Rome

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Quick Facts

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Population

2,722,907

Coordinates

• Latitude: 41.895466
• Longitude: 12.482324

On Travellerspoint

• 44 Rome Apartments
• 9 Rome Campsites
• 224 Rome Guesthouses
• 59 Rome Hostels
• 116 Rome Hotels

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Introduction

il Colesseo

© All Rights Reserved maridod

Located in the central part of Italy, Rome is its capital. It is one of the most important cities in the world in terms of history and culture, as it was at the heart of the Roman Empire and is the centre of one of the world's major religions. Although it has relatively 'new' attractions like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, the city is mostly known for its older magnificent buildings and ruins, like the Colosseum and the Forum.

And if that is not enough, you can always visit another country, right in the middle of the city: Vatican City, the residence of the Pope, which is known for its huge basilica, St. Peter's.

Of course, like any other Italian city, you can enjoy good cappuccinos, pizza and pasta in Rome as well. Or just sit down and relax for a while enjoying a fresh beer or good vino (wine!), after walking from one highlight to the other, because that's what Rome is all about.

Neigbourhoods

In ancient times, Rome as we now know it was built on seven hills - the Capitoline, Palatine, Celium, Aventine, Quirinal, Viminal and Esquiline. This led to neigbourhoods growing, with very distinct identities and character. Today, the main Roman neighbourhoods include

• Near Stazione Termini The main train station
• Via Veneto & Piazza Barberini
• Piazza del Popolo & the Spanish Steps
• Piazza Navona & the Pantheon
• Ancient Rome (Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum, Imperial Forums, and Circus Maximus, called the centro storico or historic district)
• Campo de' Fiori
• The Jewish Ghetto
• Trastevere
• Around Vatican City
• Testaccio & the Aventine
• Aventine Hill, south of the Palatine.
• Prati
• Parioli
• Monte Mario

Sights and Activities

Colosseum

Colosseum at Night

© All Rights Reserved Gavfather

The Colosseum is not the oldest, nor the biggest Roman arena (the Circus Maximus could hold 5 times as much people), but it is the most famous Arena and one of the biggest landmarks in Rome for sure. It was opened in 80 A.D., and the inauguration of the arena lasted for a 100 days. The stadium could hold up to 50.000 people, who came to watch the fights between man and animal, and man versus man. In general the fighters were slaves, prisoners of war, but also volunteers. The floor of the arena could be flooded for the occasional sea battle. In the middle ages the Colosseum, was transformed into a fortress. During the centuries it was damaged a couple of times by earthquakes, and it was also used as a quarry for marble, that was used in the construction of several palaces and churches in Rome. In the last century the traffic, the metro and concerts also caused damage.

Pantheon

Pantheon, Rome

© All Rights Reserved ian 800gs

The Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in Rome, the building we see today dates back to 120 A.D. The original building was older, but was destroyed and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian. On the outside you see 16 columns that were made in one piece in Egypt, and transported to Rome. Inside the most impressive sight is that of the dome. Until the renaissance it was the biggest dome in the world, and it was the bases for the dome that Michelangelo built for the St. Peter's. In the middle of the dome, you will see a big hole, which is the only source of light for the building. When it rains holes in the floor make sure that the water, makes it way out.

The floorplan of the Pantheon is still the same as in Roman times, and most of the inside of the building is still the same, except for the statues of Catholic saints, the tomb of Raphael, and the tombs of 2 kings of Italy. (Victor Emanuelle II and Umberto I.)

Roman Forum

To many the Roman Forum may just look like a huge field littered with rocks, but you have to remember that this once was the focal point of an empire that lasted a thousand years. Entrance to the Forum used to be free, but is now included in the ticket for the Colosseum and the Palantine Hill. The Forum was layed out along side the Via Sacra, which leads from the Colosseum to Capitol Hill.

In the Forum you will find several sights of interest :

• The Arch of Titus,
• The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine
  

  Rome - Roman Forum

  © All Rights Reserved Herr Bert

• The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
• The Temple of Julius Caesar
• The Temple of Vesta, and the house of the Vestal Virgins
• The Temple of Caster and Pollux
• The Curia or Senate house
• The Arch of Septimius Severus
• The Rostrum
• The Column of Phocas
• The Temple of Saturn

The entrance to the Roman Forum used to be free, and you will still find it listed as free in many of the guidebooks, but a visit to the Roman Forum is now included in the combined ticket for the Colosseum and Palantine Hill. It also means that if you buy a ticket at the Forum, you can skip the long lines at the Colosseum.

