The Colosseum - Anticipate a long line. You can hop the queue
if you choose to take a tour, but if you are not interested in a
tour, there is still a way to skip the queue. Walk across the
road to the Roman Forum, you can purchase a day pass for €10, or
a 7-day one for €20 or a normal Colosseum + Palatine voucher at
€11. This will get you in to the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, the
Baths of Caracalla, and the catacombs. If you don't want to do
everything in one day, get the pass. There are plenty of people
offering tours in English at the way in to the Colosseum. Once
there you can take a tour (English, Spanish, or German) every
half an hour or so for an extra price of €3.50. The tours guides
are interesting but you can visit all the areas on your own if
you wish.
The Pantheon - A wonder of early architecture, this ancient
temple to all the gods is renowned for its big dome, imitated
during Greek and Roman revival periods by such designers as
Thomas Jefferson, who styled his Monticello and the Rotunda at
the college of Virginia on it. Built during the period in office
of the emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128), the Pantheon carries a
devotion to Marcus Agrippa, who built the unique structure in
this area in 27 BC. As it is still a running church, peace is
requested during your stay. From within the Pantheon, you'll see
an opening in the dome; during the time in power of Pope Urban
VIII, the Pope demanded that the bronze ceiling of the
Pantheon's portico be melted down.
The bronze was used to create bombards for the reinforcement of
the Castel Sant' Angelo. Free Entry.
Roman Forum - If stones could speak: these sacred ruins were
the most commanding seats of govt in the whole world. The Forum
is far less busy than the Colosseum and, from a historical view,
much more appealing. Free entry, except for a sound guide, which
is highly suggested. To set foot in the political, legal and
religious centre of the entire Roman Empire is a huge thrill. It
is the finest way of imagining the magnificence and beauty of
ancient Rome.
Palatine Hill - Adjacent to the Roman Forum, contains the shell
of many large villas that belonged to rich Roman families. You
can purchase a pooled ticket for the Palatine Hill and the
Colosseum here, avoiding the long queues at the Colosseum
Fori Imperiali, – Entrance €7 (discount for EU nationals, free
admission for EU history students). The inside of the fort is
very alike to a museum, with many rooms containing objects in
glass cases. It can be a little bit of a jumble so take a moment
to orientate yourself. it is worth hiking to the very top to
inspect the city and the Vatican.
Museums in Rome
The Capitoline Museums - (each day 9.00-19.30) Tu-Su
9.00am-8.00pm; Dec 24th, 31st 9.00am-2.00pm (the ticket office
closes an hour in advance) not open on Mondays, 25th Dec, 1st
Jan, 1st May. The museum holds an excellent set of classical
art, as well as early sculpture. The Capitoline piazza,
sandwiched between the 2 museum buildings - planned by
Michelangelo, is stunning. Discover these museums, and then head
out the rear of the square to the Forum, where you'll see the
leftovers of the Temple of the Vestal Virgins, among plenty of
other buildings approaching the Colosseum. Reserve tickets
online Regular €6,50 (+ €1,50 for exhibitions), Discounts €4,50
(+ €1,50 for exhibitions). The majority of tourist attractions
in Rome are easily reachable by road.
Palazzo Massimo – There is a wonderful group of ancient Roman
sculptures, mosaics and wall paintings, together with the
well-known paintings from the Imperial-era villa revealed under
the Villa Farnesina. Also on view is the bedroom from the
Empress Livia's country house at Prima Porta. Positioned across
the piazza from Termini, parallel to the Baths of Diocetian.
€7.00.
Galleria Borghese - +39 06 8555952, booking: +39 06 32810 Tu -
Su 9.00 - 19.00 (note: obligatory exit at the end of selected 2
hour slot). There are a number of very distinguished works by
Antonio Canova and Gian Lorenzo Bernini here. The amount of
people admitted is restricted to 200 every 2 hours, so make an
e-booking well in advance for the time you would like. No
cameras are permitted Regular €8.50, Discounts €2.00.
Villa Giulia Museum +39 06 3201951, Each day 8.30 - 19.30.
Closed Jan 1st, Dec 25th. The most wide-ranging compilation of
Etruscan art and artifacts anyplace, well worth the entry
charge. Cameras are strictly prohibited. The museum is a little
off the beaten track but is well worth a visit. Regular: €4.00
Discounts: €2.00.
