Holidays in Rome are a great chance to immerse yourself in the unforgettable atmosphere of the eternal city. There everyone will be able to enjoy the unique monuments of architecture, improve their historical knowledge, get aesthetic pleasure and escape from the daily hustle and bustle. In addition, in the capital of Italy, you can just wander through the quiet, admire the fast waves, sit with a cup of coffee at a street table or overeat with fast food and at the same time be aware of the peculiarities of the local mentality, capture the Italian urban flavor.

No matter what your budget is and how many days you are ready to spend in Rome, this corner of the world will forever remain in your heart and will beckon you for the rest of your life.

Walking tours in Rome - the most interesting routes

It seems simply unbelievable, but experienced travelers claim that you can get around the whole of Rome on foot and thus see all the sights of the city at no extra cost. We are sure that this kind of walk is not suitable for people who plan to come to the capital of Italy for 1 day, and it is unlikely that they will be able to see the most famous places in this corner of the world. The itinerary of a sightseeing tour around Rome is better to make if it is possible to escape there for a week or at least 5 days.

And remember that in this city there is never enough time to do everything you want to do - there are simply too many beautiful places and sights, noteworthy tourist.

All of the above does not mean that interesting route in Rome is impossible for those who are going to come there for a day or, for example, for 2 days. In this case, you just need to be more serious about choosing the places you want to visit, or just hit the road on a sightseeing bus.

It is better to make a travel itinerary in advance. Of course, it is most successfully organized by people who are professionally engaged in the tourism business. There are many such companies and individual guides in the capital of Italy, but the global economic crises are increasingly leading to the fact that foreigners tend to plan walks without outside help. Information technologies of our time allow us to cope with such tasks without much difficulty.

There are resources where you can make a route online, and a guide to the eternal city will always tell you how to get through the streets of Rome to the desired tourist site.

Among most visited attractions in the city:

Whether you are going to come to the capital of Italy for 7 days or just a few hours, be sure to visit there. Remember that a walking route in Rome should first of all include visiting the main architectural monuments and give a complete picture of the beauty of the city.

Four to six hour journey you can start with:

Takes even less time short walk route from. This tour is best done when the trip to Rome takes more than one day.

No less memorable sight - walk along the Tiber:

Tour of Rome, calculated for 4 days, involves not only walking around the most famous places in the city, it includes visiting certain architectural monuments,.

Walking around Rome on excursion transport

Itinerary for walking around Rome by bus will depend on the transport company you choose. Each of the buses is equipped with headphones, putting them on, the tourist can hear a lot of interesting things about the places that he will pass by. This transport is sent from and the tours last 1.5 to 2 hours. Having bought a ticket, you will be able to get off near any object you are interested in, and then take the next bus of the same route at no extra charge.

What to do if you have only 1 day in Rome? We decided to put together 3 routes for you in case you only have a few hours to explore the beauties of the Eternal City. I would like to note that most of the sights of Rome are within minutes of each other, and therefore you can see most of them during an exciting walk.

3 routes offered by us differ in pace, as well as in the number of attractions that you can visit. You can choose the best option for yourself and navigate in the indicated direction. We will also take into account the approximate calculation of the time that you will need to visit certain attractions. You may only have 6 to 8 hours left as you are traveling on a cruise ship, then either option 1 or 2 will work for you depending on your pace. If you prefer leisurely romantic walks, then option number 3 is more suitable for you.

Route No. 1 “Gallop across Europe”

(Designed for travelers who are eager to visit as many sights in Rome as possible)

1 Colosseum

Of course, the first stop on our route, we chose the main symbol of Rome - the Colosseum. If you have only 1 day to explore the Italian capital, we do not advise you to visit the Colosseum from the inside. This can take a lot of time, because there are huge queues for tickets to the Colosseum, and besides, it is not as beautiful from the inside as it is from the outside.

But, if you already decide to visit it, then you need to read, which will help facilitate the purchase of cherished tickets.

2 “Roman Forum”

The Roman Forum is a truly grandiose attraction, once considered the main social, economic and political center of Rome.

His visit is also included in the price of a ticket to the main amphitheater of Rome.

Walking past the Roman Forum and turning onto the street Via di San Pietro in Carcere You will be taken to the next station on our journey.

3 “Capitol Hill and Piazza Campidoglio”

Piazza Campidoglio is a trapezoidal space, which houses the Palace of the Senators, the New Palace and the Palace of the Conservatives, as well as the statue of Marcus Aurelius, located in the very center. The ornamental design depicted in Piazza Campidoglio was designed by maestro Michelangelo, and in 2002 was even minted on 50-cent coins.

4 Vittoriano

Going down the stairs, you probably already managed to see the snow-white giant popularly called the Palazzo Vittoriano. Palazzo Vittoriano is one of the main symbols of the Eternal City and is a memorial dedicated to the first king of united Italy (Victor Emmanuel II).

5 “Fountain di Trevi”

Hidden in a labyrinth of narrow Roman streets, the Trevi Fountain is perhaps one of the most romantic sights in the Eternal City. Don't forget to throw a coin into the waters of the fountain and make a wish to come back here again!

6 “Piazza di Spagna”

Plaza de España got its name from the Spanish embassy located on the perimeter of the square. But the main characters of the square are considered to be the "Spanish Steps" and "Barkaccia". The Barcaccia is a boat-shaped fountain designed by the genius Bernini himself.

7 “Via Condotti”

As such, it's hard to call it a stop, because Via Condotti is the legendary street where the most luxurious luxury boutiques are located, paving the way for our next attraction.

8 “Pantheon”

Perhaps the best and most impressive description of the Pantheon is the Temple of All Gods. A truly stunning large-scale structure, almost completely preserved in its original appearance and survived to this day. There is a Roman saying: Who was in Rome and did not visit the Pantheon, and left a fool". Plus, getting into the Pantheon does not require a lot of effort.

