On the Fast Lane Rome 5 Days Itinerary

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My On the Fast Lane - Rome 5 daysitineraryDay 1, Thu Aug 13 2015

Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 Vatican Gardens 1 hour

2. 10:05 Vatican Museums 2 hours, 30 mins

3. 12:45 The Sistine Chapel 1 hour

4. 13:50 St. Peter's Basilica 1 hour, 15 mins

5. 15:10 St. Peter's Square 45 mins

6. 16:05 Castel Sant'Angelo 45 mins

7. 17:00 Via Cola di Rienzo 1 hour


Address:

09:00 Vatican Gardens Rating:Parks &

Gardens

Visit Time: 1 hour

Vatican City is a walled sovereign city-state within Rome itcovers 110 acres it is the headquarters of the CatholicChurch and the home of the Pope. The Vatican Gardens, asthe name suggests, are gardens within this walled enclave.The gardens are located in the south and northeasternareas of the city and cover about 50 acres, almost half ofthe Vatican grounds. Although the gardens are closed to thegeneral public it is possible to take a guided tour. Thosewho want to see areas of the Vatican which most visitorsdon't get to see or people who are interested in the foliageitself will find this a fascinating tour.

Nicholas II planted the beginnings of the Vatican Gardenswhen he introduced an orchard, a garden and a lawn. Thisevent was recorded in several places including a plaquewhich can be seen in the Palazzo dei Conservatori onCapitoline Hill. The gardens were originally planted around1279 and since then have offered a place for contemplationand meditation for the popes.

The gardens contain vegetation from around the worldincluding Australia, Japan and China. Together with theexotic plants are those native to Rome and Italy. In thegardens are neatly mowed lawns, paths, seating areas,pieces of art work, grottoes and water features. Among thetrees in Vatican Gardens are pine, cypress, chestnut andpalms. From the gardens there are amazing views of St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican City.

0.6 KM, 7 minutes by walking

10:05 Vatican Museums Rating: Museums

Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins

The Vatican Museums are within Vatican City and compriseseveral exhibitions housed within several museum galleries.The collection began with the purchase by Pope Julius II ofthe statue of Laocoon and his Sons in 1506. Although thecollections could have been kept within the Vatican walls asthe Pope's private collections, lucky for mankind, the popeschose from the very beginning to make the art available tothe general public. This was done to promote knowledge ofart, history and culture. In addition to having access to someof the world's finest art work the public also get to see insidethe palaces of the Vatican which house the collections.


Closed: Closed Jan 1 and 6, Easter, May 1 and

20, Nov 1, and Dec 8, 25, and 26

Transportation: Metro: Cipro-Musei Vaticani

Web: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va

Opening Hours: Nov-Feb Mon-Sat

10:00am-12:20pm, Mar-Oct Mon-Fri

10:00am-3:20pm, Sat 8:45am-12:20pm

Admission (including The Sistine Chapel): 14

adults, 8 children 13 and under, free for children

5 and under

Phone Number: 06-69883333

Following the first statue the collection rapidly grew witheach pope in succession adding to the collection. PopeJulius II's first statues are housed in the Cortile Ottagono.Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774) and Pope Pius VI(1775-1799) added works kept in the Pio-ClementineMuseum. Pius VII (1800-1823) added Classic Antiquitiesand expanded the museum to include the ChiaromontiMuseum and the Braccio Nuovo Gallery. The EpigraphicCollection was also added at this point and is on show in theLapidary Gallery. George XVI added the Etruscan (1837)and Egyptian (1839) Museums. In 1854 the Lateran ProfaneMuseum was expanded and in 1854 the Pio-ChristianMuseum joined the immense museum complex. Saint PiusX added the Hebrew Lapidary in 1910 which displaysancient Hebrew inscriptions from Roman cemeteries. Alsowithin the museum complex is the Gallery of Tapestries;Gallery of Mapsthe Sobieski Room; the Borgia Apartment;the Vatican Pinacoteca; the Missionary-EthnologicalMuseum; Room of the Immaculate Conception; RaphaelStanze and the Loggia; Chapel of Nicholas V and theSistine Chapel featuring Michelangelo's iconic ceilingpainting of God giving life to Adam as they touch fingers.

Some recent additions to the museums include theCollection of Modern and Contemporary Religious Art in1973 which is on show in the Borgia Apartment; the VaticanHistorical Museum (1973) and the Carriage and AutomobileMuseum. The above list is only part of the endless VaticanMuseums collections and so visitors need to plan their visitvery carefully so that they can see all the pieces whichinterest them. The Vatican Museums have various routesdesigned to take in the museum highlights in a certainamount of time. You could take a 2 hour guided tour of thehighlights or spend about 6 hours taking in as much as youpossible. Take into consideration that the museums coverover 14.5km.

The must-see highlights not to miss are the Laocoon;Caravaggio's Deposition; Raphael's Transfiguration;Aldobrandini Marriage; The Good Shepherd; BelvedereTorso; work by Raphael; Apollo Belvedere; da Vinci's St.Jerome and of course the breathtaking Michelangelo'sSistine Chapel ceiling.


12:45 The Sistine Chapel Rating: Religious Sites


Closed: Closed Jan 1 and 6, Easter, May 1 and

20, Nov 1, and Dec 8, 25, and 26

Transportation: Metro: Cipro-Musei Vaticani

Web: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va

Opening Hours: Nov-Feb Mon-Sat

10:00am-12:20pm, Mar-Oct Mon-Fri

10:00am-3:20pm, Sat 8:45am-12:20pm

Admission (including the Vatican Museums): 14

adults, 8 children 13 and under, free for children

5 and under


Visit Time: 1 hour

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums and isnamed after Pope Sixtus IV (pope from 1471 to 1484). Heordered the restoration of the old Cappella Magna whichwas carried out by an illustrious list of artists includingBotticelli, Perugino and Domenico Ghirlandaio. The chapelwas inaugurated in 1483 as Our Lady of the Assumption.Julius II della Rovere (pope from 1503-1513) ordered therefinement and redecoration of the chapel decoration andemployed Michelangelo for the job. In 1512 the work wascomplete and the space was inaugurated as the SistineChapel. Later in 1533 Michelangelo was asked by ClementVII to paint the Last Judgment on the altar wall replacing the15 century frescoes. In the 16 century the entrance wallth thfrescoes were painted again, this time by Hendrik van denBroeck and da Lecce. More recently in 1979 and 1999 thechapel frescoes were restored.

Each surface of the chapel is covered with exquisite art, theLast Judgment is painted on the wall opposite the entrance;the story of Christ is featured on the North Wall and thestories of Moses on the South Wall. However the mainpainting which visitors come to see is the ceiling fresco byMichelangelo.

Michelangelo was originally commissioned to paint 12apostles and ornamental motifs however he was not tooenamored with this idea and eventually was given a freehand to plan the ceiling painting as he pleased. Heconstructed a scaffold of his own invention and painted themasterpiece while lying on his back. He painted 9 importantevents from the Book of Genesis down the center of the ceiling, the most famous being God giving Adam life with thetouching of their two finger tips. Around the outer edge ofthe central scenes are paintings of the 12 prophets andSibyls. In the four corners of the ceiling are scenes from themiraculous salvation of the people of Israel.

The chapel is used for mass and other services throughoutthe year and there is a permanent choir, the Sistine ChapelChoir. But the space's most important function is as thePapal Conclave. This is where the Popes are elected in aconclave of the College of Cardinals. A chimney is erectedfrom the chapel leading up to the roof and with the use ofdifferent colored smoke a signal is made when a new Popehas been chosen. Although the cardinals no longer campout in the chapel while they come to a discussion, thechapel is still used as the venue for the voting for the newPope.


