Your First Time in Rome

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Just south of the Roman Forum and offering a stunning view of the ancient city, this area includes imperial and patrician residences including those of the Emperor Domitian. Originally the Domus Flavia had walls completely lined with polished marble - Domitian feared assassination and in this way he could see the reflection of anyone coming towards him. The courtyard still has its fine pavement in coloured marble. Close by can be seen a number of holes, made for the posts of huts, possibly dating from the 9th century BC. It is thought that these were Rome's first huts, attributed by legend to the hand of Romulus himself. The Palatine Hill is a top site 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:

While people watching on the steps is an entertaining way to pass the time, many do not make their way to the top, missing out on the wonderful view below!

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The Spanish Steps were designed by Alessandro Specchi and Francesco de Sanctis. They connect Piazza di Spagna to the French church of Trinità dei Monti. In spring the steps are decorated with hundreds of coloured azaleas. Being a beautiful, central and traffic-prohibited spot, the steps are a permanent meeting place for the young and for tourists.

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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.

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.

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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:

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.

Our Local Expert Says:

The word "Trastevere" combines two separate meanings: "tras" and "tevere" which translate as "beyond" and "tevere" since it is across the Tevere river from the bustling city center.

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It is strange to think that this area of Rome was originally built to be a city port where storehouses held goods at the time of Augustus and continued to do so until the end of the 19th century. Trastevere then became a downmarket residential quarter and has now developed into a very desirable quarter. The heart of the district is Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere with its lovely church, a 17th century palazzo and a fountain in the middle which is probably Rome's oldest, having been designed by architects such as Bernini, Fontana and Della Porta. There are still some well-conserved medieval houses. On Sunday mornings, you can visit the 7th Corte dei Vigili in Via dei Salumi, and if you enter the guards' rooms, you will see grafitti on the walls written by Roman soldiers who served the emperors from Septimus Severus to Caracalla, in addition to notations of their guard duty.

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.

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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.

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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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Popular pizzeria for foreigners and locals alike. Swift, courteous service. There are open-air tables for dining during the summer months. The pizzas, canapés, fried foods and bruschette (toast with various toppings) are all excellent. Pizzas are generally thin crusted and crunchy (per Roman tradition), and the numerous other fried foods are always a joy. There are also some first and second course dishes on the menu, that are typically Italian, like risotto and spaghetti. The desserts are home-made.

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Here in the heart of Rome you can dine in a rustic tavern enjoying traditional Roman food more often found in the Latium countryside. The decor is informal, with wood-paneled walls and pop art, and on a good night the place seats 160 satisfied diners, both visitors and locals. Pasta is the house specialty, and it doesn't get better than the spaghetti with bacon and onion. Also recommended are maccheroni matriciana (a pasta that comes in a red version with tomatoes, bacon, and pecorino cheese; and a white version that skips the tomatoes). Some very tender and juicy beefsteaks are also served. A well-chosen wine list includes a house chianti.

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This is one of three family run 'Aranci' restaurants that offer excellent cuisine with their own specialties. This is a well decorated restaurant with air conditioning, being expertly managed by Settimio who has acquired a faithful following. Meat is the mainstay of this restaurant and there are plenty of dishes such as Lasagne with Artichokes or Mushrooms. The Fillet with Red Pepper and Fried Sage is excellent as is the T-bone Steak always served with plenty of vegetables cooked in a variety of ways.

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Dal Bolognese [S] BOLOGNESE/EMILIANA-ROMAGNOLA -- This is one of those rare, chic dining spots with food that actually lives up to the scene. Young actors, shapely models, artists from nearby Via Margutta, and even corporate types on expense accounts show up, trying to land one of the few sidewalk tables. To begin, we suggest misto di pasta: four pastas, each with a different sauce, arranged on the same plate. For your main course, specialties that win hearts year after year are lasagne verde and tagliatelle alla bolognese. The chefs also turn out the town's best veal cutlets bolognese topped with cheese. They're not inventive, but they're simply superb.

You might want to cap your evening by dropping into the Rosati cafe next door (or its competitor, the Canova, across the street) to enjoy a tempting pastry.

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An authentic Roman trattoria, situated in an enchanting piazza in Trastevere. The atmosphere is Roman, informal, cheerful and lively. The dishes are also typically Roman - Amatriciana, Tripa alla romana (tripe), Pasta with chickpeas, Abbacchio scottadito, beans al corallo. The Vino sfuso (wine for immediate consumption) from Genzano is also good.

Our Local Expert Says:

A pianist plays here frequently, making this café a nice spot to take a break from the chaos.

Description:

Close to Piazza Navona, the Caffé della Pace has been in existence for almost 100 years. It is an ideal place to sit at any time of the day and watch the crowds pass by. Divided into two beautifully decorated rooms which are popular with the rich and famous, it offers a full range of delectables to eat and drink from morning to evening. In summer it is pleasant to sit outside in the lovely small square.

