John Lateran is one of Rome's most impressive churches. After centuries of alterations, it still retains its original form from the age of Constantine, when it was built. Along with the mosaics in the apse, be sure to notice the beautiful 16th-century wooden ceiling. If the octagonal baptistery, San Giovanni in Fonte , looks a bit familiar, it's because it provided the model for later ones throughout Europe.
Built by Constantine, it is the world's oldest Christian baptistery. Across the piazza, in the church of the Scala Santa, is the Holy Staircase, 28 steps believed to have been brought to Rome in the fourth century by St.
Helen, from Pilate's palace in Jerusalem. The Catacombs of San Callisto St. Calixtus and San Sebastiano , both underground burial places in the Via Appia Antica, are extensive — San Callista fills an area of by meters — with intricate multi-layered networks of passages and chambers carved into the soft tufa.
In addition to the tombs, St. Calixtus has six sacramental chapels, constructed between and , with both pagan and early Christian wall paintings. In the Papal Crypt are the tombs of most of the martyred Popes of the third century identified by Greek inscriptions. San Sebastiano, one of Rome's seven pilgrimage churches, was built in the fourth century on the site of old cemeteries and catacombs that, along with the foundations of a Constantinian basilica, can be explored.
Tomb chambers are on several levels with fine paintings, stucco decoration, and inscriptions dating to the first century AD. Although venerated remains are thought to have been brought here for safekeeping during persecutions, these were cemeteries, not hiding places for Christians. A little west of the Via Appia Antica, not far from the catacombs of San Callisto, the Catacombs of Domitilla are the largest and among the most impressive in Rome, with 15 kilometers of underground chambers and passages and a complete subterranean basilica.
Dedicated to the martyred saints entombed there, Nereus and Achilleus, the basilica was a major pilgrimage destination until the Middle Ages. More than 80 painted tombs and a second-century fresco of The Last Supper survive in its galleries. Running parallel with the road are the ruins of some of the aqueducts that supplied the city with water, and among the cypresses along its sides are remains of tombs belonging to aristocratic Roman families.
The most prominent of these is the first-century tomb of Caecilia Metella and her husband. Official site: www. Diocletian's baths were so enormous that today, they contain two churches, large parts of a Carthusian monastery and a major museum. Michelangelo used the vast tepidarium hot baths as the shell for his church of Santa Maria degli Angeli , and the Museo Nazionale Romano , Rome's National Museum, fills another section with treasures of antiquity: Greek and Roman sculpture, pre-Christian and later sarcophagi, and beautiful mosaics and frescoes.
The lateth-century church of San Bernardo alle Terme was built in a rotunda at the corner of the baths; its dome is like that of the Pantheon, but only half its size. While Rome's main tourist attractions don't exactly cluster, most of the major ones are within a to minute walk of each other, so several areas are convenient for sightseeing.
Here are some highly rated hotels in Rome's best locations for sightseeing:. Where to Go near Rome: When you have seen Rome's ancient sites, you'll want to explore some of the city's surroundings. The town of Tivoli lies 30 kilometers east of Rome, with Hadrian's Villa and one of the most beautiful gardens in Italy. Places to Visit from Rome: In just over an hour by train, you can step into the exuberant street life of the vibrant city of Naples.
From here, you are only a short ferry ride from the idyllic island of Capri , across the Bay of Naples. Or take a train the short distance to the ancient city of Pompeii , under the still smoldering cone of Mt. Italy Travel Guide.
Written by Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Nov 17, We may earn a commission from affiliate links In a city so filled with icons of antiquity and the Christian faith, it's hard to know where to go first. See also: Where to Stay in Rome Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues. Vatican City Vatican City The Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world, with an area of less than half a square kilometer, most of it enclosed by the Vatican walls.
The Pantheon The Pantheon The Pantheon — the best-preserved monument of Roman antiquity — is remarkably intact for its years. Roman Forum Roman Forum Walking through the forum, now in the middle of a throbbing modern city, is like stepping back two millennia into the heart of ancient Rome.
Trevi Fountain Trevi Fountain One of the city's most popular tourist attractions, this 17th-century masterpiece has been immortalized in films until it is almost a required visit. Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome. Santa Maria Maggiore Santa Maria Maggiore One of Rome's most majestic churches, Santa Maria Maggiore has stood here since the fourth-century Pope Liberius had a vision of the Virgin directing him to build a church where snow fell the following day.
Palatine Hill The Stadium of Domitian on Palatine Hill Strategically set 50 meters above the Tiber, the Palatine Hill shows evidence of Rome's earliest settlement: rock-cuttings found in front of the Temple of Cybele show human activity as long ago as the ninth century BC. Villa Borghese Gallery and Gardens Borghese Gallery and Gardens One of Rome's largest parks, the Borghese Gardens contain a number of attractions that include two museums, the most prominent of which is the Villa Borghese.
Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5. Address: Lungotevere Castello 50, Rome. Baths of Caracalla Baths of Caracalla Completed by Caracalla in , these were much more than public baths. Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla 52, Rome.
John Lateran As you might expect for the episcopal church of the Pope, St. Terme di Diocleziano Baths of Diocletian National Museum Terme di Diocleziano Baths of Diocletian National Museum Diocletian's baths were so enormous that today, they contain two churches, large parts of a Carthusian monastery and a major museum. Where to Stay in Rome for Sightseeing While Rome's main tourist attractions don't exactly cluster, most of the major ones are within a to minute walk of each other, so several areas are convenient for sightseeing.
