Trastevere
This area is probably the cutest and most atmospheric in Rome.
It has narrow cobbled streets, lots of excellent street restaurants
and cafes, and is a great place to go for an aperitivo. Don't
miss the beautiful Santa Maria in Trastevere church
in the piazza, with its amazing mosaics. It is the oldest
place of worship dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the only
Byzantine church still standing in Rome.
The Galleria: Borghese
The Cardinal Scipione Borghese and his family were art lovers
in the extreme; they would get both painters and sculptors
thrown into jail so that they could confiscate their work.
The Galleria Borghese houses an unbelievable selection of
Bernini statues as well as paintings by Caravaggio, Titian
and Raphael. It’s an absolute must for visitors. You
can also go rollerblading and boating, as well as take a ride
on a little train, in the park surrounding the gallery.
Campidoglio
This has to be one of the prettiest public spaces ever built,
and was designed by Michelangelo. He also designed the two
palaces on either side of the square, which are full of wonderful
busts and sculptures, including the famous she-wolf with Romulus
and Remus.
Forum
Make sure you read up about the Forum, the engine of the Roman
Empire, before coming here. Without knowing the wonderful
history and all the stories this place has to offer, the power
of this place is lost.
Colosseum
The Romans made a sport out of human sacrifice at the Colosseum.
This stadium could seat up to 73,000 spectators, who piled
in through 80 entrances. It is a spectacular site.
Pantheon
This is the only pagan temple to survive the arrival of Christianity
intact, but only because the Christians made it into a church!
It is the best preserved ancient building in Rome. It is also
geographically the lowest point in Rome, to the extent that
it looks like it was built in a ditch, showing how much rubble
has raised Rome over the centuries.
Keats Shelley Memorial House
Just next to the Spanish steps, you can learn everything there
is to know about some of the most important and famous poets
of all time. This is where Keats stayed when in Rome, and
is now a really beautifully kept museum. Upstairs is an apartment
you can rent out from the Landmark Trust. It is without doubt,
one of the most centrally located ‘places to stay’
in Rome with an amazing view, but is according to the guest
book, rather noisy!
For details, contact the Landmark Trust on 00 44 (0) 628 825
925 or the Memorial house on (Tel: 00 39 06 678 4235).
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