Two Days of Museums

Our Local Expert Says:

Lines to enter the museum are inevitable throughout the entire year. The only way to be sure to avoid them is by booking or joining a tour as the tickets are pre-purchased.

Description:

This unique art collection is exhibited in surroundings of unparalleled beauty. The magnificent Raphael Rooms are among the masterpieces of the collection, where each room is decorated with frescoes by great artists. The best known is The School of Athens, in which contemporary artists appear as classical characters (Leonardo da Vinci, for example, appears as Plato). The Sistine Chapel is the museum's finest treasure, and features Michelangelo's famous Last Judgement. He was one of many artists including Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Pinturicchio who contributed to the chapel.

Description:

Visiting Rome for the first time, visitors must experience the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican structure with 50 million monthly visitors. The Chapel was built between 1477 and 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV. From 1480 to 1483 the walls were decorated by famous artists of Renaissance, such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio. After twenty years, Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to decorate the ceiling in 1508. Today, after the restoration, tourists can visit the chapel and see Michelangelo's 'Last Judgement'. The Vatican has placed its enormous art collection on the Web in hopes that it will attract more tourists. The site allows visitors to take a virtual reality tour of some of the dozen museums and galleries that make up the Vatican collection, viewing Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with a three-dimensional video. At the Chapel, you will invariably find it crowded with hundreds of tourists, so be prepared. The best way to see it is to go to the Vatican Museums early, so that you're among the first in line when they open. Silence should be observed and photography is not prohibited.

Description:

People come by the millions each year to receive the Pope's blessing, traditionally given on Sundays at noon. St Peter's has undergone many transformations since the original Constantine basilica of AD320. The top of its majestic dome (designed by Michelangelo), provides the best vantage point from which to marvel at Bernini's magnificent colonnade surrounding the square, the gilded bronze canopy above the altar and Michelangelo's Pietà. Bramante, Pietro da Cortona and Canova are just a handful of the many other artists who worked together on this monumental basilica's decoration and design.

Description:

This restaurant belonging to the Silvestri sisters near the Vatican is ideal for a peaceful meal after you have received your blessing from the Pope.

Description:

The splendid fortress of Castel Sant'Angelo was originally built as a mausoleum for the Emperor Hadrian in 139 AD. In the 10th century AD it was transformed into a castle, then, 500 years later, into the elegant residence of Pope Alexander VI Borgia. Michelangelo designed the marvellous main court for Pope Leon X and many of the rooms inside are decorated with frescoes of great beauty. It's also been used to house prisoners, including the sculptor Benvenuto Cellini. The terrace offers a fine view of the river Tiber and opera lovers will know that this was where the final act of Puccini's opera "Tosca" took place. The building is now a museum with a fine collection of suits of armour.

Description:

Via Giulia was designed by Bramante on the orders of Pope Julius II. It is almost a kilometre long, and flanked by magnificent palaces and churches dating from the 16th to the 18th centuries. Check out Palazzo Falconieri, renovated by Borromini, who spent most of his time on the façade. Nowadays, this is a street known best for its refined antique shops, as well as being simply one of the most attractive streets in Rome.

Description:

This splendid Renaissance villa, built for Pope Giulio III, houses an important collection of Etruscan treasures found mainly in graves and tombs. The Tomb of the Newlyweds is one of the most famous pieces here, and was probably designed to contain the remains of a couple. There is a reconstruction of a temple in the garden, illustrating the Etruscans' love of detail. The water garden in front of the museum decorated with mosaics, fountains, and statues, and the frescoes inside the colonnaded loggia are worth noting. A recent piece is a 5th century terracotta relief, which shows the Grecian influence on Etruscan art.

Description:

One of the most important collections of medieval and renaissance art is held in this renaissance palace. There are renaissance paintings, painted wooden sculptures and chests from all over Italy, tapestries from elsewhere in Europe, Neapolitan ceramics, silverware, suits of armour, and 17th and 18th century paintings. One of the most dramatic pieces is a 13th century enamelled Byzantine Christ. There are also terracotta studies by Bernini for construction of the Triton fountain and the decoration of Castel Sant'Angelo.

Description:

Situated in the very heart of the centro storico (historical centre), this restaurant offers a distinctive environment in which to try classic and innovative pizzas. Tasty, delicious pizzas, numerous starters and appetizers, such as Ricotta Rissoles and fresh Spinach Salad with Mushrooms, Bacon and Walnuts and Calabrian specialities. A large selection of wines.

Our Local Expert Says:

Live entertainment from pianists makes this café a great place to eat or meet for coffee.