Opening hours: Monday - Saturday - from 8:30 to 19:30 (last entry at 19:15),

Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00 (last entry at 17:45), holidays from 9:00 to 13:00 (last entry at 12:45)

9 “Navona Square”

Our next point of visit will be Piazza Navona - a favorite place for filmmakers and creative people. On it you can see 3 fountains (there used to be 4), the dominant of which is the Fountain of the Four Rivers (it is located in the heart of the piazza). Based on the name, you could guess that the statues of the fountain symbolize the rivers Ganges, Nile, Danube and La Plata. Also an important detail is the fact that the fountain is the work of the great sculptor Bernini.

After enjoying the local beauties and romantic atmosphere, through Via del Governo Vecchio we head towards our next station.

10 “Castle of the Holy Angel”

The large-scale building in the form of the Castle of the Holy Angel is especially charming in the evening light, when the walls of the Castle are filled with golden hues.

And within a 5-minute walk we can see…

...11 “Vatican”

The Vatican needs no special introduction, just like the Colosseum. If you decide to visit the Vatican Museums, you must first familiarize yourself with how you can purchase tickets. Keep in mind that an independent visit to the Vatican will take you from 2 to 4-5 hours.

In custody

In general, I would like to note that for this tour without visiting the sights from the inside, you will take on average 3 to 6 hours.

Don't forget to use the various map apps to save time and get to each point of interest in the shortest possible time.

Route №2 “Non-standard”

Great for lovers of non-standard routes, but at the same time, we do not exclude visiting the most important symbols of Rome.

Some of the sights in different routes are repeated, so if you can not find a brief description of a particular place, look for them in the first route.

1 Colosseum (see description above)

2 “Roman Forum” (see description above)

3 Vittoriano (see description above)

4 “Capitol Hill” (see description above)

5 “Marcello Theater”

One of the most amazing buildings, outwardly reminiscent of the well-known Colosseum. However, many tourists do not even suspect that such a treasure exists and is located just a couple of meters from the Palazzo Vittoriano and the Capitol Hill, and therefore there are so few visitors and you can enjoy the beauties of the Marcello Theater to your heart's content.

6 “Temple of Hercules the Conqueror”

One of the oldest buildings in the Eternal City. According to legend, here Hercules defeated Cacus, a monster that terrorized the locals.

7 "Mouth of Truth"

Not far from the Temple of Hercules, across the road, you will most likely see a huge line of tourists eager to see the monument from interesting name"Mouth of Truth". A lot of legends are associated with this place, however, in order to admire the "mouth" you do not need to go inside, just cling to the grate and you can see the treasured monument.

8 “Jewish Quarter”

Returning to one of the above points, and more precisely to the Marcello Theater, you can go to the Jewish quarter. By the way, it is in Rome that the largest Jewish quarter is located, as well as the largest synagogue in all of Europe.

9 Campo de Fiori

Quite ordinary at first glance, the square hides in its heart the figure of one mysterious hero. His name is Giordano Bruno. Perhaps you have already heard this name and know its history. For those who are not familiar with her: Giordano Bruno was a pantheist philosopher, condemned by the Catholic Church for heresy and burned at Campo de Fiori.

10 “Pantheon” (see description above)

11 “Navona Square” (see description above)
12 “Cathedral of the Holy Angel” (see description above)
13 “Vatican” (see description above)

This route also involves the calculation of time from 3 to 6 hours (not taking into account visiting the sights from the inside) and is not quite standard, because the list contains places not spoiled by the attention of tourists, like the Colosseum or Piazza Navona.

Route number 3 "Romantic"

(This route is perfect for romantic people who are not in a hurry to follow the frantic pace of life, but who prefer to enjoy every moment, walking and soaking up the surrounding Italian atmosphere)

1 “Villa Borghese”

Villa Borghese is one of the largest park complexes in Rome: here you can find many attractions, from a small lake to a zoo and a hippodrome. Here is also one of the richest treasuries of Rome - Galleria Borghese. Getting into the gallery is not easy, so first study the article "and calculate if you can get into the treasure trove of masterpieces of world art. In general, walking through such a magical park will give you a lot of pleasure.

2 “Piazza del Popolo”

“People's Square” is the real star of the Eternal City. According to local beliefs, Nero himself was once buried here!

3 “Via Margutta”

There is a small street located between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna. It is just a couple of meters from the bustling Via del Corso with its countless boutiques. The wonderful and talented director Federico Fellini once lived on Via Margutta. Many poets, artists and creators of our time also find inspiration here.

4 “Piazza di Spagna” (see description above)

5 “Fountain di Trevi” (see description above)

6 “Pantheon” (see description above)

7 “Piazza Navona” (see description above)

8 “Castle of the Holy Angel” (see description above)

9 “Vatican” (see description above)

10 “Trastevere area”

Absolute must-visit Trastevere area. It was he who absorbed all the most romantic ideas about Italy. There are restaurants with breathtaking gastronomic masterpieces, and cobbled streets entwined with ivy, and a huge number of churches, each of which strives to go into it.

11 Vittoriano (see description above)

12 “Roman Forum” (see description above)

13 “Colosseum” (see description above)

It is difficult to determine the approximate time that you will spend on this path, because it is designed for a more relaxed type of walk. Despite the very slow pace, it is quite possible to get around all of the above places in the whole day.

We would like to remind you to take water with you, or at least a plastic bottle (which can be filled with the purest water in fountains located throughout the city), to avoid dehydration.

In conclusion, I would like to say: it is impossible to get around the beauty of Rome, even if you live in the Eternal City all your life. But we tried to highlight the main and unique places so that you can get to know the city a little closer. We hope this article was useful for you and you will spend unforgettableRoman holiday.

Looking for something to see in Rome? We offer an introductory walk around Rome, during which you can see the main attractions - the Colosseum and the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, churches, fountains and obelisks and many other interesting places.

The route will be useful for those who are in the city for the first time, or have only one day to see its sights.

The route starts from the Colosseo metro station and will be useful for those who are in the city for the first time, or who have only one day to explore its sights.