Transportation: Metro: Ottaviano-San Pietro, and

then a long stroll. Bus: 23, 34, 40, or 271

Opening Hours: Basilica (including the sacristy

and treasury) daily 9:00am-6:00pm. Grottoes daily

8:00am-5:00pm. Dome Oct-Mar daily

8:00am-5:00pm, Apr-Sep 8:00am-6:00pm

Admission: Basilica (including grottoes) free

admission. Guided tour of excavations around St.

Peter's tomb 10, children 14 and under are not

admitted. Stairs to the dome 4, elevator to the

dome 5, sacristy (w/Historical Museum) free


Address: Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a,

00184 Rome


13:50 St. Peter's Basilica Rating: Religious Sites

Visit Time: 1 hour, 15 mins

St Peter's Basilica is perhaps the holiest and most importantchurch in Christendom, located within Vatican City onVatican Hill; it is the heart of the Catholic Church. Thelocation has long been considered holy as the apostle SaintPeter is believed to have been buried here in 64AD. Peter isconsidered to have been the first Pope and so its place inVatican City is fitting. A place of worship was firstestablished on this site in c.320AD, in the 15 century, thethstructure was enlarged and improved with the help of LeonBattista Alberti and Bernardo Rossellino. A new structurewas created here under Bramante in 1506, and wascontinued by Rafael who took over the task. Rafael wasfollowed by Baldassarre Peruzzi and later Michelangelo.Maderno was responsible for the stunning faade and finallythe Basilica was consecrated in 1626. Bernini worked on thechurch for 20 years and was responsible for much of thebeautiful interior furnishing in the 1600s.

The basilica Latin Cross floor plan has a 186 meter longNave with 4 aisles and the ceiling is 46 meters high. Thereis a 136 meter high dome (thanks to Michelangelo) which is42 meters in diameter. Visitors can climb the 491 steps toget breathtaking views from the top. The basilica's faade is114 meters wide and 47 meters high with a triple archedportico leading into the atrium which has a central fountain.In total the Basilica covers 22,000m and can accommodate20,000 worshipers. Visitors to the holy Basilica approach thebuilding through the enormous St. Peters Square created byBernini. St. Peter's is a major Catholic pilgrimage site andChristians arriving here begin their visit by kissing the bigtoe of Arnolfo da Cambio's brass statue of St. Peter on theright side of the main altar.

Within the church there are the angelic faces of 40 types ofcherubs created in stone, mosaic and metal. The statues of39 saints, the founders of religious congregations, appearalong the sides of the Nave and across the Transept. In allthere are 45 altars, 11 chapels and 10,000m of mosaics aswell as beautiful marble floors. Among the valuable piecesof Renaissance and Baroque art in the Basilica isMichelangelo's Pieta in the first chapel on the right. Otherstunning works of art in St. Peters are the bronze baldachinabove the papal altar and the confession (burial crypt) of St.Peter. St. Peter's tomb is one of 100 tombs within thechurch; they include 91 popes, kings and queens.


Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome


15:10 St. Peter's Square Rating: Square

Visit Time: 45 mins

The expansive St. Peter's Square is located within Vatican

City in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In the 1600s the plaza

was designed by Bernini who also had a hand in designing

the adjacent basilica. His design was limited by the

constraints of surrounding structures but he managed to

create a trapezoid shaped plaza of grand proportions.

The elliptical shaped open area of the square is surrounded

by 284 Tuscan-style Doric colonnades, in 4 rows; the

columns are 13 meters high. The enormous scale of the

square and its surrounding columns was intended to create

awe in the worshipers who gather here to receive the Pope's

blessing from the church or Vatican Palace where he often

appears to address the crowds. The square is paved in

cobbled stones divided up only by radiating lines created

from limestone and zodiac signs so that the obelisks can be

used as a giant sun dial. A red porphyry stone on the paving

marks where Pope John Paul II was shot in 1981.

An ancient Egyptian obelisk stands at the plaza center,

Bernini's granite fountain and a fountain designed by Carlo

Maderno flank the obelisk in the papal courtyard. Visitors

enter the square through the Ponte Sant'Angelo along the

via della Conciliazione. St. Peter's Square is a masterpiece

in architecture and balance which inspires a feeling of

reverence and spiritual peace.


16:05 Castel Sant'Angelo Rating: Historic Sites

Visit Time: 45 mins

The Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as The HadrianMausoleum, was constructed 130AD-139AD on the edge ofthe River Tiber by Emperor Hadrian for himself, his familyand his successors interment. The mausoleum has acylindrical colonnaded drum, 64 meters in diameter, on topof an 89 meter wide square base which was covered withlush planted gardens and trees. Situated on the right bankof the river, the Ponte Sant'Angelo connects it with the restof the city.


Transportation: Metro: Ottaviano-San Pietro, and

then a long stroll. Bus: 23, 34, 40, or 271

Web: www.castelsantangelo.com

Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00am-7:00pm

Admission: 5


Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00186 Rome

Over the years the function and appearance of the CastelSant'Angelo changed. In the middle Ages additional towersand fortified walls were constructed. It became animpenetrable defensive bastion during the barbaricinvasions, and was incorporated into the city walls(270-275AD), protecting the northern entrance of Rome.Most of the tombs and precious decoration were destroyedwhen the structure became a fortress in 401 and the royalashes are thought to have been lost during the Alaricsacking of Rome.

For the protection of the papal community a secret, fortifiedpassage way, Passetto di Borgo, was constructed (14 thcentury), connecting the Vatican to the Castel Sant'Angelo.During the Renaissance a treasury room was located in thecenter of the structure to keep the pope's valuables safe.The structure became a storage space for food, water andsupplies to be used in the event of an emergency. Therewas even a granary and mill incorporated into the fortifiedstructure.

The mausoleum was used as a brutal prison whereprisoners were tortured and starved. At one time executionswere carried out in the inner courtyard. Famous inmatesincluded Benvenuto Cellini, Cagliostro and Giordana Bruno.

Originally a statue of the Emperor riding a chariot like thesun god, would have stood on the central tower this wasreplaced later by a statue of an angel, hence the name ofthe castle. Today an 18 century bronze statue of thethArchangel St. Michael has replaced the original marbleangel and adorns the mausoleum in memory of a plaguewhich raged through Rome in 590AD only to end when anapparition of an angel appeared above the mausoleum.

When the Italian State was established the fortress wasused to house soldiers and today the much loved iconicstructure has been restored and recreated. It is visited bytourists who come to see the National Museum of CastelSant'Angelo. Visitors approach the structure by following a400 foot long spiral ramp. Visitors can see the beautifulrooms used by the pontiffs with delicate frescoes and onlower floors they can see the prisons and torture chamber.


Address: Via Cola di Rienzo, Rome, Italy


17:00 Via Cola di Rienzo Rating: Shopping

Visit Time: 1 hour

The area where Via Cola di Rienzo is today was once justopen fields and swamps until 1870 when the area was usedfor military purposes. You can still see the remnants ofcertain palaces and the remains of military barracks in thePrati neighborhood where the street is located.

Today Via Cola di Rienzo is one of Rome's primaryshopping areas, the prices are above discount budget pricesbut below the hi-end store prices you can find else ware inthe city. It is located north of the Vatican in the Pratineighborhood and being less central sees fewer crowdsthan Via del Corso. The street is long and wide withrestaurants, cafes, boutique stores, brand name stores,hotels, cinemas, book stores and more. For the trueshopaholics there is a shopping tour which starts at thePiazza Risorgimento, behind the Vatican, and follows ViaCola di Rienzo to Piazza Cola di Rienzo and on to PiazzaPopolo which is across the River Tiber over the PonteRegina Margherita.

Along the street there is an indoor farmers market with freshlocal produce. For delicious coffee from a caf that hasbeen in business for over 80 years visit Castroni at number196. Some of the popular stops along the way includeBertozzini for perfumes; Portofino Caf and restaurant;Angelo Di Nepi women's clothing boutique; Benetton; Geoxfor Italian made shoes; Coccinelle for bags and Swarovski ifyou are in need of crystals!


