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THE COLOSSEUM OF ROME
The audioguide (audioguides) starts at the Colosseum, which is symbolic to Rome. Entering its gates takes you back 2,000 years to the most majestic and splendid era of the Roman Empire.
Under the motto "Pan et Circus", the Roman Colosseum, which was initially known as the Flavio Amphitheater, allowed more than 50,000 people to enjoy spectacles such as war recreations, exotic animal displays, prisoner executions and gladiatorial battles to the death.
Its construction began in 72 AD under the rule of Emperor Vespasian and ended in 80 AD during the mandate of Emperor Tito. Tito inaugurated the edifice with 100 days of lavish games which cost the lives of over 2,000 gladiators.
The Colosseum became the largest amphitheater of the empire. It featured a canvas roof to protect the public from the sun, while machinery and cages were buried under the sand.
The original title of the "Flavian Amphitheatre" was replaced by the Colosseum to honor the great statue of Nero, "The Colossus of Nero." The statue was located at the entrance of the Domus Aurea, a palace built under the orders of Nero after the fire of Rome.
The Colosseum remained in use for more than 500 years. Its last games were held in the 6th century.
The Pope currently presides over the Way of the Cross every Good Friday. The Colosseum has always been closely tied to the church, and on this day, the first Christians who died in the sand are remembered.
Spectators at the Colosseum were seated in the stands according to their social status. The summa cavea, for example, was a balcony reserved for women, slaves, and the poor. Entrance and exit from the arena were accomplished swiftly thanks to the 160 passageways, known as vomitoria. The most costly and spectacular show held in the amphitheatre was the naumachiae, staged naval battles.
The arena of the Colosseum was flooded with water to stage naval battles like the one depicted in the film Gladiator II. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Byzantines continued using it into the 6th century, and it was in the Early Middle Ages that it went into decline, becoming home to house residences, workshops, and even stables.
During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, it served as a quarry for the construction of other buildings, including St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. In addition to being part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1980 (together with Rome’s historic center), in 2007 it was recognized as one of the New Seven Wonders of the Modern World.
THE ROMAN FORUM
The forum was where the cultural, public and economic life of the republic and empire era developed.
The area in which the forum is located was originally a marsh. In the 6th century BC it was drained via the construction of the Cloaca Máxima, one of the earliest sewer systems in the world.
There are many temples within the Forum (Saturn, Venus, Romulus, Vesta, etc). From the Palatine and Plaza del Campidoglio, one can appreciate the forum from unique perspectives with the audioguide (audioguides).
At the end of the Empire, it was left to decay. It wasn’t until the twentieth century when the first excavations were made.
It also houses:
The Sacred Road: The Main street of ancient Rome which connected the Plaza del Campidoglio with the Colosseum.
The Arch of Titus: A triumphal arch that commemorates the victory of Rome over Jerusalem. It was built after the death of Emperor Titus.
The Septimius Severus Arch, which honors the emperor of the same name.
The Antoninus and Faustina Temple, which was built in the second century.
The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine, which was one of the largest buildings of the Roman Forum.
The Curia: The building in which the Senate would meet.
The Column of Phocas, which was erected in the year 608 AD in honor of the Emperor of Byzantium. At 13 meters high, it is one of few that remains standing.
For centuries it was the center of public life in the city. Military parades, trials, speeches, popular assemblies, and commercial transactions took place amid its buildings, streets, and plazas. Following the restoration of several shrines, the Comitium became the public meeting space of the Republic.
Victorious generals and their legions entered the city through the Triumphal Gate, proceeded along the Via Sacra to reach the Forum, and concluded their parades—known as Triumphs—by ascending to the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus. Between the 2nd and 1st centuries BC, the Roman aristocracy chose the Forum as the site for their palatial residences (palatia)—buildings distinguished by luxurious wall and floor decorations, like those still visible in the Casa dei Grifi.
THE TREVI FOUNTAIN
Next stop of our audioguide (audioguides), the Trevi Fountain is the largest and most famous fountain in Rome. Its origin goes back to 19 BC when it served as the end point of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct.
Much later, during the Renaissance, Pope Nicolás V ordered the first fountain to be built. However, the final form which we can see today, dates from 1762 and was the work of Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini.
The name Trevi derives from Tre Vie (three tracks), because it was the point where three streets met.
The custom of throwing coins into the water with the right hand over the left shoulder came from the 1954 movie "Three Coins in the Fountain," which says the following:
If you toss one coin, you'll come back to Rome.
If you toss two coins, you’ll find love with an attractive Italian.
If you toss three coins, you’ll marry that person.
Every year about one million euros are removed from the fountain and donated to charity.
The underground Aqua Virgo aqueduct is the only one of the eleven aqueducts that supplied ancient Rome still in use. With Palazzo Poli as its backdrop, the fountain is Baroque in style and features a marine theme. In the center of the monument stands a statue of Oceanus riding a shell-shaped chariot pulled by two sea horses—one wild and one docile—representing the contrasting moods of the sea.
On either side, allegorical figures of Health and Abundance illustrate the beneficial effects of water. On one side is the Lovers’ Fountain. When a couple had to separate for a long period, the partner who was leaving would drink from this fountain using a brand-new glass and then break it.
