and reinforced. During its best years the Circus Maximus had a size of 600m length and 140m width and so covered a total area of 84,000 square metres i.e. almost 8.5 acres. During its expansion phase under the reign of Julius Caesar the capacity of the Circus Maximus consisted of 145,000 seats that over the course of the century, amazingly increased to almost 200,000 seats – several sources even put this number to 380,000 seats. As a comparison the biggest modern stadium, built in South Africa for the 2010 football World Cup has a seating capacity for a total of 90,000 spectators. In any case it makes no difference which of the figures is actually correct as the fact still stands with either, that it was the largest entertainment building ever to be built by humans. Even modern sports stadiums can not be measured in terms of capacity against the ancient Circus Maximus.

It is interesting to know that the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum are historically closely linked. The enormous Circus Maximus was a kind of precursory building to the Colosseum. In ancient Rome such large public buildings in which games, show-fights and sports competitions took place, played a huge role. Things such as wagon/vehicle racing – similar to the modern day Formula 1, were very popular. In the beginning, these large events were not as bloodthirsty as in later times and were paid for by individuals or by the emperor to maintain a good mood amongst the people. Over the course of the years the public taste became more refined and hence the next building to succeed was the Colosseum.

However, if one is expecting to see an impressive building based on this splendid history then one will sadly be rather disappointed. The Circus Maximus has not been preserved nearly as well. Today at the spot where this huge complex of buildings once stood one will only find an open area with a few sparse wall remnants.

Circus Maximus
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: ds

Nevertheless it is worth a visit for those interested in the history of ancient Rome. The Circus Maximus is easily accessible by metro-line ‘A’, station Circo Massimo or via bus, route 118, bus stop Circo Massimo.

The Roman Forum – the navel of the world

Roman Forum
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One of the most important tourist attractions in Rome is the ancient Roman Forum. Barely a visitor to the city of Popes and Caesars fails to visit this place with its important monuments. The Roman Forum was once the centre of the metropolis and beyond, to the extent that people at the time believed it was the centre of the world! This was symbolised by a stone image of a navel. In a sense this was true as the Roman Forum was actually the centre of the Roman Empire, as the majority of public life took place here. Goods were bought and sold, debates and policies were made and people simply strolled along or met up with friends and acquaintances - as is still the custom in Rome today.

The Roman Forum however was much more than just a large public space in the centre of the city. Rather it was surrounded on all sides by magnificent secular and religious buildings – the earliest of which were already erected during the period of the Republic. Under the rule of the Caesars many reigning emperors put their ambition into expanding the Forum and to erect new magnificent buildings.

Roman Forum
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Manuela Bernauer

After the fall of ancient Rome the Forum also fell into demise and was in later years even used as a quarry. Among other things, the world famous St Peter’s Basilica was partly built using the stone from the old Forum. Despite this many of the remaining ancient buildings have still been well preserved and enable visitors to go back 2000 years in time. Some of the ancient ruins that can be visited are the Temple of Janus, the Temple of Romulus, the Temple of Vesta, the double Temple of Venus and Roma, the Curia, the former venue of the Roman Senate, the Arch of Titus and many other buildings.

These remains give one a good idea of the former glory and splendour of ancient Rome. Entry to the Roman Forum is free. Tours take place daily around 10.30 with which one can participate for a small fee. The Roman Forum is open daily from 9am to 6pm and is easily accessible by public transport. With the metro one takes line ‘B’ to the Colosseo station and with the bus, one takes route 75 and alights at Foro Romano.

The Pantheon – Rome’s best preserved ancient building

Pantheon
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Manuela Bernauer

The Pantheon is the most well preserved ancient building in Rome. It is a sacred building which as the name suggests was formerly dedicated to all of the gods. Today the Pantheon is a catholic church in which Mass is regularly said every Saturday at 17 hours and every Sunday at 10.30. The Pantheon was built in the years 118-125 AD by the emperor Hadrian on the Campus Martius near the Roman Forum. As it was converted into a Christian church (Santa Maria ad Martyres – St Mary and the Martyrs) soon after the demise of ancient Rome, it was not used as a quarry and thus has been exceptionally well preserved.

Many visitors are to this day enthralled by the extraordinary architectural design of the building – this starts with building materials. To date the Pantheon is considered to be the first building in the world to have been made of concrete. The self-supporting dome has a diameter of approximately 43m and is almost equally as high. For many years it was the largest dome of its kind in the world.

The Pantheon is the most well preserved ancient building in Rome.
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One enters the main building through a portico with 16 Corinthian columns. The main building is a bright circular structure. The only internal light source is the so called ‘Oculum’ (eye) – an opening with a diameter of 9m located exactly at the apex of the dome that allows natural daylight into the building. This architectural solution is ingenious as aside from the lighting effect it creates and in addition to the cassette structure (which again is not only for decoration) it helps to reduce the weight of the dome.

