Things to do in Rome

ou can find tourist information desks APT at Termini Station and Fiumicino Airport and close to the most important sights of the city (09.30-19.30) as close to the Vatican and the Roman Forum (Piazza del Tempio della Pace).
Enjoy Rome, Via Marghera 8th (tel: (06) 445 1843; http://www.enjoyrome.com/ ), near the Termini station, also offers tourist information. Alternatively you can contact the Ente Nazionale per il Turismo (ENIT), Via Marghera 2 (tel: (06) 49711; http://www.enit.it/ ), for information on other sites outside of Rome and the region Lazio; their offices are not open to the public.

Tourist cards :

You can buy two types of passes for museums: the Archeological Museum Card and Card (tel: (06) 3996 7700, information). The first allows entry to all four areas of the National Museum of Rome Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, Palazzo Altemps, the Baths of Diocletian and Crypta Balbi. The second allows entry to all of the above, plus the Colosseum, the Palatine, the Baths of Caracalla, the tomb of Cecilia Metella and the Villa dei Quintilli. The passes are valid for seven days, counting from the first visit. These passes can be purchased at any of the monuments mentioned here
More information www.romapass.it .

Colosseo (Coliseum)

Near the Via Sacra and the Arco di Constantino (IV century), it is the gigantic Coliseum (186m (length) x 153m (width) x 47mm (height)). Emperor Vespasian began construction in the year 72 and his son Titus work was completed eight years later. The Colosseum was the scene of performances difficult to understand in the gladiatorial conquests between men, lions and other wild beasts, with death guaranteed. These 'games' were declared illegal from the fifth century The stadium has undergone numerous lootings and earthquakes over the years. Today, only it retains the skeleton of its former self, along with walkways from where the animals had access to the square of sand.

Opening Times: Daily (09.00-19.30, summer); daily 0900-1630 (winter), last entry one hour before closing.

Admission Fees: free of charge.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazza del Colosseo, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 3996 7700

Website: http://www.pierreci.it

Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain)

Many legends about the Trevi Fountain, which is in the midst of a maze of streets off the Via Tritone are counted. It is said that a virgin discovered a spring of tre-vie, thus causing the construction of the fountain. Anita Ekberg immortalized the fountain in the famous scene of Fellini's film, La Dolce Vita (1959).
According to the myth, if a coin is shot and falls into the water from the source, this means that the person will return back to Rome. This Baroque extravaganza was designed by Nicolò Salvi, commissioned by Pope Clement XII and completed in 1762. The statues (representing Abundance, Agrippa, Health and the Virgin and Neptune in a chariot drawn by sea horses) appear characters a melodrama, with a Renaissance palace as a backdrop and craggy rocks in the foreground.

Address: Piazza di Trevi, Rome, Italy

Website: http://www.trevifountain.net/

Roman Forum and Palatine

The Roman Forum is a set of fragments of marble columns and tiles. So it takes a little imagination to recreate the market was in Roman times. The Roman Forum was the political, commercial and social center of ancient Rome and the symbolic center of the Roman Empire, which reached Greece, Sicily and Cartagena. It is so deteriorated due to fires and vandalism and looting that suffered during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The Forum was discovered thanks to the excavations that took place in the nineteenth century. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the Forum from the Piazza del Campidoglio or from Via Sacra. Among the best preserved and most fascinating monuments we can cite the Arch of Septimius Severus, dating from the year 203, and the remains of Caesar's podium.
Other interesting sites are the House of the Virgins of Vesta and the Temple of Vesta, a circular building where the virgins of Vesta were required to keep lit the flame of eternity. Near the Arch of Titus is the Palatine, where they used to erect palaces of the Roman emperors.

Opening Times: Daily (09.00-19.30, summer); daily 0900-1630 (winter), last entry one hour before closing.

Admission Fees: Free for the Roman Forum; Payment for the Palatine and the Colosseum.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Nova 53, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 3996 7700

Website: http://www.pierreci.it

Parthenon

The Parthenon   Rome may be one of the best preserved monuments and one of the most perfect buildings of ancient Rome. Today it is the emblem of the city. Built by Hadrian between 119 and 128d.C, in order to be a temple to the gods, it was in 608 when he became a Christian church (hence its miraculous survival). The radius of the dome is exactly equal to its height. The hole 9 meters located in the center of the dome, called oculus, lets in light (and rain) into the building. The statues of the gods used to decorate the interior. Now the focus of interest is the tomb of Raphael. The huge brass doors, which once belonged to the original Roman building, are equally worthy of admiration.

