What to do if you only have 1 day in Rome? We decided to put together 3 routes for you in case you only have a few hours to explore the beauty of the Eternal City. I would like to note that most of Rome’s attractions are within minutes of each other, and therefore you can explore most of them during an exciting walk.
3 routes The tours we offer differ from each other in pace, as well as in the number of attractions that you can visit. You can choose the most optimal option for yourself and navigate in the indicated direction. We will also take into account an approximate estimate of the time you will need to visit certain attractions. Perhaps you have only 6 - 8 hours left, since you are traveling on a cruise ship, then the first or second option will suit 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”
(Targeted for travelers eager to visit as many attractions as possible in Rome)
1 “Colosseum”
Of course, the first stop on our route we chose the main symbol of Rome - the Colosseum. If you only have 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, the inside is not as beautiful as the outside.
But, if you decide to visit it, then you need to read, which will help make it easier to purchase the coveted tickets.
2 “Roman Forum”
The Roman Forum is a truly grandiose attraction, once considered the main social, economic and political center of Rome.
Its visit is also included in the price of a ticket to the main amphitheater in Rome.
Walking past the Roman Forum and turning into the street Via di San Pietro in Carcere You will be taken to the next station on our journey.
3 “Capitolian Hill and Campidoglio Square”
Piazza Campidoglio is a trapezoidal space on which are located the Palace of 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 was even minted on 50-cent coins in 2002.
4 “Vittoriano”
Going down the stairs, you have probably already seen the snow-white giant, popularly called Palazzo Vittoriano. Palazzo Vittoriano is one of the main symbols of the Eternal City and is a memorial dedicated to the first king of a united Italy (Victor Emmanuel II).
5 “Fountain di Trevi”
Hidden in the labyrinth of narrow Roman streets, the Trevi Fountain is perhaps one of the most romantic attractions of 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 rightfully considered to be the “Spanish Steps” and “Barcaccia”. “Barcaccia” is a fountain in the shape of a boat, designed by the genius Bernini himself.
7 “Via Condotti”
It’s hard to call it a stop as such, because Via Condotti is a 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 surviving to this day. There is a Roman proverb: “ Whoever was in Rome and did not visit the Pantheon left a fool" Plus, getting into the Pantheon doesn’t 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 “Piazza Navona”
Our next point of visit will be Piazza Navona - a favorite place for film directors and creative people. On it you can see 3 fountains (previously there were 4), the dominant one being the Fountain of the Four Rivers (it is located in the very heart of the piazza). Based on the name, you might have guessed that the fountain statues symbolize the Ganges, Nile, Danube and La Plata rivers. Another important detail is the fact that the fountain is the creation of the great sculptor Bernini.
Having enjoyed the local beauty and romantic atmosphere, we head through Via del Governo Vecchio towards our next station.
10 “Castle Sant'Angelo”
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 in a 5-minute walk we can see...
...11 “Vatican”
The Vatican doesn't need much introduction, and neither does the Colosseum. If you decide to visit the Vatican Museums, you should first familiarize yourself with how you can purchase tickets. Keep in mind that visiting the Vatican on your own will take you from 2 to 4-5 hours.
In custody
In general, I would like to note that this tour without visiting the sights from the inside will take you on average from 3 to 6 hours.
Don't forget to use various map apps to save time and get to each attraction in the shortest possible way.
Route No. 2 “Non-standard”
Perfect for those who like unconventional paths, but we do not rule out visiting the most important symbols of Rome.
Some of the attractions are repeated in different routes, so if you cannot 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, externally 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 Palazzo Vittoriano and the Capitoline Hill, which is why there are so few visitors here and you can enjoy the beauty of the Marcello Theater to your heart's content.
6 “Temple of Hercules the Victorious”
One of the oldest buildings in the Eternal City. According to legend, here Hercules defeated Cacus, a monster who terrorized the local residents.
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 with the interesting name “Mouth of Truth”. There are many legends associated with this place, however, in order to admire the “mouth” you do not need to go inside, you just need to cling to the bars and you will be able to see the treasured monument.