For some time after it was built the interior of the dome was decorated with gold glaze – this must have been a truly overwhelming sight. The dome symbolises the sky and the Oculum, symbolises the sun. The Pantheon was the model for numerous other domed structures that were later to be built. The most famous among these being St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Capitol in Washington. The Pantheon additionally houses numerous important paintings and the graves of important figures from the Italian Renaissance such as e.g. the painter Raphael. Entrance to the Pantheon is free, as is the case for all churches in Rome. It is easily accessible using transport – using the bus one takes bus route 119 to the stop ‘Pantheon’. Opening times are daily from 8.30 – 19.30 and 9am-18.00 on Sundays.

St Peter’s Basilica and St. Peter’s Square – the symbol of the Vatican

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St Peter’s Basilica alongside the Colosseum is one of Rome’s most impressive and famous buildings. It seats 60,000 people and with 15,000 square metres of floor space is the second largest church in the world. The domed building is the largest self-supporting brick structure of its kind in the world. One can reach the dome via stairs and from there one has a wonderful view over the city. Originally St. Peter’s Church (this is the correct name) was intended as a grave for the apostle Petru; built at the site where Emperor Caligula had him crucified. The first Basilica was erected by the first Christian ruler of Rome – Emperor Constantine at the end of the 3rd Century AD, and stood for approximately 1,200 years. As the structure gradually deteriorated, Pope Julius II decided on a new build – the present day St Peter’s Basilica. Even in this Church the tomb of St Peter stands as a central feature. Famous renaissance artists like Michelangelo were involved in the construction of the building. Over the grave of St. Peter stands the cathedral’s main altar. Around it are arranged five national chapels. Right next to St Peter’s grave is a crypt in which the tombs of 23 popes can be found. In the north-western part of the cathedral stands the statue of St. Peter which is still revered by the faithful. The basilica is the largest sanctuary of the Roman Catholic Church. Here the Pope regularly reads Mass.

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Anne Honisch

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Directly in front of the Basilica is the oval-shaped Peter’s Square. It covers an area of 340m x 240m and was designed by the great Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It was built after the completion of the Basilica in the years 1657-1665 and serves as a gathering place for believers. On major religious holidays this huge space is filled with thousands of pilgrims from all over the world. Its architectural design brings out the beauty of the Basilica . Both colonnades along the sides are adorned with a total of 140 statues of saints. The obelisk in the centre stood there even before the establishment of the square. The symmetrical appearance of St Peter’s square is completed by the two fountains located there. Both the Basilica and St. Peter’s square are easily accessible using public transport. One takes e.g. the metro- line A to the stop ‘Ottaviano’ or one can use the bus routes 40 and 81 – bus stop St. Pietro.

Castel Sant’Angelo- a former fortress and prison

One of the most important historical sites of the Eternal City is the famous Mausoleum of Hadrian or Castel Sant’Angelo as it is known in Italian. It is located at the equally worthwhile Bridge Ponte Sant’Angelo near St Peter’s Basilica and St Peter’s Square. The Castel was originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian and his successor in the year 130 AD. In later years the building was then used as a fortress, castle and prison as from the outset it had been built as a very solid tower-like building with thick walls and relatively small windows.

Castel Sant’Angelo
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Andrea Winter

The building received the name ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’ from legend which holds that in the year 590 Pope Gregory the Great had a vision of Archangel Michael sheathing his sword. As the plague was raging through the city the vision was interpreted as a sign to mark the end of the disease – and this was then actually the case. From then on the former Mausoleum of Hadrian was called ‘Castel Sant’Angelo’ and even today a statue of an angel with a drawn sword stands reminiscent of that vision. Over the centuries the Castel served many different functions and purposes. The most famous prisoner to be imprisoned here was the famous scientist Galileo Galili. Today obviously there are no longer any incarcerations here; on the contrary visitors are more than welcome. The Castel is now a museum and houses an important collection of paintings with works by Italian artists. In addition an exhibition of historical weapons can also be seen. A narrow staircase leads to a viewing platform just beneath the bronze statue of the angel. From here one has a magnificent panoramic view over the neighbouring St Peter’s Basilica and Square which one can enjoy in peace with a coffee and Italian specialties in the café located there.

The original angel – a marble statue can be visited in the courtyard of the Castel. The Castel Sant’Angelo can also be easily reached using Rome’s public transport. One uses the metro - Line ‘A’ alighting at the station ‘Ottaviano’ or one uses the bus – routes 40 or 81, alighting at the stop ‘San Pietro’. The Castel is open daily from 9:00am -20.00- last entry is at 19 hours.

The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum – cultural heritage of humanity

Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani).
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Bildpixel

North of St Peter’s Basilica and affiliated to it lies the Sistine Chapel. Although strictly speaking it is located in the Vatican City and not in Rome, it is still counted as one of the tourist attractions of Rome – alongside the other tourist attractions in the Vatican. The Sistine Chapel is with every right one of the World Cultural heritage sites. It is known all over the world. This beautiful sacred building was erected and inaugurated in the year 1483 at the behest of Pope Sixtus IV; from whom the Chapel derives its name.

The outer dimensions of the building are similar to that of the earlier Temple in Jerusalem. Significantly involved with the architectural design of the chapel was the most famous of all Renaissance artists. It was he who created the ceiling painting which, in general is probably the most famous painting in the world. On a surface of over 500 square metres, scenes from the genesis are depicted. Particularly well known is the scene of ‘the creation of Adam’. According to reports, the artist painted some of the scenes whilst lying on his back on some scaffolding. Other famous paintings in the Sistine Chapel are the altar frescoes depicting the Last Judgement.