Day 2, Fri Aug 14 2015Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 The Pantheon 1 hour, 30 mins

2. 10:40 Piazza Venezia 1 hour

3. 11:45 Roman Forum 2 hours, 30 mins

4. 14:30 The Colosseum 2 hours

5. 16:40 St. Peter in Chains 45 mins

09:00 The Pantheon Rating: Historic Sites


Transportation: Bus: C3, 30, 46, 62, 63, 64, 116,

170, or 492 to Largo di Torre

Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30am-7:30pm, Sun

9:00am-6:00pm

Admission: Free admission


Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome


The Pantheon in Rome was built on the orders of Hadrianbetween 118AD and 125AD, it functioned as a temple to allthe Roman Gods. The temple was built to replace MarcusAgrippa's temple which had burnt down in 80AD. Theoriginal inscription can still be seen above the Pantheonentrance " Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been

." The building is in such goodconsul three times made itcondition thanks to renovations made by the ByzantineEmperor Phocas in 608AD when it was converted into achurch. The church became the final resting place forseveral Italian kings including King Vittorio Emanuele II,Umberto I and the artist Raphael who was buried heretogether with his fiance. The Pantheon architecture wasunlike other Roman Temples and so historians wonder atthe buildings use.

The Pantheon faade features a triangular pediment whichonce would have held sculptured battle scenes. Thepediment is supported by three rows of columns leading intothe front portico. From the rectangular front entrance hall(cella) bronze doors lead in to the main part of the buildingwhich is circular. The marble veneer covering the interiorwalls was a later addition but the geometric patternedmarble floor is the original Ancient Roman floor.

Within the building intersecting arches rest on piers whichsupport 8 round headed arches. On floor level there are 8corresponding bays which house statues. The star featureof the Pantheon is the dome, supported by a series ofarches brilliantly engineered to hold the heavy dome. Tofurther help support the weight of the dome the wallsbeneath the dome gradually decrease in thickness. Also thebuilders used lightweight materials on the upper part of thestructure and heavier, sturdy materials on the lower section.One of the fascinating qualities of the Pantheon architectureis the proportions of the dome which, if flipped upside downwould fit exactly into the Rotunda. At the highest centralpoint of the dome is an oculus, a circular opening, whichfloods the space with natural light. The oculus is lined withbronze and was never closed. This meant that rain enteredthe building and drained off of the slightly convex floor intodiscrete drainpipes. The interior height and the diameter ofthe dome are identical at 43.3 meters. Unfortunately wedon't know the name of the architect responsible for all ofthis precise and ingenious architecture. The symmetry andmathematical skill used to create the Pantheon has beenadmired by artists and architects for centuries and remainsan inspiration to artists and designers.


Phone Number: +39 06 0608

Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome, Italy


10:40 Piazza Venezia Rating: Square

Visit Time: 1 hour

Although this is not the most beautiful of Rome's squares itis the most central with several major routes converginghere including Via Corso and Via dei Fori Imperiali. It islocated at the foot of Capitoline Hill next to Trajan's Forum.Piazza Venezia is not a pedestrian square and the largesquare sees endless traffic, including most buses. Thesquare is close to many tourist sites and most visitors willfind themselves crossing this square at some point in theirtrip to Rome.

Several important buildings line the square including thePalazzo Venezia, commissioned by the Cardinal Venezia.The square takes its name from the palace. The palace wascompleted in 1464 and belonged to Pope Paul II, itcontinued to be the residence of successive popes untilPope Pius IV. After that it became the Venice Embassy(Serenissima) and later was acquired by Mussolini'sgovernment. The dictator would give speeches from thepalace balcony. Today it houses the Museo del PalazzoVenezia.

Other buildings on the square are the Assicurazioni Generalibuilding (1911); the Monument of victor Emanuel II (IlVittoriano); Palazzo Bonaparte, the former home ofNapoleon Bonaparte's mother; Palazzo delle Aste and SanMarco Church (1336). During digging to construct part of theRome metro line in 2009 the ancient remains of Hadrian'sAthenaeum were discovered directly beneath the middle ofPiazza Venezia.


Closed: Closed holidays

Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Bus: 40, 46, 62,

63, 64, 70, 87, 119, 271, or 280

Opening Hours: Guided tours of Roman Forum

daily 1:00pm. Oct 30-Feb 15 daily

8:30am-4:30pm, Feb 16-Mar 15 daily

8:30am-5:00pm, Mar 16-26 daily 8:30am-5:30pm,

Mar 27-Aug 31 daily 8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily

8:30am-7:00pm, Oct 1-29 daily 8:30am-6:30pm.

Last admission 1 hr. before closing

Admission: 12, ticket good for same-day

admission to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Guided tours of Roman Forum 4


Address: Via della Curia, 4 00186 Roma, Italy


11:45 Roman Forum Rating: Historic Sites

Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins

The Roman Forum is located in a valley between PiazzaVenezia and the Colosseum, between the Palatine Hill,Capitoline Hill and Esquiline Hill. The area was originallymarshlands which were cleared with an ingenious systemduring the reign of the last Etruscan kings (until 509BC).The Cloaca Maxima canal was constructed to drain off theland into the Tiber River. Once the area was inhabitable itbegan to develop into an urban center and for more than1000 years this was the most important part of the city. Thearea's central square, called Foro, was where the Romanswould gather for meetings, trials and trade, the Forum wasthe center of life in Ancient Rome. Also in the Forum therewere markets, temples, government buildings, stores andinns.

Several structures remain in the Forum from differentperiods in history. The 70 foot high Arch of SeptimiusSeverus, (203AD) to commemorate the victory over theParthians. It is adorned with intricate bas-reliefs. Statuesremain from the House of the Vestal Virgins (AtriumVestae), which was a 3 story, 50 room residence whichaccommodated the virgin priestesses. Several of the original20 Corinthian columns from the Temple of Vesta remain,built on a podium 15 meters in diameter. The Curia Juliawas where the Senate would gather and although therewere several locations over the course of Roman history,the Curia which remains was constructed under Diocletianin 283AD.

The Rostra was a platform where speeches were made.The present platform was commissioned by Caesar andmade out of marble, it measured 24 meters wide and 12meters deep. The Column of Phocas is the most recentaddition to the Forum, constructed in 608AD tocommemorate a visit by the Byzantine Emperor Phocas toRome. Other outstanding structures in the Forum includethe Temple of Saturn; Temple of Vespasian and Titus;Temple of Castor and Pollux; Temple of Antoninus andFaustina and several churches like the Basilica Julia(54BC); Basilica of Maxentius (308AD) and Basilica Aemilia(179BC).


Transportation: Metro: Colosseo

Opening Hours: Nov-Feb 15 daily 8:30am-4:30pm,

Feb 16-Mar 15 daily 8:30am-5:00pm, Mar 16-27

daily 8:30am-5:30pm, Mar 28-Aug daily

8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily 8:30am-7:00pm, Oct

daily 8:30am-6:00pm. Guided tours in English with

an archaeologist 7 times per day Mar 28-Oct 30

(9:30am, 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm,

4:15pm, and 5:15pm)

Admission: 12 all levels. Guided tours: 4. Note:

to the Colosseum also includes a visit to the

Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill


Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome


14:30 The Colosseum Rating: Historic Sites

Visit Time: 2 hours

The Colosseum is the most recognizable and iconicmonument of Rome, if you see no other site in Rome youshould see this structure. This grand stadium wasconstructed by the Flavian emperors. In 508-544BC thevalley where the colosseum now stands had been drained.Houses and public buildings were constructed at this pointwhere four regions of ancient Rome converged. The GreatFire of Rome in 64AD cleared the area and Nero had a newpalace complex, Domus Aurea, constructed on the grounds.Under Vespasian much of Nero's private property wasreturned to the people and the construction of a grandamphitheatre began (71-72AD) on part of the property. Theamphitheatre was completed during the reign of Titus in80AD and by 81AD a third level had been added. At thistime hypogeum, a series of spaces beneath the arena usedas a "backstage" area were excavated. In the 2 centuryndrepairs were carried out and in 222 after extensive firedamage the colosseum was completely rebuilt over thecourse of 30 years.

