On The Fast Lane Rome 5 Days Itinerary

My On the Fast Lane - Rome 5 days
itinerary
Day 1, Thu Aug 13 2015
Hour Where
1. 09:00 Vatican Gardens
2. 10:05 Vatican Museums
3. 12:45 The Sistine Chapel
4. 13:50 St. Peter's Basilica
5. 15:10 St. Peter's Square
6. 16:05 Castel Sant'Angelo
7. 17:00 Via Cola di Rienzo
Recommended Visit Time

1 hour
2 hours, 30 mins
1 hour
1 hour, 15 mins
45 mins
45 mins
1 hour
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09:00
Vatican Gardens
Parks &
Gardens
Rating:
Visit Time: 1 hour
Vatican City is a walled sovereign city-state within Rome it

covers 110 acres it is the headquarters of the Catholic
Church and the home of the Pope. The Vatican Gardens, as
the name suggests, are gardens within this walled enclave.
The gardens are located in the south and northeastern
areas of the city and cover about 50 acres, almost half of
the Vatican grounds. Although the gardens are closed to the
general public it is possible to take a guided tour. Those
who want to see areas of the Vatican which most visitors
don't get to see or people who are interested in the foliage
itself will find this a fascinating tour.
Nicholas II planted the beginnings of the Vatican Gardens
when he introduced an orchard, a garden and a lawn. This
event was recorded in several places including a plaque
which can be seen in the Palazzo dei Conservatori on
Capitoline Hill. The gardens were originally planted around
1279 and since then have offered a place for contemplation
and meditation for the popes.
Address:
The gardens contain vegetation from around the world

including Australia, Japan and China. Together with the
exotic plants are those native to Rome and Italy. In the
gardens are neatly mowed lawns, paths, seating areas,
pieces of art work, grottoes and water features. Among the
trees in Vatican Gardens are pine, cypress, chestnut and
palms. From the gardens there are amazing views of St.
Peter's Basilica and Vatican City.
0.6 KM, 7 minutes by walking
10:05
Vatican Museums
Rating:
Museums
Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins
The Vatican Museums are within Vatican City and comprise

several exhibitions housed within several museum galleries.
The collection began with the purchase by Pope Julius II of
the statue of Laocoon and his Sons in 1506. Although the
collections could have been kept within the Vatican walls as
the Pope's private collections, lucky for mankind, the popes
chose from the very beginning to make the art available to
the general public. This was done to promote knowledge of
art, history and culture. In addition to having access to some
of the world's finest art work the public also get to see inside
the palaces of the Vatican which house the collections.
Following the first statue the collection rapidly grew with

each pope in succession adding to the collection. Pope
Julius II's first statues are housed in the Cortile Ottagono.
Pope Clement XIV (1769-1774) and Pope Pius VI
(1775-1799) added works kept in the Pio-Clementine
Museum. Pius VII (1800-1823) added Classic Antiquities
and expanded the museum to include the Chiaromonti
Museum and the Braccio Nuovo Gallery. The Epigraphic
Collection was also added at this point and is on show in the
Lapidary Gallery. George XVI added the Etruscan (1837)
and Egyptian (1839) Museums. In 1854 the Lateran Profane
Museum was expanded and in 1854 the Pio-Christian
Museum joined the immense museum complex. Saint Pius
X added the Hebrew Lapidary in 1910 which displays
ancient Hebrew inscriptions from Roman cemeteries. Also
within the museum complex is the Gallery of Tapestries;
Gallery of Mapsthe Sobieski Room; the Borgia Apartment;
the Vatican Pinacoteca; the Missionary-Ethnological
Museum; Room of the Immaculate Conception; Raphael
Stanze and the Loggia; Chapel of Nicholas V and the
Sistine Chapel featuring Michelangelo's iconic ceiling
painting of God giving life to Adam as they touch fingers.
Some recent additions to the museums include the
Collection of Modern and Contemporary Religious Art in
1973 which is on show in the Borgia Apartment; the Vatican
Historical Museum (1973) and the Carriage and Automobile
Museum. The above list is only part of the endless Vatican
Museums collections and so visitors need to plan their visit
very carefully so that they can see all the pieces which
interest them. The Vatican Museums have various routes
designed to take in the museum highlights in a certain
amount of time. You could take a 2 hour guided tour of the
highlights or spend about 6 hours taking in as much as you
possible. Take into consideration that the museums cover
over 14.5km.
Phone Number: 06-69883333

Admission (including The Sistine Chapel): 14
adults, 8 children 13 and under, free for children
5 and under
Opening Hours: Nov-Feb Mon-Sat
10:00am-12:20pm, Mar-Oct Mon-Fri
10:00am-3:20pm, Sat 8:45am-12:20pm
Web: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va
Transportation: Metro: Cipro-Musei Vaticani
Closed: Closed Jan 1 and 6, Easter, May 1 and
20, Nov 1, and Dec 8, 25, and 26
The must-see highlights not to miss are the Laocoon;

Caravaggio's Deposition; Raphael's Transfiguration;
Aldobrandini Marriage; The Good Shepherd; Belvedere
Torso; work by Raphael; Apollo Belvedere; da Vinci's St.
Jerome and of course the breathtaking Michelangelo's
Sistine Chapel ceiling.
12:45
The Sistine Chapel
Rating:
Religious Sites
Visit Time: 1 hour
The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums and is

named after Pope Sixtus IV (pope from 1471 to 1484). He
ordered the restoration of the old Cappella Magna which
was carried out by an illustrious list of artists including
Botticelli, Perugino and Domenico Ghirlandaio. The chapel
was inaugurated in 1483 as Our Lady of the Assumption.
Julius II della Rovere (pope from 1503-1513) ordered the
refinement and redecoration of the chapel decoration and
employed Michelangelo for the job. In 1512 the work was
complete and the space was inaugurated as the Sistine
Chapel. Later in 1533 Michelangelo was asked by Clement
VII to paint the Last Judgment on the altar wall replacing the
15 th century frescoes. In the 16 th century the entrance wall
frescoes were painted again, this time by Hendrik van den
Broeck and da Lecce. More recently in 1979 and 1999 the
chapel frescoes were restored.
Each surface of the chapel is covered with exquisite art, the
Last Judgment is painted on the wall opposite the entrance;
the story of Christ is featured on the North Wall and the
stories of Moses on the South Wall. However the main
painting which visitors come to see is the ceiling fresco by
Michelangelo.

Admission (including the Vatican Museums): 14
adults, 8 children 13 and under, free for children
5 and under
Opening Hours: Nov-Feb Mon-Sat
10:00am-12:20pm, Mar-Oct Mon-Fri
10:00am-3:20pm, Sat 8:45am-12:20pm
Web: http://www.vaticanlibrary.va
Transportation: Metro: Cipro-Musei Vaticani
Michelangelo was originally commissioned to paint 12

apostles and ornamental motifs however he was not too
enamored with this idea and eventually was given a free
hand to plan the ceiling painting as he pleased. He
constructed a scaffold of his own invention and painted the
masterpiece while lying on his back. He painted 9 important
events from the Book of Genesis down the center of the
ceiling, the most famous being God giving Adam life with the
touching of their two finger tips. Around the outer edge of
the central scenes are paintings of the 12 prophets and
Sibyls. In the four corners of the ceiling are scenes from the
miraculous salvation of the people of Israel.
Closed: Closed Jan 1 and 6, Easter, May 1 and

20, Nov 1, and Dec 8, 25, and 26
The chapel is used for mass and other services throughout

the year and there is a permanent choir, the Sistine Chapel
Choir. But the space's most important function is as the
Papal Conclave. This is where the Popes are elected in a
conclave of the College of Cardinals. A chimney is erected
from the chapel leading up to the roof and with the use of
different colored smoke a signal is made when a new Pope
has been chosen. Although the cardinals no longer camp
out in the chapel while they come to a discussion, the
chapel is still used as the venue for the voting for the new
Pope.
13:50
St. Peter's Basilica
Rating:
Religious Sites
Visit Time: 1 hour, 15 mins
St Peter's Basilica is perhaps the holiest and most important

church in Christendom, located within Vatican City on
Vatican Hill; it is the heart of the Catholic Church. The
location has long been considered holy as the apostle Saint
Peter is believed to have been buried here in 64AD. Peter is
considered to have been the first Pope and so its place in
Vatican City is fitting. A place of worship was first
established on this site in c.320AD, in the 15 th century, the
structure was enlarged and improved with the help of Leon
Battista Alberti and Bernardo Rossellino. A new structure
was created here under Bramante in 1506, and was
continued by Rafael who took over the task. Rafael was
followed by Baldassarre Peruzzi and later Michelangelo.
Maderno was responsible for the stunning faade and finally
the Basilica was consecrated in 1626. Bernini worked on the
church for 20 years and was responsible for much of the
beautiful interior furnishing in the 1600s.
Address: Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a,