Vatican Museum
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Incidentally, the Sistine Chapel was never the private chapel of the Popes. Church services are only held here on special occasions. The papal election – the famous conclave also takes place in the Chapel.

The Sistine Chapel is a part of the Vatican museums – but only a small part. The Vatican Museums are the largest of their kind in the world with their unique art and cultural treasures. A visit to this unique art collection is one of the highlights of every visit to Rome. One must factor in enough time for them however, as the Vatican museums consist of 12 building complexes with over 1,300 rooms; a complete tour is 7km long. On display are oriental antiquities mainly from Egypt and Assyria, exhibits from classical antiquity (Greece and Rome), Etruscan antiquities, early Christian and medieval art. Other exhibits are from the Renaissance as well as contemporary works. An Ethnography collection can also be visited. The opening times of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel change from year to year. In general they are open in the mornings from 9-12:30, in spring and summer to 15:30. They are closed on Sundays and on religious holidays. One can reach the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel via the metro – line ‘A’, station ‘Ottaviano’ or using the bus, routes 23 or 81, bus stop ‘Piazza del Risorgimento’.

The Catacombs – tombs of early Christians

If the hustle and bustle above ground becomes too much then for a change, a trip to the famous catacombs is certainly worthwhile. Currently there are more than 60 in and around Rome. The oldest catacombs are from pre-Christian times. There are for example also Jewish Catacombs. These underground grave systems were developed due to urgent need as according to the ‘Twelve Table’ rule in Roman law, the burial of the dead was prohibited within the city walls. As a result the catacombs originated as niches and burial caves outside of the city.

The most well known are the catacombs along the ‘Via Appia Antica’. The early Christians adopted the custom of the pagan Romans of burying their dead in the catacombs and expanded it more and more in late antiquity. This development was also encouraged by the fact that Christians were prohibited from owning land and were thus forced to bury their dead underground.

In particular the mortal remains of many martyrs were buried in the catacombs. As many Christians wished to have their final resting place in the vicinity of these martyrs, the grave complexes grew more and more over time that to end with they consisted of passages with a total length of over 100km.

In the walls of the passages there are carved out niches that were used for the burial of the dead. After the conquest of Rome by the Germans the catacombs were largely destroyed or forgotten. During the 8th and 9th centuries the reigning Popes recovered many of the bones of the martyrs and buried them in churches above ground. As the Christian faith was no longer under persecution and the Christians were now permitted to own land, burials were generally carried out in cemeteries. Only in recent times have the catacombs been rediscovered and researched.

However, only a few of the catacombs are open to the public. Contrary to popular belief they are not the places that we imagine from horror movies, rather they are real religious sites. Many pilgrims from all over the world visit the catacombs as they bear witness to the life and works of the early Christian communities in Imperial Rome. The frescoes, paintings and inscriptions found there are also of great historical interest. Currently 5 catacombs are open to the public: the St. Agnes Catacomb, the Priscilla Catacomb, the Domitilla Catacomb, St Sebastian’s Catacomb and St. Callixtus Catacomb. The last of the two are located on the ‘Via Appia Antica’. All the catacombs are closed on one day of the week- this varies from catacomb to catacomb. In January/February they are usually completely closed for maintenance and repairs. The visit comes only with guided tours and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

The Trevi Fountain as a meeting place for lovers

The Trevi Fountain as a meeting place for lovers
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Already in ancient Rome there were many public squares that offered fountains with free drinking water. The fact that this wasn’t a luxury rather a necessity in the city’s hot Mediterranean climate is made very clear, to those who have ever visited Rome in the months of July or August. The water for these public fountains did not come from the river Tiber – its water was already too dirty for the ancient Romans. As there are only few natural water sources in the city, fresh spring water from the mountains was directed towards the metropolis over large distances by means of so called aqueducts. Consequently the water was able to span such great distances powered entirely by gravity and without the use of additional pumps. The aqueducts thus ran through hills and deep valleys – which till today still remains a masterpiece of engineering.

At the end of the aqueducts in the city, large public fountains were often built. At the endpoint of the ancient ‘Aqua Vergine’ aqueduct for example, stands the most famous, beautiful and largest fountain in Rome – and perhaps even the world; the famous ‘Fontana di Trevi’ – the Trevi Fountain. This fountain has often served as a film setting. The current fountain is in a baroque style and was completed somewhere around the middle of the 18th Century. The fountain is 26m high and 20m wide; its architect cleverly designed the fountain so that a part of it is integrated into the façade of the adjacent Palazzo Poli. The ensemble is embellished with a triumphal arch and a statue of the ‘sea-god’- Neptune as well as other sea-related figures and allegorical representations. The Trevi Fountain is not just so popular for its artistic design, rather also because of a beautiful tradition that is associated with it.

Legend has it that one will surely return to Rome if one throws a coin over one’s right shoulder into the fountain. If one throws two coins then one will fall in love with a Roman. If one throws three coins then one will marry this lover. This lovely legendary folk tale is still alive today – which can be seen by the considerable number of coins that lie in the shallow basin. It is estimated that the Trevi-Fountain brings Rome annual revenue of at least 200,000 Euros.