The colosseum was used for bull fights, gladiator fights,chariot races, official events and various public forms ofentertainment. At its peek the most popular event was theLudi Circenses, the chariot races, there were also navalbattles reproduced with complex stage effects. Thecolosseum also hosted staged hunts, using live animals andoften involved feeding convicts to the beasts. Mythologicaldramas were staged in the arena among scenic woodscomplete with forest animals. Rome had a strict classsystem and there were 5 levels of seating within theaudience according to your social status. At capacity thearena could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators on the marblebenches.


In 404 the colosseum saw its last gladiator fight when theChristian Orthodox Emperor Theodosius banned all forms ofpaganism and customs. The colosseum fell into disrepairfirstly from the Visigoths sacking of Rome and then in the400s pieces of the architecture were stolen for reuse in newstructures. More repairs followed as did earthquakes,vandalism and the sacking of Rome by the Vandals ofGenseric. From the 6 to 13 century, as the property ofth ththe Church of Santa Maria Nova the colosseum became athruway and residential area. Ownership of the propertychanged over the years and looting continued as stone bystone the colosseum was dismantled. Finally in 1750 truerestoration began under Pope Benedict XIV.

Today the amphitheatre is still the largest in the world and isthe model on which the amphitheatres are based. There isnow a museum in the upper floor of the outer wall and thearena is used for Roman Catholic ceremonies several timesa year. The colosseum was recently chosen as one of theNew Seven Wonders of the World.


Transportation: Metro: Colosseo or Cavour, and

then cross the boulevard and walk up the flight of

stairs. Turn right, and you'll head into the piazza,

the church will be on your left

Opening Hours: Spring/summer daily

7:30am-12:30pm and 3:30-7:00pm, fall/winter to

6:00pm



Address: Womersley Road, London Borough of

Haringey, N8 9


16:40 St. Peter in Chains Rating: Religious Sites

Visit Time: 45 mins

The chains which bound St. Peter when he was imprisonedin Rome and Jerusalem are kept in the gold reliquary infront of the altar of the Church San Pietro in Vincoli. Thestory goes that the chains which held the saint in Jerusalemwere given to Pope Leo I who placed them next to thechains which had held Peter in Rome and the two sets ofchains miraculously joined together. The church was builtfor this purpose, to house the sacred chains. The churchunderwent several renovations under the reign of differentpopes as well as renovations made in 1875.

Apart from the chains themselves the church's other mainasset is Michelangelo's Moses, (1515) a sculpture whichwas intended to be one of 40 statues in a grand monumentcommissioned by Julius II. However other projects tookprecedent and the project was shelved althoughMichelangelo regarded Moses as one of his best works. Thehorns on Moses' head come from the incorrect translation ofthe scriptures which they read as "horns" instead of"radiated." On either side of Moses are statues of Leah andRachel also created by the master artist. The central nave ofthe church has a curved ceiling created in 1706 andfeatures a fresco by Giovanni Battista Parodi. The nave islined with two rows of Doric columns which came from otherancient sites and the Tomb of Nicholas of Kues (1440), oneof the first to realize the Earth is not the center of theuniverse, is also located within the church.


Day 3, Sat Aug 15 2015Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 Galleria Borghese 1 hour

2. 10:10 Villa Borghese 1 hour

3. 11:30 National Gallery of Ancient Art 1 hour, 30 mins

4. 13:10 Spanish Steps 30 mins

5. 13:40 Piazza di Spagna 30 mins

6. 14:20 Trevi Fountain 1 hour

7. 15:25 Palazzo del Quirinale 1 hour

8. 16:40 Piazza Navona 1 hour


Transportation: Bus: 116 or 910

Web: www.galleriaborghese.it


Admission: 11

Phone Number: 06-32810 for information

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5, 00197

Rome

09:00 Galleria Borghese Rating: Museums

Visit Time: 1 hour

This art museum is housed within the Villa BorghesePinciana, designed by architect Flaminio Ponzio as thesuburban home of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The homewas given extensive renovations in the 17 century butthdates back to when it was Scipione Borghese' home(1579-1633). The beautiful home was used for parties andthe adjacent landscaped gardens are as famous as thehouse. The house has two floors with 20 rooms, thearchitectural and interior design features of the building arean attraction in themselves. One of the rooms has a trompel'oeil ceiling fresco and another has Roman floor mosaics. Inthe entrance hall there is a mosaic featuring gladiatorswhich dates back to 320AD and was found on the BorgheseEstate at Torrenova.

The works of art on show in the Galleria Borghese camefrom the private collection of Cardinal Scipione, son ofOrtensia Borghese (Pope Paul V's sister) and FrancescoCaffarelli. The Cardinal was a patron of artist Bernini and anavid fan of Caravaggio. The collection includes pieces ofancient art as well as Renaissance and baroque art whichre-evoke the Golden Age. The collection includes sculpturesand paintings.

Canova's statue of Pauline Bonaparte (1805-1808) is one ofthe highlights of the collection. Among the paintings are 107works received by the Cardinal as a gift from the Pope, thepaintings had been confiscated from painter GiuseppeCesari. Raphael's Deposition was another personal gift fromthe Pope and in 1682 Correggios' Danae joined thecollection. Visitors can see Bernini's Apollo and Daphne,Titian's Sacred and Profane Love and works by Lorenzo,Botticelli, Lotto, Rubens, Savoldo, Bassano andDomenichino.


Phone Number: Mon-Sun 8:00am-7:00pm

Address: Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy


10:10 Villa Borghese Rating:Parks &

Gardens

Visit Time: 1 hour

Although English speakers may expect this to be a villa house, it is actually a garden, the largest public landscapepark in Rome. The park is situated where a vineyard grewuntil 1605 when Cardinal Scipione Borghese decided tohave it made into a park. He employed Domenico Savino daMontepulciano, a well known landscaper. The gardenoriginally had a very geometric design but later naturalelements were introduced. The artificial lake was added inthe 18 century, it marks the center of the park. An IonicthTemple dedicated to the God of Healing stands on a smallisland in the lake. The park remained the property of theBorghese family until 1903 when the municipality acquiredthe land and the park was opened to the public. The 1911the World Exposition was held in the Villa Borghese, eachcountry was represented by a semi-permanent pavilionbuilding constructed especially for the exposition. TheBritish School building which was designed by EdwinLutyens remains together with several other pavilions.

Today the park covers 148 acres and within the parkgrounds are several buildings, a lake, temple, fountains,statues and museums. The best known of the parkmuseums is the Museo e Galleria Borghese housed withinthe former Borghese family home. There is also the GalleriaNazionale d'Arte Moderna and the Museo NazionaleEtruscan housed within the Villa Giulia (1553). The park hasan amphitheatre, the Piazza di Siena and an 18 centurytharch, the arco di Settimo Severo.


Transportation: Metro: Barberini

Web: http://www.galleriaborghese.it


Admission: 6


Address:


11:30 National Gallery of Ancient Art Rating: Museums


This outstanding museum is housed within the equallystunning Barberini Palace which boasts The Triumph ofDivine Providence, a ceiling fresco by Pietro da Cortona.The central Gran Salone, where the ceiling fresco is located,was designed by Bernini who also designed the building'sfaade. Other talented architects also had a hand in thebuilding design, like Cortona who designed the theatre wing(now demolished) and Borromini who designed the spiralstaircase.

The main part of the art collection consists of work by Italianartists dating from the 13 century to the 18 century andth thincluding works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Fra Angelico,Filiop, Lippi, Lotto, Raffaello's Fornarina, Michelangelo andCanaletto. There are a number of works by internationalartists like Ruben and El Greco. The collection includespaintings, sculptures and works in other medium.