00184 Rome
The basilica Latin Cross floor plan has a 186 meter long
Nave with 4 aisles and the ceiling is 46 meters high. There
is a 136 meter high dome (thanks to Michelangelo) which is
42 meters in diameter. Visitors can climb the 491 steps to
get breathtaking views from the top. The basilica's faade is
114 meters wide and 47 meters high with a triple arched
portico leading into the atrium which has a central fountain.
In total the Basilica covers 22,000m and can accommodate
20,000 worshipers. Visitors to the holy Basilica approach the
building through the enormous St. Peters Square created by
Bernini. St. Peter's is a major Catholic pilgrimage site and
Christians arriving here begin their visit by kissing the big
toe of Arnolfo da Cambio's brass statue of St. Peter on the
right side of the main altar.
Within the church there are the angelic faces of 40 types of

cherubs created in stone, mosaic and metal. The statues of
39 saints, the founders of religious congregations, appear
along the sides of the Nave and across the Transept. In all
there are 45 altars, 11 chapels and 10,000m of mosaics as
well as beautiful marble floors. Among the valuable pieces
of Renaissance and Baroque art in the Basilica is
Michelangelo's Pieta in the first chapel on the right. Other
stunning works of art in St. Peters are the bronze baldachin
above the papal altar and the confession (burial crypt) of St.
Peter. St. Peter's tomb is one of 100 tombs within the
church; they include 91 popes, kings and queens.
then a long stroll. Bus: 23, 34, 40, or 271
Admission: Basilica (including grottoes) free

admission. Guided tour of excavations around St.
Peter's tomb 10, children 14 and under are not
admitted. Stairs to the dome 4, elevator to the
dome 5, sacristy (w/Historical Museum) free
Opening Hours: Basilica (including the sacristy
and treasury) daily 9:00am-6:00pm. Grottoes daily
8:00am-5:00pm. Dome Oct-Mar daily
8:00am-5:00pm, Apr-Sep 8:00am-6:00pm
Transportation: Metro: Ottaviano-San Pietro, and
15:10
St. Peter's Square
Rating:
Square
Visit Time: 45 mins
The expansive St. Peter's Square is located within Vatican

City in front of St. Peter's Basilica. In the 1600s the plaza
was designed by Bernini who also had a hand in designing
the adjacent basilica. His design was limited by the
constraints of surrounding structures but he managed to
create a trapezoid shaped plaza of grand proportions.
The elliptical shaped open area of the square is surrounded
by 284 Tuscan-style Doric colonnades, in 4 rows; the
columns are 13 meters high. The enormous scale of the
square and its surrounding columns was intended to create
awe in the worshipers who gather here to receive the Pope's
blessing from the church or Vatican Palace where he often
appears to address the crowds. The square is paved in
cobbled stones divided up only by radiating lines created
from limestone and zodiac signs so that the obelisks can be
used as a giant sun dial. A red porphyry stone on the paving
marks where Pope John Paul II was shot in 1981.
Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome
An ancient Egyptian obelisk stands at the plaza center,

Bernini's granite fountain and a fountain designed by Carlo
Maderno flank the obelisk in the papal courtyard. Visitors
enter the square through the Ponte Sant'Angelo along the
via della Conciliazione. St. Peter's Square is a masterpiece
in architecture and balance which inspires a feeling of
reverence and spiritual peace.
16:05
Castel Sant'Angelo
Rating:
Historic Sites
Visit Time: 45 mins
The Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as The Hadrian

Mausoleum, was constructed 130AD-139AD on the edge of
the River Tiber by Emperor Hadrian for himself, his family
and his successors interment. The mausoleum has a
cylindrical colonnaded drum, 64 meters in diameter, on top
of an 89 meter wide square base which was covered with
lush planted gardens and trees. Situated on the right bank
of the river, the Ponte Sant'Angelo connects it with the rest
of the city.
Over the years the function and appearance of the Castel

Sant'Angelo changed. In the middle Ages additional towers
and fortified walls were constructed. It became an
impenetrable defensive bastion during the barbaric
invasions, and was incorporated into the city walls
(270-275AD), protecting the northern entrance of Rome.
Most of the tombs and precious decoration were destroyed
when the structure became a fortress in 401 and the royal
ashes are thought to have been lost during the Alaric
sacking of Rome.
For the protection of the papal community a secret, fortified
passage way, Passetto di Borgo, was constructed (14 th
century), connecting the Vatican to the Castel Sant'Angelo.
During the Renaissance a treasury room was located in the
center of the structure to keep the pope's valuables safe.
The structure became a storage space for food, water and
supplies to be used in the event of an emergency. There
was even a granary and mill incorporated into the fortified
structure.
The mausoleum was used as a brutal prison where
prisoners were tortured and starved. At one time executions
were carried out in the inner courtyard. Famous inmates
included Benvenuto Cellini, Cagliostro and Giordana Bruno.
Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00186 Rome

Admission: 5
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 9:00am-7:00pm
Web: www.castelsantangelo.com
Transportation: Metro: Ottaviano-San Pietro, and
then a long stroll. Bus: 23, 34, 40, or 271
Originally a statue of the Emperor riding a chariot like the

sun god, would have stood on the central tower this was
replaced later by a statue of an angel, hence the name of
the castle. Today an 18 th century bronze statue of the
Archangel St. Michael has replaced the original marble
angel and adorns the mausoleum in memory of a plague
which raged through Rome in 590AD only to end when an
apparition of an angel appeared above the mausoleum.
When the Italian State was established the fortress was
used to house soldiers and today the much loved iconic
structure has been restored and recreated. It is visited by
tourists who come to see the National Museum of Castel
Sant'Angelo. Visitors approach the structure by following a
400 foot long spiral ramp. Visitors can see the beautiful
rooms used by the pontiffs with delicate frescoes and on
lower floors they can see the prisons and torture chamber.
17:00
Via Cola di Rienzo
Rating:
Shopping
Visit Time: 1 hour
The area where Via Cola di Rienzo is today was once just
open fields and swamps until 1870 when the area was used
for military purposes. You can still see the remnants of
certain palaces and the remains of military barracks in the
Prati neighborhood where the street is located.
Today Via Cola di Rienzo is one of Rome's primary
shopping areas, the prices are above discount budget prices
but below the hi-end store prices you can find else ware in
the city. It is located north of the Vatican in the Prati
neighborhood and being less central sees fewer crowds
than Via del Corso. The street is long and wide with
restaurants, cafes, boutique stores, brand name stores,
hotels, cinemas, book stores and more. For the true
shopaholics there is a shopping tour which starts at the
Piazza Risorgimento, behind the Vatican, and follows Via
Cola di Rienzo to Piazza Cola di Rienzo and on to Piazza
Popolo which is across the River Tiber over the Ponte
Regina Margherita.
Address: Via Cola di Rienzo, Rome, Italy
Along the street there is an indoor farmers market with fresh

local produce. For delicious coffee from a caf that has
been in business for over 80 years visit Castroni at number
196. Some of the popular stops along the way include
Bertozzini for perfumes; Portofino Caf and restaurant;
Angelo Di Nepi women's clothing boutique; Benetton; Geox
for Italian made shoes; Coccinelle for bags and Swarovski if
you are in need of crystals!
Day 2, Fri Aug 14 2015

Hour Where
1. 09:00 The Pantheon
2. 10:40 Piazza Venezia
3. 11:45 Roman Forum
4. 14:30 The Colosseum
5. 16:40 St. Peter in Chains
09:00
The Pantheon