The Spanish Steps - the most famous staircase in the world

The Spanish Steps - the most famous staircase in the world
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Bildpixel

The ancient and eternally young city of Rome has many attractions. Many of these are ancient monuments that tell of the bygone days of splendour and glory. However, there are few sights that are as vibrant as the Spanish Steps. Like so many other buildings in Rome, they are the most famous of their kind in the world. They are alive due to the fact that they are used by Romans and visitors as much today as they were in the days of their completion. The Spanish Steps begin at the Piazza di Spagna – so called due to the Spanish embassy that resided here in earlier times. The Spanish Steps lead up to the nearby church- Santa Trinita dei Monti. This is a French church the construction of which was commissioned by the French King. Therefore this king also wanted the Spanish Steps to be a French construction, and this almost resulted in endless squabbles and quarrels. Ultimately, however the Romans pushed through and Pope Benedict XIII ordered the steps to be built in a Roman style - completed in 1725. They are an architectural masterpiece and almost ‘flow’ down the slope from the church to the Piazza di Spagna – divided by two terraces.

The area around the Piazza di Spagna which is crossed by the Via Condetti has over time developed into a shopping district for exquisite tastes with numerous designer shops and boutiques. On the Spanish Steps or rather in their immediate vicinity, one will find significantly both the first tea-house of Rome and also Italy’s first McDonald’s branch. This expresses how the Spanish Steps were in the past and are still today a popular meeting place for young people, lovers and tourists. When the weather is good people enjoy meeting here, either for a chat with friends, or for a date with one’s girlfriend or boyfriend or one meets up here for a quick ice-cream before heading into Rome’s nightlife. The Spanish Steps have also been used as a film setting and is a very popular photo scene for tourists. A visit to the most famous staircase in the world can not be missed on a trip to Rome. They are easily accessible via public transport e.g. using the metro – line ‘A’, station Piazza di Spagna or using the bus – route 117, bus stop Piazza di Spagna.

The Domus Aurea, the Golden House of Nero

A major attraction of ancient Rome is the ruins of the Domus Aurea – the so called ‘Golden House’. This was once a truly gigantic palace commissioned by the Emperor Nero after his previous imperial palace was destroyed by flames in the great fire of Rome in 64 BC. The newly built palace – the Domus Aurea once included the whole area of the Palatine Hill, the valley in which the Colosseum is now found and the adjacent area. In total the site of the palace complex encompassed an area of more than 80 hectares with an artificial lake at the place where the Colosseum now stands, and a 35m high colossal statue of Nero. After the death of the tyrant the palace fell into disrepair. A smaller part of the site was still occupied for some time until it fell victim to a fire and was thus also abolished. The existing cellars however were filled with debris and were hence excellently preserved.

What is now known as the ‘Domus Aurea’ and what can be seen by tourists, is only a pale shadow of the former glory of this magnificent palace complex. Several of the buildings were said to have been covered with gold on the outside. Today when one walks through the dark corridors and rooms it is difficult to imagine such splendour. In some parts however, one can gain a good impression of the former richness of the surroundings. It isn’t without reason that the Domus Aurea belongs to the most popular attractions of ancient Rome. This precious archaeological monument was almost lost for a second time as in 2005 it was discovered that the remaining rooms and corridors were in danger of collapsing; water penetration had caused some serious damage. As a result, the Domus Aurea had to be closed to the public until further notice to enable essential conservation and restoration work. The good news however is that the Domus Aurea has recently been re-opened and can be visited as normal. The Domus Aurea is easily accessible using public transport. Using the metro – line ‘B’ and alighting at the station Colosseo or by using the bus – routes 60, 75, 85, 87, 117, 186, 571, 810 or 850. The Tram – line 3, station stop Colosseo also leads there.

The ‘Capitol’ – seat of the first museum in the world

The word ‘Capitol’ is an abbreviation of the two words Capitoline Hill – the smallest of the 7 hills and apparently the one on which Rome was meant to have been built. The Capitol was the political centre of the giant empire. On the Capitol there was the temple of Jupiter – the king of all gods in Roman mythology. Important state acts were carried out on the ‘Capitol’ Square that lay in front of it. It also served as an end point for victory parades that e.g. were held when a general victoriously ended a war and brought the war booty and numerous prisoners back to Rome. After the conquest of Rome by Alaric in 410 and the subsequent gradual downfall of the metropolis, the Capitol also declined. The once magnificent stately buildings were partly used as quarries including the construction of churches. This decline was only brought to an end at the beginning of the modern era.

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Bildpixel

Today the Capitol is home to two major tourist attractions - the Capitalonian Museums. They were opened in 1734 by Pope Clement XII and were the first public museums in the world. The collection grew over time and contains many valuable paintings from famous artists like Tizian, Bellini and Caravaggio in addition to such world famous sculptures like the ‘Capitalonian Venus’ or the ‘Dying Gaul’. The bronze statue of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius is also exhibited in the museum. The statue on the square in front of the museum is merely a replica.

