Piazza Navona... Click for a large size pic
The square's shape is the result of its having been built directly on top of Emperor Domitian's ancient stadium. Just outside the north end of the square, in the small Piazza Tor Sanguina, you can still see the remains of the original stadium below street level. Roman Forum - 4 Miles - The earth of ancient Rome. See Settimius Severus's Arch, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Basilica Emilia and the Temple of Vesta.

Pantheon Click for a large size pic
This is the best preserved and one of the most famous of the Roman monuments, constructed by Agrippa in 27 B.C. and rebuilt by Hadrian in A.D. 117-125 to honour important Roman Divinities. It contains the tombs of Raphael and King Victor Emanuel.

The Vatican Museums Click for a large size pic
The Vatican Museums make up the richest and most extensive museum collection in the world. The Raphael Stanze and the Sistine Chapel are worth the price of entrance alone.

Porta Portese Flea Market Click for a large size pic
The Porta Portese flea market straggles all the way down Via Portuense to Trastevere train station, a riot of antiques, bric-a-brac, old clothes, and pure junk.

The Church of Sant'Ignazio
In the "centro storico", the church of Sant'Ignazio has a marvelous and often overlooked trompe l'oeil false cupola, covered in figures in various states of action and repose.

The Church of San Clemente
With a Mithraic temple in its lower levels, an earlier Christian church above, and a medieval basilica above that, San Clemente is Rome's unique history in microcosm.

The Galleria Borghese Click for a large size pic
Just opened after a drawn-out (even by Italian standards) refurbishment, the Galeria Borghese is one of the city's finest small collections, with a fantastic array of Bernini statues.

Giolitti
In the heart of the old city, Giolitti may be Rome's best place to enjoy great ice cream, with no fewer than seventy flavours on offer until 2am each morning.

The Church of Immaculate Conception
A must for fans of the macabre, the Church of Immaculate Conception has the bones of some 4000 Capuchin monks set out in patterns on the walls or simply left as skeletons and wrapped in their original gowns.

Roman Forum / Colosseum Click for a large size pic
The valley where the Roman Forum stands was originally marshland until the Cloaca Maxima was constructed to drain it. So, given its position between the slopes of the Quirinal, Viminal, Palatine and Capitoline hills, it became a meeting place for commercial dealings and was called "The Forum". The Colosseum was built by the Emperors of the Flavian dynasty, and is the most imposing monument of Ancient Rome.

St. Peter's Basilica Click for a large size pic
One of the most important and beautiful churches in Rome, whose dome was designed by Bramante and Michelangelo, and built to the base of the dome by Michelangelo himself. The magnificent columnade was built by Gianlorenzo Bernini and the obelisk in the centre of the square was erected by Sixtus V. Vatican City - 4 Miles - A state governed both spiritually and politically by the Pope. It is surrounded by a wall built to protect the Tomb of St. Peter, and apart from the Basilica itself, the wall encloses the Papal Palace and beautiful gardens.

Trevi Fountain Click for a large size pic
Imposing and mellifluous, built on to the back of the Poli Palace. The basin is by Leon Battista Alberti and the monument is by Nicola Salvi. In the central niche, the figure of Ocean stands out, borne on a carriage made of a shell drawn by sea horses. Catacombs - The ancient Christian cemetery. Spanish Steps - 5 Miles - Piazza di Spagna owes its name to the presence of the Spanish Embassy in previous centuries.

Via Veneto
The street was made famous by Hollywood in the 1950's as it became the meeting point for actors and jetsetters of the period. Features outside cafes and exclusive shopping.

Trastevere Click for a large size pic
Infamous trendy and artistic neighbourhood of Rome. Click on pic. as example... This quarter of Rome is also full of galleries and typical Roman "trattorie" (restaurants).

Capitoline Museums
One of the most important Roman museums holding recognized works of ancient Rome as well as great works by Bernini, Caravaggio and Domenichino.

Castel Sant'Angelo
Emperor Hadrian's Mausoleum constructed in A.D. 134, transformed into a fortress 150 years later and renamed as such until the beginning of the 19th century.

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