1 hour, 30 mins
1 hour
2 hours, 30 mins
2 hours
45 mins
Rating:
Historic Sites
The Pantheon in Rome was built on the orders of Hadrian

between 118AD and 125AD, it functioned as a temple to all
the Roman Gods. The temple was built to replace Marcus
Agrippa's temple which had burnt down in 80AD. The
original inscription can still be seen above the Pantheon
entrance " Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been
consul three times made it ." The building is in such good
condition thanks to renovations made by the Byzantine
Emperor Phocas in 608AD when it was converted into a
church. The church became the final resting place for
several Italian kings including King Vittorio Emanuele II,
Umberto I and the artist Raphael who was buried here
together with his fiance. The Pantheon architecture was
unlike other Roman Temples and so historians wonder at
the buildings use.
The Pantheon faade features a triangular pediment which
once would have held sculptured battle scenes. The
pediment is supported by three rows of columns leading into
the front portico. From the rectangular front entrance hall
(cella) bronze doors lead in to the main part of the building
which is circular. The marble veneer covering the interior
walls was a later addition but the geometric patterned
marble floor is the original Ancient Roman floor.
Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome

Admission: Free admission
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30am-7:30pm, Sun
9:00am-6:00pm
Transportation: Bus: C3, 30, 46, 62, 63, 64, 116,
170, or 492 to Largo di Torre
Within the building intersecting arches rest on piers which

support 8 round headed arches. On floor level there are 8
corresponding bays which house statues. The star feature
of the Pantheon is the dome, supported by a series of
arches brilliantly engineered to hold the heavy dome. To
further help support the weight of the dome the walls
beneath the dome gradually decrease in thickness. Also the
builders used lightweight materials on the upper part of the
structure and heavier, sturdy materials on the lower section.
One of the fascinating qualities of the Pantheon architecture
is the proportions of the dome which, if flipped upside down
would fit exactly into the Rotunda. At the highest central
point of the dome is an oculus, a circular opening, which
floods the space with natural light. The oculus is lined with
bronze and was never closed. This meant that rain entered
the building and drained off of the slightly convex floor into
discrete drainpipes. The interior height and the diameter of
the dome are identical at 43.3 meters. Unfortunately we
don't know the name of the architect responsible for all of
this precise and ingenious architecture. The symmetry and
mathematical skill used to create the Pantheon has been
admired by artists and architects for centuries and remains
an inspiration to artists and designers.
10:40
Piazza Venezia
Rating:
Square
Visit Time: 1 hour
Although this is not the most beautiful of Rome's squares it

is the most central with several major routes converging
here including Via Corso and Via dei Fori Imperiali. It is
located at the foot of Capitoline Hill next to Trajan's Forum.
Piazza Venezia is not a pedestrian square and the large
square sees endless traffic, including most buses. The
square is close to many tourist sites and most visitors will
find themselves crossing this square at some point in their
trip to Rome.
Several important buildings line the square including the
Palazzo Venezia, commissioned by the Cardinal Venezia.
The square takes its name from the palace. The palace was
completed in 1464 and belonged to Pope Paul II, it
continued to be the residence of successive popes until
Pope Pius IV. After that it became the Venice Embassy
(Serenissima) and later was acquired by Mussolini's
government. The dictator would give speeches from the
palace balcony. Today it houses the Museo del Palazzo
Venezia.
Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome, Italy

Phone Number: +39 06 0608
Other buildings on the square are the Assicurazioni Generali

building (1911); the Monument of victor Emanuel II (Il
Vittoriano); Palazzo Bonaparte, the former home of
Napoleon Bonaparte's mother; Palazzo delle Aste and San
Marco Church (1336). During digging to construct part of the
Rome metro line in 2009 the ancient remains of Hadrian's
Athenaeum were discovered directly beneath the middle of
Piazza Venezia.
11:45
Roman Forum
Rating:
Historic Sites
Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins
The Roman Forum is located in a valley between Piazza

Venezia and the Colosseum, between the Palatine Hill,
Capitoline Hill and Esquiline Hill. The area was originally
marshlands which were cleared with an ingenious system
during the reign of the last Etruscan kings (until 509BC).
The Cloaca Maxima canal was constructed to drain off the
land into the Tiber River. Once the area was inhabitable it
began to develop into an urban center and for more than
1000 years this was the most important part of the city. The
area's central square, called Foro, was where the Romans
would gather for meetings, trials and trade, the Forum was
the center of life in Ancient Rome. Also in the Forum there
were markets, temples, government buildings, stores and
inns.
Address: Via della Curia, 4 00186 Roma, Italy
Several structures remain in the Forum from different

periods in history. The 70 foot high Arch of Septimius
Severus, (203AD) to commemorate the victory over the
Parthians. It is adorned with intricate bas-reliefs. Statues
remain from the House of the Vestal Virgins (Atrium
Vestae), which was a 3 story, 50 room residence which
accommodated the virgin priestesses. Several of the original
20 Corinthian columns from the Temple of Vesta remain,
built on a podium 15 meters in diameter. The Curia Julia
was where the Senate would gather and although there
were several locations over the course of Roman history,
the Curia which remains was constructed under Diocletian
in 283AD.
The Rostra was a platform where speeches were made.

The present platform was commissioned by Caesar and
made out of marble, it measured 24 meters wide and 12
meters deep. The Column of Phocas is the most recent
addition to the Forum, constructed in 608AD to
commemorate a visit by the Byzantine Emperor Phocas to
Rome. Other outstanding structures in the Forum include
the Temple of Saturn; Temple of Vespasian and Titus;
Temple of Castor and Pollux; Temple of Antoninus and
Faustina and several churches like the Basilica Julia
(54BC); Basilica of Maxentius (308AD) and Basilica Aemilia
(179BC).
63, 64, 70, 87, 119, 271, or 280
Admission: 12, ticket good for same-day

admission to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.
Guided tours of Roman Forum 4
Opening Hours: Guided tours of Roman Forum
daily 1:00pm. Oct 30-Feb 15 daily
8:30am-4:30pm, Feb 16-Mar 15 daily
8:30am-5:00pm, Mar 16-26 daily 8:30am-5:30pm,
Mar 27-Aug 31 daily 8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily
8:30am-7:00pm, Oct 1-29 daily 8:30am-6:30pm.
Last admission 1 hr. before closing
Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Bus: 40, 46, 62,
Closed: Closed holidays
14:30
The Colosseum
Rating:
Historic Sites
Visit Time: 2 hours
The Colosseum is the most recognizable and iconic

monument of Rome, if you see no other site in Rome you
should see this structure. This grand stadium was
constructed by the Flavian emperors. In 508-544BC the
valley where the colosseum now stands had been drained.
Houses and public buildings were constructed at this point
where four regions of ancient Rome converged. The Great
Fire of Rome in 64AD cleared the area and Nero had a new
palace complex, Domus Aurea, constructed on the grounds.
Under Vespasian much of Nero's private property was
returned to the people and the construction of a grand
amphitheatre began (71-72AD) on part of the property. The
amphitheatre was completed during the reign of Titus in
80AD and by 81AD a third level had been added. At this
time hypogeum, a series of spaces beneath the arena used
as a "backstage" area were excavated. In the 2 nd century
repairs were carried out and in 222 after extensive fire
damage the colosseum was completely rebuilt over the
course of 30 years.
Address: Piazza del Colosseo, 1, 00184 Rome

Admission: 12 all levels. Guided tours: 4. Note:
to the Colosseum also includes a visit to the
Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill
Opening Hours: Nov-Feb 15 daily 8:30am-4:30pm,
The colosseum was used for bull fights, gladiator fights,

chariot races, official events and various public forms of
entertainment. At its peek the most popular event was the
Ludi Circenses, the chariot races, there were also naval
battles reproduced with complex stage effects. The
colosseum also hosted staged hunts, using live animals and
often involved feeding convicts to the beasts. Mythological
dramas were staged in the arena among scenic woods
complete with forest animals. Rome had a strict class
system and there were 5 levels of seating within the
audience according to your social status. At capacity the
arena could hold 50,000 to 80,000 spectators on the marble
benches.
Feb 16-Mar 15 daily 8:30am-5:00pm, Mar 16-27