More detailed information of this site, can be found on the page about the Roman Forum.

Capitoline Museum

The Capitoline museum (Musei Capitolini) was created in 1471 when Pope Sixus IV donated a group of bronze statues to the people of Rome. These statues are still and important part of the collection. This collection includes the statue of the she-wolf, with under it the twins Remus and Romulos (although the boys were added later.) that symbolises Rome. A copy of this statue can also be seen on the square. A new part of the museum was created to hold the statue of Marcus Aurelius on a horse. This statue was the focal point of the Piazza de Campidoglio, but it was moved inside to perserve it better. The rest of the collection mainly focusses on statues and paintings. The are exhibitions usualy on the second and third floor of the Palazzo del Conservatori. (sometimes dubbed: Palazzo Clementino.)

The museum is situated in two buildings, the Palazzo Nuovo and the Palazzo del Conservatori. These two buildings are on the left and right side of the Piazza de Campidoglio. Entrance to the museum is at the Palazzo del Conservatori. The buildings are connected under the ground by the Tabularium, where you can find remains of Roman temples, and a small exhibition. From here you also have a nice view over the Roman Forum. The museum is opened from Tuesday to Sunday from 9.00 to 20.00 (last admission at 19.00).

Vatican City

IMG_2062

© All Rights Reserved jptablante

While Vatican City is an independent sovereign state, it happens to be located entirely in Rome, on the west bank of the Tiber. You don't need to show a passport to enter, but you will have to pass yourself and your bags through X-ray scanners. And be prepared to queue.

Even ignoring the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums are some of the most important museums in the world. The Vatican has a superb gallery, excellent Roman and Etruscan collections, and plenty more. Be sure not to miss the appartments that were decorated by Raphael. There is too much to see if you plan on going to the museums for one day. If you go one day, you just have time for the highlights. The highlight of the visit to the museums is the The Sistine Chapel known for Michelangelo's two most famous masterpieces: the ceiling, depicting numerous scenes from the Old Testament and the Last Judgement, occupying the entire wall behind the altar.

St Peter's Basilica is the centre of the Catholic faith, the richest and most important church in the world. Built on top of the remains of St. Peter. The views from the top of the Dome, 130 metres above St. Peter's Square, are wonderful. The entrance to the stairs and the elevator are on the rightside of the Basilica, were you will also find the entrance to the Vatican Grotto that holds the remains of many popes including John Paul II, who died in 2005.

You can find more detailed information about the sights in Vatican City, in the seperate article about Vatican City

Baths of Caracalla

Rome, Terms of Caracalla

© All Rights Reserved Herr Bert

The Baths of Caracalla was a huge complex of Roman public baths, or thermae, built between 206 and 216 A.D. The name comes from Emperor Caracalla, the oldest son of Septimus Severus. Today the ruins that are still standing gives you an impression of how big this complex must have been. It is guessed that it could hold 1.600 visitors at the same time, and it would have had around 7.000 to 8.000 visitors each day. The baths were decorated with some beautiful sculptures. Many of these ended up in the Farnese collection, and can still be seen in several museums. The most famous one is the so called Farnese bulls, that is at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli. The Ruins are opened on weekdays from 9.00 till 18.30 (last entrance at 17.30, on Mondays from 9.00 to 14.00).

Museums and Galleries

• Museum of Galleria Borghese
• Galleria Colonna
• Modern Communal Gallery
• Gallery of the National Academy of St. Luca
• Dora Pamphilj Gallery
• Modern National Gallery
• Spada Gallery
• Barberini Palace and National Gallery of Antique Art
• Corsini Gallery

Ancient Rome

• Palatine Hill is where Augustus, Cicero and Romulus and Remus lived
• Trajan's Market, Trajan's Column and the Forums of Nerva, Julius, Augustus and Trajan
• Museo Nazionale delle Terme has a brilliant collection of Roman art, sculpture and mosaics
• Baths of Caracalla is the size of a cathedral
• Baths of Diocletian is a good example of a traditional Roman baths.
• Domus Aurea was Nero's Golden Palace, currently undergoing renovation