This square – the Piazza di Campidoglio is the other tourist attraction. It was designed by no other than the great Michelangelo himself, and was designed to create a fitting setting for the above mentioned equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. One enters the square via a grand staircase with wide steps – the Cordonata. Directly opposite the Cordonata, Michelangelo had the Senator’s Palace built. Rome’s city government is now found there. To the left of the square is the ‘Palazzo dei Conservatori’ and opposite is the ‘Palazzo Nuovo’. The Capitalonian Museums are housed in both of these buildings. There is a fountain in front of the Senator’s Palace. The Capitalonian Museums can be reached using the Bus – numbers 44, 63 and 70, bus stop Piazza Venezia.

The Santa Maria Maggiore and the Lateran Basilica; two of the most important churches in Rome

The Santa Maria Maggiore
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Rome as the capital of Christianity is naturally a city of churches. There are 80 churches alone ordained by the Holy Mother Mary in Rome. The largest, oldest and most important of these is the Santa Maria Maggiore. It belongs to the four major churches (papal basilicas) of Rome. The founding of the church is linked to an interesting legend. In the night of 5th August, 352 the pope at the time - Pope Liberius as well as a wealthy merchant named John, both had a vision of the Virgin Mary in which both were ordered to erect a church in her honour at the place at which it would snow the following day. The next day it actually snowed at the spot on the Esquiline Hill where the Santa Maria Maggiore now stands. Whoever knows Rome will know that this truly is a wonder as the city in the month of August – the peak of summer time practically lies in an oven, and snow would be almost impossible.

The Church is the only in the city in which from its point of inauguration until today has held a holy mass every day without interruption. The outer façade of the church dates back to the Baroque period. The great treasures of the church however are the mosaics on its interior. Several of these originate from the founding period.

If one happens to be dwelling in Rome in early August, one should not miss attending a Mass. At the end of the service, white petals float down from the ceiling to commemorate the miracle that led to the founding of the church. In the evenings entertainment programmes are held on the square outside of the church including foam machines that create the effect of snow. The Santa Maria Maggiore can be reached via metro – line ‘A’ or by tram- line ‘5’ and ‘14’ or also by bus via the routes C3, 16, 70, 71, 75, 3670, 590, 649 and 714. The church is open daily from 7-19:00.

Holy Stairs in Rome
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Aliger

The Lateran Basilica is also one of the 4 papal basilicas of Rome. It is the oldest church in the city. It was once the seat of a prestigious Roman patrician family – the Lateranis. The building came into imperial possession and the first Christian king – Constantine the great, gave it as a gift to the Christians in 312 so that they could create in it a place to hold their religious services. The building complex was extended further and further – even the destruction caused by an earthquake could not alter this change from the 9th to the 10th century. Until the year 1309 when they temporarily went to Avignon in France, the Lateran was always the seat of the Popes. As it was in a poor structural condition when the Popes returned to Rome in 1377, the Vatican was elected as the new seat for the Popes. Today’s Lateran Palace originates from the 16th Century and was built in the years 1587- 1589 by the Italian architect Domenico Fontana, whilst the present day Lateran Basilica – a part of the building complex, originates from 1650. The preserved relics of the heads of Petrus and Paul are kept here.

Until today the Holy Stairs are still shown in the Lateran Palace. They are said to originate from the palace of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. Jesus Christ was once led up them to Pontius Pilate; Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine brought them to Rome. Even today the staircase is revered by believers in remembrance of Christ. The Lateran Basilica and Palace can be reached via the metro– line ‘A’, station San Giovanni or via the bus - route numbers 16, 81, 85, 87, 117, 186, 218, 571, 650, 665 und 850. Opening hours are daily from approximately 7am – 18:00.

The Via Appia Antica, the longest museum in the world

Not only the actual city of Rome but also its surrounding areas have numerous monuments and sights which are inseparable from the history of the Eternal City. One of these most popular attractions is the ancient Via Appia Antica, the road that leads south out of Rome. It was built in the year 312 BC by Appius Claudius and although it isn’t the oldest, is certainly the most important and most famous roman road. The ancient roman law of the ‘Twelve Tables’ forbade burials within the cities walls. That is why many members of distinguished noble Roman families were buried in tombs along the Via Appia. Many of these tombs have been well preserved until today and hence make the Via Appia Antica the longest museum in the world. Along the road there also for example 3 famous roman catacombs of which several are open to the public. These are the San Sebastian, the Domitilla and the Callixtus catacombs. One of the most famous tombs by the Via Appia is that of Cecilia Metella.

In parts the street also has some of the original antique pavement in place – this provides further evidence of the high level of development of roman engineering and architecture. Consequently one automatically thinks of what will be left to see in 2000 years time of the much praised German motorways. When walking along the Via Appia one can experience history practically first hand. One can soak in the magnificent landscape with its rolling hills, green grass and pine trees. Add to this the tombs and old buildings that emerge everywhere – one can really not get much closer to history than this. This is particularly true for the part of the street starting from the tomb of Cecilia Metella. From here onwards the pavement of the Via Appia is still in its original antique form and is closed to general traffic. When one walks down here one instinctively expects to encounter a cohort of roman legionaries on their way to the city, or a squad of slaves on their way to work on one of the country estates. From the tomb of Cecilia Metella one can easily take the bus back into the city. This historical walk is recommended – provided the weather is not too hot i.e. in spring or autumn.