daily 8:30am-5:30pm, Mar 28-Aug daily
8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily 8:30am-7:00pm, Oct
daily 8:30am-6:00pm. Guided tours in English with
an archaeologist 7 times per day Mar 28-Oct 30
(9:30am, 10:15am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 3:00pm,
4:15pm, and 5:15pm)
Transportation: Metro: Colosseo
In 404 the colosseum saw its last gladiator fight when the
Christian Orthodox Emperor Theodosius banned all forms of
paganism and customs. The colosseum fell into disrepair
firstly from the Visigoths sacking of Rome and then in the
400s pieces of the architecture were stolen for reuse in new
structures. More repairs followed as did earthquakes,
vandalism and the sacking of Rome by the Vandals of
Genseric. From the 6 th to 13 th century, as the property of
the Church of Santa Maria Nova the colosseum became a
thruway and residential area. Ownership of the property
changed over the years and looting continued as stone by
stone the colosseum was dismantled. Finally in 1750 true
restoration began under Pope Benedict XIV.
Today the amphitheatre is still the largest in the world and is
the model on which the amphitheatres are based. There is
now a museum in the upper floor of the outer wall and the
arena is used for Roman Catholic ceremonies several times
a year. The colosseum was recently chosen as one of the
New Seven Wonders of the World.
16:40
St. Peter in Chains
Rating:
Religious Sites
Visit Time: 45 mins
The chains which bound St. Peter when he was imprisoned

in Rome and Jerusalem are kept in the gold reliquary in
front of the altar of the Church San Pietro in Vincoli. The
story goes that the chains which held the saint in Jerusalem
were given to Pope Leo I who placed them next to the
chains which had held Peter in Rome and the two sets of
chains miraculously joined together. The church was built
for this purpose, to house the sacred chains. The church
underwent several renovations under the reign of different
popes as well as renovations made in 1875.
Apart from the chains themselves the church's other main
asset is Michelangelo's Moses, (1515) a sculpture which
was intended to be one of 40 statues in a grand monument
commissioned by Julius II. However other projects took
precedent and the project was shelved although
Michelangelo regarded Moses as one of his best works. The
horns on Moses' head come from the incorrect translation of
the scriptures which they read as "horns" instead of
"radiated." On either side of Moses are statues of Leah and
Rachel also created by the master artist. The central nave of
the church has a curved ceiling created in 1706 and
features a fresco by Giovanni Battista Parodi. The nave is
lined with two rows of Doric columns which came from other
ancient sites and the Tomb of Nicholas of Kues (1440), one
of the first to realize the Earth is not the center of the
universe, is also located within the church.
Address: Womersley Road, London Borough of

Haringey, N8 9
Opening Hours: Spring/summer daily
7:30am-12:30pm and 3:30-7:00pm, fall/winter to
6:00pm
Transportation: Metro: Colosseo or Cavour, and
then cross the boulevard and walk up the flight of
stairs. Turn right, and you'll head into the piazza,
the church will be on your left
Day 3, Sat Aug 15 2015

Hour Where
1. 09:00 Galleria Borghese
2. 10:10 Villa Borghese
3. 11:30 National Gallery of Ancient Art
4. 13:10 Spanish Steps
5. 13:40 Piazza di Spagna
6. 14:20 Trevi Fountain
7. 15:25 Palazzo del Quirinale
8. 16:40 Piazza Navona

1 hour
1 hour
1 hour, 30 mins
30 mins
30 mins
1 hour
1 hour
1 hour
09:00
Galleria Borghese
Rating:
Museums
Visit Time: 1 hour
This art museum is housed within the Villa Borghese

Pinciana, designed by architect Flaminio Ponzio as the
suburban home of Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The home
was given extensive renovations in the 17 th century but
dates back to when it was Scipione Borghese' home
(1579-1633). The beautiful home was used for parties and
the adjacent landscaped gardens are as famous as the
house. The house has two floors with 20 rooms, the
architectural and interior design features of the building are
an attraction in themselves. One of the rooms has a trompe
l'oeil ceiling fresco and another has Roman floor mosaics. In
the entrance hall there is a mosaic featuring gladiators
which dates back to 320AD and was found on the Borghese
Estate at Torrenova.
The works of art on show in the Galleria Borghese came
from the private collection of Cardinal Scipione, son of
Ortensia Borghese (Pope Paul V's sister) and Francesco
Caffarelli. The Cardinal was a patron of artist Bernini and an
avid fan of Caravaggio. The collection includes pieces of
ancient art as well as Renaissance and baroque art which
re-evoke the Golden Age. The collection includes sculptures
and paintings.
Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese, 5, 00197

Rome
Phone Number: 06-32810 for information
Admission: 11
Web: www.galleriaborghese.it
Transportation: Bus: 116 or 910
Canova's statue of Pauline Bonaparte (1805-1808) is one of

the highlights of the collection. Among the paintings are 107
works received by the Cardinal as a gift from the Pope, the
paintings had been confiscated from painter Giuseppe
Cesari. Raphael's Deposition was another personal gift from
the Pope and in 1682 Correggios' Danae joined the
collection. Visitors can see Bernini's Apollo and Daphne,
Titian's Sacred and Profane Love and works by Lorenzo,
Botticelli, Lotto, Rubens, Savoldo, Bassano and
Domenichino.
10:10
Villa Borghese
Rating:
Parks &
Gardens
Visit Time: 1 hour
Although English speakers may expect this to be a villa

house, it is actually a garden, the largest public landscape
park in Rome. The park is situated where a vineyard grew
until 1605 when Cardinal Scipione Borghese decided to
have it made into a park. He employed Domenico Savino da
Montepulciano, a well known landscaper. The garden
originally had a very geometric design but later natural
elements were introduced. The artificial lake was added in
the 18 th century, it marks the center of the park. An Ionic
Temple dedicated to the God of Healing stands on a small
island in the lake. The park remained the property of the
Borghese family until 1903 when the municipality acquired
the land and the park was opened to the public. The 1911
the World Exposition was held in the Villa Borghese, each
country was represented by a semi-permanent pavilion
building constructed especially for the exposition. The
British School building which was designed by Edwin
Lutyens remains together with several other pavilions.
Address: Villa Borghese, Rome, Italy

Phone Number: Mon-Sun 8:00am-7:00pm
Today the park covers 148 acres and within the park
grounds are several buildings, a lake, temple, fountains,
statues and museums. The best known of the park
museums is the Museo e Galleria Borghese housed within
the former Borghese family home. There is also the Galleria
Nazionale d'Arte Moderna and the Museo Nazionale
Etruscan housed within the Villa Giulia (1553). The park has
an amphitheatre, the Piazza di Siena and an 18 th century
arch, the arco di Settimo Severo.
11:30
National Gallery of Ancient Art
Rating:
Museums
This outstanding museum is housed within the equally

stunning Barberini Palace which boasts The Triumph of
Divine Providence, a ceiling fresco by Pietro da Cortona.
The central Gran Salone, where the ceiling fresco is located,
was designed by Bernini who also designed the building's
faade. Other talented architects also had a hand in the
building design, like Cortona who designed the theatre wing
(now demolished) and Borromini who designed the spiral
staircase.
The main part of the art collection consists of work by Italian
artists dating from the 13 th century to the 18 th century and
including works by Raphael, Caravaggio, Fra Angelico,
Filiop, Lippi, Lotto, Raffaello's Fornarina, Michelangelo and
Canaletto. There are a number of works by international
artists like Ruben and El Greco. The collection includes
paintings, sculptures and works in other medium.
Address:
Admission: 6
Visitors to the museum can also see the rococo apartments,

the Gallery of Decorate Art, furnished with precious objects
by Cornelia Cosstanza Barberini who lived here with her
husband Prince Giulio Cesare Colonna di Sciarra. The
apartments are furnished and decorated as they would have
been when the couple lived here and the walls and ceilings
are adorned with beautiful frescoes.
Web: http://www.galleriaborghese.it
Transportation: Metro: Barberini
13:10
Spanish Steps
Rating:
Landmark
Visit Time: 30 mins
In the 17 th century the French had initially proposed a plan

to build the Spanish Steps and top it off with a statue of King
Louis XIV. However there was opposition from the pope and
the plan was only carried out in 1723-1726, but without the
addition of the statue. The designer Francisco de Sanctis
was chosen for the job and the 137 step flight of stairs was
built drawing on the technique of terraced garden stairs. The
stairs signified the peace between the Spanish (below) and
the French in the square above. The steps are one of the
most romantic places in Rome (and the widest staircase in
Europe) and attract a lot of attention from tourists. In May
the steps are decorated with azaleas and once a year there
is a fashion show here when the steps become the catwalk.
Address: Via dei Condotti, Rome, Italy
At the bottom of the steps is Piazza di Spagna, the Spanish

