One Full Day in Rome

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No visit to Rome is complete without having seen its magnificent Colosseum, a vast amphitheatre with seating for 55,000 that was designed as a horse racing circuit and arena for animal fighting and gladiatorial battles. Upon its completion, spectacular 100-day celebrations were organized as part of the opening ceremony in 72 AD. Its name is believed to come from Nero's enormous statue of Colossus that stood close by.

Our Local Expert Says:

This arch is the largest of the three remaining arches from ancient Rome.

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The Arch of Constantine is particularly interesting because it is like a jigsaw made up of other monuments. It was built using material from Trajan's Forum, from where the statues of the Dacian prisoners and the friezes representing Marcus Aurelius were also taken. The Arch was erected at the beginning of the fourth century in honour of Constantine, following the victory over Maxentius. It is considered one of the last great monuments to be constructed by the Romans. It stands beside the Colosseum in the huge square which in summer is the site for one of the events of the 'Estate Romana'. A huge screen is hung from the arch, onto which films and videos are projected.

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The Forum was designed to be the centre of social, political and economic life in the city. The innumerable remains include the well-conserved triumphal arch of Emperor Septimius Severus, with reliefs depicting his victories and the base of the Temple of Saturn with its eight columns and their splendid Ionic capitals. The 'Rostrum' is the famous platform from which Mark Antony gave his oration in Shakespeare's play after Julius Caesar's assassination. The platform became the setting for many important events in Rome's history. It was named the 'rostrum' after the bows of the ships that form the decorative motif. The Temple of Vesta was the home of the Vestal Virgins, charged with keeping the sacred flame alight. The circular foundations still remain, near to a garden in which traces of the House of the Vestal Virgins can still be seen. The Basilica of Constantine and Massentius was used as the court, and the three remaining barrel-vaulted naves give an idea of its gigantic structure. The Arch of Titus celebrates victories in Judea, and in the reliefs you can see the spoils of war, including an altar and a seven-armed chandelier.

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This is probably the oldest shopping centre in the world. Built by the Emperor Trajan in the 2nd century A.D, it consisted of 150 offices and shops selling food, flowers, jewellery and wool. The finest shops were decorated with mosaics depicting the merchandise on sale. Today the shops are intact, but empty, even though, when the wine-shops were rediscovered, they were full of amphors of wine. The offices on the floor above organised the distribution of free rations of corn to the citizens of Rome.

The recently opened Museum of Imperiali is nearby and a must see to get a glimpse into Trajan's offices. It is truly one of the top sites in Rome.

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The origins of this theatre run back to 23 BC, when Augustus had it built in honour of Marcus Claudius Marcellus, his nephew and adopted son. The theatre had space for 20,000 people, and was used for games and celebrations. The construction fell into ruin during the following centuries due to plunder and fire: in fact it became a sort of quarry from which materials were taken for the construction of buildings, churches and so forth. Restoration began in about 1300 when the Savelli family bought the ruins. The same family performed further work two centuries later, and this was continued by the Orsini who acquired the complex in order to enlarge their own building: they restored part of the theatre. It is a top thing to do in Rome. Today, concerts are organised here, and this is the only way of seeing it from the inside.

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The broad Via dei Fori Imperiali is lined on either side by the remains of the Imperial Forums of ancient Rome. The street was laid in 1932 with the name Via dell'Impero (Empire Street) which reflected Mussolini's aims. It connects the centre to the districts of San Giovanni and Celio and is therefore an important artery for the city. The long existing plan to remove the road has never been implemented because the result would be paralysis of the city traffic. However, the plus side would be that the rest of the forums could be excavated. The street runs from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum with the Basilica Ulpia, Trajan's Forum and Augustus' Forum on the right and Caesar's Forum and Nerva's Forum on the left. About halfway along, on both sides, lies the Forum of Peace which is currently being excavated.

Our Local Expert Says:

Piazza Venezia is perhaps the most central location in Rome with the Coliseum and Roman Forum to the right, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica to the left (across the river) and Via del Corso straight ahead leading to Piazza del Popolo, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain.

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Beset on all sides by roads, the square is heavily congested with traffic. In the background, the Altare della Patria is dedicated to King Vittorio Emanuele. Romans refer to it as the 'wedding cake' or the 'typewriter' because of its shape and colour. Shortly after WW1, the body of the Unknown Soldier was brought here and placed in the centre of the steps of the Vittoriano. It has a permanent armed guard. Palazzo Venezia was built during the second half of the 15th c. and was where the Venetian ambassadors to Rome stayed. Later it became the residence of the Cardinal of the Basilica of St Mark.

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Construction of this palace begun in 1455 for the Venetian cardinal, Pietro Barbi, who made it his residence. Construction of the first palace was completed shortly before his election to the Papacy in 1464 when he adopted the name Paul II. He then decided to amplify the palace and make it a dwelling worthy of a pope. The work continued until 20 years after the Pope's death and it underwent architectural transformations on several occasions over the centuries. In 1916 it was confiscated by the state of Italy which decided to make it the Palazzo Venezia museum, a role it still plays, as well as being the library of the National Institute of Archaeology and History of Art. During the Fascist regime, the palace was made famous by newsreels of the time, showing Mussolini speaking to the crowds below from a window in the palace.