This tradition was believed to guarantee their reunion. And who could forget the famous film couple that immortalized the Trevi Fountain: Anita Ekberg beckoning Marcello Mastroianni to join her in the water in an iconic scene from Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.
PIAZZA NAVONA
Built in the Baroque style with its three large central fountains, Piazza Navona occupies the land where the Domitian stadium or Agonal Circus was built in 86 AD. It had space for more than 30,000 spectators and hosted the Greek athletic games.
Built under the rule of Gregorio XIII Boncompagni, it is home to three important fountains: the Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Moor Fountain, and the Fountain of Neptune.
The "Fountain of the Four Rivers" was constructed by Bernini in 1651. The four statues of the fountain represent the four most important rivers of the time: the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges, and the Río de la Plata. In the center is an obelisk that belonged to the Circus of Maxentius, which was found on the Appian Way.
The Moor Fountain, formerly known as the "Snail Fountain," is located in the southern part of the plaza. It was created by Giacomo della Porta and perfected by Bernini who added the dolphins.
The Fountain of Neptune was designed by Giacomo della Porta. It remained unfinished until 1873 when the work was completed by Zappalà and Della Bitta.
Until the middle of the 19th century, the drains of the three fountains were closed each summer to flood the central part of the square which would become the Lake of Piazza Navona.
The square is home to the Palazzo Pamphili and the Church of Santa Agnes that you can see with the audioguide (audioguides).
For centuries, Piazza Navona has been at the heart of Roman celebrations and leisure. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the square was expanded at both ends to host grand parades of princes and bishops each August.
Today, it retains its vibrant atmosphere with a bustling Christmas market offering sweets and toys, as well as street performers and vendors entertaining visitors year-round. Beneath the square, six meters below ground, lie the remains of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which shaped the piazza from the 13th century onward. These can be explored in the subterranean area of the Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone and beneath a nearby palazzo on Piazza di Tor Sanguigna.
The Fountain of the Four Rivers, a masterpiece by Bernini, also holds a touch of cinematic fame—it appeared in the 1990 film Three Coins in the Fountain. For fans of Dan Brown’s Angels & Demons, this iconic fountain is the final Illuminati Altar of Science, symbolizing the element of water. Piazza Navona seamlessly blends history, culture, and legend, making it a must-see destination in the Eternal City.
THE AGRIPA PANTHEON
The Agrippa Pantheon, more commonly known as the Pantheon, is the best preserved architectural work of ancient Rome. It was built during the time of Adriano in 126 AD and is open for the public to visit.
The spot where the current building is standing was previously occupied by the Pantheon of Agrippa, which was built in 27 BC and destroyed by a fire in 80 AD.
At the beginning of the 7th century, the building was donated to Pope Boniface IV, who transformed it into a church.
Perhaps most surprising are its measurements. The circular building has exactly the same diameter and height: 43.30 meters. The dome, which also has the same diameter, is larger than that of St Peter’s Basilica. In the center of the dome, an oculus with a diameter of 8.92 meters opens up to allow natural light to illuminate the entire building.
The rectangular facade, which hides the huge dome, is composed of 16 granite columns on which the following inscription can be seen, "M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIVM.FECIT.” In English, this means "Marco Agrippa, son of Lucio, consulate for the third time, built this."
Inside the Pantheon, with the audioguide (audioguides) you can see numerous works of art as well as the tombs of Italian kings and prominent citizens such as the Renaissance painter and architect Rafael.
As you stand on the gently sloping marble floor of the Pantheon, take note of the twenty-two barely visible holes designed to drain rainwater that enters through the open oculus.
The breathtaking interior was purposefully designed to evoke humility and awe among worshippers. Originally dedicated to all Roman gods, the Pantheon was later consecrated as the Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs, becoming the first pagan temple to transition to Christian worship—a transformation that spared it from the destruction suffered by many of ancient Rome's monuments.
In 1625, Pope Urban VIII (of the Barberini family) removed the bronze cladding from the portico to cast 80 cannons for Castel Sant’Angelo. By 1870, the Pantheon had become the final resting place of Italian royalty. During a restoration in 1893, the bell towers—mockingly called "ass's ears"—added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century were removed, restoring the structure's classical harmony.
Today, Mass is still celebrated at the church in Piazza della Rotonda. A particularly spectacular tradition occurs on Pentecost when rose petals are released through the oculus, creating a stunning visual display. As your audio guide walks you through its fascinating history, you’ll understand why the Pantheon remains a cornerstone of Rome’s architectural and spiritual heritage.
PIAZZA DI SPAGNA
The plaza has hosted the seat of the Embassy of Spain among Holy See since the 17th century, hence the name (The Spanish Plaza).
The 135 step high Spanish Steps, which were built at the beginning of the 18th century to connect the square with the Church of Trinità dei Monti, are world famous. These have been the scene of numerous films and fashion shows such as the Donne Sotto le Stelle, which sees big industry names put on a lavish show in mid-July.
Located in the center of the square, The Fontana della Barcaccia fountain is shaped like a ship and features engravings of the Bernini family emblems; the sun and the bees. It was designed by Pietro Bernini for Pope Urban III, and construction was completed in 1627 by his famous son, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Walking with the audioguide (audioguides) along the Via del Babuino towards Plaza del Popolo is the Flaminio, a 24-meter obelisk that once adorned the Circus Maximus. Up its stairs, you can access the viewpoint of La Terraza del Pincio.