Ostia Antica, the ancient port of Rome

Ostia Antica
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: tokamuwi

At its time Rome was the largest and most important city in the world. Products from all corners of the Roman Empire and beyond were brought into the city on a daily basis. Much of it came to Rome by sea since shipping was at the safest and most effective way of transporting goods and merchandise at the time. As Rome itself doesn’t lie on the sea, the port city of Ostia was built at the estuary of the Tiber. In ancient times it served as a seaport and trading centre for the city of millions. At its heyday in the 2nd Century AD, Ostia had up to 50,000 inhabitants. Later after the down fall of the Roman Empire, Ostia – like many other Roman cities fell into disrepair. The stones of its buildings were used for other buildings, and the port silted up over time. For example the Leaning Tower of Pisa was constructed with stones that came from Ostia. Ostia was already built in the 3rd Century BC as a military base, alongside the temples of Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. Under the reign of Emperor Claudius the actual port was built in a hexagonal shape. Ostia had all of the qualities which even today are characteristic of a seaport- a lighthouse, shipping agencies, fire department, police, guest houses and even a mint.

Right in the sweltering heat of summertime it is a good idea to take a look around Ostia. There you can escape the stress of the city and the tourist crowds, as this attraction is less well known and not as crowded as the ‘real’ Rome with its world famous attractions. In addition, the ancient seaport is in a good condition and the entire site can be explored on your own in all manner of peace as there are no prescribed routes and locations for tourists. Furthermore during hot weather the Lido di Ostia beach – approximately 5km away attracts people for swimming in the Mediterranean. Ostia is open to the public from Tuesday – Sunday from 8:30am to approximately 1 hour before sunset. One can reach Ostia Antica via the metro using line ‘B’- station ‘Ostiense’. Here one alights and then takes the tram to the stop ‘Ostia Antica’. One can access the beach by staying on the tram; the last stop is the Lido Cristofo Colombo.

Roman Nightlife

Roman Nightlife
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Rome is a beautiful city that magically attracts tourists from all over the world. Many people come here either to admire the remnants of ancient Rome from the Colosseum to Trajan’s Column, whist other come to admire St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums with their art treasures unparalleled in the world. Still others come as pilgrims to the capital of Christianity or to see the Pope. However, Rome is one of the most religiously and culturally important cities in the world. As beautiful as Rome may be, with regards to its nightlife there are relatively few clubs and pubs in comparison to other cities such as London or Paris.

This is certainly not to say that Rome has nothing at all going on. There are just comparatively fewer night-scenes than in other world cities. The main reason for this is not related to the fact that Romans ‘go to bed with the chickens’ as the saying goes, rather it is due in part to the fact that Rome is a southern city with hot weather and long, dry summers. As a result much of the city’s nightlife is taken onto the streets and squares; a habit that is strange to cold and rain-plagued central Europeans and which sometimes gains their envy. Hence in Rome for example the northern part of the Via del Corso is known as a promenade. The name of the street is reflected amongst other things in the term ‘Autocorso’ – the joyful, spontaneous car parade that takes place after victorious football matches; something that has recently spread to Germany. By the way, most of these clubs and other hangout places are often close to holiday apartments in Rome and other accommodation sites in the area. Because of this, tourists who want to make the most out of their vacation would not have a hard time looking for a place to party and enjoy to the fullest.

Next to the above mentioned street in Rome the area around the Spanish Steps and the Piazza di Spagna is a popular meeting point for roman youth. The craze goes on throughout the entire Trastvere district. In this district across the Tiber, with its numerous narrow alleyways and squares there are countless street cafes, pizzerias and small restaurants where locals meet and feel comfortable. Many tourists like to join them as the area is not as overcrowded and over-priced as the city centre or the restaurants and bars in the vicinity of famous sights. Finally it is not without reason that the English have the well known saying ‘when in Rome do as the Romans’.

Of course Rome does also have clubs; one of the best and most famous of these is the ‘Alien’. It is one of the best locations in Rome in which to dance the whole night through. The ambience is oriental and far eastern and the music mainly Hip-Hop or House music. Incidentally the dress code in most roman clubs is smart and often requires men to dress in a jacket and tie. Women should also dress elegantly – the more elegant the better. The ‘Alien’ on the ‘Via Velletri’ 13 and can be reached via bus route 38. Other famous clubs in Rome are the ‘Gilda’ near the Piazza Spagna and the ‘Piper’ in the Via Taglimento 9. All 3 clubs open from 23:00 hours.

Rome Piazza della Republica
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Followers of jazz are well catered for at the ‘Alexanderplatz’ – the club has live Italian and American music to offer. One can listen and relax in the club’s restaurant or bar. The club is the on the Via Ostia 9 and can be reached via the metro – station Ottaviano.