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Guests are welcomed into what remains of the tiers of the Teatro di Pompeo: the first fixed theatre in Rome, dating back to 60 BC, which could hold up to 20,000 spectators. Tradition has it that this is the place where Julius Caesar was stabbed by Brutus. Today the arches of the third row are all that remain of the theatre.

Our Local Expert Says:

All year round, this square is filled with artists, circus acts and puppet performers.

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During the Christmas season this square is packed with stalls selling toys, sweets and decorations for the Nativity scene or Christmas tree, making it a favourite spot for children. Its unusual shape recalls the time of Domitian, who built a stadium for equestrian displays here. The Fountain of the Rivers, with the obelisk, and the Fountain of the Moor, with the god of the sea, at the centre of the square, are both by Bernini.

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Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, restored by Domitian, and subsequently rebuilt by Hadrian (who added the dome) before being turned into a church in the early 7th century by Pope Boniface IV. The building's sole source of light is the opening at the dome's apex (the oculus); according to popular legend, this formed the base for the bronze pinecone that is now in the Vatican's 'Pigna' courtyard, where it is used as a fountain. Many famous Italians are buried in the Pantheon, including Renaissance painter Raphael and King Vittorio Emanuele I.

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For centuries Via del Corso has been the main road of access to the city for pilgrims coming in from the north. Originally, it was known as Via Flaminia during the time of the Roman Empire, and then went on to be known as Via Lata in the Middle Ages. This road, measuring 1500 metres, connects Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo. Here, among other things, you can find elegant palaces dating back to ancient times. Most tourists today love taking a walk down this road only to lose themselves in ancient history and the essence of this culturally rich city.

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Tradition has it that throwing a coin over your left shoulder into the fountain guarantees a swift return to the world's most beautiful city. Anita Ekberg's dip in it was immortalized in Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', and Italian actor Toto even sold it to an American, passing himself off as its owner. Earlier it was the setting for the award-winning "Three Coins in the Fountain" motion picture, ensuring its popularity worldwide. Designed by Nicola Salvi for Pope Clemente XII, it was completed in the second half of the 1700s. The statues in the centre represent Neptune supported by Tritons on either side while rococo-style Poli Palace provides the perfect backdrop.

Our Local Expert Says:

The Spanish Steps area is the cobblestone equivalent to Fifth Avenue in New York City or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, with upscale shops and expensive cafes. Every spring, the steps are covered with bright flowers.

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An incredible, almost theatrical square with the lovely Spanish steps leading up to the Chiesa di Trinità dei Monti. One of the most important fashion shows is held here, the steps being used as a catwalk. It is now an international meeting point. The fountain known as the 'Barcaccia' (boat) was commissioned by Urbano Barberini to commemorate the alliance made with the King of France, whose coat of arms can be seen on Trinità dei Monti. The square leads into several famous streets, Via Dei Condotti, Via Frattina and Via Borgognona with their luxurious boutiques, and Via Del Babuino with its antique shops.

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During the Middle Ages, this square formed the main entrance to the city for pilgrims and travellers arriving on the Via Flaminia (from the north). It was only when Pope Sixtus V placed the 1200 BC Egyptian obelisk of Ramses II in the centre of the square that Piazza del Popolo took on its current function. The obelisk is the tip of the trident formed by the three streets that begin in the square: Via del Corso, Via di Ripetta and Via del Babuino. Valadier was the architect who gave the square its present elliptical appearance by building the two ramps that lead to the Pincio. Two shell-shaped fountains overlooked by groups of statues stand in the two hemicycles. Valadier was also responsible for the buildings on Via del Babuino and Via di Ripetta that are today occupied by the famous cafés Rosati and Canova.

Our Local Expert Says:

Make sure to request a map of the park as there are many hidden sights and museums.

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Design of the villa began at the start of the 17th century when Pope Paul V Borghese was elected. Its style resembles that of city villas from 100 years earlier. The gardens were especially cared for - aviaries were added to house exotic birds and areas of the gardens were stocked with peacocks, ostriches, gazelles and even lions. Over the years, the garden was altered into an English-style space designed by Jacob Moore. One of the park's loveliest areas is the Lake Garden, which is enclosed by a railing that emphasises the lake's irregular shape. In the centre of an artificial island, a temple was built dedicated to Aesculapius. The famous Square of Siena has been the scene of horse-jumping and carriage-racing competitions since it was first built.

Our Local Expert Says:

Every year, the Via Margutta Association organizes an art fair with students and artists donating their pieces to several different charities.

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Parallel to the elegant Via del Babuino runs the narrow but noteworthy Via Margutta. Here a great number of young artists, with great hopes and little money, made their names. The street is now peppered with little art galleries. The attics of the houses were and are still the studios of painters great and small. Among the characters who have lived in this street one remembers the painter Novella Parigini with her characteristic images of cats and cat-like women. The festival 100 Pittori in via Margutta (100 painters on via Margutta) takes place every year at the end of October and the beginning of November: it's a chance to admire original works of art and discover new talent.

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The restaurant, with its impeccable and friendly service, is frequented by personalities in the world of Italian culture. The first-course dishes include Bucatini All'Amatriciana (pasta with a bacon and onion sauce); to follow, there's the fillet Alla Margutta or Abbacchio Scottadito (lamb ribs). Friday is dedicated to fish. The wines from the Castelli region are excellent.

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This modern, large theatre with excellent acoustics is certainly the best in the capital for productions of Italian and international hit musicals. Its programme also often includes plays and music concerts.