Description:

Italians love to look good while drinking their cappuccino and there's no better place to look candid while sipping on some favoloso café than Caffè della Pace. This chic bar has been around for nearly 100 years and has always attracted tourists and locals thanks to its perfect people watching setting near Piazza Navona. The outdoor tables with ivy draped over the building certainly makes for a picture perfect moment. No matter what time you come here, this café is always crowded.
-Nicole Arriaga, Rome Expert

Our Local Expert Says:

Piazza Campidoglio is where the city hall in Rome is located. All couples wishing to have a civil wedding ceremony must marry in the city hall.

Description:

Reorganisation of Piazza del Campidoglio began in 1539 as part of a plan undertaken by Pope Paul III. It was the first square created as part of a plan conceived by Michelangelo in which a space was created between Palazzo Senatorio and Palazzo dei Conservatori bounded by a new symmetrical building. The square is in the shape of a trapezoid with the Palazzo Senatorio on the longer side (the seat of the city council's administrative offices) and the Capitoline Museums on either side. Michelangelo also designed the monumental flight of steps that leads to the square on either side of which were the Dioscuri designed by Giacomo della Porta. Michelangelo also designed the pavement in the centre of which stands the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius which survived the Middle Ages as it was thought that it represented the Emperor Constantine, the protector of the Christian religion.

Description:

The Capitoline Museums are housed in two palaces that face each other. The one on the left of Michelangelo's steps is the New Palace, which houses one of Europe's most important collections of sculpture. It was designed by Michelangelo and became the world's first public museum in 1734 by order of Pope Clement XII. The other palace, the 'Conservatori,' houses important paintings such as Caravaggio's "St John the Baptist" and works by Titian, Veronese, Rubens and Tintoretto. A sculpture of an enormous foot that was once part of a statue of Emperor Constantine stands in the courtyard. One of the most famous pieces is unquestionably the "She-wolf", a bronze Etruscan sculpture from the 5th century BC to which the twins Romulus and Remus were added by Antonio del Pollaiolo during the Renaissance. General admission is EUR6.20, free to Italian children under 18 and seniors over 65.

Description:

After Via del Tritone and Via Veneto were opened into Piazza Barberini, the square took on its present aspect. During the 17th c., it was named after the noble Barberini family that owned a large palace here with gardens that has now become the National Gallery of Ancient Art. The Barberini were also celebrated by two fountains by Bernini commissioned by Pope Urban VIII, the Triton fountain and the Bee fountain; the latter bears the family's coat of arms.

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.

Description:

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.

Description:

The house is situated at the foot of Trinità dei Monti, where the English poet, John Keats spent his final days. It was acquired at the beginning of the century and contains memorabilia relating to the young Romantic poet: items such as a lock of hair, manuscripts, Oscar Wilde's autograph, as well as an urn containing remains of the poet Shelley, Keats' friend, who also died at a young age. The collection of volumes on Romanticism in English and Italian is very impressive. A papal order decreed that Keats' furniture should be burned after his death and so the original furnishings no longer remain.

Our Local Expert Says:

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

Description:

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.

Description:

This collection is housed in a building constructed in 1613 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of Bernini's greatest patrons. In fact, this great sculptor has exhibited some of his most famous sculptures here; amongst them is the renowned 'Apollo and Daphne.' When one thinks of the Museo Borghese, the sculpture that immediately springs to mind is Canova's 'Pauline Borghese,' in which she poses as Venus, wearing just a drape around her midriff. There are six major pieces by Caravaggio in the Galleria, including 'The boy with a basket of fruit' and the 'Madonna della Serpe.' Titian is also represented with 'Sacred and Profane Love,' Rafael with 'The Deposition,' and there are important works by Correggio. The gallery can only hold 300 visitors at a time, so it is advisable to book in advance.

Description:

The wonderful view of Rome, pleasant live music in the background, highly professional service and chef Enrico Derflingher are the elements that make this an excellent restaurant. The cuisine is mostly based on typical Mediterranean cooking, particularly the macrobiotic menu and traditional Roman cooking. However, there are some original touches - for example, Maccheroncini (a kind of short pasta) with artichokes, pistachios and duck sauce, potato and spinach gnocchi with cress and smoked ricotta, and slices of salt-roast bass with black olives, oregano and bacon. The desserts and wine-list are excellent.

Our Local Expert Says:

Bar del Fico is a trendy bar that has become popular with young Romans as well as tourists.

Description:

Recently renovated, Bar del Fico is a historic local caffe in the neighborhood side streets behind Piazza Navona.   Popular for its morning pastries and late night crowd.  With its recent upgrade, Bar del Fico hopes to remain historic while setting its food in the door of Rome's new hipster groups.