So, the map of the walking route from points 1 to 12 (Link to the walking route.):

Click to see the map

Continuation of the walking route map from points 12 to 15 (Link to the walking route.):

Click to see the map

Leaving the Colosseo metro station, you will immediately see the majestic Colosseum. It was erected in the 80th year, without the crane familiar to our eyes today. Involuntarily, you will wonder how the ancient Romans, over the course of 8 years of construction, piled one by one blocks of travertine stone mined in the city of Tivoli.

An incredible number of entrances and exits in the Colosseum allowed, according to historians, 50 thousand spectators to leave the building in five minutes. Nearby (across the road) you will need Palatino, excavations of ancient Rome, a ticket from the Colosseum is also valid for this attraction. After exploring the Colosseum on foot, you can walk along Fori Imperiali Street to the Capitoline Hill and Piazza Venezia. As you walk, look to the left, where the remains of the Imperial Forums have been preserved. In 10 minutes you will reach Piazza Venezia.

The symbol of the Italian capital, imprinted on all kinds of postcards, calendars and figurines. Once it was an arena with complex mechanisms for spectacular fights of muscular gladiators among themselves and with wild animals, and the stands of the Colosseum could accommodate 50 thousand bloodthirsty spectators! The figure is unique for those times! And no matter what envious people and spiteful critics say about the herd desire of all tourists to “take a picture” against the backdrop of Colosseo, this grandiose building is truly impressive, both outside and inside.

A ticket to the Colosseum costs 12 euros, is valid for a day and also includes an entrance to the Palatine Hill (where, according to legend, the she-wolf raised Romulus and Remus) and the territory of the Imperial Forums. If you feel sorry for the money already paid, then you can go there. If you feel sorry for the time, then it is best to look at the Hill and the Forums from the height of Fori Imperiali Street - the emotions are the same, but much less effort has been spent.

This is one of the main squares in Rome with the Vittoriano monument. One of the main shopping streets of the city Via del Corso also goes here.

Venice square

This square was named Venetian in honor of the majestic and luxurious Palace of Venice, which was erected on this site in the 15th century by Cardinal Paul II. The main attraction of the piazza is a grandiose monument to the first king of United Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele, the sparkling white Vittoriano, which also houses the Renaissance Museum and one of the best panoramic platforms in Rome.

Horse-drawn carts are always parked here - for those who want to ride around the capital, you can relax on high marble benches and enjoy huge ice cream cones bought right there and admire the giant statue of the king and the marble sculptures of ancient gods at the foot of the Vittoriano. It is always full of people clicking cameras, especially in December, when the square takes on a completely fabulous look: a month before Christmas, a tall Christmas tree is set up here, decorated with garlands, balls and ribbons, around which cars drive and horses clatter their hooves.

Piazza Venezia is also the starting point for traveling along the main commercial artery of Rome, Via del Corso, with its expensive and not so expensive shops and boutiques.

It is easy to get here - from the Colosseum and the Colosseo metro station on foot along Via Fori Imperiali, along the ruins of the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forums and the bronze sculptures of ancient Roman rulers that have turned green from time to time

Vittoriano Vittoriano

Address: Piazza Venezia
The square of Venice is dominated by a snow-white and majestic monument in honor of the first king of the new Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele II. If you have time, you can climb to the observation deck of the building, from where you can see the entire center of Rome. Then go to the foot of Capitol Hill.

Vittoriano

From the Colosseum, along Fori Imperiali Street, you get straight to Piazza Venezia with a snow-white and majestic monument in honor of the first king of new Italy, Vittorio Emmanuele II. The monument is called Vittoriano, and if you climb its shining white staircase higher, then from the observation deck you will see the central streets of Rome and the huge waving tricolor flag of Italy (white - faith, green - hope, red - love). The attitude of Italians to the Vittoriano is ambiguous, among the people it is derisively called “open piano” and “wedding cake”.

Capitol Hill Campidoglio

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio
On the stairs, which is called the Cordonata, climb the Capitoline Hill to the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. After passing through the square, find a tall column with a Capitoline she-wolf near the wall of the house, who nursed the founders of the city - Romulus and Remus. After descending from the top of the hill, go straight along Via d'Aracoeli. Upon reaching Piazza del Gesù, you will see the Church of the Gesù.

It was here that the ancient Romans built their most important temples - the goddesses Juno and Virtus and the king of all gods, Jupiter Optimus Maximus (this temple was almost as huge as the Parthenon in Athens) and called the Capitoline Hill the main symbol of Rome as the capital of the world. In the Middle Ages, palaces were erected on the hill and the government was seated in them, and the design of the palace square - Piazza del Campidoglio - was entrusted to Michelangelo himself, who at the same time came up with the project of the New Palace (Palazzo Nuovo) and improved the facades of the Palace of the Conservatives (Palazzo dei Conservatori) and the Senators (Palazzo Senatorio).

capitol hill

The beautiful long staircase leading to the center of Campidoglio is called Cordonata. Its greatness is emphasized by granite Egyptian lions at the foot and two large statues of the sons of Zeus - Castor and Pollux - at the top. In the middle of the Capitoline Square there is a copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the only sculpture of the pre-Christian period that has survived to this day (the rest of the Romans were destroyed in the midst of the struggle against paganism), and the famous Capitoline Museums are now located in the palace chambers.

Church of the Gesu Chiesa del Sacro Nome di Gesu

The original design of this church belongs to the hand of Michelangelo. But other architects built it, without the participation of the great master. After leaving the temple, continue straight ahead, along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II. After a block you will come to the square of Largo di Torre Argentina.

Church of the Gesu

The name of the church is translated from Italian as: "Church in the holy name of Jesus." From the very beginning it belonged to the Society of Jesus (Jesuit order). The founder of the Society, Saint Ignatius de Loyola, is buried in the temple, who, according to some sources, was the prototype of Don Quixote in the novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

The church was built in the second half of the 16th century and is interesting because it became a model for the construction of all Jesuit churches in Europe. Another curious fact is that the original design of the temple was made by the great Michelangelo.

The real temple was placed exactly on the spot where the church of Santa Maria della Strada had previously stood, in which St. Ignatius de Loyola prayed before the image of the Virgin. The latter is today in the church, in the chapel of Ignatius to the right of the main altar.