Visitors to the museum can also see the rococo apartments,the Gallery of Decorate Art, furnished with precious objectsby Cornelia Cosstanza Barberini who lived here with herhusband Prince Giulio Cesare Colonna di Sciarra. Theapartments are furnished and decorated as they would havebeen when the couple lived here and the walls and ceilingsare adorned with beautiful frescoes.


Opening Hours: 24/7

Admission: Free

Address: Via dei Condotti, Rome, Italy


13:10 Spanish Steps Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 30 mins

In the 17 century the French had initially proposed a planthto build the Spanish Steps and top it off with a statue of KingLouis XIV. However there was opposition from the pope andthe plan was only carried out in 1723-1726, but without theaddition of the statue. The designer Francisco de Sanctiswas chosen for the job and the 137 step flight of stairs wasbuilt drawing on the technique of terraced garden stairs. Thestairs signified the peace between the Spanish (below) andthe French in the square above. The steps are one of themost romantic places in Rome (and the widest staircase inEurope) and attract a lot of attention from tourists. In Maythe steps are decorated with azaleas and once a year thereis a fashion show here when the steps become the catwalk.

At the bottom of the steps is Piazza di Spagna, the SpanishSquare got its name from the Spanish Embassy which stoodclose by in the 17 century.th

The Piazza della Trinita dei Monti is the square at the top ofthe steps, named after the church which stands on thesquare. An obelisk stands in front of the church, it wasbrought to its present location in 1788 from the Gardens ofSallust. Also on the Piazza della Trinita dei Monti is theColonna dell'Immacolata or the Column of the ImmaculateConception. The column was recovered from beneath amonastery in 1777 and brought to this piazza in 1857. Thestatue of Mary which sits atop the column was a lateraddition. One of the prominent buildings on the square is theVilla Medici.

However the most prominent feature of the Piazza dellaTrinita dei Monti is the Trinita dei Monti Church. Originally asmall chapel stood here but following a commission byLouis XII a new, bigger and better church was completed in1585. The church has a renaissance faade although mostof the architecture is in the Gothic-style. There are two belltowers each with a clock, one shows French time(international time) and the other once showed Italian timebut now has a sun dial. Within the church are severalfrescoes including work by Daniele da Volterra,Michelangelo pupil.


Transportation: Metro: Barberini. Bus: 62, 81,

85,175, 492, or 590

Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome

Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy


13:40 Piazza di Spagna Rating: Square

Visit Time: 30 mins

The Piazza di Spagna is the Spanish Square from which the

Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti)

dramatically sweep up towards a higher level where the

French Church or Trinita dei Monti is located.

The 18 century square has an irregular shape andth

extends to the foot of Pincio Hill. The square features the

Fontana della Barcaccia created by Bernini created in 1598.

The center of the fountain is a statue of a small boat and

inspiration came from the 1598 flooding of the Tiber River

when a boat really did get stranded on the square. Some of

the buildings surrounding the square include the former

home of English poet John Keats, which is now a museum

and the 15 century palace of Lorenzo Cybo de Mari. Theth

Piazza di Spagna is the meeting point of some of Rome's

most elegant and glamorous streets like Via Condotti and

Via del Babuino. The surrounding streets feature top haut

couture stores like Gucci, Prada and Valentino. Note that it

is illegal to sit and eat your lunch on the steps.


14:20 Trevi Fountain Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 1 hour


The Fontana di Trevi is the largest baroque fountain in theworld. The fountain is well known from the Fellini film "LaDolce Vita" and "Three Coins in The Fountain." Legend hasit that if you throw a coin into the fountain and make a wishto return to Rome, your wish will be granted. It is situated inthe Trevi District of Rome at a junction of three roads (hencethe name tre-three+vie-roads). The fountain is 26,30 metershigh, 49,15 meters wide, 80,000 cubic meters of water flowthrough the fountain every day and it is mostly carved fromtravertine stone.

The fountain also marks the terminal point of one of AncientRome's 11 aqueducts, Aqua Virgo, which was constructedby Marcus Agrippa c.19BC during the reign of EmperorAugustus. The aqueduct covered 21km to bring fresh springwater into the city supplying clean drinking water for about400 years. Agrippa had the aqueduct built to bring water tothe Campus Martius thermal baths. The name of theaqueduct comes from a legend that tells of a virgin leadingtired and thirsty soldiers to the source of water. Fountainswere, and still are, a regular feature in Rome, by the 4 thcentury there were 1352 Roman fountains. The aqueductsuffered damage in 537 when the Ostrogoths attackedRome but in the early renaissance period the popes beganrestoring the aqueduct fountain.

Various popes had a hand in restoring the fountain andeven relocating and reorienting it. It was Urbanus VIII whocommissioned Bernini to work on the fountain. In 1730 acontest was held to design a new fountain and Nicola Salviwon. In 1743 the new fountain began flowing with water.Giuseppe Pannini (son of Giampaolo) took over thecompletion of the fountain decoration. Bracci also had ahand in the creation by carving the marble Ocean's Triumphaccording to Salvi's design. Work was completed in 1762.

The statue of Ocean stands at the highest and central pointof the fountain, he stands in a chariot pulled by two horsesridden by two Tritons. One Triton is old and one is youngwhile one horse is restless and the other calm. To the left ofOcean is a statue of Abundance and to the right a statue ofHealth. Above the statues are reliefs of Agrippa overseeingthe construction of the aqueduct and another of the Virginleading the soldiers to the water. There are also allegoricalfigures and carvings of about 30 types of plants.

The Trivi Fountain is perhaps Rome's most romanticfountain and visitors can drink from the cast iron pipessituated on the steps. Money thrown into the fountain isused to finance maintenance of the fountain.


Closed: Palazzo del Quirinale remains closed

June 22-Sept 7

Transportation: Metro: Barberini

Web: www.quirinale.it

Opening Hours: Sun 8:30am-noon

Admission: 5

Address: Piazza del Quirinale, 00187 Rome


15:25 Palazzo del Quirinale Rating: Palaces

Visit Time: 1 hour

Today the Palazzo del Quirinale functions as the Presidentof the Republic's official residence. Tt is located on QuirinalHill, the highest of Rome's seven hills. In front of the palaceis a piazza where visitors can see the Monte CavalloFountain (1818) and an obelisk which came from theAugustus' Mausoleum. Across the piazza is the Scuderiedel Quirinale, the Quirinal Stables which are now used asexhibition space.

The Palazzo del Quirinale was constructed in the 1500s asa summer home (and escape from Malaria ridden Rome) forPope Gregory XIII and the architect was Ottavio Mascarino.Over time the palace came to be occupied by 30 popes. Thebuilding was expanded and improved by Domenico Fontanaand later Flaminio Ponzio and Carlo Maderno. Maderno wasresponsible for creating the Sala Regia, the PapalApartments and the Paolina Chapel. Under Pope Urban VIIImore land was bought to expand the gardens and property.Bernini had a hand in the project during the 1600s and thepalace was completed under the guidance of FerdinandoFuga in 1700. On completion the building covered110,500m and is the largest residence of a Head of State inthe world. The palace passed from the popes to the Savoysand later became the President of the Republic's residencein 1947 and subsequently the home of 11 presidents.

Within the Palazzo the Scalone d'Onore staircase has abeautiful fresco by Melozzo da Forli, who also created thegarden design. The palace is home to many great works ofart including a collection of Murano glass chandeliers.


Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome, Italy


16:40 Piazza Navona Rating: Square

Visit Time: 1 hour

Piazza Navona is an elongated oval-shaped public squarein Rome, it was built on the former Stadium of Domitian (theremains of which can still be seen on guided tours fromPiazza Tor Sanguigna13). The original name was CircusAgonalis or Circus Agonalis. The Piazza was paved in the15 century and used as a market place and a venue forthspecial events including mock naval battles. Today is alively and popular social meeting point in the numerouscafes, restaurants and places of entertainment which linethe square. The square is the venue for many annual fairsand festivals. The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone (1670)isalso on the square and is perhaps the sources of thesquare's present name.