Square got its name from the Spanish Embassy which stood
close by in the 17 th century.
Admission: Free
Opening Hours: 24/7
The Piazza della Trinita dei Monti is the square at the top of
the steps, named after the church which stands on the
square. An obelisk stands in front of the church, it was
brought to its present location in 1788 from the Gardens of
Sallust. Also on the Piazza della Trinita dei Monti is the
Colonna dell'Immacolata or the Column of the Immaculate
Conception. The column was recovered from beneath a
monastery in 1777 and brought to this piazza in 1857. The
statue of Mary which sits atop the column was a later
addition. One of the prominent buildings on the square is the
Villa Medici.
However the most prominent feature of the Piazza della
Trinita dei Monti is the Trinita dei Monti Church. Originally a
small chapel stood here but following a commission by
Louis XII a new, bigger and better church was completed in
1585. The church has a renaissance faade although most
of the architecture is in the Gothic-style. There are two bell
towers each with a clock, one shows French time
(international time) and the other once showed Italian time
but now has a sun dial. Within the church are several
frescoes including work by Daniele da Volterra,
Michelangelo pupil.
13:40
Piazza di Spagna
Rating:
Square
Visit Time: 30 mins
The Piazza di Spagna is the Spanish Square from which the

Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti)
dramatically sweep up towards a higher level where the
French Church or Trinita dei Monti is located.
The 18 th century square has an irregular shape and
extends to the foot of Pincio Hill. The square features the
Fontana della Barcaccia created by Bernini created in 1598.
The center of the fountain is a statue of a small boat and
inspiration came from the 1598 flooding of the Tiber River
when a boat really did get stranded on the square. Some of
the buildings surrounding the square include the former
home of English poet John Keats, which is now a museum
and the 15 th century palace of Lorenzo Cybo de Mari. The
Piazza di Spagna is the meeting point of some of Rome's
most elegant and glamorous streets like Via Condotti and
Via del Babuino. The surrounding streets feature top haut
couture stores like Gucci, Prada and Valentino. Note that it
is illegal to sit and eat your lunch on the steps.
Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy
14:20
Trevi Fountain
Rating:
Landmark
Visit Time: 1 hour
Address: Piazza di Trevi, 00187 Rome

Transportation: Metro: Barberini. Bus: 62, 81,
85,175, 492, or 590
The Fontana di Trevi is the largest baroque fountain in the

world. The fountain is well known from the Fellini film "La
Dolce Vita" and "Three Coins in The Fountain." Legend has
it that if you throw a coin into the fountain and make a wish
to return to Rome, your wish will be granted. It is situated in
the Trevi District of Rome at a junction of three roads (hence
the name tre-three+vie-roads). The fountain is 26,30 meters
high, 49,15 meters wide, 80,000 cubic meters of water flow
through the fountain every day and it is mostly carved from
travertine stone.
The fountain also marks the terminal point of one of Ancient
Rome's 11 aqueducts, Aqua Virgo, which was constructed
by Marcus Agrippa c.19BC during the reign of Emperor
Augustus. The aqueduct covered 21km to bring fresh spring
water into the city supplying clean drinking water for about
400 years. Agrippa had the aqueduct built to bring water to
the Campus Martius thermal baths. The name of the
aqueduct comes from a legend that tells of a virgin leading
tired and thirsty soldiers to the source of water. Fountains
were, and still are, a regular feature in Rome, by the 4 th
century there were 1352 Roman fountains. The aqueduct
suffered damage in 537 when the Ostrogoths attacked
Rome but in the early renaissance period the popes began
restoring the aqueduct fountain.
Various popes had a hand in restoring the fountain and
even relocating and reorienting it. It was Urbanus VIII who
commissioned Bernini to work on the fountain. In 1730 a
contest was held to design a new fountain and Nicola Salvi
won. In 1743 the new fountain began flowing with water.
Giuseppe Pannini (son of Giampaolo) took over the
completion of the fountain decoration. Bracci also had a
hand in the creation by carving the marble Ocean's Triumph
according to Salvi's design. Work was completed in 1762.
The statue of Ocean stands at the highest and central point
of the fountain, he stands in a chariot pulled by two horses
ridden by two Tritons. One Triton is old and one is young
while one horse is restless and the other calm. To the left of
Ocean is a statue of Abundance and to the right a statue of
Health. Above the statues are reliefs of Agrippa overseeing
the construction of the aqueduct and another of the Virgin
leading the soldiers to the water. There are also allegorical
figures and carvings of about 30 types of plants.
The Trivi Fountain is perhaps Rome's most romantic
fountain and visitors can drink from the cast iron pipes
situated on the steps. Money thrown into the fountain is
used to finance maintenance of the fountain.
15:25
Palazzo del Quirinale
Rating:
Palaces
Visit Time: 1 hour
Today the Palazzo del Quirinale functions as the President

of the Republic's official residence. Tt is located on Quirinal
Hill, the highest of Rome's seven hills. In front of the palace
is a piazza where visitors can see the Monte Cavallo
Fountain (1818) and an obelisk which came from the
Augustus' Mausoleum. Across the piazza is the Scuderie
del Quirinale, the Quirinal Stables which are now used as
exhibition space.
The Palazzo del Quirinale was constructed in the 1500s as
a summer home (and escape from Malaria ridden Rome) for
Pope Gregory XIII and the architect was Ottavio Mascarino.
Over time the palace came to be occupied by 30 popes. The
building was expanded and improved by Domenico Fontana
and later Flaminio Ponzio and Carlo Maderno. Maderno was
responsible for creating the Sala Regia, the Papal
Apartments and the Paolina Chapel. Under Pope Urban VIII
more land was bought to expand the gardens and property.
Bernini had a hand in the project during the 1600s and the
palace was completed under the guidance of Ferdinando
Fuga in 1700. On completion the building covered
110,500m and is the largest residence of a Head of State in
the world. The palace passed from the popes to the Savoys
and later became the President of the Republic's residence
in 1947 and subsequently the home of 11 presidents.
Address: Piazza del Quirinale, 00187 Rome

Admission: 5
Opening Hours: Sun 8:30am-noon
Web: www.quirinale.it
Transportation: Metro: Barberini
Closed: Palazzo del Quirinale remains closed
June 22-Sept 7
Within the Palazzo the Scalone d'Onore staircase has a

beautiful fresco by Melozzo da Forli, who also created the
garden design. The palace is home to many great works of
art including a collection of Murano glass chandeliers.
16:40
Piazza Navona
Rating:
Square
Visit Time: 1 hour
Piazza Navona is an elongated oval-shaped public square

in Rome, it was built on the former Stadium of Domitian (the
remains of which can still be seen on guided tours from
Piazza Tor Sanguigna13). The original name was Circus
Agonalis or Circus Agonalis. The Piazza was paved in the
15 th century and used as a market place and a venue for
special events including mock naval battles. Today is a
lively and popular social meeting point in the numerous
cafes, restaurants and places of entertainment which line
the square. The square is the venue for many annual fairs
and festivals. The Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone (1670)is
also on the square and is perhaps the sources of the
square's present name.
Address: Piazza Navona, 00186 Rome, Italy
The main attractions of the square are the three fountains,

the most famous being Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi. The
Fountain of the Four Rivers was completed in 1651 and
although originally the artist Borromini was commissioned,
ultimately Bernini took over the design. The fountain
features an obelisk brought from the Massenzio Circus and
surrounding the fountain base are figures representing four
great rivers: The Nile, Ganges, Danube and Rio de la Plata.
The Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno) or Calderari
was designed by Giacomo della Porta and constructed in
1576. Further statues of Neptune and the sea nymphs were
added in the 19 th century.
The Fontana del Moro was also created by della Porta. The
central statue was designed by Bernini in the 17 th century
and features a Moor and a dolphin. The Tritons (male
mermaids) were added in the 19 th century.
Day 4, Sun Aug 16 2015

Hour Where
1. 09:00 Victor Emmanuel Monument
2. 09:35 Piazza del Campidoglio
3. 09:50 Capitoline Hill
4. 11:35 Circus Maximus
5. 13:10 Giardino degli Aranci
6. 14:10 Santa Sabina
7. 14:55 Pyramid of Caius Cestius
8. 15:40 Baths of Caracalla

30 mins
15 mins
1 hour, 30 mins
1 hour, 30 mins
1 hour
30 mins
30 mins
1 hour
09:00
Victor Emmanuel Monument
Rating:
Landmark
Visit Time: 30 mins
This monument is also called Altare della Patria,

Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele, Altar of the
fatherland or just Il Vittoriano. However the locals have
nicknamed the monument "the typewriter", "the wedding
cake" and a few other names. The monument on Piazza
Venezia houses the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and an
eternal flame. The monument was erected following WWI in
honor of those who lost their lives in battle. It is noteworthy,
not for its beauty but for its grand scale.
In 1911 Giuseppe Sacconi designed the monument but
completed by several sculptures and architects including
Leonardo Bistolfi, Angelo Zanelli, Manfredo and Pio
Piacentini. It was only inaugurated in 1935. The monument
is named after the first king of unified Italy. The structure is
made of marble, there are sweeping stairways on either side
of an intricately carved pedestal which holds an equestrian
statue of Victor Emmanuel. The stairs lead up to a
semi-circle of Corinthian columns which resembles a
Roman temple. On either side of the roof of the
semi-circular structure are quadrigas statues of the
Goddess Victoria. Visitors can take an elevator to the
Terrace of the Quadrigas to get brilliant views of the city.
The Museum of Italian Unification, the Shrine of the Flags
and a caf are housed within the monument.
Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome, Italy

Phone Number: +39 06 678 0664
Admission: free
Opening Hours: Mon-Thu 9:30am-6:30pm, Fri-Sat
9:30am-10:30pm, Sun 9:30am-7:30pm
Transportation: Metro : BLUE B Line : Colosseo:
Turn right out of station and walk about 10 minutes
up Via dei Fori Imperiali. Bus - lines 60, 40, 64 and
117.
09:35
Piazza del Campidoglio
Rating:
Square
Visit Time: 15 mins
This is a grand public square on Capitoline Hill, it was

designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti and constructed
between 1538 and 1650, although the artist died in 1564
and work continued according to his plans. When
Michelangelo took on the project the once elite and sacred
Ancient Roman sites of Capitoline Hill had all but
disappeared beneath newer medieval structures. It was
Pope Paul III (Farnese) who took on the project to make the
plaza presentable for the upcoming visit of Emperor Charles
V.
The plaza is elliptic is shape and typical of the Italian
renaissance style, there is an unusual pattern on the square
paving. Michelangelo created a long sloping staircase, the
Cordonata steps leading from Piazza Venezia up to the
Piazza del Campidoglio. At the foot of the stairs are two
Egyptian statues of lions and at the top there are statues of
Dioscuri Castor and Pollux. There are also statues on the
stair balustrade. In the center of the square is an equestrian
statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, this is a replica of the
original bronze gilded statue which is on show in the
Palazzo Nuovo.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Roma Rome,

Italy
Michelangelo also redesigned the buildings around the

square which we can still see today. The Palazzo Senatorio
which was the seat of the senate until 1870; Palazzo dei
Conservatori (1563) now houses part of the Capitoline
Museums and the Palazzo Nuovo was a later addition to the
square and mirrored the Palazzo ei Conservatori in
appearance. It too holds part of the Capitoline Museums
collection and was the first public museum in the world,
opening its doors in 1734.
09:50
Capitoline Hill
Rating:
Landmark
This is one of the famed seven hills upon which Rome was
built and it was considered the most sacred. The English
word "capital" is derived from Capitoline. It is located
between the Forum and the Campus Martius and was the
site of Rome's first temples, the Temple of Jupiter and the
Capitoline Triad and of the Tabularium, the city hall of
records. Capitoline Hill was the site of many major events in
Roman history, for example after the murder of Caesar,
Brutus and his cohorts hid in the Temple of Jupiter situated
on Capitoline Hill. The hill provided a high refuge from the
city below and was even used to throw political criminals to
their death on the Tarpeian Rocks below. The hill and the
structures built on it fell into ruin and only in the 16 th century
was it restored to its former glory. The new renaissance
structures were built on top of the ancient ones leaving little
of the former Empire structures. Michelangelo was
commissioned to create long ramp-like steps (Cordonata
stairs) which lead up to Piazza del Campidoglio as well as a
pedestal for an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.
Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, Roma Rome,

Italy
Phone: +39 06 0608
Today visitors can see Roman artifacts on display in the

Capitoline Museum. The square is surrounded by the
Senatorium, Palace of the Conservatori and the Capitoline
Museum housed in two buildings (Palazza Nuovo and
Palazzo dei Conservatori. Michelangelo designed the
facades of the three palaces on the square.
11:35
Circus Maximus
Rating:
Historic Sites
Circus Maximus or Circo Massimo was the first and biggest

arena/stadium in ancient Rome where the citizens would
gather to watch chariot races, gladiator fights, processions
and major events. The stadium was constructed in the
valley between the Palatine Hills and the Aventine Hills. The
venue continued to operate for nearly a thousand years and
at its height could accommodate an audience of a quarter of
a million people. The Circus Maximus became the model
used to build other arenas throughout the Roman Empire.
The Circus Maximus grew and changed over the years
starting in the 6 th century BC when the Emperor Tarquinius
Priscus had a race track created. Later significant
developments came with the construction of permanent
gates in 329BC and new gates in 174BC. To keep track of
the number of laps the chariots had made 7 wooden ovals
were placed on the spina (central wall of the arena) and for
each lap an oval was removed. Later in 33BC the egg
shapes were replaced with 7 bronze dolphins. Following a
fire in 31BC Emperor Augustus had renovations made and
included an imperial box. The wooden structure was burned
down again during Emperor Nero's reign in 64AD and
finally, after a third fire the arena was rebuilt in 103AD, this
time in marble.
Address: Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Rome

Transportation: Metro: Circo Massimo. Bus: 81,
60, 160, 715, or 628
The new 3 story marble Circus Maximus was of grand

proportions, the elongated oval shaped complex was 600
meters long and 150 meters high. The venue operated with
great success until 549AD when the last race was held.
Today visitors to the site of the Circus Maximus can only
see the remains and outline of the structure within a public
park. Over the years the structure decayed and was
covered with soil and waterlogged. Some elements of the
structure were used as building materials for Middle Ages
and Renaissance structures. One of the elements rescued
from the remains was an obelisk which now stands in
Piazza del Popolo. This grand historic venue is still used
occasionally for performances, events and concerts like the
Genesis concert of 2007 which was attended by 500,000
people.
13:10
Giardino degli Aranci
Rating:
Parks &
Gardens
Visit Time: 1 hour
The Giardino degli Aranci, Parco Savello or Garden of

Oranges is located on Aventino Hill, it is one of the city's
most romantic locations and often used as the backdrop for
wedding photos. The park is believed to have been created
when Saint Dominic brought an orange tree from his native
Spain and planted it in the vegetable garden of the adjacent
Savelli Castle which housed a monastery. The sapling
flourished and additional orange trees were planted. Saint
Catherine of Siena is thought to have used the tree's
oranges to make candied fruit for Pope Urban VI. The
monastery's garden became the park we known today when
it was redesigned by Raffaele de Vico in 1932.
From the Garden of Oranges you can see the Basilica of
Santa Sabina and the drawbridge and towers which once
formed part of the Savelli Castle. The garden has a
symmetrical design and a wide, paved, tree-lined, central
walkway called Viale Nino Manfredi after a famous actor
who passed away in 2004. The central promenade leads to
a terrace at the highest point of the park. From the garden
terrace there are sweeping views across some of Rome's
most famous structures. In the summer the park comes
alive with theatrical performances and scores of romantic
Italian couples.
Address: Giardino degli Aranci, Rome
14:10
Santa Sabina
Rating:
Religious Sites
Visit Time: 30 mins
The Basilica Sanctae Sabinae is located on the Aventine

Hill; it is one of the city's oldest churches and dates back to
422-432. It is built on the site of the home of Sabina, a
convert to Christianity and Roman martyr who was later
declared a saint. The founder of the church was Peter of
Illyria a monk who gives his name to the square and
adjacent convent. The structure of the church is a classic
rectangular-style with light colored dcor and simple design
which gives the space an airy feel. The church underwent
several changes over the years. It was at one point
incorporated into the Crescenzi family fort; in the 16 th -17 th
century restored in the baroque-style and later in the 1800s
became a steam laundry. It was under Mussolini that
Antonio Munoz restored the church for the last time. Many
layers of history and architectural styles are evident in the
structure.
Highlights of the church building include the 5 th century
cypress wood portal with scenes from the Bible; 24 church
columns which came from the Temple of Juno Regina; 9 th
century chancel furniture; a fresco by Taddeo Zuccari and
large selenite windows which shed light on the church
mosaics. On the floor of the nave is the city's only surviving
mosaic tomb dating back to c.1300.
Address: Piazza Pietro D'Illiria, 1, 00153 Rome