Largo di Torre Argentina Largo di Torre Argentina

Address: Via di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina

The small square is an archaeological area with the remains of four Roman temples. Continue along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II until Piazza S. Andrea Della Valle. She will be on the right in the direction of travel, and it is easy to identify her by the fountain. It is called Fontana del Maderno and was created at the beginning of the 17th century by order of Pope Paolo Borghese. The fountain is decorated with dragons and eagles, which are symbols of the Borghese family. Turn right off Corso Vittorio Emanuele II onto Corso del Rinascimento. Walk along it to Palazzo Madama (aka the Senate) and turn left in front of it, onto Piazza Navona.
This is a fenced semi-square-semi-square with the remains of ancient temples and partially destroyed columns standing in a semicircle. A very nice place, especially in the evening, when the ruins are illuminated and look very mysterious from this. In ancient Roman times, Torre Argentina was considered a very prestigious area to live.

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona

Address: Piazza Navona
In Piazza Navona, it is convenient to study the Roman Baroque, looking at the details of the Fountain of the Four Rivers and the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone.

Once upon a time, passions boiled in the stands and arena of the huge stadium of Emperor Domitian of the 1st century AD - about 15 thousand sq.m. and can accommodate up to 30 thousand spectators. And since the 15th century, the arena has become an architectural landmark of Rome - one of its most beautiful squares in the Baroque style.

Piazza Navona

In the middle of Piazza Navona, the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers by the great sculptor Bernini flaunts with a tall Egyptian obelisk in the center, and along the edges of the square there are two more fountains of the same author: the proud Moor and Neptune killing the hydra. The last water monument was built for almost a hundred years, so as not to stand out from the general style of Navona.

The main institution of worship here is the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone in honor of the Great Martyr Agnes, one of the most revered saints in Rome.

Piazza Navona is always lively and crowded, small but very expensive restaurants are open until late, artists paint and sell their immortals, Arabs sell luminous rockets, and musicians, dancers and magicians perform. But the excitement here begins on December 1, when the largest Christmas market in the capital opens its shops - with lush bagels and apples in chocolate icing, panettone and torrone, different-sized presepe figurines depicting biblical scenes, a Santa Claus carriage in which you can sit next to with a red-nosed bearded man, a merry-go-round with antique horses and battery-powered old Befans dancing on broomsticks and giggling insidiously.

Fountain of the Four Rivers Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi

Address: Piazza Navona

Fountain of the Four Rivers

This fountain was designed to decorate another obelisk brought from Egypt by the emperor Caracalla. At the foot of the Egyptian pillar, statues of the gods of the main rivers of the world were attached.
One of the largest squares in Rome is the oval Piazza Navona with many expensive cafes in diameter and the Fountain of the Four Rivers in the middle. The fountain was invented to decorate another obelisk brought from Egypt by the emperor Caracalla. At the foot of the Egyptian pillar, statues of the gods of the main rivers of the four parts of the world (Ganges, Nile, Danube and La Plata) were attached.

Getting here is easy - just 7 minutes walk through the narrow streets from the main shopping street in Rome, Via del Corso.

Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone Chiesa di Sant'Agnese in Agone

Address: Piazza Navona - Via S.Maria dell'Anima, 30/A
After visiting the church, leave Piazza Navona along the same street you came here. The building of the Senate of the Italian Republic, standing on the other side of the street, got its name - Palazzo Madama - thanks to Madame Margherita who lived in it. She was the illegitimate daughter of Emperor Charles V, who married Alessandro de Medici, whose family owned this palace. Subsequently, when the palace ceased to belong to the Medici family, it housed the Ministry of Finance. And in 1871 the building was transferred to the Senate. Walk to the left of the palace along Via del Salvatore, which turns into Via Giustiniani. Soon you will find yourself in Piazza della Rotonda, in front of the Pantheon.

Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone

The Great Martyr Agnes is one of the most popular Italian saints. According to legend, in the very place where Piazza Navona is now located, in the ancient imperial stadium, young Agnes was to be executed for her active adherence to Christian commandments. They pulled off the girl's clothes and exposed her to the spectacle-hungry crowd, but at the same moment the hair on Agnes's head began to grow at an unimaginable speed and, like a cape, wrapped her body. True, the pagans were not particularly impressed by this fact and nevertheless killed the Christian.

Now the head of Agnes is kept in the temple of Sant'Agnese dedicated to her. He was ordered to be erected on Piazza Navona by Pope Giovanni Battista Pamphili in order to hold services there, and later to rest here.

The temple was built at the end of the 17th century and is still in operation: in addition to traditional religious rites, masses and divine services every Thursday at 18.30 and every Friday at 19.00 concerts of chamber and old classical music are held here.

Pantheon Pantheon

Address: Piazza della Rotonda
This large building looks amazingly harmonious. And all thanks to the correct proportions: the distance from the floor to the top of the dome is equal to the diameter. On the square in front of the Pantheon there is a fountain with an obelisk. This obelisk is one of two that were originally made for the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BC, as evidenced by the hieroglyphs on it. Both obelisks stood in the temple of Ra in Egypt. How one of them got to Italy is unknown. But in the XIV century it was found near the Pantheon. And at the beginning of the 18th century, it was decided to make a fountain in front of the Pantheon and install the obelisk itself on it. After leaving the Pantheon, turn right onto Via del Seminario. Follow it to Via del Corso.
Not far from Piazza Navona is the Pantheon - the temple of all the gods, it is also the tomb of celebrities like Raphael and Vittorio Emmanuele.

The huge dome of the Pantheon is considered an engineering and architectural masterpiece: its diameter is 45 meters, while the dome does not have a single support. In the middle there is a wide round hole, from where the light penetrates into the temple.