Known as "Rome’s living room," Piazza di Spagna continues to be a vibrant meeting point for both locals and visitors. In the 16th century, it served as the commercial hub of the Eternal City, with the hotels and residences around its perimeter often occupied by foreigners drawn to the nearby Spanish Embassy. The square also earned the nickname "English Ghetto," as it became a favored stop on the Grand Tour—a traditional journey across Europe undertaken by affluent young men reaching adulthood.
During this time, Piazza di Spagna was called Platea Trinitatis, named after the church of Trinità dei Monti, which was founded in 1495 and stands majestically at the top of the staircase. Commissioned by French King Louis XII, the church features stunning frescoes by Daniele da Volterra. If you're visiting with the help of an audio guide, you’ll appreciate the details about the French Bourbon-funded staircase, which was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII in 1725 and is adorned with charming terraced gardens. For those seeking a more convenient way up, an elevator is available from the Spagna metro station.
Each spring, the staircase transforms into a vibrant display during the Mostra delle Azalee, when pots of bright red azaleas line its steps, adding to its enchanting allure. With its historical significance and timeless beauty, Piazza di Spagna remains an essential stop on any audio-guided exploration of Rome
SAINT PETER’S SQUARE
Located in the Vatican at the foot of the St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square was built by Bernini in the mid-seventeenth century with the support of Pope Alexander VII.
The square has hosted more than 300,000 people during its most important liturgies and events.
It has 284 columns and 88 pilasters that line the plaza in a four-row portico. At the top of the columns are 140 statues of saints that were sculpted in 1670 by the disciples of Bernini.
In the center of the square stands a 25-meter high obelisk, which was brought to Rome from Egypt in 1586. The two fountains were built later, one by Bernini and the other by Maderno.
St. Peter’s Square is located in a small valley that, in classical times, was occupied by Caligula’s Circus and a cemetery where, according to tradition, the remains of Saint Peter were laid after his martyrdom in the circus. Around the year 320, Emperor Constantine erected a basilica consecrated to the saint and a large forecourt called Platea Sancti Petri. Seen from above, the square resembles an enormous keyhole, framed by two sweeping semicircular colonnades designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, symbolizing the Church’s maternal embrace.
The square lies within the world’s smallest independent state (0.44 km²), Vatican City, which also includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican palaces, and the major basilicas. Vatican City gained independence in 1929 and operates with its own currency, postal service, police force, train station, and newspaper.
Every Sunday during the Angelus prayer, the Pope imparts his blessing from a window of his quarters in the Apostolic Palace, drawing visitors and pilgrims to the square.
You can enter the Basilica to listen to the next audioguide (audioguides).
SAINT PETER'S BASILICA
St. Peter's Basilica is Catholicism’s most important building. Within it, the Pope celebrates the most significant liturgies.
Its construction began in 1506 and ended 120 years later in 1626, being consecrated that same year. The process involved prominent architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno. It has a capacity for 20,000 people.
The name comes from the historical pope, Saint Peter, whose body is buried in the Basilica.
Among the works of art inside are Bernini's Baldacchino, Michelangelo’s Pieta, and a statue of Saint Peter on his throne, whose right foot has been partially worn away by the kisses of the devout.
Michelangelo began the construction of his imposing dome, Giacomo Della Porta continued the work, and Carlo Maderno finished it in 1614. The piece has been an inspiration for later projects such as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and the Capitol Building in Washington. It is recommended to climb to the top of the dome with the audioguide (audioguides).
The original St. Peter’s Basilica was constructed around 320 and consecrated by Pope Sylvester I in 326. However, by 1506, a decision was made to replace the aging structure with a larger church reflecting a more contemporary architectural style. Bramante initiated the design, proposing a Greek-cross floor plan, but his successor,
Raphael, introduced a Latin-cross layout. This sparked intense debate between supporters of the two designs. Ultimately, Peruzzi and Michelangelo supported the Greek-cross plan, but Pope Paul V resolved the issue in favor of the Latin-cross layout to better accommodate the growing number of faithful. He commissioned Carlo Maderno to execute this plan, and the basilica was officially opened for worship by Pope Urban VIII on November 18, 1626.
The façade of the basilica features nine balconies, with the central one—known as the Loggia of the Blessings—used to announce the election of a new pope.
THE SISTINE CHAPEL
The Sistine Chapel is one of the greatest treasures of the Vatican. Within it, you can see with the audioguide (audioguides) the masterpieces of Michelangelo: The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment. In addition, it is the temple in which the popes are elected and crowned.
Its construction took place between 1473 and 1481 during the mandate of Pope Sixtus IV, to whom it owes its name. The architect was Giovanni de Dolci.
The frescoes, which completely cover the walls and ceiling, were done by artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Luca and Michelangelo.
All the ceiling frescoes are the work of Michelangelo, who spent four years painting the vault.
The nine stories of Genesis that occupy the central section are a highlight of the ceiling. These range from the Drunkenness of Noah to the Separation of the Light from Darkness. The Creation of Adam is undoubtedly the most well-known image of the entire fresco.