There are also numerous good bars and restaurants that are very popular with both locals and tourists. These include for example, the Caffée della Scala" in the Via della Scala 4 and the ‘Café Ombre Rosso’ on the Piazza Sant´ Egidio 12 – both are located in the Trastevere district. There are also good local ‘scenes’ located around the Campo de’Fiori and the Piazza Navona. As general advice it is recommended to take caution when strolling at night through an unknown city and to exercise common sense. Rome is not a hot bed of crime however it is better to be careful. One should for instance leave valuables like jewellery or a brand new ‘i-phone’ in the hotel safe. Women should ideally not go out alone. If one is not absolutely certain of the way back to one’s hotel, it is better to call a taxi. The few Euros that this may cost will save many hours of wandering through bumpy streets.

Amusement Parks in Rome

Rome has many archaeological and cultural attractions to offer. With the Vatican it is the centre of the Roman-Catholic faith. The art treasures of the Vatican Museums or the Sistine Chapel are known by the entire world. However, those who are expecting to find theme parks in Rome in the style of Disneyland Paris will be disappointed.

There are amusement parks however they are smaller than in other European cities. The most well known is the ‘Aquapiper’, which is essentially a leisure and water park. It has artificial streams for rafting, a ‘wave pool’ with the biggest wave machine in Europe, an Olympic sized swimming pool, and several long slides and pools for non-swimmers and small children. There is also a restaurant and a disco.

Especially in the heat of the Roman summer, the ‘Aquapiper’ is very popular amongst locals. Another amusement park in Rome is the ‘Ippodrome Capannella’. This is a park in which amongst other things, concerts take place. It also has riding stables and a trotting course. Particularly suitable for families with children is the ‘Bioparco’. This is a small but attractive and interestingly designed zoo. Visitors praise its cleanliness, clear presentation of the animals and the reasonable prices. There is also a café and restaurant. The zoo is easy to reach- Tram line 3 stops directly next to it. For the future there are plans to build a large theme park directly around Rome however, if and when this project will materialise remains to be seen.

Cultural Activities in the Eternal City

Statue in a museum    Source: pixelio.de     Photographer: Templermeister

The cultural events in Rome are extremely varied and extensive. In the Eternal City there is after all the largest museum complex in the world (the Vatican Museums), the first public museum of the world (the Capitoline Museum) and the longest museum in the world (the Via Appia Antica). There are so many museums that listing them all would go beyond the scope of this article! Rome is home to some of the greatest works of art in the world. For any lover of history, art and culture there are an abundance of things to offer. During the warm season there are many open-air concerts and live performances. The current concert dates can be found on Thursdays in the supplement of the daily newspaper ‘La Repubblica’. The events magazine that is supplemented with this newspaper is called ‘Trovaroma’.

Source: pixelio.de     Photographer: Templermeister

Accommodation – where can you stay cheaply in Rome?

Rome is a magnet for tourists from all over the world. Just as diverse are accommodation possibilities. They range from a suite at a luxury hotel to a simple room that is not much more than a place to sleep. They type of accommodation you choose depends on one’s budget and personal taste. If one has booked a package holiday the accommodation (almost always these are a middle of the range hotel room) is included in the price. One is however also bound to stick to the tour programme. For this reason it is better to travel independently and choose one’s own accommodation.

Sankt Peter at night
Source: pixelio.de     Photographer: Marlene

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Rainer Sturm

Unless one really desires luxury accommodation in Rome, then it would be worthwhile to opt for budget accommodation and have more spending money at your disposal. Especially in Rome there are many hostels and numerous Bed & Breakfast type accommodations where during the off-peak season you can book an overnight stay and breakfast from 25 € per person. Many such places can be found in the centre of Rome in the vicinity of the main railway station – Stazione Termini. They have the added advantage of being close to the attractions and to public transport links. One can find appropriate information and reviews on the internet from other travellers on accommodation. Even online bookings are often possible. Of course at these prices one can not expect satellite-TV, a whirlpool, lavish breakfast buffet or air conditioning in the rooms. It may also be possible that traffic noise will be disturbing in such central locations. One should bear all of this in mind before one decides on accommodation. Larger groups are better off staying in a youth hostel as with these one can possibly accommodate for instance an entire school class or the likes thereof in one place.

Although Rome is a city with nearly 3 million inhabitants, there are even campsites in the main city area that are open all year round. These alternative options for accommodation could be of interest for disabled tourists, in particular for people with walking difficulties as many of the other budget accommodations are not designed for disabled guests. The best thing is to find out detailed information before booking; this prevents against unpleasant surprises on arrival. In any case booking early before one’s date of travel – especially in the peak seasons July/August or before important religious festivals such as Easter, Pentecost and Christmas is advisable. If you book in advance one can also find suitable and affordable accommodation during peak season.

Rome – a paradise for Shopping

Rome – a paradise for Shopping
Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Johannes Vortmann

Rome is a shopper’s paradise; it has everything that one’s heart desires. In particular, the various Italian designer brands are popular and famous all around the world. In Rome there are countless designer shops and boutiques. Particularly well known and popular with both locals and tourists, is the designer outlet ‘Castel Romano’. This is an entire shopping centre with over 100 shops and 25,000 square metres where one can buy fashion clothing, shoes and sports apparel and accessories at drastically reduced prices. The shopping centre can be reached via metro- line ‘B’, station EUR Palasport. Every Tuesday and Saturday, a free shuttle bus runs from the Piazza della Rebbublica in the centre of Rome to the shopping centre. It is open daily from 10am – 9pm.