Boutique Hotel Campo de Fiori has a rooftop garden overlooking the colorful daily market in one of Rome's most traditional neighborhoods, near the Pantheon and an easy walk from Palatine Hill and the Vatican. Two blocks from the Colosseum, Hotel Capo d'Africa is in a neighborhood filled with small restaurants.
Mid-Range Hotels: Also in the pleasant neighborhood just behind the Colosseum, Hotel Romance has some rooms with garden views. Budget Hotels: Amid restaurants and shops in Monti, between the Forum and opera house, Hotel Artorius is not adjacent to any major attractions, but lies within a to minute walk from the Forum, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Vittoriano, and museums. Also in the lively Monte neighborhood, and an easy walk from the Colosseum and other attractions of ancient Rome, Hotel Grifo offers a rooftop terrace and free breakfast.
On the west bank of the Tiber, south of Vatican City, Trastevere is one of the city's most colorful neighborhoods. Accompanied by audio commentary, this convenient ticket covers all the top sights, with eight different stops, and you can hop on and off at your favorite attractions. You can choose a tour that's valid for either 24 or 48 hours and upgrade to packages that include time-saving skip-the-line admission to attractions like Palatine Hill, the Colosseum, and the Roman Forum.
Segway Tour: Another way to see the top sights without worrying about navigating your way around the city is on the Rome Segway Tour. Adults-only Shows. Classical Concerts. Classical Music. Family-friendly Shows. Fashion Shows. Traditional Wellness. All Traditional Wellness. Arab Baths. Day Spas. Archery Classes. Fencing Classes.
Horse Racing Classes. Martial Arts Classes. Sports Lessons. Surfing Lessons. Swordsmanship Classes. Tennis Classes. Candy Making Classes. Cooking Classes. Olive Oil Tasting. Pasta Making Classes. Pizza Making Classes. Wine Making Workshops.
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E-Bike Tours. Horse Carriage Rides. The 18th-century Spanish Steps have grown into a tourist hotspot, and the top of the stairs offers a gorgeous view of Rome. At one time, this estate belonged to the very wealthy cardinal Scipione Borghese, and was built around the villa of the same name. Since , it has been in the possession of the municipality of Rome and serves as a public park. The gallery contains sculptures and paintings by artists such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Bernini and Leonardo da Vinci.
The church on the Esquiline hill is from the 5th century and still contains many authentic mosaics. It also has a distinctive golden ceiling. It is said that there are even pieces of wood from the crib of Jesus under the altar. On the opposite bank of the river Tiber lies the old working-class neighbourhood of Rome. Trastevere is a typical Italian neighbourhood where you can get lost in a maze of narrow streets, see old medieval houses, and go for a lively night out in the area's many restaurants and bars.
After archangel Michael appeared here in and ended a plague, pope Pius II had a large bronze statue of the angels placed on top of the castle. The Castle of the Holy Angel was part of Rome's defences and offered a place where popes could shelter, as the Vatican was connected to it by a tunnel. One of the most remarkable of Rome landmarks, the monument of the first Italian king Vittorio Emanuelle II, is located next to the Piazza Venezia square.
The colossal white building also contains a museum and the tomb of the unknown soldier, which is guarded by two soldiers. It is one of the four papal basilicas and the cathedral of the Rome diocese. The Piazza del Popolo is a large neo-classical square from the 19th century, originally intended to welcome visitors who entered the city from the north.
The road with its large cables and lined with many cypresses was originally intended for trade and moving military troops more quickly. The road was located just outside the city walls, which meant there were many catacombs and funerary monuments on the side of it. The best way to visit the Via Appia and its tourist attractions is on a bicycle.
Domus Aurea are the excavations of Nero's "Golden House". Since it is possible to visit the remains of this huge palace in a very nice way; with a guided tour where you can also see through VR glasses what the huge palace must have looked like at the time.
The tour is only available on Saturdays and Sundays, as restoration work is underway for the rest of the week. A lesser-known Rome tourist attraction, but one of my personal favorites. Reservation is necessary more Domus Aurea. An easy way to discover much of the Rome landmarks is by bicycle. Rent a bike yourself, or even better, go with an English-speaking guide to the landmarks and sights of Rome. In a few hours you will see many highlights and you will hear interesting stories about the history of Rome landmarks.
Highly recommended! The tours are popular, so we recommend that you book in advance More information. Below Palazzo Valentini, next to the Forum of Trajan, are the remains of some Roman houses and baths. After a few days in Rome, you are probably tired of all the stones and archaeological excavations, which is why Domus Romane is highly recommended.
The excavations are brought to life with the help of a tour with visual animations and effects. Last visit to Rome, this was my positive surprise. It is recommended to book because of the small groups allowed more Domus Romane. In Rome there are a number of beautiful city palaces from the 16th and 17th centuries.
These palaces are all splendor with overwhelming private collections of paintings and frescoes. During your city trip, it is worth visiting at least one palace and its associated galleries. I prefer two palaces; if you are in Rome on a Saturday morning I recommend you the Colonna Gallery , on other days you can visit the Doria Pamphilj Gallery.
The basilica, dedicated to pope Clement I, is not one of the most impressive churches of Rome at a first glance of its interior. What makes this Basilica of San Clemente special is that multiple church buildings were built on top of each other over the centuries.
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