On the main altar is Michelangelo’s other masterpiece, The Final Judgment. The artwork represents the Apocalypse according to St. John and has dimensions of 13.7 by 12.2 meters.
Decorating the apse took Michelangelo five long years until he finally finished it in 1541. It was commissioned by Clement VII to cover the murals that existed until then.
It is said that Pope Julius II convinced Michelangelo to accept the commission for the Sistine Chapel by offering a payment equivalent to €1.5–2 million in today’s currency.
The Sistine Chapel, fully restored between 1979 and 1999, is located within the Apostolic Palace, which serves as the Pope’s official residence and the site of the cardinals’ conclave. During the conclave, once a new pope is elected, the cardinals burn their ballots in the chapel’s chimney, producing the famous white smoke (fumata bianca) signaling the decision.
The Apostolic Palace also houses the Papal Chapel, one of the two key bodies of the Papal Household. This group consists of individuals selected to serve as part of the Pope’s entourage. During the late 15th century, under Pope Sixtus IV, the Papal Chapel included around two hundred members and convened approximately 50 times a year.
THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
Inside you can find thousands of artworks collected by the Roman Catholic Church over a period of more than five centuries.
These museums date back to 1503 when the newly appointed Pope Julius II donated his private collection. Since then, individual families and later popes have been adding to the museum’s collection which has led it to become one of the largest in the world.
The museums you can visit with the audioguide (audioguides) are:
The Pio Clementino Museum
The Gallery of the Candelabra
The Missionary Ethnological Museum
The Gallery of Maps
The Carriage Pavilion Historical Museum
The Gallery of Tapestries
The Pio Cristiano Museum
The Immaculate Conception and Sobieski Room
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum
The Etruscan Museum
The Chiaramonti Museum
The Profane Museum
The Borgia Apartments
The Raphael Rooms
The Hall of the Chariot
The Pio-Cristiano Museum houses remains discovered during the excavation of the Roman catacombs. The Pio-Clementine Museum, heir to an earlier 16th-century collection, boasts an important assortment of Greek and Roman sculptures, among which the Apollo Belvedere, the Laocoön group, and the statue of Hercules are highlights. In the Pinacoteca, one can admire works by Raphael, da Vinci, and Caravaggio.
The Etruscan and Egyptian Museums, founded by Pope Gregory XVI, bring together artifacts arranged by dynasty, including vases, sculptures, and funerary objects. The Chiaramonti Museum contains original Roman works and Greek copies, such as the famous Doryphoros.
The Gregorian Profane Museum exhibits materials stemming from the “gold fever” that gripped the popes in the wake of archaeological excavations. The Borgia Apartment holds a collection of 800 sculptures and paintings representative of modern religious art.
CASTLE SANT’ANGELO
Next point of the audioguide (audioguides), the Castle Sant’Angelo is a military fortress located on the right bank of the Tiber River. The complex is also known as Hadrian's Mausoleum because it was built by the emperor of the same name in 135. In 403, it was integrated into the Aurelian Wall.
In 590, during a great plague epidemic which devastated the city, Pope Gregory I had a vision of the Archangel Saint Michael announcing the end of the epidemic. The building is honoured by a statue of an angel in memory of the apparition.
In 1277 an 800-meter fortified corridor was constructed which connected the castle to Vatican City so that the Pope could escape if he were in danger. Clement VII later used the route during the sieges of Rome in 1527.
Benvenuto Cellini, the renowned Italian sculptor and writer commissioned by Pope Clement VII, played a pivotal role in the defense of Rome during the 1527 sack by the troops of Emperor Charles V. In his memoirs, Cellini recounts how he shot and killed the commander of the Landsknechts from Castel Sant’Angelo, a historic fortress that has stood as a symbol of Rome’s resilience.
Since 1925, the castle has housed the National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo, which showcases a fascinating collection of art and history, including relics of the Italian army, medieval firearms, the secret archive of the popes, and the treasury of the Church.
The castle’s striking architecture features a square base topped by a cylindrical structure, crowned with a smaller cylinder, creating a unique silhouette against Rome’s skyline. Nearby, the Lungotevere—a walled boulevard built along the River Tiber to prevent flooding—offers a pedestrianized area perfect for admiring the castle and its iconic bridge.
This combination of history, art, and architecture makes Castel Sant’Angelo a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Rome’s historic landmarks.
ARA PACIS
The Ara Pacis is a commemorative monument which was erected between 13 and 9 BC to celebrate peace in the Mediterranean after the victory of Emperor Augustus in Spain and Gaul. For this reason, it features numerous reliefs which display Augusto's family in procession, as well as different allegories related to the mythical foundation of Rome.
The carrara marble alter held yearly sacrifices of a ram and two oxen in honor of the goddess of Peace, to whom it is dedicated.
The shadow of the great obelisk, which is located in the Campus Martius, was projected onto the Ara Pacis on the day of Augusto's birthday.
Originally located in the Campus Martius, near what is now the Palazzo Fiano, the Ara Pacis lay hidden for centuries until its rediscovery in the 16th century. This ancient altar, a masterpiece of Roman art, remained buried until the 1930s, when its ruins were fully excavated and meticulously restored under government direction. During this time, Benito Mussolini sought to harness the grandeur of the Roman Empire to bolster his nationalistic agenda, making the Ara Pacis a symbol of his regime’s aspirations.