Opening Times: Monday-Saturday (08.30-19.30), Sunday (0900-1800); holidays (09.00-13.00).

Admission Fees: No

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazza della Rotonda, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 6830 0230

Website: http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/pantheon

Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter)

St. Peter's Basilica is built on an ancient shrine, known as the tomb of saints. Pope Julius II demolished the original estuctura (despite having 1,000 years old) in 1506 (with the architect Bramante in tow), intending to build a shiny new basilica. Construction took 120 years, during which architects and artists (including Alberti, Bramante, Raphael, Peruzzi, Sangallo and Michelangelo) experienced enormous difficulties.
Michelangelo was responsible for the impressive dome, but died in 1564, and his work was not completed until 1590. The interior of the basilica it shows the great power that had the Church. Amid all this greatness, in the first chapel to the right is the Pietà (1498/9) by Michelangelo. The bronze statue of St. Peter (1296), designed by Arnolfo da Cambio, is located in the center aisle and all the pilgrims kiss his feet when visiting the basilica. The Chair of St. Peter (1665) by Bernini, on the papal altar (built with bronze Parthenon, by order of Pope) dominates the end of the ship.
You can also: climb to the cupola (by stairs or elevator), visit the Vatican Gardens (tours for groups and by reservation only), and the Vatican Grottoes where the tombs of the popes. Access to the Necropolis below the Grottoes (where according to legend, lie the remains of St. Peter) is only allowed to those who show written permission.

Opening Times: Daily 07.00-19.00 (April to October), last entry 15 minutes before closing; daily 07.00-18.00 (November to March).

Admission Fees: Free.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazza San Pietro, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 6988 3731

Website: http://www.vatican.va

Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums (Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum)

Worth waiting in long lines to admire Creation   Michelangelo in the Vatican. Michelangelo reluctantly accepted the order of Julius II, who was to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - built as the private chapel of the popes between 1475 and 1480. Michelangelo began work in May 1508, the frescoes were unveiled until August 1511 and not completed until October 1512. 21 years later, Michelangelo painted the Last Judgement on the wall behind the altar, adding it his aged face under the figure of Christ.
Pope Pius IV was scandalized by exposure of naked bodies and hastily painted loincloths to cover their genitals discovered (most have been removed during restoration work). The restoration some years of scenes from the Old Testament does have created great controversy. Although overshadowed by the talent of Michelangelo, the Renaissance paintings that line the walls are also of great artistic quality (created by masters like Ghirladaio, mentor of Michelangelo).
You can spend only a day or two touring the Vatican Museums. From there we can highlight the Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael's Rooms), the Etruscan Museum (depicting Italy before the Romans) and the Pio-Clementino Museum (contains the collection of the world's largest classical statues).

Opening Times: Monday-Friday (08.45-16.45, last admission 15.20), Saturday (08.45-13.45, last admission 12.20; March-October); Monday-Sunday (08.45-13.45, last admission 12.20; November-March); last Sunday of every month (08.45-13.45, last admission 12.20).

Admission Fees: Paid, free the last Sunday of the month.

Disabled Access: Yes

Viale Vaticano 100, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 6988 4947

Website: http://www.vatican.va

The steps of the Plaza of Spain and Keats-Shelley Memorial House

The neighborhood of the Plaza of Spain has changed very little since the eighteenth century, and still has the elegant staircase of old. These steps were designed in 1723-26 by Francesco de Sanctis to join the Via del Babuino with Via Felice's first major planned by Sixtus V (1585-1590) street. The staircase resembles that which goes up to the Sacre Coeur in Paris, and this leads to the Trinita dei Monti sixteenth century. From here, the view over the rooftops of Rome are spectacular. The staircase was called "Spanish" for its proximity to the Embassy of Spain, however, the Romans called colloquially "er ghetto l'Inglesi".
The Grand Tourists of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries (as Keats, Shelley, Byron and the Brownings) helped establish the reputation as a cosmopolitan neighborhood of artists. At the foot of the staircase is the source (boat-shaped) Barcaccia, designed by Bernini in 1627. To the right stands the modest Keats-Shelley Memorial House, where John Keats died of tuberculosis in 1821, with just 25 year old. There paintings, private letters, an urn with the ashes of Shelley and a lock of Keats' tawny red hair exposed.