Tourists are often lured to the Pantheon by the opportunity to see a real column of light at exactly noon, so dense that it is almost tangible. Those wishing to see such a miracle will have to be told that this pillar is visible only in summer, when the sun is high, and in the rest of the year there is nothing to fuss about.
Advice
If you are interested in looking into the current Catholic church, and not into the passage courtyard for tourists, then this can be done on the main boutique street of Rome, Via del Corso: there behind the nondescript wooden doors real masterpieces of church construction and decoration are hidden - multi-meter ceilings, majestic columns, mosaic floors and stained-glass windows. Sit down on a bench and think about the eternal for a moment. And then go to the nearest store and buy something from Armani or Max Mara.

Via del Corso Via del Corso

Address: Corso Vittorio Emmanuele
Via del Corso was laid during the Roman Empire. However, its current name appeared only in the 15th century, when horse races (corso) were organized on it. When you get to it, turn left, go a couple of blocks and turn right onto Via dei Sabini. Keep going straight all the way. The street will lead you to the Trevi Fountain.

This long, multi-kilometer street in the very center of Rome stretches from the snow-white Vittoriano monument in Piazza Venezia to Piazza del Popolo with the Egyptian obelisk and the entrance to the Villa Borghese park, intersecting from time to time with narrow alleys leading to cozy restaurants and the main attractions of the historical center like the Pantheon or Trevi fountain.

Via del Corso

The main component of Via del Corso - large and small shops and shopping centers, very expensive and designed for a medium plump wallet. You can find almost everything here: if you need underwear - here is Yamamay and Intimissimo, if you are looking for sneakers and tights - welcome to Adidas, Lacoste, Nike or Puma, children are asking for toys - take them to the Disney Store. You can buy clothes and perfumes at the Alberto Sordi Gallery, a branch of the large La Rinascente shopping mall, elegant dolls and big-nosed Pinocchios at the San Carlo Gallery, sparkling jewelry at Swarowski Krystal, and red mini-bolides at the Ferrari Store.

Another advantage of Via del Corso (as opposed to the boutiques of Plaza de España with insane prices) is a huge number of inexpensive brands: Class, Le Group, Sandro Ferrone, Guess, Marella, Sisley, Zara, MaxMara, Diesel, Miss Sixty and Benetton.

Fontana di Trevi

Address: Piazza di Trevi, from Via del Corso go along Via delle Muratte
The extraordinary beauty of the fountain attracts the public both day and night. big pool with sculptural groups adjoins the Palazzo Poli, which belonged to Zinaida Volkonskaya - the one whom Pushkin admired. In 1826, the princess arranged a magnificent send-off in Moscow for two wives of the Decembrists, who decided to be the first to follow their husbands to Siberia. The authorities did not like this, and she was actually forced to leave Russia and settle in Rome. After admiring the fountain, go back along Via dei Sabini back to Via del Corso, turn right. To your left, after a couple of steps, there will be a square with the Column of Marcus Aurelius.

Fountain di Trevi

Fountains are one of the symbols of Rome, with which the Italian capital is richer than any other city in the world. The famous Trevi Fountain, one of the most beautiful in Rome, is not just a statue in a bowl, but a whole sculptural-water composition that occupies a small, but area. In the center of a small lake with emerald water in a stone frame - the majestic Neptune on a chariot in the form of a huge sea shell gives instructions to seahorses and water currents, and the facade of a beautiful Baroque palace - Palazzo Poli serves as a decoration for this performance.
cinema

The Trevi Fountain has been a romantic setting for many films: Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, Madly in Love with Adriano Celentano and Ornella Muti, and in Fellini's La Dolce Vita with Marcello Mastroianni, the fountain plays one of the main roles.

Trevi is especially beautiful in the late evening and at night, when the crowd of tourists has already dissipated, and the water is beautifully illuminated by light bulbs. Immediately there is a feeling of fabulousness of what is happening, and involuntarily you begin to believe in a wonderful legend about three coins and the magical abilities of the fountain.

For those who are not in the know: if you throw one coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will definitely return to Rome; the second coin will help you get to know the Italian, and the third guarantees a quick wedding. During the night, of course, all the metal circles will be caught by the beggars and they will drink grappa for your health, and the fairy tale will melt in the predawn fog, but who knows - suddenly the wishes made will come true?
by the way

Every day, the Trevi Fountain is enriched by an average of 1,500 euros due to the coins thrown into it. For a week, Neptune's income is about 11 thousand euros!

Column of Marcus Aurelius Colonna di Marco Aurelio

The Column of Marcus Aurelius gave its name to the Square of the Column. In the Middle Ages, around the square, located exactly in the middle of Via del Corso, there were houses of aristocratic families. In the 18th century, it was occupied by fruit and vegetable merchants. Later, trendy restaurants were located here. Walk along Via del Corso, look into the shops. When you reach Via dei Condotti, turn right. On this street there are shops and salons of the most fashionable Italian brands. Here is located the cafe "Greco" (Via dei Condotti, 86) - one of the oldest in all of Italy. This establishment was opened in 1760. Stendhal and Goethe, Gogol and Schopenhauer, Wagner and Liszt came here for a cup of coffee. Piazza di Spagna is already visible ahead.

Giant for its time, the victorious Column of Marcus Aurelius, made of Carrara marble, was erected in 180 in honor of this emperor, who ruled the Roman Empire for almost 20 years and died in Vindobona (modern Vienna). The initiator of the creation of the monument was the Senate itself, who, after the death of the emperor, wanted to perpetuate his exploits and victories over the barbarians on the banks of the Danube.

The spiral bas-reliefs of the column “tell” about the battles of the Romans with the Germans and Sarmatians. There is a spiral staircase inside the monument. In the Middle Ages, one of the popular entertainments for the public was to climb these stairs to the top. However, the staircase is now closed.

The statue of Marcus Aurelius, located at the top of the column, was lost in the 16th century. Therefore, over time, it was decided to hoist a bronze figure of the Apostle Paul there.