Today, this iconic monument is encased in a sleek, modern glass pavilion on Via Ripetta, shielding it from environmental pollution while allowing visitors to admire its intricate carvings and historical significance. Beneath the pavilion, exhibition halls offer deeper insights into the altar’s rich history.
The Ara Pacis itself is an open-air structure, rectangular in shape, with two entrances: one at the front, used by priests, and another at the rear, where animals for sacrifice were brought in. This blend of ancient artistry and modern preservation makes the Ara Pacis a captivating stop for anyone exploring Rome’s ancient treasures.
Let's follow the audioguide (audioguides) to discover the Villa Borghese.
VILLA BORGHESE
The Villa Borghese in Rome is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. The state acquired the gardens from the Borghese family in 1901.
The park is a fusion between nature and the art of Rome. Throughout its gardens, you can see with the audioguide (audioguides) the buildings, sculptures, monuments, and fountains of famous artists from different eras, such as the Pincio Water Clock which is a marvel of 19th-century engineering.
Within the complex is the Borghese Gallery which houses paintings by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Rubens, Botticelli or Bernini. The gallery exhibits a large part of the collection which Cardinal Scipione Borghese began between 1576 and 1633. He was the nephew of Pope Paul V and Bernini's first patron.
The museum and gallery is housed in the Casino Borghese, the most imposing building of the villa, notable for its statue-adorned neoclassical façade, its double staircase, and its portico.
Other highlights of the park include Piazza di Siena, an arena that hosts Rome’s premier equestrian competition as well as other events and concerts; the Pincian Hill, which offers spectacular views; the Villa Giulia Etruscan Museum, the former summer residence of Pope Julius III; the National Gallery of Modern Art; the Rome Zoo, now converted into a biopark; and the Casa del Cinema (House of Cinema).
CAMPO DE' FIORI
Plaza Campo dei Fiori was built in 1456 on top of a field of flowers by order of Pope Calixto III.
It housed craft workshops and lodgings, while horse markets were held twice a week.
Public executions also took place here, a fact demonstrated by the 1889 statue of Giordano Bruno. The philosopher was burnt alive in the square in 1600 after being accused of heresy.
These days, the square hosts a daily market full of flowers, food, and handicrafts, that you can enjoy with the audioguide (audioguides).
By night it becomes a popular spot for leisure, where one can have an aperitif or dinner at one of the many trendy bars and restaurants. In 1440 the square was paved and pilgrim residences were built around it.
In 1590 Giacomo Della Porta installed a fountain basin here, which was soon used by merchants to wash their fruits and vegetables. When fines failed to have the desired deterrent effect, the fountain was sealed in 1622.
On certain feast days, wine from the Castelli Romani would flow from its spouts instead of water. In 1889 the basin was replaced by the statue of Giordano Bruno.
THE SACRED AREA
Next stop of our audioguide (audioguides), the Sacred Area is home to the ruins of the oldest temples in Rome and was discovered in 1926. The space was previously occupied by four different 3rd century temples as well as the Pompeyo theater and curia, where Julio César was murdered.
Hundreds of cats have decided to make it their home ever since the first excavations were made.
The Area Sacra is located in Largo di Torre Argentina, a square named after one of the two towers it once contained. After the unification of Italy, the area was demolished, revealing the remains of these structures at a level below the street. As it was unknown to whom the temples were dedicated, they were assigned the letters A, B, C, and D according to their proximity to the square’s bus stop.
The site is opposite one of Rome’s most important and oldest theaters, the Teatro Argentina. It is believed that Augustus, the successor of Julius Caesar, marked the place where his adoptive father was assassinated by erecting a building on the spot.
TRAJAN’S MARKET
Built out of brick between the years 100 and 110, Trajan's Market is the first covered shopping center in history. It originally consisted of six floors which contained more than 150 stores. At present, it still retains much of its original appearance.
It houses the Museum of the Imperial Forums which date back to the classical Roman era.
The complex was designed by Apollodorus of Damascus. The lower section of the market, shaped like a hemicycle, faces Trajan’s Forum, which is accessed through a passage under Via Alessandrina.
The forum housed the Greek and Roman libraries, Trajan’s Temple and Column, and the Basilica Ulpia. Visible from Via Alessandrina and Via dei Fori Imperiali, in addition to Trajan’s Forum, are the Forums of Augustus, Caesar, and Nerva. Trajan’s Column is the first of the coclide (spiral) type, with reliefs arranged in a continuous spiral band.
On its 40-meter height, more than 2,500 figures commemorate the emperor’s victory in Dacia. It also served as a mausoleum, as an urn containing Trajan’s ashes was placed in its base.
MONUMENT TO VICTOR MANUEL II
The Monument to Victor Manuel II was inaugurated in 1911 to pay homage to Vittoriano Emmanuel II, the Italian first king after unification.
Since 1921, it has housed the tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame. It is always guarded by two soldiers.
With the audioguide (audioguides), notice that the tomb features Corinthian columns and white marble staircases. A bronze equestrian sculpture by Victor Manuel presides over the group and two guided chariots of the goddess Victoria crown the portico.