8 “Jewish Quarter”
Returning to one of the above points, or rather 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 conceals in its heart the figure of a mysterious hero. His name is Giordano Bruno. You may have already heard this name and know its history. For those who are not familiar with it: Giordano Bruno was a pantheistic philosopher who was condemned by the Catholic Church for heresy and burned at Campo de Fiori.
10 “Pantheon” (see description above)
11 “Piazza Navona” (see description above)
12 “Cathedral of the Holy Angel” (see description above)
13 “Vatican” (see description above)
This route also requires a time estimate of 3 to 6 hours (not taking into account visiting attractions from the inside) and is not entirely standard, because the list contains places that are not spoiled by the attention of tourists, like the Colosseum or Piazza Navona.
Route No. 3 “Romantic”
(This route is perfect for romantic people who are not in a hurry to follow the frantic pace of life, but prefer to enjoy every moment, walking and absorbing the surrounding Italian atmosphere)
1 “Villa Borghese”
Villa Borghese is one of the largest park complexes in Rome: here you can find a variety of entertainment, from a small lake to a zoo and a hippodrome. Here is also one of the richest treasuries in Rome - the Borghese Gallery. Getting into the gallery is not easy, so first study the article "and calculate whether you can get into the treasure trove of masterpieces of world art. In general, a walk 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 located just a couple of meters from the bustling street with countless boutiques, Via del Corso. 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 Sant’Angelo” (see description above)
9 “Vatican” (see description above)
10 “District Trastevere” 
An absolute must-visit area of Trastevere. It was he who absorbed all the most romantic ideas about Italy. There are restaurants with mind-blowing gastronomic masterpieces, cobbled streets covered with ivy, and a huge number of churches, each of which strives to enter 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 you will spend on this path, because it is designed for a more relaxed type of walk. Despite the very slow pace, all of the above places can be covered in the whole day.
We would like to remind you to take water with you, or at least a plastic bottle (this can be filled with clean water at fountains located throughout the city) to avoid dehydration.
In conclusion, I would like to say: it is impossible to bypass 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 have an unforgettableRoman holiday.
Alberto Angela
UNA GIORNATA NELL'ANTICA ROMA
© O. Uvarova, translation, 2016
© M. Chelintseva, translation, 2016
© Edition in Russian, design. LLC "Publishing Group "Azbuka-Atticus"", 2016
Publishing CoLibri®
I dedicate this book to Monica, Riccardo, Edoardo and Alessandro, with gratitude for the light you brought into my life
Introduction
How did the ancient Romans live? What happened every day on the streets of Rome? We have all asked ourselves similar questions at least once. This book is designed to answer them.
In fact, the charm of Rome cannot be described. It can only be felt every time you examine an archaeological site from the Roman era. Unfortunately, explanatory plaques and existing guidebooks in most cases offer only the most general information about daily life, focusing on architectural styles and dates.
But there is one trick to help breathe life into archaeological sites. Take a closer look at the details: worn-out steps of the stairs, graffiti on the plastered walls (there are a lot of them in Pompeii), ruts carts made in the stone pavements, and scuffs on the thresholds of houses left by the entrance door that has not survived to this day.
If you focus on these details, suddenly the ruins will be filled with life again and you will “see” the people of that time. This is exactly how this book was intended: telling a Great History through many small stories.
Over many years of television filming of monuments of the Roman era - both within Rome itself and beyond its borders - I have repeatedly come across life stories and curious details from the times of imperial Rome, forgotten for centuries and rediscovered by archaeologists. Features, habits, curiosities of everyday life or the social structure of the now disappeared world emerged... The same thing happened during conversations with archaeologists, when reading their articles or books.
I realized that this valuable information about the Roman world almost never reaches people, remaining “captive” of special publications or archaeological sites. So I tried to present them.
This book aims to bring the ruins of ancient Rome to life through a story about everyday life, answering the simplest questions: how did passers-by feel as they walked along the streets? What did their faces look like? What did the townspeople see when they looked out from their balconies? What did their food taste like? What kind of Latin would we hear around us? How did the first rays of the sun illuminate the temples on Capitol Hill?
