Travel to Rome: get ready for the great beauty of the capital. Imperial, infinite, dominant, born to make and be history. Praised by the finest artists, queen of cinema, home of good food. It was probably here that the concept of the open-air museum was born. Rome is a timeless wonder, full of sights to see and unusual, secret places that will leave you breathless!
The historic center of Rome, protected by UNESCO, is undoubtedly the one that best expresses the city’s immense splendor, the anchor of millennia of human evolution. For all intents and purposes, the center of Rome has become the 91st site to be designated a World Heritage Site.
If you’re planning a trip to Rome, then you’re going to love this article, which tells you more about what there is to see in Rome. The remains of the past are numerous. The must-see is of course the Vatican, but you’ll find that other places are well worth a visit too!
Rome’s districts: do you know the Trastevere district?
Trastevere is to Rome what the Duomo is to Milan, and what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris… so you understand the comparison!
It’s the undisputed symbol of the capital, the true heart of the eternal city.
Between the picturesque cobbled streets, the clothes hanging from the windows, the popular palazzi, the little stores, the cascades of ivy on the walls of the houses, you can breathe in the most authentic Rome.
You can feel its past when it was inhabited by the poorest social classes and, later, by fishermen and Jewish immigrants.
It was the “trans Tiberim” (beyond the Tiber) district, on the opposite bank of the river, that was excluded from the city of Rome until the time of Emperor Augustus.
It remains one of Rome’s most picturesque districts, especially in the early hours of the morning, when only the locals stroll through the narrow streets.
In the evening, however, the Trastevere district is transformed and becomes a popular spot for tourists in search of an unforgettable carbonara dish.
The streets are teeming with people strolling between the open-air tables (practically year-round) of the osterias and cafés.
This is my least favorite aspect of Trastevere, but it’s a price I’m willing to pay, in spite of myself, because nothing makes me feel more at home in Rome than this rione!
Let’s not forget that the great Alberto Sordi was born in this district, in Via San Cosimato.
Rome’s museums: one of the best ways to understand the Eternal City
The Vatican Museum
Be prepared to be amazed by their beauty. We’re talking in the plural, because the Vatican Museums are a collection of museums that encapsulate the entire history of mankind. All the works you can see have been accumulated by popes over the centuries. From the museum dedicated to the ancient Egyptians, to the papal apartments adorned with frescoes by Raphael and Michelangelo.
The Borghese Gallery
This museum is of international importance, housing works by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Rubens, Caravaggio, Raphael and Canova. That alone tells you how important it is to visit this unique museum in Rome. It’s well worth the effort. You’ll experience moments you won’t soon forget!
Palazzo Doria Pamphilj
The palace houses a private collection that many tourists from all over the world wish to visit because of its beauty and uniqueness. It includes works by artists who have left their mark on the history of art. These include Caravaggio, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Correggio and Titian. The sheer number of works on display makes this palace one of the most important in Rome.
Visiting Rome: Cinecittà, outside the city center
How many times have you heard of the place where some of Italy’s most popular TV shows are recorded and where many Italian and international films have been shot? We’re talking, of course, about Cinecittà, a landmark not only of Rome, but of the whole of Italy.
For some years now, thanks to guided tours, Cinecittà has been accessible and you can get up close to the sets of some famous films, see the original costumes and discover how the films are made. A visit not to be missed, and not just for film buffs.
Discover Rome (like a local) with the Porta Portese flea market
Porta Portese is Rome’s most famous flea market, as famous if not more so than London’s Portobello. It takes place every Sunday morning, not far from the Trastevere district. There really is something for everyone: vintage clothing and objects, toys, bicycles, medals, jewelry and antique watches, not to mention books, of course, and even furniture… and there’s no guarantee that you won’t find a bargain! But the most fascinating, in our opinion, are the old family photos, postcards and letters, which still have many stories to tell. If you want to immerse yourself in real Roman life, this is the place to go!
Unusual: visit the “catacombs” of Piazza Navona and Domitian’s stadium
What a wonderful, unusual site: five meters below the street level of today’s Piazza Navona, lies one of Rome’s best-preserved and least-known archaeological sites. This is the ancient athletics stadium, the first and only masonry stadium in the history of ancient Rome, commissioned by Emperor Domitian and reserved for athletics, wrestling and boxing competitions: it could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators! To visit Domitian’s stadium, the cost of a normal admission ticket is €9.00, with a 40-minute guided tour.
What to visit in Rome Campo de’ Fiori is simply one of Rome’s must-sees
The square’s name may have a dual origin: firstly, it is thought to have been a large flower meadow until the 15th century, and it was only later that it was urbanized to become a square.
It was Pope Calixtus III who gave the place a great boost by embellishing it.
The various noble palaces that surround it also make it a meeting place for the city’s most powerful and important classes.
Another theory is that it was named after Flora, a woman with whom Pompey was in love. In ancient times, the famous theater dedicated to her was also located here.
In the 17th century, the square was used as a place of public execution: it was here that the Dominican friar Giordano Bruno was executed, considered a dangerous heretic by the tribunal of the Inquisition because of his philosophical and religious theories.
Today, this lively square hosts a fruit and vegetable market every day until around midday. It’s a lovely place to nibble and enjoy a coffee while watching the Romans do their shopping.