The main attractions of the square are the three fountains,the most famous being Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. TheFountain of the Four Rivers was completed in 1651 andalthough originally the artist Borromini was commissioned,ultimately Bernini took over the design. The fountainfeatures an obelisk brought from the Massenzio Circus andsurrounding the fountain base are figures representing fourgreat rivers: The Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata.

The Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno) or Calderariwas designed by Giacomo della Porta and constructed in1576. Further statues of Neptune and the sea nymphs wereadded in the 19 century.th

The Fontana del Moro was also created by della Porta. Thecentral statue was designed by Bernini in the 17 centurythand features a Moor and a dolphin. The Tritons (malemermaids) were added in the 19 century.th


Day 4, Sun Aug 16 2015Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 Victor Emmanuel Monument 30 mins

2. 09:35 Piazza del Campidoglio 15 mins

3. 09:50 Capitoline Hill 1 hour, 30 mins

4. 11:35 Circus Maximus 1 hour, 30 mins

5. 13:10 Giardino degli Aranci 1 hour

6. 14:10 Santa Sabina 30 mins

7. 14:55 Pyramid of Caius Cestius 30 mins

8. 15:40 Baths of Caracalla 1 hour


Transportation: Metro : BLUE B Line : Colosseo:

Turn right out of station and walk about 10 minutes

up Via dei Fori Imperiali. Bus - lines 60, 40, 64 and

117.

Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9:30am-6:30pm, Fri-Sat

9:30am-10:30pm, Sun 9:30am-7:30pm

Admission: free

Phone Number: +39 06 678 0664

Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome, Italy

09:00 Victor Emmanuel Monument Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 30 mins

This monument is also called Altare della Patria,Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele, Altar of thefatherland or just Il Vittoriano. However the locals havenicknamed the monument "the typewriter", "the weddingcake" and a few other names. The monument on PiazzaVenezia houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and aneternal flame. The monument was erected following WWI inhonor of those who lost their lives in battle. It is noteworthy,not for its beauty but for its grand scale.

In 1911 Giuseppe Sacconi designed the monument butcompleted by several sculptures and architects includingLeonardo Bistolfi, Angelo Zanelli, Manfredo and PioPiacentini. It was only inaugurated in 1935. The monumentis named after the first king of unified Italy. The structure ismade of marble, there are sweeping stairways on either sideof an intricately carved pedestal which holds an equestrianstatue of Victor Emmanuel. The stairs lead up to asemi-circle of Corinthian columns which resembles aRoman temple. On either side of the roof of thesemi-circular structure are quadrigas statues of theGoddess Victoria. Visitors can take an elevator to theTerrace of the Quadrigas to get brilliant views of the city.The Museum of Italian Unification, the Shrine of the Flagsand a caf are housed within the monument.


Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Roma Rome,

Italy


09:35 Piazza del Campidoglio Rating: Square

Visit Time: 15 mins

This is a grand public square on Capitoline Hill, it wasdesigned by Michelangelo Buonarroti and constructedbetween 1538 and 1650, although the artist died in 1564and work continued according to his plans. WhenMichelangelo took on the project the once elite and sacredAncient Roman sites of Capitoline Hill had all butdisappeared beneath newer medieval structures. It wasPope Paul III (Farnese) who took on the project to make theplaza presentable for the upcoming visit of Emperor CharlesV.

The plaza is elliptic is shape and typical of the Italianrenaissance style, there is an unusual pattern on the squarepaving. Michelangelo created a long sloping staircase, theCordonata steps leading from Piazza Venezia up to thePiazza del Campidoglio. At the foot of the stairs are twoEgyptian statues of lions and at the top there are statues ofDioscuri Castor and Pollux. There are also statues on thestair balustrade. In the center of the square is an equestrianstatue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, this is a replica of theoriginal bronze gilded statue which is on show in thePalazzo Nuovo.

Michelangelo also redesigned the buildings around thesquare which we can still see today. The Palazzo Senatoriowhich was the seat of the senate until 1870; Palazzo deiConservatori (1563) now houses part of the CapitolineMuseums and the Palazzo Nuovo was a later addition to thesquare and mirrored the Palazzo ei Conservatori inappearance. It too holds part of the Capitoline Museumscollection and was the first public museum in the world,opening its doors in 1734.


Phone: +39 06 0608

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Roma Rome,

Italy


09:50 Capitoline Hill Rating: Landmark


This is one of the famed seven hills upon which Rome wasbuilt and it was considered the most sacred. The Englishword "capital" is derived from Capitoline. It is locatedbetween the Forum and the Campus Martius and was thesite of Rome's first temples, the Temple of Jupiter and theCapitoline Triad and of the Tabularium, the city hall ofrecords. Capitoline Hill was the site of many major events inRoman history, for example after the murder of Caesar,Brutus and his cohorts hid in the Temple of Jupiter situatedon Capitoline Hill. The hill provided a high refuge from thecity below and was even used to throw political criminals totheir death on the Tarpeian Rocks below. The hill and thestructures built on it fell into ruin and only in the 16 centurythwas it restored to its former glory. The new renaissancestructures were built on top of the ancient ones leaving littleof the former Empire structures. Michelangelo wascommissioned to create long ramp-like steps (Cordonatastairs) which lead up to Piazza del Campidoglio as well as apedestal for an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

Today visitors can see Roman artifacts on display in theCapitoline Museum. The square is surrounded by theSenatorium, Palace of the Conservatori and the CapitolineMuseum housed in two buildings (Palazza Nuovo andPalazzo dei Conservatori. Michelangelo designed thefacades of the three palaces on the square.


Transportation: Metro: Circo Massimo. Bus: 81,

60, 160, 715, or 628

Address: Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Rome


11:35 Circus Maximus Rating: Historic Sites


Circus Maximus or Circo Massimo was the first and biggestarena/stadium in ancient Rome where the citizens wouldgather to watch chariot races, gladiator fights, processionsand major events. The stadium was constructed in thevalley between the Palatine Hills and the Aventine Hills. Thevenue continued to operate for nearly a thousand years andat its height could accommodate an audience of a quarter ofa million people. The Circus Maximus became the modelused to build other arenas throughout the Roman Empire.

The Circus Maximus grew and changed over the yearsstarting in the 6 century BC when the Emperor TarquiniusthPriscus had a race track created. Later significantdevelopments came with the construction of permanentgates in 329BC and new gates in 174BC. To keep track ofthe number of laps the chariots had made 7 wooden ovalswere placed on the spina (central wall of the arena) and foreach lap an oval was removed. Later in 33BC the eggshapes were replaced with 7 bronze dolphins. Following afire in 31BC Emperor Augustus had renovations made andincluded an imperial box. The wooden structure was burneddown again during Emperor Nero's reign in 64AD andfinally, after a third fire the arena was rebuilt in 103AD, thistime in marble.

The new 3 story marble Circus Maximus was of grandproportions, the elongated oval shaped complex was 600meters long and 150 meters high. The venue operated withgreat success until 549AD when the last race was held.

Today visitors to the site of the Circus Maximus can onlysee the remains and outline of the structure within a publicpark. Over the years the structure decayed and wascovered with soil and waterlogged. Some elements of thestructure were used as building materials for Middle Agesand Renaissance structures. One of the elements rescuedfrom the remains was an obelisk which now stands inPiazza del Popolo. This grand historic venue is still usedoccasionally for performances, events and concerts like theGenesis concert of 2007 which was attended by 500,000people.