The monument is situated between Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. It is known as the Altar of the Fatherland (Altare della Patria) or Il Vittoriano, but it also has other popular nicknames: “wedding cake,” for its radiant white color, and “typewriter,” coined by Allied soldiers because of the curvature of the portico’s columns.
At the base of the monument is the Museum of Italian Unification. In the early 20th century, taking advantage of an urban redevelopment, the Palazzetto Venezia and the Church of Santa Rita were moved to give greater visibility to the monument’s grandeur.
THE CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS
The Capitoline Museums are located in two palaces on Plaza del Campidoglio and constitute the main municipal museum of Rome. Both buildings are connected through the Lapidary Galleria, an underground passage that crosses beneath the plaza.
Its first bronze collection was ceded by Pope Sixtus IV in 1471, making this one of the oldest museums in the world.
In the Palazzo dei Conservatori is the original figure of the Capitoline Wolf as well as the first sculpted portrait of a living person, Ritratto di Carlo I d'Angiò, from 1277.
In the new palace is the Capitoline Venus, a marble sculpture made between 100 and 150 AD, the Discobolus, and an image of the dying Galata, among other works of art that you can see with the audioguide (audioguides).
The excavations carried out to shape Rome’s new neighborhoods in the late 19th century brought to light numerous archaeological remains which, after being classified in the Antiquarium, came to enrich the museum’s collection.
In the Pinacoteca, created by Pope Benedict XIV, paintings from the late Middle Ages to the 18th century are displayed by local artists such as Caravaggio, Guercino, and Pietro da Cortona, and by foreign painters such as Velázquez, Rubens, and Van Dyck.
In the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, you can see the Marforio fountain and a copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius addressing the people.
ARCH OF CONSTANTINE
The Arch of Constantine was erected in 315 in commemoration of the victory of Constantine I the Great at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. It is located between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill.
The arch was built from pieces of older buildings and was the last to be erected in ancient Rome.
Within it, you can see with the audioguide (audioguides) statues taken from the Forum of Trajan, some reliefs in which Marco Aurelio appears distributing bread among the poor, and a representation of Trajan after his victory against the Dacians.
One can observe depictions of hunting scenes and sacrifices in the round reliefs, and allegorical figures on the bases of the Corinthian columns. It is the largest and best-preserved of the three arches that have survived in Rome; the other two are those of Titus and Septimius Severus. It stands 21 meters tall and 25 meters wide. In the 18th century Pope Clement XII ordered an extensive restoration to replace missing parts.
The Via Triumphalis, on which the three arches are located, was part of the route of victorious generals entering Rome, which began in the Campus Martius and ended on the Capitoline Hill.
SAN PIETRO IN VINCOLI (SAINT PETER IN CHAINS) BASILICA
The San Pietro Basilica was built in the 5th century to house the chains which imprisoned Saint Peter in Jerusalem. These can be found with the audioguide (audioguides) in the reliquary under the high altar.
It is believed that Empress Eudoxia gave Pope Leo I one of the chains. According to legend, the other was also brought to Rome, and a miracle brought the two back together again.
It also houses the mausoleum of Pope Julius II, which features Michelangelo’s statues of Moses which he made between 1505 and 1515.
The statue of Moses was originally part of the pontiff’s funerary monument, together with 47 other statues. Pope Julius II suspended the grand project to focus on the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
The church of San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) was rebuilt in the 8th century; in the 16th century its façade and portico were restored, and in the 18th century its interior was renovated. The relic that was used to bind Saint Peter while he was imprisoned in Jerusalem is shown to the faithful on the first day of August.
The tranquil square of the same name as the basilica is reached via the steep, narrow staircase of Via San Francesco di Paola.
THE BASILICA DI PAPALE DI SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE
Next stop of this audioguide (audioguides), this church was built in the middle of the 4th century on a pagan temple that worshiped the goddess Cybele under the orders of Pope Liberius. According to legend, the Virgin appeared before the Pope to tell him to build the church, the shape of which was laid out by a miraculous snowfall.
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is the largest of the 26 churches in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It has also been called Our Lady of the Snow and Santa María Liberiana by Pope Liberius, and Santa Mary of the Crib for housing a relic of the Holy Crib.
The basilica has architectural styles from the Early Christian to the Baroque. It still has some ionic columns from the era of ancient Rome as well as a bell tower, mosaics and marble floors from the medieval period.
It is one of the five patriarchal basilicas of Rome, which means it is frequently used by the Pope. The floor plan retains the original Early Christian structure, and 36 stone columns divide the space into three naves. The gilded coffered ceiling was crafted with the first shipment of gold from the Americas, donated by Queen Isabella I of Castile.
With the renovations of the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Sixtus V and Paul V each erected a chapel on opposite sides, called the Sistine and Pauline Chapels. Every year on August 5, the Miracle of the Snow is commemorated by releasing white petals from the top of the church.
BASILICA SAINT JOHN LATERAN
Built in honor of Saint John the Baptist by Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century, this cathedral was the first church to be constructed in Rome.
At the beginning of the 4th century, Emperor Constantine stripped the Laterani family of their land in order to construct the first Roman basilica.
Until 1870, all the Pontiffs were invested in it. The pope, as bishop of Rome, continues to celebrate Holy Thursday inside.
The central bronze doors are the original ones from the Roman Curia, which is located in the Imperial Forums.