Opening Times: Monday-Friday (09.00-13.00 and 15.00-18.00), Saturday (11.00-14.00 and 15.00-18.00). goa carnival 2016 

Admission Fees: Payment

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazza di Spagna, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 678 4235

Website: www.keats-shelley-house.org

Centrale Montemartini (Montemartini Art Centre)

One of the most intriguing and memorable museums, the Centrale Montemartini, has four pieces of Roman sculptures from the collection of the Capitoline. The collection was moved to this former power plant during the renovation at the Capitoline Museums and has become a popular place since.

Opening Times: Tuesday-Sunday (09.30-19.00), last admission 18.00.

Admission Fees: free of charge.

Disabled Access: Yes

Address: Via Ostiense 106, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 574 8042/30

Website: http://www.centralemontemartini.org/

Forum and Trajan Mercati di Traiano (Trajan's Forum and Trajan's Market)

Opened in 112-113d.C., Trajan's Forum was the last to be built and the most impressive of the Fora. The resort had a main square, a basilica, two libraries and the market of the same name. The Roman market could be the equivalent of what we understand by mall. It had 150 small shops, spread over six floors. Trajan's column (38 meters high) is considered as one of the greatest works of Roman art, and probably was between two libraries, under which the urns of the Emperor and his wife were. His beautiful reliefs tell the story of Trajan's war campaigns in Dacia (now Romania). At the top of the column used erected a statue of the Emperor. Pope Sixtus V removed the statue in 1585 and replaced with a statue of St. Peter, looking towards the basilica dedicated to the saint, which was being built at that time.

Opening Times: Tue-Sun (0900-1900 summer), last admission at 18.00; Tue-Sun (0900-1800 winter), last admission at 17.00.

Admission Fees: free of charge.

Disabled Access: Yes

Address: Via IV Novembre 94, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 0608

Website: www.mercatiditraiano.it

Piazza Navona

This dramatic piazza, lined with cafes and restaurants, is located in the heart of the centro storico. Its oval shape mimics the shape of the ancient stadium built there the Emperor Domitian in the year 86. During the Renaissance, the place was flooded to stage mock naval battles. The piazza took the present form in the seventeenth century when Pope Innocent X commissioned Borromini to design the Church of Sant'Agnese.
Opposite the church, Bernini built the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), adorned with powerful figures representing the four rivers (the Nile, the Danube, the Ganges and the Rio de la Plata) and representing the four areas of the world in times of Borromini (Africa, Europe, Asia and America respectively).

Disabled Access: Yes

Address: Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy

Villa and Galleria Borghese

Just east of the steps of the Plaza of Spain is the sculpture park, designed in the seventeenth century by Cardinal Scipione Borghese (nephew of Pope Paul V). This area includes the city zoo, Piazza di Siena, imitations of ancient temples and medieval castles and an artificial lake. Unfortunately, the funniest elements of this Baroque extravaganza (fountains that shoot water at the clueless), are no longer in operation.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 0830-1930.

Admission Fees: free of charge.

Disabled Access: Yes

Unesco: Yes

Address: Piazzale del Museo Borghese 5, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 32810

Website: http://www.galleriaborghese.it ; http://www.villagiulia.beniculturali.it .

Galleria Doria Pamphilj

The gallery puts on display the richness (paintings, antique sculptures and luxurious furnishings) of the powerful Doria Pamphili family, a pillar of the papal aristocracy of Rome. Jonathan Doria Pamphilj and her sister are the heirs of all the family fortune. Jonathan recalls his childhood skating on the parquet floor ballroom of the eighteenth century, and marks on the ground prove it. The palace is still occupied and therefore only a limited number of rooms which are open to the public (morning only). There you can admire some of the works of Correggio, Caravaggio and Velazquez, as well as other wonderful pieces of lesser-known artists.

Opening Times: Mon-Fri (10.00-17.00).

Admission Fees: free of charge.

Disabled Access: Yes

Address: Piazza del Collegio Romano 2, Rome, Italy

Phone: (06) 679 7323

Website: http://www.doriapamphilj.it

Campo de 'Fiori

This is where the market for fruit and vegetables more popular in Rome, Monday to Saturday sets. This place has nothing to do with the great piazzas of the historic center, but also has its charm. Here kindness and spontaneity so famous Roman is palpable. At sunset, the place is transformed and there are some of the most authentic and lively bars of the city. The   trattorias   spill their tables to the street, where they go Romans, tourists, famous actors, and workers saboresar a good dinner and a good wine under the stars.

Opening Times: Monday-Saturday (dawn-dusk).

Address: Campo de 'Fiori, Rome, Italy