The ‘Arsenale’ in the Via del Governo Vecchio 64 is a fashion boutique with the latest trends. It can be reached using the bus routes 64 and 116. Catanella is a Roman boutique-chain for young fashion. One branch can be found at the Piazza S. Sivestro, the other branch is on the Via del Corso 64. Another tip for shopping-addicted tourists is the ‘Discount Alta Moda’. There one can obtain designer fashions for half price. Both shops lie on the ‘Via di Gesú e Maria’ numbers 14 and 16. At no. 14 there is ladies fashion whilst in no. 16 there is men’s fashion. The shop can be reached via the metro – line A, station ‘Flaminio’, or via the bus – route 117. For bargain hunters it is certainly worthwhile to browse through one of the many flea markets. The most famous of these is the ‘Porta Portese’ between the ‘Viale Travestere’ and the ‘Porta Portese’. It is always opened on a Sunday between 7am and 2pm, and can be reached via the Tram – lines 8 and via bus- route 780. There one will find virtually everything.

Another well known flea market is the ‘Mercation Flaminio’. It is open on Sundays between 10am to 7pm; a small entrance fee is required to get it. The flea market can be found on the Piazza della Marina 32 and is accessible via the Tram – lines 2 or 19. Two more bits of advice: if you go into crowds such as that at a flea market, one should be wary of pickpockets that operate there. One should also be careful not to buy counterfeit branded goods from street vendors or from flea market stalls. If one is caught by the police, one can expect to face heavy fines that can amount to thousands of Euros; this could make one’s ‘bargain’ the most expensive item of clothing you ever buy!

Good and cheap public transport

The public transport system in Rome is well developed. The metro only consists of 2 lines however there are more than enough bus routes and several tram lines. The notion that the buses and trains in Rome are unpunctual is usually just a cliché. Of course there are the occasional delays but not more than in other large cities. One should also be prepared that the public transport in a metropolis like Rome can during peak times be full – just like in other cities.

Source: pixelio.de        Photographer: Marc Pojer

In comparison to Germany or other countries travel fares are very cheap. A single ticket for an adult costs just 1 Euro. For visitors to Rome – especially for those only taking a short trip, the ‘Roma Pass’ is recommended. It is a travel card that is valid for three days from the point of issue to midnight of the third day. It costs 16 Euros and is valid on all public transport in the city of Rome – the metro, the subway, the buses and the trams. Particularly interesting for tourists is the fact that the ‘Roma-Pass’ gives free admission into two popular museums and discounted entry into numerous other museums and attractions. One can also obtain day-tickets that are valid from point of issue until the end of the day. Before travelling the ticket has to be validated. If one intends on staying longer, then a weekly ticket is recommended which is valid from the day of issue until midnight of the seventh night. Likewise this ticket needs validating before one can travel; additionally one has to fill in personal information and the period of validity on the ticket. One can obtain tickets from the main railway station- the ‘Stazione Termini’, at numerous other outlets and from more than 200 machines throughout the city. Another small tip: one should keep hold of single tickets and only dispose of them after reaching one’s destination, as ticket inspections very often take place when leaving the station rather than on the trains themselves.

Roman Thermae

A Roman Thermae was a bathing centre in the ancient Roman Empire. Rome alone, the capital city of the Empire, is said to have had at least 11 huge public bath complexes, as early as in the first century AD. The historical remnants of the Agrippa Thermae, the Severer, Titus, Nero, Trajan and Diokletian Thermae - just to mention few - are the lasting heritage of the ancient Roman recreational as well as communication culture in the metropolitan Rome of today.

Public bathing in these particular bath facilities of the ancient Rome was a vitally important part of the people's social and high sophisticated life during the era of the Roman Empire. The Roman Thermae was attended as socializing centers. They were a common meeting point for both leisure talk as well as political and business communication. The Thermae were also used as locations for dinner parties. During 'political campaigns' they served as a place where politicians could curry favor with voters. The big bath complexes even held libraries and offered, for example, poetry readings. People cultivated socializing with each other in such bath centres while they enjoyed eating and drinking together.

Who should be surprised that these social meeting centres also implied art galleries, shopping centres and finally gyms and spas. Sometimes, notable citizens and honorable men would commit daily attendance to a Roman Thermae - that is to say taking relaxing baths! - regarding it as a significant and fundamental part of their social lives. In the 2nd century, AD, Roman Thermae were used more and more as a public place for beauty care, for exercise, massages and wellness. Especially prosperous Roman citizens regarded recreation as a substantial need and pleasure of their lives. At the same time the Romans cherished healthy eating customs.

It is surprising, how this early and ancient culture comes close to the recreational culture of today’s modern way of life! Renown wellness hotels today provide for the good care of our fundamental need of recreation. Hotel Thermae Meran in South Tirol is such a resort of relaxation. The outstanding beauty of the Alpine surroundings perfectly complement with the ambience and character of a truly appealing hotel complex. Best equipped wellness and spa facilities work nicely together with sophisticated cuisine. Hotel Thermae Meran grant their guests a marvelous time travel into the ancient Rome!

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