Other

• Castel Sant'Angelo was built to be Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, it was used by the medieval Popes as a castle and prison.
• Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore: With mosaics dating from the fourth century.
• Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is Rome's cathedral and the seat of the Bishop of Rome.
• Church of Santa Prassede has good ninth century mosaics.
• Piazza Navona is still in the shape of a Roman circus.
• Trevi Fountain
• Piazza del Campidoglio was designed by Michelangelo, it stands between the two buildings of the Capitoline Museum.
• Villa Borghese

For Kids

• Explora Children's musuem in Rome
• Bioparco, Rome
• Largo di Torre Argentina - A place where stray cats live amongst ruins
• Janiculum Hill - puppet shows and pony rides in the summer

Passes

• Archaeologia Card: is a 7 day pass valid at Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, Crypta Balbi, Baths of Diocletian, Colosseum, Foro Romano and Palatino, Baths of Caracalla, Villa dei Quintili, Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella. Adults: € 20 + € 2 (For exhibitions). Reduced Fee: € 10 + € 2 (For exhibitions).
• Roma Pass is a pass that allows a traveller unlimited access to public transport, free access to the first 2 sites and half price at the rest. Roma Pass Basic: € 23 for three days access to Rome public transport, first 2 sites free and half price at the others. Rome & Più Pass: € 25 for three days access to the public transport system of the province, first 2 sites free and half price at the others.

Events and Festivals

• White Night (Notte Bianca) - early/mid September
• Opera at Caracalla
• Estate Romana Festival (Roman Summer Festival) - from late June through early September offering various musical events of jazz, rock, and classical music, and film, sport, theater etc.

Weather

Rome has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers and mild winters. Temperatures average around 30 °C from June to September with warm nights, mostly around or above 20 °C. Winters are around 10 or 12 °C during the day and around 5 °C at night. Most of the rain falls in autumn and winter and summers are almost completely dry with just a few showers sometimes.

Getting There

Rome - Termini

© All Rights Reserved Herr Bert

By Plane

Rome's Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino) Airport (FCO) is located 26 kilometres south-west of the centre and is the city's primary international air hub. The airport is connected by train to the Termini station. Dozens of airlines serve Rome, with some main destinations being New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Kuala Lumpur, Moscow, London, Paris, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Tokyo, Amsterdam, Miami, Istanbul, Sao Paulo, Bangkok and Buenos Aires. Easyjet has some budget flights as well to Fiumicino.

Rome Ciampino Airport (CIA) is the city's second airport, located about 15 kilometres southeast of central Rome. It provides charter flights and regional European flights. Budget airlines, including Ryanair and Easyjet use Ciampino Airport. Buses from either Terravision or Bus Shuttle bring you to the Termini station in around 40 minutes. The costs are 4 euros for a one way ticket. Tickets can be bought on the right when you exited the restricted area at the airport. By taxi a ride costs around 30 euros.

By Train

Termini Station is Rome's rail hub, providing connections throughout Italy and to neighbouring countries. Intercity train services in Italy are good, and the eurostar services are very good. Services leave very frequently to other cities such as Milan and Naples. Check Italy's national railway carrier Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) for more information about schedules and prices.

By Car

If you plan to drive into Rome, it is advisable to leave your car somewhat outside of the city centre because congestion and Italian driving habits can make it a challenging city to navigate for anyone from out of town. The A1 highway runs north-south across Italy, passing Rome.

By Bus

For connections to/from Rome, check the following companies:

• ARPA - services L'Aquila and Abruzzo
• Bargagli - Orvieto
• Cotral - Latium destinations
• Sulga - Perugia and Assisi

By Boat

The city of Civitavecchia might be located over 50 km away from Rome, it does function as it's port. There are numerous connections to and from Rome's port throughout the Mediterranean.

France

• Transmanche Ferries between Toulon and Civitavecchia.

Spain

• Grimaldi Ferries between Civitavecchia and Barcelona.

Tunesia

• GNV has ferries from Civitavecchia to Tunis.
• Grimaldi Lines offers the same service.

Sicily
Mainland Italy and Sardinia

• Grandi Navi Veloci Civitavecchia and Palermo.
• SNAV Ferries between Civitavecchia and Palermo.

Sardinia

• Snav between Civitavecchia and Olbia.
• Moby Lines between Civitavecchia and Olbia.
• Sardinia Ferries between Civitavecchia and Golfo Aranci on Sardinia.
• Tirrenia Ferries between Civitavecchia and Olbia, Arbatax and Cagliari.