Address: Giardino degli Aranci, Rome


13:10 Giardino degli Aranci Rating:Parks &

Gardens

Visit Time: 1 hour

The Giardino degli Aranci, Parco Savello or Garden ofOranges is located on Aventino Hill, it is one of the city'smost romantic locations and often used as the backdrop forwedding photos. The park is believed to have been createdwhen Saint Dominic brought an orange tree from his nativeSpain and planted it in the vegetable garden of the adjacentSavelli Castle which housed a monastery. The saplingflourished and additional orange trees were planted. SaintCatherine of Siena is thought to have used the tree'soranges to make candied fruit for Pope Urban VI. Themonastery's garden became the park we known today whenit was redesigned by Raffaele de Vico in 1932.

From the Garden of Oranges you can see the Basilica ofSanta Sabina and the drawbridge and towers which onceformed part of the Savelli Castle. The garden has asymmetrical design and a wide, paved, tree-lined, centralwalkway called Viale Nino Manfredi after a famous actorwho passed away in 2004. The central promenade leads toa terrace at the highest point of the park. From the gardenterrace there are sweeping views across some of Rome'smost famous structures. In the summer the park comesalive with theatrical performances and scores of romanticItalian couples.


Transportation: Bus: 23, 30, 44, 60, 75, 95, or 170

Opening Hours: Daily 6:00am-12:45pm and

3-7:00pm



Address: Piazza Pietro D'Illiria, 1, 00153 Rome


14:10 Santa Sabina Rating: Religious Sites

Visit Time: 30 mins

The Basilica Sanctae Sabinae is located on the AventineHill; it is one of the city's oldest churches and dates back to422-432. It is built on the site of the home of Sabina, aconvert to Christianity and Roman martyr who was laterdeclared a saint. The founder of the church was Peter ofIllyria a monk who gives his name to the square andadjacent convent. The structure of the church is a classicrectangular-style with light colored dcor and simple designwhich gives the space an airy feel. The church underwentseveral changes over the years. It was at one pointincorporated into the Crescenzi family fort; in the 16 -17 th thcentury restored in the baroque-style and later in the 1800sbecame a steam laundry. It was under Mussolini thatAntonio Munoz restored the church for the last time. Manylayers of history and architectural styles are evident in thestructure.

Highlights of the church building include the 5 centurythcypress wood portal with scenes from the Bible; 24 churchcolumns which came from the Temple of Juno Regina; 9 thcentury chancel furniture; a fresco by Taddeo Zuccari andlarge selenite windows which shed light on the churchmosaics. On the floor of the nave is the city's only survivingmosaic tomb dating back to c.1300.


Transportation: Metro: Piramide

Address: Via del Campo Boario, 00153 Rome


14:55 Pyramid of Caius Cestius Rating: Landmark

Visit Time: 30 mins

The ancient pyramid of Cestius stands near the Porta SanPaolo on the Via Ostiensis it was the final resting place ofCaius Cestius Epulonius, a rich magistrate and priest whodied in 12BC. The pyramid was constructed at a time whenall-things-Egyptian were in fashion and it was also inspiredby the pyramids of Nubia which had recently (23BC) beenattacked by Romans and the pyramids of Egypt whichRome conquered in 30BC. The pyramid is more pointedthan Egyptian pyramids and stands 36 meters high and 29.5meters wide. It was constructed using concrete and brickand covered with white Carrara marble. Thanks to theconcrete the Romans managed to make their pyramidstaller and more pointed than the Egyptians. The pyramid isdecorated with intricate frescoes and panels and originallytwo bronze figures stood at the entrance. The figures arenow on display else ware.

The pyramid originally stood outside the city walls, like allburial sites but with the expansion of the city it is now withincity limits. When the Aurelian Walls were being constructed(271-275) the pyramid was incorporated into the walls as abastion. Much later in the 17 century Pope Alexander VIIthordered the site to be excavated and restored. An inscriptionfound on the pyramid confirmed that it belonged to Cestiusand stating that it took 330 days to build. A secondinscription was added by Alexander VII commemorating therestoration. The excavation also opened up the tomb toreveal Third Style Roman paintings.



Transportation: Bus: C3, 81, 118, or 160

Opening Hours: Oct daily 9:00am-6:00pm, Nov

and Dec daily 9:00am-4:30pm, Jan-Feb 15 daily



Mar 28-Aug daily 9:00am-7:15pm, Sep daily

9:00am-7:00pm. Last admission 1 hr. before

closing

Admission: 6


Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52, 00100

Rome


15:40 Baths of Caracalla Rating: Historic Sites

Visit Time: 1 hour

Roman's largest public baths (thermae) were constructedfrom 212AD to 216AD during the reign of Emperor MarcusAurelius Antoninus, also called Caracalla after the tunic hewore. The baths remained operational for more than 300years during a period when the city had over 50 public bathsthat were used in lieu of private bathrooms. The bathsserved a social function as well as allowing citizens to washaway the dust. Bathing was a ritual process beginning with ahot bath in the caldarium, then a luke-warm bath in thetepidarium, a cold bath in the frigidarium and finally arelaxing swim in the natatio or open air swimming poolfollowed by a massage or rubdown with scented cloths.

The water was provided by the Aqua Marcia aqueduct whichbrought water to the complex reservoirs, it was only whenthe water supply was destroyed by the Goths that the bathsceased to operate. On the lower level a radiant heatingsystem was used to heat the water by furnaces and tubes.Slaves would spend their time confined to the lower level,heaving the wood into the furnaces. The complex covered27 acres and could accommodate 1600 people who came touse the many facilities it provided like the gymnasiums,library, stores, landscaped gardens, restaurant and evenbrothel.

The baths had marble seating, mosaics on the walls andfloors, fountains, marble and bronze statues and the wallswere covered with polychrome marble and tiled mosaics.Today only the ruins remain as the baths suffered frommarauding Goths, earthquakes and pieces of the structurewere taken to be used in other Roman buildings. Howevervisitors can still get an idea of the scale and opulence of thebaths from the towering red brick walls, grand arches,remaining mosaic floors and granite columns.


Day 5, Mon Aug 17 2015Hour Where Recommended Visit Time

1. 09:00 Palatine Hill and Palatine Museum 2 hours

2. 11:20 Museo Capitolino 1 hour, 30 mins

3. 12:55 Imperial Forums 1 hour, 30 mins

4. 14:30 Museum of Palazzo Venezia 1 hour, 15 mins

5. 15:50 Galleria Doria Pamphilj 45 mins

09:00 Palatine Hill and Palatine Museum Rating: Historic Sites

Visit Time: 2 hours

Palatine Hill

This is one of the famous seven hills on which Rome wasfounded and is the most centrally located. From its height of40 meters it is surrounded by the Circus Maximus, ForumRomanum and the Colosseum. Archaeological findingsshow that the site was inhabited as far back as the 10 thcentury BC. Traditionally it was the site of the Lupercal Cavewhere Romulus and Remus were nursed by a she-wolf andso it would have been where Romulus began building thecity (754BC).



Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Bus: 40, 46, 62,

63, 64, 70, 87, 119, 271, or 280

Opening Hours: Guided tours of Roman Forum

daily 1:00pm. Oct 30-Feb 15 daily



Mar 27-Aug 31 daily 8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily

8:30am-7:00pm, Oct 1-29 daily 8:30am-6:30pm.

Last admission 1 hr. before closing

Admission: 12, ticket good for same-day

admission to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Guided tours of Roman Forum 4


Address: Palatine Hill, and Palatine Museum,

00193 Rome

During the Roman Republican Era the hill was a fashionableresidential area due to the hill's height and spectacularviews it afforded. The great leaders of the Roman Empirechose this hill as their home and the site was wall-to-wallpalaces at one point. And so the word "palace" is derivedfrom "Palatine." First Emperor Augustus made the hill hisheadquarters, constructing Imperial palaces there, then theywere expanded under Julio-Claudian Emperors and byNero. Finally Domitian had Rabirius design his FlavianPalace which was built on top of the existing dwellings.

