PIAZZA NAVONA
Believe it or not, but the Piazza was once a Hippodrome or a Dominitian’s stadium, located in the heart of the city. It is considered by many as one of Rome’s most beautiful squares. There are three fountains: Fountain of the Moor, Fountain of Neptune and the Fountain of the Four Rivers. The latter is the masterpiece of Bernini.
A fun trivia is that Pope Innocent X used to cover the fountain’s drains which led to it being known as “Lake of Piazza Navona”.
How to Get There: You may take the following buses: Bus #87 from Colosseo – Metro Line B, Bus # 492 from Piazza Barberini, Bus #70 from Termini Station
Estimate Time Spent: 30 minutes
PANTHEON
The Pantheon was initially built as a temple to honor the Gods but later on, it became a church. The greatest mystery is how this magnificent monument withstood through the ages of time with everything untouched and nobody knows how old the Pantheon is!
Please make sure you find time to enter the Pantheon to appreciate the splendor of its design and its giant dome with its famous “oculus”. You will also see the tombs of several Italian Kings and the famous artist, Raphael.
How to Get There:
Option 1: From the Colosseum, catch bus #51. Get off at Corso – Minghetti (4 stops). Walk for 4minutes to the Pantheon.
Option 2: Take Metro Line A – Barberini Station. Walk for 8 minutes.
Option 3: From Trevi Fountain, start with Hotel Fotana. Follow Via delle Muratte, till you see Via di Pietra. Take a left to Vicolo de Burro then head towards Piazza di Sant’Ignazio. Follow Via del Seminario and look for the Piazza della Rotonda. It will take you 8 minutes to get to the Pantheon.
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am to 6:30pm; Sun: 9am to 1pm
Estimate Time Spent: 45 minutes – 1 hour
CIRCUS MAXIMUS
During ancient Rome, this was the largest Roman chariot racing stadium which could fit an estimate of 250,000 people.
How to Get There: Take the Metro Line B – Circo Massimo
Estimate Time Spent: 20 – 30 minutes
BOCCA DELLA VERITA (MOUTH OF TRUTH)
Again, if you have seen “Roman Holiday”, you would recognize the marble mask. The film made it famous for being a lie detector. If you placed your hand inside the mouth and you told a lie, your hand will be bitten off!
If you haven’t seen this in person, you will definitely think it has a large space and there’s just more to it. The marble mask stands against the left wall of the portico of the Santa Maria in the Cosmedin church.
How to Get There: 5 -10 minutes walk from the Circus Maximus; You may also take the Metro Line B and go down at Circo Massimo Station.
Estimate Time Spent: It will take around 30 minutes waiting time and less than 5 minutes for picture taking
VATICAN CITY
Here’s a fun trivia: The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world! It’s an independent city-state that covers an approximately 100 acres. It’s governed by the Pope. The obelisk at St. Peter’s Square is actually from Egypt taken by Caligula and his men which he initially opted to use as the crowning center of his amphitheater.
The Swiss guards were initially hired as a mercenary force during Pope Julius II’s term as his personal protection. Till now, their role is to strictly protect the Pope. These men are actually Swiss citizens also!
How to Get There: Take the Metro Line A – Ottaviano Station.
Estimate Time Spent: 1 – 2 hours
ST.PETER’S BASILICA
This is one of the most renowned works of the Roman renaissance dedicated to Saint Peter. It was designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This largest church also houses the Sistine Chapel.
Michelangelo, the chief architect at that time, designed the dome of the Basilica. The central balcony is called the “Logia of the Blessings”. The façade contains 13 statues (Left to Right): Thaddeus, Matthew, Philip, Thomas, James the Elder, John the Baptist, Christ the Redeemer (Center), Andrew, John the Evangelist, James the Younger, Bartholomew, Simon and Matthias.
The inscription states “In honorem principis apost pavlvs v bvrghesivs romanvs pont max an mdcxii pont vii” translated as “In honor of the prince of apostles; Paul V Borghese, pope, in the year 1612 and the seventh year of his pontificate”.
The doors: Holy Door is the northernmost door in bronze which is traditionally opened for great celebrations such as Jubilee years; the Filarete Door is the door in the center which was preserved from the old basilica; the Door of Death is the far left door which is used as exit for funeral processions.
Fun Trivia: The Basilica seats in top of a catacomb maze and the tomb of Saint Peter.
Adel and I feel really blessed to be able to attend mass and hear the Angelus lead by our dear Pope Francis last October.
How to Get There: Take the Metro Line A – Ottaviano Station. You will just need to walk straight ahead and you will see the wall of the Vatican city.
Estimate Time Spent: 1 hour and 30 minutes in line just to enter; 1 hour inside the Basilica
SISTINE CHAPEL
The Sistine Chapel is one of our favorite places in the Vatican. It was the last leg of the Vatican Tour. Take note that photography and video recording is strictly forbidden inside. The beautiful and overwhelming frescoes will leave you speechless. I remember just standing there in the midst of the crowd, staring at the ceiling and the wall. I cannot truly comprehend the beauty of Michelangelo’s creation. It was just too beautiful.
The chapel’s name follows from Pope Sixtus IV which in Italian, Sixtus is “Sisto”. This is most likely the most visited chapel everyday with an estimate of 25,000 people every day.
Michelangelo’s frescoes are seen inside the Sistine Chapel. He began painting the ceiling around 1508 and completed in 1512. The main nine panels at the center of ceiling depicts the Creation story from the Book of Genesis. At the end of the altar, Michelangelo painted The Last Judgment between 1536 t0 1541.
Till today, the Sistine Chapel is used as the venue for whenever a new Pope will be elected.
How to Get There: You must have a ticket from the Vatican Museum. It can only be visited as part of the Vatican Tours.
Estimate Time Spent: 1 – 2 hours
BASILICA DI SAN GIOVANNI in Laterano
The Basilica was just 5 minutes away from our Airbnb. There’s no entrance fee so if you have free time, it should be on your travel destination. If you have an eye for architecture and sculpture, you will enjoy the overwhelming interior.
The cathedral is dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. It was the first church built in Rome by Constantine the Great. It is also known as the “Cathedral of Rome and the world” because it’s the cathedral of the bishop of Rome – the Pope.
If you want to attend mass here, you can catch the Pope’s benediction which he delivers every Maundy Thursday. What we also love about this cathedral is that there are several large statues if Christ and the saints. The central bronze doors are also photogenic especially if you know that those are Roman originals from the Senate House!
How to Get There: Take the Metro Line A going to San Giovanni Station and it’s just a 5 minute walk. You will not miss the Cathedral!
Estimate Time Spent: 30 minutes – 1 hour
CASTELLO DI SANT’ANGELO
This is also known as the “Mausoleum of Hadrian”. We arrived here late and didn’t get the chance to enter but lucky enough, the façade did not fail us. This used to be a Papal fortress and the most powerful guardian of the most sacred place for almost 2,000 years.
Fun Trivia: There is an escape route created by the Popes called “Passetto di Borgo”. So, aside from being a Papal fortress, prison and residence, it is also an escape route!
How to Get There: Take Metro Line A – Lepanto Station
Estimate Time Spent: If you are not going inside, 30 minutes is a good number but if you will be taking the tour inside the Castle, it will be roughly 1-2 hours.