Address: st.m. Spagna

After looking at the fountain "Boat" (Barcaccia), climb the famous stairs to the church of Trinita dei Monti.
The vertical Plaza of Spain is famous for the figure-eight staircase leading to the Trinity Church on the Hill and the Boat Fountain (Barcaccia). In summer, the stairs are decorated with azaleas and anorexic fashion models are released on its steps during traditional fashion shows, and in autumn and winter, lined with tired tourists, the stairs look rather dull. The same, however, as the fountain at its foot. Barcaccia can no longer be compared with shots from romantic films about Rome - small, shabby with time and worn out by the priests of those sitting, she only causes disappointment. Therefore, come to Piazza di Spagna in the evening, when everything seems much newer and more mysterious in the noble dusk and dim light of street lamps.

Church of Trinita dei Monti Chiesa della Trinità dei Monti

The church was built in the 16th century to commemorate the French invasion of Naples. Near the church rises the Sallustiano obelisk. It was made in Rome in imitation of Egyptian obelisks and installed here in 1789. This walk ends here. If you need to use the metro, then pay attention to the nearest metro station to the church of Trinita dei Monti - Barberini Fontana di Trevi‎.
The money of the French crown was invested in the construction of this church. The idea of ​​its construction belongs to the King of France Louis XII. It was built long and slowly. Started in 1502, finished in 1585. In this way, the French monarch wanted to celebrate the successful French invasion of Naples.

During the occupation of Rome by Napoleon, this temple, like many others, was plundered. V early XIX century, it was decided to restore it, and another king, Louis XVIII, paid for it.

In the niche of one of the side corridors of the temple, which adjoins the monastery, there is an amazing fresco depicting the Mother of God, which is called Mater Admirabilis. An interesting story is connected with it. The legend says that one day a young French woman, Pauline Perdro, came to the nuns in the church of Trinita dei Monti and asked permission to paint a fresco depicting the Virgin on the walls of the holy monastery. The abbess allowed, and a few weeks later the fresco was ready. However, the nuns did not like too bright colors, so they covered the fresco with a piece of cloth and consigned it to oblivion.

When Pope Pius IX visited the church many years later, he became interested in what was hidden under the fabric. She was dropped. And it turned out that the colors became softer. The Pope liked the image so much that he ordered the fresco to be no longer closed and gave it a name: Mater Admirabilis (Our Lady Wonderful).

Self-guided walking tours in Rome- it The best way get to know the Eternal City.

Walk a lot and never take the bus or go down the subway. Only in this way can you penetrate the soul of Rome, discover its secluded sides, little-known streets, parks, private gardens and non-tourist restaurants and bars.

“The breeze carries the smell of the Tiber. You do not look at Rome, but dive into it, and it takes you like warm water. History is everywhere, like a layer of healing mud on a river bed.” Graham Joyce

For your convenience, I have tried to prepare the best, in my opinion, walking tours in rome which you can easily organize on one's own.

Route number 1.

Route start– Colosseum (metro line B – Colosseo)

End of the route- Piazza Navona

« The Colosseum, Rome's largest and sweetest candy, half eaten by time, still bears the teeth marks of history." Graham Joyce

• The real name is the Flavius ​​amphitheater in honor of the imperial family.
• In ancient Rome, a third of the life of the local population took place in the Colosseum, where up to 100 days a year there were fights, competitions and holidays. Entrance was free, in addition, the audience was given food - panies et circenses - bread and circuses, as the poet Juvenal commented on this custom in 100 AD.
• The architectural and logistical solution used in the Colosseum and called vomitoria (from the Latin vomere "to spew") is still used in the construction of stadiums: many entrances are located evenly around the entire perimeter of the building. Thanks to this layout of the Colosseum, the public could fill the Colosseum in 15 minutes and leave in 5 (the Colosseum had 80 entrances).
• The Colosseum, according to various sources, accommodated from 55 to 77 thousand spectators.
• On its roof, during performances, the sailors of the imperial fleet were placed, sent to stretch a huge awning over the amphitheater to protect the audience from the scorching rays of the sun or from bad weather.
• Fights between animals in the Colosseum sometimes took on a very interesting look: a crocodile was released against a lion, a python against a bear.
• Over 9,000 animals died during the opening of the arena and another 11,000 were killed during a 100-day festival hosted by Emperor Trajan. According to conservative estimates, over 500,000 people and over 1 million animals have died in the arena of the Colosseum in its entire existence.
• After the fall of the Roman Empire and more than 450 years of gladiator fights, executions, animal baiting, the Colosseum filled with shacks and stalls, and its stones were used to build other structures.
• Paul McCartney became the first rock musician to be honored to perform at the Coliseum Arena in 2003. The concert was attended by only 400 spectators. Tickets for the concert could be bought at a special auction, the starting price started at $600.

More interesting facts you can learn about the Colosseum by watching the movie:

Interesting Facts about the Roman Forum:

• The Roman Forum is the center of social and political life of Ancient Rome.
• Speeches of Roman orators, politicians, military leaders sounded from its stands. It was the main arena for public gatherings and celebrations. All major city events took place at the Forum.
• In ancient Rome, the population reached 1.5 million people. Such a huge city could normally exist only in the presence of high-quality water supply and sewerage. Otherwise, Rome would be doomed to extinction from epidemics.
• The ancient Romans built water pipes, aqueducts, fountains, baths, and between the Palatine and Capitol hills, under the Roman Forum, there is still the Great Cloaca (Cloaca Maxima). This is one of the largest ancient sewage systems. It is interesting that this channel, created in the 5th-6th century BC, is still functioning.
• With the fall of the empire, the Roman Forum lost its social significance and was almost overgrown with weeds until the Christians began to build their temples on it. In the 19th and 20th centuries, archaeological excavations began here, as a result of which the forum acquired modern cultural significance.

Other interesting facts:

• The average age of life of the ancient Romans did not exceed 41 years.
• The month of August is named after the Roman Emperor Augustus.
• The tradition of the wedding kiss came to us from the Roman Empire.

I do not recommend visiting Roman Forum on its own. An unprepared traveler will not be interested here, and in hot weather the walk will become simply unbearably difficult: the chaos of columns, porticos, arches ... to figure out what is what without historical education very difficult. Many of the ruins here look so ruined that even fantasy will not help to imagine what the forum looked like in ancient Rome.