Visitors can see the archaeological findings from thePalatine Hill on display in the Palace of the Caesars whichhouses the Palatine Museum. Other sites on the PalatineHill include the excavated ruins of the House of Augustus,House of Livia, Domus Augustana and the Palace ofSeptimius Severus.

Palatine Museum

The Museo Palatino is located on Palatine Hill within thePalace of the Caesars and houses archaeological findingsfrom Palatine Hill. The artifacts in the museum date back toIron Age tombs proving that Palatine Hill was probably thefirst settlement in Rome. There are the remains of hutsdating back to the 8 century BC, the traditional date ofthRome's establishment by Romulus. Thanks to the ongoingexcavations items have been uncover which allow us totrace the progress of Rome from its beginnings, through theRepublic Era and into the Roman Empire and late ancientperiods. Findings on the hill show fortified walls, drainagesystems, temples and palatial villas.

Palatine Hill was the site of many palaces in Ancient Romeand the museum holds statues, mosaics and frescoescollection from excavations of the Palatine villas. Inparticular the artifacts on show come from the 1 4 st thcentury when the Palatine Hill was at its peak. You can seeboth art work found in the Palatine palaces and pieces ofthe architecture which were rescued, like parts of columnsand even walls. Together with the actual statues andarchaeological findings there are photos of other piecesdisplayed as well. On one of the floors of the museum youcan see an exhibit about the prehistoric growth of Rome.One of the most significant items in the museum is painteddecorations from Aula Isiaca, as well as works from otherPalatine buildings like the House of Augustus, House ofLivia and the House of Gryphons.


Transportation: Bus: 44, 84, 190, or 780

Web: http://www.museicapitolini.org


Admission: (to both) 11


Address:


11:20 Museo Capitolino Rating: Museums


The Museo Capitolino buildings consist of Palazzo deiConservatori, Palazzo Senatorio and Palazzo Nuovo whichface onto the Piazza del Campidoglio located on one ofRome's Capitoline Hill. The piazza building plan dates backto 1536 when the design was conceived by Michelangelobut construction continued over the course of 400 years.

The building was later enlarged to increase the exhibitionspace. The Galleria Congiunzione was built beneath thesquare to link the three museum buildings. Within theGalleria are Roman archeological remains from the 2 ndcentury which are still in their original positions. Sala MarcoAurelio, a glass covered hall, encloses the GiardinoRomano or Roman Garden.

Pope Sixtus IV began the collection when he donated anumber of bronze statues with strong ties to the city, like thebronze of Romulus and Remus being nursed by a she-wolf(Lupa Capitolina); the colossal head of Constantine and theCamillus. In the 16 century Pope Pius V ridded thethVatican of all art depicting pagan images and so thecollection grew. It was in 1734 that the museum was openedto the public. In the 19 century coins, medals, sculpturesthand ancient pottery were added to the collection.

One of the museum's prized pieces is the statue of MarcusAurelius on horseback; this is the only surviving bronzeequestrian statue from Ancient Rome. The highlights of themuseum include Lo Spinario; Caravaggio's Fortune Teller;Rubens' Romulus and Remus; Dying Gaul; Cupid andPsyche and the Capitoline Venus. In the Palazzo deiConservatori you can visit the Conservator's Apartmentwhere art is exhibited in rooms with elaborate frescoes,tapestries and carved ceilings.


Phone Number:

Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Keep to the right

side of the street


Address:


12:55 Imperial Forums Rating: Historic Sites


The Imperial Forums or Fori Imperial constituted the centerof Ancient Rome's political and religious activities, they werea series of public squares surrounded by buildings and eachone created by a different emperor to show off his wealth,power and superiority. The buildings which fill this area wereconstructed between 46BC and 113AD and includedtemples, libraries, courts and places of education. JuliusCaesar was responsible for initiating the construction of thenew Imperial Forums in an effort to relieve over crowding inthe older Roman Forum (which is a different site).Much of the ancient architecture was lost when Mussolinidecided to connect the Colosseum and the Piazza Veneziaby constructing Via dei Imperiali through the forums. Whatremains of the site can be seen on either side of thisboulevard. The Forum of Julius Caesar was once the site ofthe Temple of Venus. All that remains of the Forum of Nervais a wall from the Temple of Minerva and two Corinthiancolumns. The Forum of Augustus commemorated theemperor's victories in battle and was once home to a courtof law. The Trajan's Market was a large semi-circle orstores. The Forum of Peace celebrated the conquest ofJerusalem and valuable artifacts from the Temple inJerusalem were stored here.

Forum of Trajan is considered the most beautiful of theforums and you can see the remains of grand statues,pedestals and the Basilica Ulpia with its tall grey columns.Trajan's Column is one of the best preserved parts of theImperial Forums and has delicate bas-relief details andsoars 42 meters above ground.


Transportation: Bus: 30, 40, 46, 60, 62, 64, 70, 87,

119, 130, or 916

Web: http://www.galleriaborghese.it


Admission: 4


Address: Via del Plebiscito, 118, 00186 Rome


14:30 Museum of Palazzo Venezia Rating: Museums


This museum of the applied arts is housed within a formerresidence of Pope Paul II Barbo (1464-1471). Apart frombeing a papal palace the Palazzo Venezia was also used asthe Austrian Embassy and as a home for the ambassadorsof La Serenissima. During Mussolini's reign the palaceserved as his government's seat and in 2010 a secretbunker was discovered beneath the building. Above groundyou can still see the 15 century balcony where the leaderthmade his speeches. The building is a classic example ofmedieval architecture and a great background for the art itholds.

The initial pieces of the collection came from CastelSant'Angelo, the National Gallery of Antique Art and theMuseum of Collegio Romano and consisted mainly of artfrom the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The collectionincluded decorative art such as ceramics, jewelry andenamel. Later acquisitions embellished the collection andhelped to formulate its character as a collection of appliedarts pieces. "Applied arts" is a term used to describe theapplication of artistic design and aesthetics to everydayfunctional objects. Today the collection includes tapestries,statues, items made of ivory, porcelain, paintings and otheritems. Most of the pieces come from the period between theearly Christian era and the early Renaissance era.


Closed: Closed on holidays

Transportation: Metro: Barberini or Colosseo

Web: www.doriapamphilj.it

Opening Hours: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm. Private

visits can be arranged

Admission: 9.50 adults, 7 students/seniors


Address:


15:50 Galleria Doria Pamphilj Rating: Museums

Visit Time: 45 mins

In 1763 the rivalry between the Borghese, Colonna andDoria families over who would succeed the son-lessGirolamo Pamphilj ended when Clement XIII granted PrinceGiovanni Andrea IV Doria the name, property and all rightsto the Pamphilj inheritance. With this honor and all its richesthe new heir was compelled to reside in Rome and so hemoved with his wife, to the palace on the Corso. In this waythe Doria, Pamphilj, Landi and Aldobrandini families wereunited through marriage over the years. The illustriousfamily history of Doria and Pamphilj included popes (PopeInnocent X for example who started this incredible collectionin 1644) and great leaders, who were in a position toacquire fine works of art. The family's enthusiasm for art ledto this incredible collection growing over the years and beingpassed on from generation to generation.

The gallery holds 17 century masterpieces by great artiststhsuch as Carracci, Caravaggio, Annibale, Guido, Bruegel,Ribera, Dughet and more. Renaissance paintings includethose by Titian, Lotto, Parmigianino, Correggio, Lorenzo,Raphael and Garofalo. In addition to the paintings thegallery holds marble busts (for example Bernini's bust ofPope Innocent X), furniture and antique sculptures.The Doria Pamphilj collection is housed in the Palazzo DoriaPamphilj and the collection is still owned by the DoriaPamphilj family. The stately home's rooms have beenconverted to galleries where you can view art from the 15 thto 18 century. Visitors can also see the palace chapel andthprivate rooms which retain some of their original furnishings.

On the Fast Lane Rome 5 Days Itinerary

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