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Since its debut in 1993, Testaccio Village's winning formula of great entertainment at reduced ticket prices has made it one of the capital's most popular summer events. Three performance areas welcome Italian and foreign bands while numerous snack bars, pizzerias and sandwich stalls ensure that concert-goers need never go hungry. Post-concert clubbing continues through the night.

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Near the Pantheon, this is a "bookbar," furnished with sofas from the 1950s, Murano chandeliers from the early 1800s, marble balustrades from the 17th century, and Art Nouveau decorations. Arguably, it is the most sophisticated bar in the capital, and it's run by a Roman-Swedish alliance. The Swedish part is reflected in the small plates offered here, a kind of small smorgasbord. The plates cost from 6€ to 10€ ($9.60-$16). Rome's chic denizens of the night come here to listen to live jazz music, often provided in an outdoor setting when weather permits. Patrons range in age from 25 to 40. The bar is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 2am, Sunday 10am to 6pm.

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This is the first eatery in Rome where you can not only frequent a wine bar, pizzeria and a restaurant, but also a bookstore, a culinary library, Pralineria (praline shop), a wine merchant, as well as shops that specialise in cookery. Gusto's cuisine is influenced by the Orient; this can be seen in dishes such as Stir-fried Vegetables with Prawns, Crispy Chicken, Spaghetti, Vegetables and Ginger or Tempura (Japanese Fritters). It is conveniently situated in the Centro Storico. Booking is advisable.

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In the stylish and high-flying circle of Rome, Joia is not an unknown name. The high-end club is the mecca of nightclubs across the city. A larger-than-life dance floor, DJs from around the world who get crowds grooving to pulsating music and opulent décor are a few of the features associated with the place. Go straight for the amazing cocktails and enjoy this elite experience. Joia is frequently used by major brands such as BMW, Porsche, Nokia, Red Bull, Lufthansa for product promotions.

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Cecilia, daughter of Metelllus, valiant conqueror of Crete and wife of Crassus, Caesar's general in Gaul, was buried on the Appia Antica. A tombstone has been placed here in memory of this noblewoman who died at a young age. The tomb was built circa 50BC and was a large cylindrical body resting on a square base built entirely from travertine stone. Passing under an archway one entered the tomb itself. The original battlements were covered by a fortress built in 1300 by the Caetani, which encased the sepulchre inside a castle (the remains of which can still be seen) The tomb became the castle's keep which comprises the church of S. Nicola (a rare example of Roman Gothic style)

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The Museo Comunale delle Mura is situated inside San Sebastiano Gate and is therefore very attractive. It displays documents and drawings that show the changes that the walls have undergone over time: the oldest gates (now long gone), the sections of wall that have been destroyed, those reconstructed and so on. It is also possible to see many of the surviving walls. A visit to the museum includes a walk along the walls as far as Via Cristoforo Colombo which is a stimulating and interesting experience.

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Today the tomb of St. Sebastian is in the basilica, but his original resting place was in the catacombs underneath it. From the reign of Valerian to the reign of Constantine, the bodies of Sts. Peter and Paul were hidden in the catacombs. The big church was built in the 4th century. The tunnels here, if stretched out, would reach a length of 11km (6 2/3 miles). In the tunnels and mausoleums are mosaics and graffiti, along with many other pagan and Christian objects from centuries even before the time of Constantine. Though the catacombs themselves are fascinating, the tour here is one of the shortest and least satisfying of all the catacomb visits.

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The Villa Dei Quintilli is a museum as well as an archaeological site that may be visited while in Rome. The Villa belonged to the two Quintillius brothers, both senators, who were eventually beheaded. Before their tragic deaths, the wealthy brothers expanded their estate to include baths and even a hippodrome. The Villa Dei Quintilli is an archeological site of great importance and is open to visitors. The buildings are part of an archeological complex on Appian Way. Hours vary by time of year, call for details.

Our Local Expert Says:

This ancient cobblestoned street offers visitors a glimpse into the past with its ruins and historic markings.

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The ancient Appian Way was the most important of the consular roads. It was inaugurated in 312 B.C. by censor Appius Claudius Ciecus after whom it was named. The road was especially important for economic reasons as it connected Rome with the south of Italy. Initially it only went as far as Capua along the Pontine marshes, but was later extended to Benevento and then all the way to Brindisi, which encouraged trade with the eastern Mediterranean. This last stretch lost importance however when the Appia Traia Way was opened that stretched down to Bari. Lined with pines and cypress trees, the road is very attractive, particularly where the original paving can be seen. There are many remains of Roman constructions that testify to its ancient splendour and archaeological importance.