Do not spoil your impression and do not waste money senselessly - order better at the Roman Forum or watch films about Ancient Rome and the history of the Roman Forum.

Restored Roman Forum - 3D reconstruction

Ancient Rome: History of Appearance

1. Capitol Square and the Church of Santa Maria Araceli.

Interesting facts about the Capitol:

• In ancient times it was the highest part of the city (the acropolis - the upper city). Temples were built here from ancient times, and in the Middle Ages it was the political center of Rome. By the way, today the city hall is located here.
• Michelangelo himself designed this elegant square, completely rebuilding it. He changed orientation towards St. Peter's Basilica, which at that time became the new political center of the city.
• Thanks to the reverse perspective effect applied by Michelangelo, the area seems much larger than it actually is.
• Star paving to enhance this effect was added in 1940.
• In the center is a copy of the bronze equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (originally located in the Roman Forum). The original survived and was not destroyed along with other pagan idols due to the fact that for a long time it was mistaken for a statue of Emperor Constantine.
• Where was the Temple of Juno Moneta ( mint Imperial Rome), the Franciscan church of St. Mary in Araceli was built. The first written mention of the basilica dates back to the 8th century.
• The relics of St. Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, as well as a copy of the wooden sculpture of the Holy Child (Santo Bambino) are kept in the basilica. The original was made in the 15th century from an olive tree grown in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was believed that the baby had miraculous powers. In 1994, the original sculpture was stolen and has not yet been found.
• The Cordonata staircase, consisting of 124 steps, leads to the basilica. It was also designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century, commissioned by Pope Paul III.
• In the 18th century, with the spread of lotteries in Rome, it was believed that if you climb the stairs on your knees and read a prayer, the winning numbers will surely appear.
• At the bottom of the stairs are two granite Egyptian lions. An interesting fact is that during the holidays dedicated to the election of popes Innocent X (1644-1655) and later Clement X, white and red wine flowed from the mouths of these lions.
• At the top of the stairs are statues of the Dioscuri, the legendary twins of Castor and Pollux, born of Zeus, an earthly woman, Leda. Twins have always been depicted with horses, as it was believed that they are the patrons of these animals. The statues were found in 1583 during the excavation of Pompey's theater.

1. Timeelevator-5D

I propose to make the next stop on Via dei SS. Apostoli, 20 - 00187 Roma (RM).

Here is a 5D cinema: in a fun and interactive way, you will be able to learn the most important historical facts Rome, and special effects will help enhance the experience.

The cinema audio system allows you to watch a movie in 5 languages, incl. and in Russian.

Ticket price: children - 9 euros, adults - 12 euros.

1. Shopping on the streetviadelCorso and an ice cream break in one of Rome's oldest gelateriasGiolitty

• This place still belongs to the descendants of its founders.
• Since 1890, there have been no fundamental changes in the interior, and the recipes, as expected, are shrouded in a dense veil of mystery.
• This place is visited by many famous Italians: Silvio Berlusconi, Monica Bellucci, Romano Prodi, Giorgio Napolitano and of course high-ranking (and not so) tourists - Barack Obama, John Travolta, Justin Timberlake and others).

6. The next stop on our self-guided walking tour in Rome is the Pantheon.

• The Pantheon is the temple of all the gods. In his modern form built in 126 under the emperor Hadrian.
• Being a pagan temple, the building has survived to this day due to the fact that on November 1, 609, under Pope Boniface IV, it was consecrated as Christian church Saint Mary and Martyrs.
• Until the 19th century, the dome of the Pantheon was considered the largest in the world. Its construction was made possible by the invention of concrete by the Romans. Since this fact was kept secret for a long time, there was a legend that the dome was built on top of a hill from earth mixed with gold coins, which were poured inside the structure on the orders of Hadrian. Upon completion of construction, it was announced that anyone can take the coins for themselves. For several days, the townspeople searched for gold and cleared the Pantheon in the process. The height of the building is 42.7 meters, the diameter of the dome is 43.3 meters (equal to the diameter of the rotunda).
• The artist Raphael, the king of Italy Vittorio Emanuele II, his son, King Umberto I, Queen Margherita of Savoy and the architect Baldassare Peruzzi are buried in the Pantheon.

More interesting facts about the Pantheon You can find out by watching this documentary:

1. Then we continue our way to the most beautiful square in Rome - this is Piazza Navona.

Interesting facts about Piazza Navona:

• On the site of Navona Square (Piazza Navona) from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD. Domitian stadium was located, where running competitions were held. The second name of the stadium is the Agon Arena (from the ancient Greek "ἀγών" - "competition"). Closer to the Middle Ages, this term was transformed into "n'agone". The name was eventually simplified to "navona".
• Piazza Navona is the most outstanding example of the Baroque in Rome.
• In the 16th-17th centuries, residential buildings began to be built on the site of the stands, and the arena itself turned into a square.
• Churches began to be built here, the first of which appeared on the site of a former brothel. This temple was dedicated to the Holy Martyr Agnes, very revered by Catholics.
• Saint Agnes lived during the reign of Emperor Diocletian (late III - early IV centuries). At the age of 12, she decided to devote herself to the service of God, so she rejected the courtship of the son of the Roman prefect Sempronius. The prefect, having learned about this, accused the girl of witchcraft and gave her a choice: either to sacrifice to the pagan goddess Vesta, or go to a brothel. Agnes refused, and she was taken to a brothel in Piazza Navona. When the clothes were torn off the Christian, her hair instantly grew and covered her nakedness, then an Angel appeared and illuminated the girl with light. They tried to burn her at the stake like a witch, but the fire went out, then one of the soldiers drew his sword and cut off the unfortunate head. The torso of Agnes is buried in the Roman catacombs, which bear her name Sant`Agnese fuori le Mura, and the head is kept in the crypt of the church of Sant`Agnese in Agone. For millions of believers, Saint Agnes is a symbol of holiness, purity and purity.
• The Church of Sant`Agnese in Agone was built on Piazza Navona by one of the geniuses of architecture, Francesco Borromini. Borromini visually expanded and extended small spaces, replacing straight architectural lines and planes with curved and rounded ones, showing his genius in this.
• Opposite the church is the fountain of creativity of Borromini's main rival - Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini - the Fountain of the Four Rivers. The Fountain of the Four Rivers is considered one of the most precious fountains in Rome. Four marble statues of river gods - Nile, Danube, Tigris and La Plata - lie in limestone grottoes.
• In the center of the fountain is a Roman copy of an Egyptian obelisk.