Getting Around

By Car

Attempting to navigate Rome by car is a brave (or stupid) move. Italians drive like madmen and use their horns a lot.
Instead, trust on the driving skills and knowledge of taxi drivers. To book a taxi by phone, try the following:

• Cosmos (06 8 81 77)
• La Capitale (06 49 94)
• Pronto Taxi (06 66 45)
• Radio Taxi (06 35 70)
• Samarcanda (06 55 51)
• Tevere (06 41 57)

By Public Transport

Rome's metro has two lines; the red A line and the blue B line. Both go through Termini Station, which is the hub of Rome's rail and metro network. The metro is a convenient way, depending on your starting point, to get to the Forum and Colosseum. Trains run approximately every five to 10 minutes between 5.30am and 11.30pm (one hour later on Saturday).

ATAC runs buses and trams in Rome. The central bus station is just outside Termini Station. You can pick up a map from the kiosk in the bus station, but you have to pay for it. Buses (and trams) are frequent, and much of Rome's population uses buses to commute. There is also a night network.
Tickets are valid on buses and the metro. You can get tickets from metro stations or tobacconists. If you are there for any length of time, get a weekly or monthly card from a tobacconist.

On buses, you don't buy tickets. If you have a single ticket, you should validate it in one of the stamping machines on the bus, otherwise you will be considered to be travelling without a ticket.

Some useful (bus)lines are:

• 8 (tram): Largo di Torre Argentina - Trastevere - Stazione Trastevere - Monteverde Nuovo
• 23: Piazzale Clodio, Piazza Risorgimento, Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II, Lungotevere, Ponte Garibaldi, Via Marmorata (Testaccio), Piazzale Ostiense and Basilica di San Paolo
• 40-Express: Stazione Termini - Via Nazionale - Piazza Venezia - Chiesa Nuova - Castel Sant Angelo - St. Peter's
• 64: Stazione Termini - St. Peter's (same route as the number 40, bus slower)
• 170 Stazione Termini, Via Nazionale, Piazza Venezia, Via del Teatro Marcello and Piazza Bocca della Verità
• 175: Stazione Termini - Piazza Barberini - Via del Corso - Piazza Venezia - Via dei Fori Imperiali - Colosseum - Via di San Gregorio - Circus Maximus - Stazione Ostiense
• 492: Stazione Tiburtina - San Lorenzo - Stazione Termini - - Piazza Venezia - Piazza Cavour - Piazza Risorgimento - Cipro (Vatican Museums)
• 660 Largo Colli Albani, Via Appia Nuova and Via Appia Antica (near Tomba di Cecilia Metella)
• 714 Stazione Termini, Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
• 910 Stazione Termini, Piazza della Repubblica, Via Piemonte, Via Pinciana (Villa Borghese), Piazza Euclide, Palazzetto dello Sport and Piazza Mancini

By Foot

Much of Rome can easily be navigated on foot. Provided you aren't too weary from sightseeing, this is a highly advised way of getting around, as it also gives you the time to take in the scenery along the way.

By Bike

There is a system in Rome which allows you to get around on bike, these can be hired for 50 cents an hour, at several places. To be able to make use of this system you need to buy a card first. This card can be bought at a couple of places, including at the Termini station.

Eat

In Rome, tourists ask for a menu but locals ask "what are you serving today" (but in Italian of course). This is the only way to gurantee that you are eating what is fresh and recommended by the locals. If you only have time and money to eat at one place in Rome it must be Sora Margherita. Don't blink because you will miss it. Also, it doesn't have a sign on the outside - only blue ropes hanging in the doorway. It is open for lunch from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and then for dinner on Friday and Saturday night but reservations are required. Eat everything they give but especially do not miss their Roma-Jewish style artichokes, meatballs, zucchini quiche and whatever they recommend for dessert (it is guranteed to be delicious).

Drink

Sleep

Budget

Work

Learn

The three main universities in Rome are:

• Sapienza University of Rome
• University of Rome Tor Vergata
• Roma Tre University

If you are the type of traveler who enjoys learning about the history, legends and scandals of the sites you are visiting, then you may want to check out Roman Candle Tours. A number of tours are offered and conducted in English by English mother tongue guides throughout the City of Rome and Vatican City.

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet cafes shouldn't be hard to find, and most hotels and hostels have wifi access as well.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Emergency phone numbers include 112 (Carabinieri), 113 (Police), 118 (medical first aid) or 115 (firemen).

Post

References

Frommers on Rome