In front of the basilica, with the audioguide (audioguides) you can find the Holy Stairs, which Jesus Christ climbed for judgement on Good Friday. These were taken from the palace of Pontius Pilate in the year 326.
Francesco Borromini was tasked on several occasions with remodeling the church’s interior décor in the 17th century, although he retained the 16th-century ceiling and floor. He added twelve niches in the central nave, where the statues of the apostles were later placed.
From the right flank of the church, one can access its museum, which preserves furniture, liturgical decorative objects, 15th-century goldsmith work, and a Constantinian cross from the 13th–14th centuries.
The basilica is property of the Holy See, enjoying extraterritorial status. In 1980 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, and it can be reached from the San Giovanni metro station.
THE PALATINE HILL
The Palatine Hill is located 40 meters above the Roman Forum and is the most central of the seven hills of Rome.
Roman mythology dictates Luperca’s cave, the wolf that looked after Rómulo and Remo, was located here. When the brothers grew up, they decided to create a city on the banks of the river. However, Rómulo killed Remo after an argument and founded the city of Rome.
Inhabited since 1000 BC, has been the residence of the Roman high society. During the Republican period, sumptuous palaces were built here, vestiges of which still remain today and are visitable with the audioguide (audioguides). Highlights include the Domus Flavia, the House of Livia and the House of Augustus.
Emperor Augustus gradually acquired all the private residences on the hill in the early 1st century AD, while symbolically retaining the house where he was born. This collection of properties was referred to as the Palatium.
Mark Antony, Tiberius, and Cicero, among others, purchased villas on the Palatine to elevate their social prestige. On the hill is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Europe, the Orti Farnesiani, dating from the 16th century, which features a panoramic balcony with fabulous views of the Forum. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Palatine Hill was reduced to a dump and a source of building materials.
THE MOUTH OF TRUTH
Next stop of the audioguide (audioguides), the Mouth of Truth is a massive marble mask that is said to bite the hands of those who are lying.
It is dedicated to the God of the Sea, who is represented by a male face with a beard and pierced eyebrows, nose, and mouth.
The sculpture was located in the Plaza de la Bocca della Veritá until 1632 when it was moved to the exterior of the Church of Santa María in Cosmedin.
One of the most famous scenes in William Wyler’s film Roman Holiday is when Gregory Peck pretends to Audrey Hepburn that the Mouth of Truth has bitten off his hand. The American actor pulled this prank before filming began, and the director did not hesitate to include the scene in the movie upon seeing the astonished reaction of the leading lady.
This huge marble disk may originally have been a sewer cover or part of a fountain. Another legend says that the sculpture was used to test the virtue of married women.
FORUM BOARIUM
The Forum Boarium was an area located on the banks of the Tiber River in which an animal market was held in ancient Rome. It houses the Republican temples of Hercules and Portuno, which were built during the 2nd century BC. Both have been preserved in good condition because they were consecrated as Christian churches during the medieval era. With the audioguide (audioguides), you can see the Temple of Portuno which is dedicated to the god of rivers and harbors.
According to tradition, the giant Cacus stole the cattle of Geryon from Hercules upon arriving at the Forum. The inhabitants of the Palatine Hill honored Hercules as a god when he killed the giant. The Etruscans drained the Velabrum swamp in the 4th century BC by constructing the Cloaca Maxima, another colossal feat of Roman engineering and the starting point of modern sewer systems. Also in this century, the Portus Tiberinus (Tiber River port), a project of Servius Tullius, began operation.
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
Next stop of our audio guide (audio guides), the Circus Maximus, located between the Aventino and Palatino hills, was a long enclosure with space for 300,000 spectators. The sand track was 600 meters long and 225 meters wide.
It was here that public games were held. During horse-drawn cart races, participants had to circle the Circus Maximus seven times. Large bets were made, and the winner received an elaborate prize, or freedom if he was a slave.
There were also equestrian shows, one of which is known as "Ludus Troianus," which was a large scale battle simulation carried out by young aristocrats. It also hosted running races on foot which lasted several hours.
Its origins date back to an enclosure created by King Tarquinius Priscus, and after the reconstruction ordered by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, it truly began to be used as a circus. It is believed that the abduction of the Sabine women took place in this area. The most memorable scene of the classic film Ben-Hur recreates a spectacular chariot race like those once held in the circus.
Augustus added the imperial box and the obelisk of Ramses II, and other emperors such as Trajan, Caracalla, and Constantine also made their own renovations and expansions. It remained in use until the 6th century and later its arches beneath the stands housed shops, dwellings, and warehouses. In the 19th century a Jewish cemetery was established here. Today only the outline of the track remains, now turned into a park that is frequented by Romans for exercise.
THE BATHS OF CARACALLA
Built under the rule of Emperor Caracalla between 212 and 216, these were one of the largest and most beautiful ancient thermal centers. The complex was covered in marble and decorated with precious artworks.
Within them, citizens had access to public baths, a gym, a library, and gardens to maintain good hygiene, relax, enhance their social relations or worship the god Mithra and other pagan deities.
Slaves would fuel wood-fired ovens to heat the water, the floors and the walls of the bathhouse. Effective water supply and drainage systems were also put to use.
The thermal baths stopped being used in 537 when the aqueducts that supplied water to the city were destroyed by the barbarians.
