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Rome hotels.
visit Rome in 2 days
- 1st day
- 2nd day
visit Rome in 3 days
visit Rome in 4 days
- 1st day
- 2nd day
- 3rd day
- 4th day
discover Rome:
- Water in Rome
- Along the Tiber
- Medieval Rome
- Egyptian Obelisks
- The historic squares
- Baroque Rome
- Renaissance in Rome
- Villas and gardens
- Arches ancient Rome
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Rome in 48 hours - first day
The first itinerary we suggest starts from:
 St.
Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City goes on to
 Castel
S. Angelo then, crossing the Tiber, gets to
 Piazza
Navona
next to the
 Pantheon
and finally, passing through Piazza Colonna, ends up
in
 Piazza
di Spagna
The
Vatican City
Arriving at St. Peter's Square, the
visitor is immediately impressed by the size of the
memorable square facing St. Peter's, surrounded by the
magnificent four-row colonnade masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo
Bernini. Only when one gets inside the basilica, slowly
climbing up the sweeping three flights of steps designed by
Bernini, one will be truly amazed by the size and splendor
of the largest church in the world, the symbol of
Christianity, extending over a total of about 22,000 sqm.
The building is 136 m. high, the diameter of the Cupola,
designed by Michelangelo, measures 42 m. It is possible to
reach the top of the Cupola climbing 330 steps: once up
there the view of the square below and of Rome is
unforgettable. The church contains the masterpieces of
important artists: the 29 m. high bronze baldachin by
Bernini, the Pietą by Michelangelo, the tomb of Clement XIII
by Canova and the mosaic of the Navicella by Giotto, located
above the middle entrance to the Portico.
Numerous and timeless are the works of art, mainly
paintings, kept in the Vatican Museums, which preserve the
art of the most illustrious artists of all times. A visit to
the Sistine Chapel, a milestone in the history of Italian
painting, should not be missed.
Brief historical outline
The first basilica of St. Peter, belonging to the Vatican City,
independent State since 1929 (Lateran Pacts), was built by emperor
Costantin about 320 A.D. near the necropolis which included the tomb
of the martyrized Saint, that can still be visited today. Around
1450, reconstruction works were first entrusted to Bernardo
Rossellino, later on to Bramante who designed a Greek-cross plan
basilica, and then to Raphael who designed it, instead, following a
Latin-cross plan. The design by Bramante was resumed and enlarged by
Michelangelo in 1547. Before its official conservation in 1626, the
church was modified by Carlo Maderno who reverted definitively to
the Latin-cross plan.
Castel
Sant'Angelo
From St. Peter's walking along Via della
Conciliazione one can reach the second stop of our itinerary: Castel
Sant'Angelo. The unique monument houses the National Museum where,
besides the stuccoes, frescoes and furniture of the papal
apartments, one can also admire an important collection of ancient
arms. Castel Sant'Angelo is well known to Opera lovers, since right
from its famous terrace overlooking the heart of Rome, Tosca, the
protagonist of Giacomo Puccini's opera, threw herself down.
Brief historical outline
Castel Sant'Angelo is an imposing mausoleum built on the
banks of the river Tiber, ordered and probably designed by
Emperor Hadrian (2nd century AD), who wished to have a tomb
for himself and his successors. Over the centuries Castel
Sant'Angelo has undergone several changes: first a fortress
against the attacks of the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths,
then a prison and finally a magnificent papal residence.
Piazza
Navona
From an air view, the arena-like shape of Piazza
Navona can be easily noticed. As a matter of fact, the piazza was
built on the Stadium of Domitian, whose ruins can still be admired
in the adjacent church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. The church, designed
by the great architect Francesco Borromini, is an excellent example
of the Roman Baroque architecture. In Piazza Navona are three
fountains: Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and in the center of
the square Bernini's magnificent Fontana dei Fiumi. Four allegorical
statues portray the Nile, the Ganges, the Danube and the Rio de la
Plata, symbolizing the four corners of the world. Traditionally,
from the beginning of December till the Epiphany, this piazza is
occupied by stalls selling sweets and toys.
Brief historical outline
Around 86 A.D., Emperor Domitian had a stadium built on a
pre-existing amphitheatre of Nero's time and over the
centuries the square became a place for games, tournaments
and processions. From the 17th to the 19th centuries the
square used to be flooded to allow the ships of princes and
prelates to parade in a background of fireworks.
Pantheon
The Pantheon is an impressive example of the
exquisite architectural technique of ancient Rome. It consists of a
huge cylindrical body of equal height and width, covered by a great
hemispherical dome. Important artists such as the painter Raphael
are buried there, as well as the Italian Sovereigns of the period
when Italy was a monarchy.
Opposite to the Pantheon is Piazza della Rotonda with its beautiful
fountain designed by Giacomo Della Porta.
Brief historical outline
Built as a temple dedicated to all the gods, erected by Marcus
Agrippa in 25 B.C. and later rebuilt by Hadrian around 120 A.D., the
Pantheon underwent several transformations: a Christian church in
609 and a fortress in Medieval Times.
Piazza
di Spagna
A meeting place for both Romans and tourists,
Piazza di Spagna is famous for its theatrical staircase, a creation
of Francesco De Sanctis, and for its fountain known as La Barcaccia,
designed in 1629 by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo in the
shape of a boat semisubmerged in water.
At the top of the Spanish Steps is the Church of Trinitą dei Monti,
erected by order of the king of France Louis XII in 1502. Farther
along, on the left, is Villa Medici, today seat of the Academy of
France. The streets that host the most important fashion shops, but
also the sites that have left a mark on the history and the culture
of Rome depart in rays from Piazza di Spagna. In this respect a
visit to Caffč Greco in Via Condotti is not to be missed.
Brief historical outline
Originally Piazza di Spagna was named after the imposing church at
the top of the great flight of steps, Trinitą dei Monti, one of the
French churches of Rome. Only in the 17th century, when Palazzo
Monaldeschi became seat of the Spanish Embassy, did the square
become knows as Piazza di Spagna in order to win the rivalry with
France, owner of Trinitą dei Monti.
Courtesy of
romaturismo.com
Azienda Promozione Turistica Comune di Roma
(c) 1997-2008 E. Massetti
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