Opening Hours: Daily 6:00am-12:45pm and
3-7:00pm
Transportation: Bus: 23, 30, 44, 60, 75, 95, or 170
14:55
Pyramid of Caius Cestius
Rating:
Landmark
Visit Time: 30 mins
The ancient pyramid of Cestius stands near the Porta San

Paolo on the Via Ostiensis it was the final resting place of
Caius Cestius Epulonius, a rich magistrate and priest who
died in 12BC. The pyramid was constructed at a time when
all-things-Egyptian were in fashion and it was also inspired
by the pyramids of Nubia which had recently (23BC) been
attacked by Romans and the pyramids of Egypt which
Rome conquered in 30BC. The pyramid is more pointed
than Egyptian pyramids and stands 36 meters high and 29.5
meters wide. It was constructed using concrete and brick
and covered with white Carrara marble. Thanks to the
concrete the Romans managed to make their pyramids
taller and more pointed than the Egyptians. The pyramid is
decorated with intricate frescoes and panels and originally
two bronze figures stood at the entrance. The figures are
now on display else ware.
Address: Via del Campo Boario, 00153 Rome

Transportation: Metro: Piramide
The pyramid originally stood outside the city walls, like all
burial sites but with the expansion of the city it is now within
city limits. When the Aurelian Walls were being constructed
(271-275) the pyramid was incorporated into the walls as a
bastion. Much later in the 17 th century Pope Alexander VII
ordered the site to be excavated and restored. An inscription
found on the pyramid confirmed that it belonged to Cestius
and stating that it took 330 days to build. A second
inscription was added by Alexander VII commemorating the
restoration. The excavation also opened up the tomb to
reveal Third Style Roman paintings.
15:40
Baths of Caracalla
Rating:
Historic Sites
Visit Time: 1 hour
Roman's largest public baths (thermae) were constructed

from 212AD to 216AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus
Aurelius Antoninus, also called Caracalla after the tunic he
wore. The baths remained operational for more than 300
years during a period when the city had over 50 public baths
that were used in lieu of private bathrooms. The baths
served a social function as well as allowing citizens to wash
away the dust. Bathing was a ritual process beginning with a
hot bath in the caldarium, then a luke-warm bath in the
tepidarium, a cold bath in the frigidarium and finally a
relaxing swim in the natatio or open air swimming pool
followed by a massage or rubdown with scented cloths.
The water was provided by the Aqua Marcia aqueduct which
brought water to the complex reservoirs, it was only when
the water supply was destroyed by the Goths that the baths
ceased to operate. On the lower level a radiant heating
system was used to heat the water by furnaces and tubes.
Slaves would spend their time confined to the lower level,
heaving the wood into the furnaces. The complex covered
27 acres and could accommodate 1600 people who came to
use the many facilities it provided like the gymnasiums,
library, stores, landscaped gardens, restaurant and even
brothel.
Address: Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52, 00100

Rome
Admission: 6
Opening Hours: Oct daily 9:00am-6:00pm, Nov
and Dec daily 9:00am-4:30pm, Jan-Feb 15 daily
Mar 28-Aug daily 9:00am-7:15pm, Sep daily
9:00am-7:00pm. Last admission 1 hr. before
The baths had marble seating, mosaics on the walls and

floors, fountains, marble and bronze statues and the walls
were covered with polychrome marble and tiled mosaics.
Today only the ruins remain as the baths suffered from
marauding Goths, earthquakes and pieces of the structure
were taken to be used in other Roman buildings. However
visitors can still get an idea of the scale and opulence of the
baths from the towering red brick walls, grand arches,
remaining mosaic floors and granite columns.
closing
Transportation: Bus: C3, 81, 118, or 160
Day 5, Mon Aug 17 2015

Hour Where
1. 09:00 Palatine Hill and Palatine Museum
2. 11:20 Museo Capitolino
3. 12:55 Imperial Forums
4. 14:30 Museum of Palazzo Venezia
5. 15:50 Galleria Doria Pamphilj
09:00
Palatine Hill and Palatine Museum
Rating:

2 hours
1 hour, 30 mins
1 hour, 30 mins
1 hour, 15 mins
45 mins
Historic Sites
Visit Time: 2 hours
Palatine Hill
This is one of the famous seven hills on which Rome was
founded and is the most centrally located. From its height of
40 meters it is surrounded by the Circus Maximus, Forum
Romanum and the Colosseum. Archaeological findings
show that the site was inhabited as far back as the 10 th
century BC. Traditionally it was the site of the Lupercal Cave
where Romulus and Remus were nursed by a she-wolf and
so it would have been where Romulus began building the
city (754BC).
During the Roman Republican Era the hill was a fashionable

residential area due to the hill's height and spectacular
views it afforded. The great leaders of the Roman Empire
chose this hill as their home and the site was wall-to-wall
palaces at one point. And so the word "palace" is derived
from "Palatine." First Emperor Augustus made the hill his
headquarters, constructing Imperial palaces there, then they
were expanded under Julio-Claudian Emperors and by
Nero. Finally Domitian had Rabirius design his Flavian
Palace which was built on top of the existing dwellings.
Visitors can see the archaeological findings from the
Palatine Hill on display in the Palace of the Caesars which
houses the Palatine Museum. Other sites on the Palatine
Hill include the excavated ruins of the House of Augustus,
House of Livia, Domus Augustana and the Palace of
Septimius Severus.
Address: Palatine Hill, and Palatine Museum,

00193 Rome
Admission: 12, ticket good for same-day
Palatine Museum
admission to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill.

Guided tours of Roman Forum 4
The Museo Palatino is located on Palatine Hill within the

Palace of the Caesars and houses archaeological findings
from Palatine Hill. The artifacts in the museum date back to
Iron Age tombs proving that Palatine Hill was probably the
first settlement in Rome. There are the remains of huts
dating back to the 8 th century BC, the traditional date of
Rome's establishment by Romulus. Thanks to the ongoing
excavations items have been uncover which allow us to
trace the progress of Rome from its beginnings, through the
Republic Era and into the Roman Empire and late ancient
periods. Findings on the hill show fortified walls, drainage
systems, temples and palatial villas.
Opening Hours: Guided tours of Roman Forum

daily 1:00pm. Oct 30-Feb 15 daily
Mar 27-Aug 31 daily 8:30am-7:15pm, Sep daily
8:30am-7:00pm, Oct 1-29 daily 8:30am-6:30pm.
Last admission 1 hr. before closing
Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Bus: 40, 46, 62,
63, 64, 70, 87, 119, 271, or 280
Palatine Hill was the site of many palaces in Ancient Rome

and the museum holds statues, mosaics and frescoes
collection from excavations of the Palatine villas. In
particular the artifacts on show come from the 1 st 4 th
century when the Palatine Hill was at its peak. You can see
both art work found in the Palatine palaces and pieces of
the architecture which were rescued, like parts of columns
and even walls. Together with the actual statues and
archaeological findings there are photos of other pieces
displayed as well. On one of the floors of the museum you
can see an exhibit about the prehistoric growth of Rome.
One of the most significant items in the museum is painted
decorations from Aula Isiaca, as well as works from other
Palatine buildings like the House of Augustus, House of
Livia and the House of Gryphons.
11:20
Museo Capitolino
Rating:
Museums
The Museo Capitolino buildings consist of Palazzo dei

Conservatori, Palazzo Senatorio and Palazzo Nuovo which
face onto the Piazza del Campidoglio located on one of
Rome's Capitoline Hill. The piazza building plan dates back
to 1536 when the design was conceived by Michelangelo
but construction continued over the course of 400 years.
The building was later enlarged to increase the exhibition
space. The Galleria Congiunzione was built beneath the
square to link the three museum buildings. Within the
Galleria are Roman archeological remains from the 2 nd
century which are still in their original positions. Sala Marco
Aurelio, a glass covered hall, encloses the Giardino
Romano or Roman Garden.
Pope Sixtus IV began the collection when he donated a
number of bronze statues with strong ties to the city, like the
bronze of Romulus and Remus being nursed by a she-wolf
(Lupa Capitolina); the colossal head of Constantine and the
Camillus. In the 16 th century Pope Pius V ridded the
Vatican of all art depicting pagan images and so the
collection grew. It was in 1734 that the museum was opened
to the public. In the 19 th century coins, medals, sculptures
and ancient pottery were added to the collection.
Address:
Admission: (to both) 11
Web: http://www.museicapitolini.org
Transportation: Bus: 44, 84, 190, or 780
One of the museum's prized pieces is the statue of Marcus