My attempt to see the Eternal City of Rome in 1 day. The main sights of Rome and interesting places on foot along the road from the Colosseum to the Vatican. Plus information on how to get from the airport.

It was one but very intense May day in Rome, where the Eternal City decided to show me all its sides, but not in terms of sights, but in terms of weather. Since the weather in May has not yet taken place, on this day I managed to freeze first in the morning, then sunbathe under the scorching sun, and in the evening get wet in the rain and freeze again.

How to get to the city of Rome

I will tell you only about the easiest options to get from the two airports of Fiumicino and Ciampino. All international flights of major airlines arrive on the first one, for example, from Moscow, Minsk or Kiev. And the second Ciampino airport is intended for domestic flights, but budget low-cost airlines from Europe also fly here.

1. : Leonardo Express train for €14 to Termini central station and regional trains for €8 to Tiburtina station. A budget option - . It costs 50€ to order.
2. : straight . You can get there cheaper: take a bus to the Ciampino railway station for 1 €, and then transfer to the train to Termini or Tiburtina stations for 1.5 €. from Ciampino - 50 €.

Accommodation in Rome

1. Apartments: in Rome, I preferred to stay in private apartments and booked an apartment on a verified one. Everything is described in more detail in the article.
2. Hotels: For those who prefer the hotel I recommend. It will help you find the best value hotel and not overpay. In addition to this, you can reduce your costs by 10-20% with the help of.

Sights of Rome

Some sights in Rome are so famous and popular that they form a long queue. In order not to stand all these queues, it is worth buying tickets in advance, because most of them allow you to pass without a long wait. Below is a selection of the main tickets, entertainment and excursions in Rome.

1. without a queue - 18 €.
2. without a queue - 34 €.
3. (travel pass + museums + discounts) - 29 €.
4. — 25€.
5. in the Hop-On Hop-Off format - 18 €.
6. (Castel Sant'Angelo) - 21 €.
7. — 10€.
8. — 20€.

If you show all the sights of Rome on the map, then it will be a solid big spot, below is a map of what you managed to see while visiting Rome in 1 day.

What to see in Rome in 1 day

A story about the sights of Rome on the road from the Colosseum to the Vatican, which is only 3.5 km long. But if you just walk along it, then it will take only a couple of hours, so there will be slight deviations to the side, because in Rome some historical building is hiding around every corner.

Coliseum

This is the most recognizable symbol of Rome, as many come here just for the Colosseum and almost everyone is disappointed like me. After watching historical films, one gets the impression that this is a huge structure, and when one sees its preserved dimensions in reality, all ideas about it collapse like a house of cards.

More impressive than the Colosseum itself after the disappointment looked Triumphal Arch of Constantine, which is much better preserved. And these two attractions are located nearby, so you can immediately compare them.

Arch of Titus

Being near the Colosseum, you can also see the Arch of Titus. In her direction, you have to move further, as soon as you reach the arch, you will see the bell tower of the Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana nearby, in the photo it sticks out to the right of the arch.

Roman forum

This is one big attraction of the many buildings and structures, the entrance to the Forum is paid, but a lot can be seen from the side just walking along Via dei Fori Imperiali from the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia.

• without a queue - 18 €.

Venice square

The name of the square is directly related to, since there was once an embassy of the Republic of Venice here.

Quirinal Square

From Piazza Venezia we go deep into the districts of Rome to find Quirinal Square, from which you can start collecting the fountains of Rome, as well as watch the changing of the guard at the presidential palace.

Fountains of Rome

After the square, we will continue to collect the fountains of Rome in one collection and the next will be the most famous and most profitable fountain in the world - the Trevi Fountain. More than 1 million euros are annually taken from the fountain by the municipal service of the city, and all because of the prevailing belief “1 coin - you will return here, 2 - you will meet love, 3 - a wedding, 4 - wealth, 5 - separation. Apparently the girls throw at least 3 coins here at once, that's the whole commercial secret of the fountain.

Trevi Fountain - Fontana di Trevi

Column Square

On the way to the next fountain, which is located at the Pantheon, there will be Column Square, on which the palace is located, where the example minister of Italy sits.

Pantheon and Pantheon Fountain

Once it was the Temple of All Gods, and now the Catholic Church of St. Mary and the Martyrs. It was after the consecration of this temple that the feast of all saints appeared.

• — 5€.

Navona Square and Fountains of Neptune, Moor, Four Rivers

This square is a small corner of freshness in Rome. When I got here the weather in Rome ceased to be cool and the air warmed up well, although it was very cold in the morning. And here, walking already under the baking sun from the fountain to the fountain, it was very fresh.

Bridges of Rome

With the right bank of the Tiber finished and you can go to the left bank. It remains only to decide through which of the 2 bridges. There are naturally many more bridges, but it will be most pleasant to cross one of these two.

Most likely, the choice will fall on the Angel Bridge, so that after it you can see and visit the Angel Castle, and the bridge itself is pedestrian.

For free in the Vatican, you can see St. Peter's Basilica and the square in front of it, as well as gawk at the guards. I put all this in a separate article, and here I will give only a couple of photos for completeness of the picture about Rome.

Bonus: the road to the Tiburtina station

Since I spent the night in Rome for two nights, but the city itself turned out to be only one full day, the next morning the road to the Tiburtina station was a nice bonus. Despite the fact that it was about 40 minutes to walk from Tiburtna, the sights that I met along the way brightened it up very much.

Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

There are a lot of basilicas and Catholic churches in Rome, and perhaps on the second day it will no longer be interesting to look at them, but still it was a new day and new impressions were needed. We even managed to enter this basilica.