The audioguide (audioguides) leads us now to the catacombs.
The baths were built on a rectangular plan in the typical style of imperial thermae. The eight thousand daily users entered through four doorways located in the northwest façade. The circuit taken by bathers passed through the caldarium (hot room), the tepidarium (warm room), the frigidarium (cold room), and finally the natatio (swimming pool).
The basements housed the areas dedicated to the maintenance and operation of the baths. In the underground section there was also the Mithraeum, the largest temple dedicated to the god Mithras in Rome.
THE CATACOMBS OF ROME
The catacombs are underground galleries that were used as a burial place for pagans, Jews, and the first Christians. Excavation began in the 2nd century and it was used for 300 years.
Roman law of the time prohibited the burial of the deceased inside the city. In addition, it persecuted the Christian religion.
The Christians did not accept the pagan custom of incinerating the bodies of their deceased so they decided to create these vast underground cemeteries, which were the perfect burial grounds that allowed the free use of their own religious symbology.
Due to the high infant mortality rate at the time, there are numerous spaces for babies. Other spaces are larger pits in which the whole family was buried.
With the signing of the Edict of Milan in 313, Christian persecution ceased. This allowed them to begin building churches and acquire land without fear of confiscation. Nevertheless, they continued using the catacombs as a cemetery until the 5th century.
Many catacombs suffered continuous looting during the invasion of the barbarians in the 8th century. Consequently, the popes relocated the preserved relics to the churches of the city. At present, only five catacombs are open to the public: San Sebastián, San Calixto, Domitila, Priscilla and Santa Inés. You can visit them with the audioguide (audioguides).
In the 20 kilometers of tunnels excavated in the Catacombs of St. Callixtus—designated by Pope Callixtus as the official cemetery of the Roman Church—tombs of 16 pontiffs and 50 martyrs have been found.
The 17 kilometers of the Catacombs of Santa Domitilla are located beneath the private cemetery of Flavia Domitilla, a member of the imperial family. With its 13 kilometers of tunnels and 40,000 burials, Saint Agnes is considered the queen of the catacombs. In the city of Rome, two underground Jewish necropolises have been preserved: those of Vigna Randanini and Villa Torlonia.
BASILICA OF SAINT PAUL OUTSIDE THE WALLS
Erected in the 4th century AD, this basilica serves as the burial ground of the Apostle Saint Paul, which is located under the main altar. You can see it with the audioguide (audioguides).
After the execution of the apostle in the first century AD, his followers created a sanctuary on the tomb. In the year 324, a small church was built, while a larger building was later constructed in 386.
It has a 150-column atrium covered by a golden mosaic that reflects the sun's rays. In the center of the courtyard is a statue of Saint Paul.
A fire in 1823 damaged the building, except for the sanctuary of 1208. However, the Basilica was rebuilt to its former glory using elements that had been saved from the fire.
It is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome and the second largest in the city after St. Peter’s. The interior of the church is divided into five naves by 80 granite columns. In the naves and transept one can see large medallions with portraits of all the popes to date and many others left empty to hold mosaics of future pontiffs.
The Benedictine monks, custodians of the Apostle’s tomb, also tend the monastic garden, in which grow the herbs and trees that, according to the Bible, were in the Garden of Eden.
THE TRASTEVERE
Trastevere is a Roman neighborhood with narrow cobbled streets and a calm and bohemian air.
A highlight is the Piazza di Santa Maria, a favorite meeting place and the location of the Basilica of Santa Maria.
The neighborhood is home to medieval churches, boutique craft stores and a wide range of restaurants from typical Italian taverns to modern international cuisine that you can discover with the audioguide (audioguides).
According to tradition, Santa Maria in Trastevere was erected on the spot where a fountain of oil sprang from the ground. Several of its twenty-one columns come from the Baths of Caracalla. Within the neighborhood, other sites of interest include the Villa Farnesina, a Renaissance mansion that preserves frescoes by Raphael, and the Nuovo Sacher, a small cinema owned by Italian director Nanni Moretti that specializes in art-house films.
Another prominent church in Trastevere is the Basilica of Santa Cecilia, which guards the remains of the patron saint of music.
The Corsini Gallery, housed in the former residence of Queen Christina of Sweden, contains part of Italy’s national art collection. On the former grounds of this palazzo is the Orto Botanico, a garden where plants have been cultivated since the 13th century.
GIANICOLO
Gianicolo, the eighth hill of Rome, was the scene of a battle in which Garibaldi repelled an attack from the French. The top of the hill is full of sculptures in his honor.
One of the buildings we find here with the audioguide (audioguides) is the church of San Pietro in Montorio, the courtyard of which hosts a small temple erected on the spot where Saint Peter was crucified.
Behind Trastevere rises the Janiculum Hill, from which one can enjoy a beautiful perspective of the neighborhood’s rooftops. This summit is the highest in the city and was transformed in 1883 by the new government into a public park in memory of the Defense of Rome. It consists of two large tree-lined avenues that lead to Piazza Garibaldi.
Italian immigrants in Argentina donated a lighthouse to the hill on the 50th anniversary of the country’s unification. In 1846 Pius IX established the custom of firing a cannon loaded with a blank shell at noon every day.
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