Aurelius on horseback; this is the only surviving bronze
equestrian statue from Ancient Rome. The highlights of the
museum include Lo Spinario; Caravaggio's Fortune Teller;
Rubens' Romulus and Remus; Dying Gaul; Cupid and
Psyche and the Capitoline Venus. In the Palazzo dei
Conservatori you can visit the Conservator's Apartment
where art is exhibited in rooms with elaborate frescoes,
tapestries and carved ceilings.
12:55
Imperial Forums
Rating:
Historic Sites
The Imperial Forums or Fori Imperial constituted the center

of Ancient Rome's political and religious activities, they were
a series of public squares surrounded by buildings and each
one created by a different emperor to show off his wealth,
power and superiority. The buildings which fill this area were
constructed between 46BC and 113AD and included
temples, libraries, courts and places of education. Julius
Caesar was responsible for initiating the construction of the
new Imperial Forums in an effort to relieve over crowding in
the older Roman Forum (which is a different site).
Much of the ancient architecture was lost when Mussolini
decided to connect the Colosseum and the Piazza Venezia
by constructing Via dei Imperiali through the forums. What
remains of the site can be seen on either side of this
boulevard. The Forum of Julius Caesar was once the site of
the Temple of Venus. All that remains of the Forum of Nerva
is a wall from the Temple of Minerva and two Corinthian
columns. The Forum of Augustus commemorated the
emperor's victories in battle and was once home to a court
of law. The Trajan's Market was a large semi-circle or
stores. The Forum of Peace celebrated the conquest of
Jerusalem and valuable artifacts from the Temple in
Jerusalem were stored here.
Address:
Transportation: Metro: Colosseo. Keep to the right
side of the street
Phone Number:
Forum of Trajan is considered the most beautiful of the

forums and you can see the remains of grand statues,
pedestals and the Basilica Ulpia with its tall grey columns.
Trajan's Column is one of the best preserved parts of the
Imperial Forums and has delicate bas-relief details and
soars 42 meters above ground.
14:30
Museum of Palazzo Venezia
Rating:
Museums
This museum of the applied arts is housed within a former

residence of Pope Paul II Barbo (1464-1471). Apart from
being a papal palace the Palazzo Venezia was also used as
the Austrian Embassy and as a home for the ambassadors
of La Serenissima. During Mussolini's reign the palace
served as his government's seat and in 2010 a secret
bunker was discovered beneath the building. Above ground
you can still see the 15 th century balcony where the leader
made his speeches. The building is a classic example of
medieval architecture and a great background for the art it
holds.
The initial pieces of the collection came from Castel
Sant'Angelo, the National Gallery of Antique Art and the
Museum of Collegio Romano and consisted mainly of art
from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The collection
included decorative art such as ceramics, jewelry and
enamel. Later acquisitions embellished the collection and
helped to formulate its character as a collection of applied
arts pieces. "Applied arts" is a term used to describe the
application of artistic design and aesthetics to everyday
functional objects. Today the collection includes tapestries,
statues, items made of ivory, porcelain, paintings and other
items. Most of the pieces come from the period between the
early Christian era and the early Renaissance era.
Address: Via del Plebiscito, 118, 00186 Rome

Admission: 4
Web: http://www.galleriaborghese.it
Transportation: Bus: 30, 40, 46, 60, 62, 64, 70, 87,
119, 130, or 916
15:50
Galleria Doria Pamphilj
Rating:
Museums
Visit Time: 45 mins
In 1763 the rivalry between the Borghese, Colonna and

Doria families over who would succeed the son-less
Girolamo Pamphilj ended when Clement XIII granted Prince
Giovanni Andrea IV Doria the name, property and all rights
to the Pamphilj inheritance. With this honor and all its riches
the new heir was compelled to reside in Rome and so he
moved with his wife, to the palace on the Corso. In this way
the Doria, Pamphilj, Landi and Aldobrandini families were
united through marriage over the years. The illustrious
family history of Doria and Pamphilj included popes (Pope
Innocent X for example who started this incredible collection
in 1644) and great leaders, who were in a position to
acquire fine works of art. The family's enthusiasm for art led
to this incredible collection growing over the years and being
passed on from generation to generation.
The gallery holds 17 th century masterpieces by great artists
such as Carracci, Caravaggio, Annibale, Guido, Bruegel,
Ribera, Dughet and more. Renaissance paintings include
those by Titian, Lotto, Parmigianino, Correggio, Lorenzo,
Raphael and Garofalo. In addition to the paintings the
gallery holds marble busts (for example Bernini's bust of
Pope Innocent X), furniture and antique sculptures.
Address:
Admission: 9.50 adults, 7 students/seniors
Opening Hours: Daily 10:00am-5:00pm. Private
visits can be arranged
Web: www.doriapamphilj.it
Transportation: Metro: Barberini or Colosseo
Closed: Closed on holidays
The Doria Pamphilj collection is housed in the Palazzo Doria

Pamphilj and the collection is still owned by the Doria
Pamphilj family. The stately home's rooms have been
converted to galleries where you can view art from the 15 th
to 18 th century. Visitors can also see the palace chapel and
private rooms which retain some of their original furnishings.

On The Fast Lane Rome 5 Days Itinerary

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On The Fast Lane Rome 5 Days Itinerary

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My On the Fast Lane - Rome 5 days

Recommended Visit Time

Visit Time: 1 hour

Vatican City is a walled sovereign city-state within Rome it

The gardens contain vegetation from around the world

0.6 KM, 7 minutes by walking

Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins

The Vatican Museums are within Vatican City and comprise

Following the first statue the collection rapidly grew with

Phone Number: 06-69883333

The must-see highlights not to miss are the Laocoon;

0.6 KM, 8 minutes by walking

The Sistine Chapel

Visit Time: 1 hour

The Sistine Chapel is part of the Vatican Museums and is

Phone Number: 06-69883333

Michelangelo was originally commissioned to paint 12

Closed: Closed Jan 1 and 6, Easter, May 1 and

The chapel is used for mass and other services throughout

0.4 KM, 6 minutes by walking

St. Peter's Basilica

Visit Time: 1 hour, 15 mins

St Peter's Basilica is perhaps the holiest and most important

Address: Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a,

Phone Number: 06-69881662

Within the church there are the angelic faces of 40 types of

then a long stroll. Bus: 23, 34, 40, or 271

Admission: Basilica (including grottoes) free

0.4 KM, 6 minutes by walking

St. Peter's Square

Visit Time: 45 mins

The expansive St. Peter's Square is located within Vatican

Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome

An ancient Egyptian obelisk stands at the plaza center,

0.7 KM, 9 minutes by walking

Visit Time: 45 mins

The Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as The Hadrian

Over the years the function and appearance of the Castel

Address: Lungotevere Castello, 50, 00186 Rome

Originally a statue of the Emperor riding a chariot like the

0.9 KM, 11 minutes by walking

Via Cola di Rienzo

Visit Time: 1 hour

Address: Via Cola di Rienzo, Rome, Italy

Along the street there is an indoor farmers market with fresh

Day 2, Fri Aug 14 2015

Recommended Visit Time

Visit Time: 1 hour, 30 mins

The Pantheon in Rome was built on the orders of Hadrian

Address: Piazza della Rotonda, 00186 Rome

Within the building intersecting arches rest on piers which

0.7 KM, 9 minutes by walking

Visit Time: 1 hour

Although this is not the most beautiful of Rome's squares it

Address: Piazza Venezia, 00186 Rome, Italy

Other buildings on the square are the Assicurazioni Generali

0.4 KM, 6 minutes by walking

Visit Time: 2 hours, 30 mins

The Roman Forum is located in a valley between Piazza

Address: Via della Curia, 4 00186 Roma, Italy

Several structures remain in the Forum from different

Phone Number: 06-39967700

The Rostra was a platform where speeches were made.