You could say that I pointed the camera lens at these places to show how they might have looked two thousand years ago, so that the reader would feel like he was on the streets of Rome, inhaling their various smells, meeting the gaze of passers-by, entering shops, houses or the Colosseum. Only in this way can one understand what it really meant to live in the capital of the empire.
I live in Rome, so it was easy for me to describe how the sun illuminates the streets and monuments differently throughout the day, or to visit archaeological sites myself to notice the many small details that I give in my book, in addition to those collected for years of filming and reporting.
Naturally, the scenes that will unfold before your eyes during this visit to Ancient Rome are not the product of pure fantasy, but, as already mentioned, are directly based on the results of research and archaeological discoveries, laboratory analyzes of finds and skeletons or the study of ancient literature.
The best way to organize all this information is to organize it into a description of one day. Each hour corresponds to a specific place and character of the Eternal City with its activities. This is how the picture of everyday life in Ancient Rome gradually unfolds over time.
Only the last question remains: why do we need a book about Rome at all? Because our way of life is a continuation of the Roman one. We wouldn't be ourselves without the Roman era. Just think: Roman civilization is usually identified with the faces of emperors, marching legions and colonnades of temples. But her real strength lies elsewhere. This power allowed it to exist for an unimaginably long time: in the West for more than a thousand years, and in the East, although with some internal evolution leading from Constantinople to Byzantium, even longer, more than two thousand years, almost until the Renaissance. No legion, no political or ideological system could provide such longevity. The secret of Rome lay in its daily modus vivendi, a way of existence: a way of building houses, a way of dressing, eating, interacting with other people in the family and outside it, subject to a clear system of laws and social rules. This aspect remained largely unchanged over the centuries, although it underwent gradual development, and allowed the Roman civilization to survive for so long.
And has that era really sunk into the past? After all, the Roman Empire left us not only statues and magnificent monuments. She also left us the “software” that supports our daily existence. We use the Latin alphabet, and on the Internet it is used not only by Europeans, but by the whole world. The Italian language comes from Latin. To a large extent, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Romanian come from it. A huge number of English words also have Latin roots. And this is not to mention the legal system, roads, architecture, painting, sculpture, which without the Romans would not be what they are.
In fact, if you think about it, most of the Western way of life is nothing more than a development and continuation of the Roman way of life. Just the kind we would see on the streets and in the houses of Rome during the imperial era.
I tried to write the kind of book that I myself would want to find in a bookstore, to satisfy my curiosity about life in Ancient Rome. I hope I can satisfy your curiosity too.
So, fast forward to a Roman alley in 115 AD, during the reign of Emperor Trajan, when Rome, in my opinion, experienced an era of greatest power and, perhaps, greatest beauty. Day is like day. It will dawn soon...
Alberto Angela
The world at that time
Under Trajan, in 115 AD, the Roman Empire was larger than ever before or since. Its land borders stretched along the perimeter for more than ten thousand kilometers, that is, almost a quarter of the circumference of the globe. The empire stretched from Scotland to the borders of Iran, from the Sahara to the North Sea.
It united a variety of peoples, including those who were different in appearance: these were the blondes of Northern Europe, the peoples of the Middle East, Asians and North Africans.
Imagine the people of China, the United States and Russia, who today would be united into one state. And the share of the population of the Roman Empire in the total population of the Earth was even higher at that time...
The landscape in this vast territory was also exceptionally diverse. Moving from one outskirts to another, we would, upon reaching the warm Mediterranean shores and volcanoes of the Apennine Peninsula, encounter icy seas with seals, vast coniferous forests, meadows, snow-capped peaks, huge glaciers, lakes, and rivers. On the opposite shore of “Our Sea” (that’s what the Romans called the Mediterranean Sea – Mare nostrum), endless sandy deserts (the Sahara) and even the coral reefs of the Red Sea would await us.
No empire in history included such diverse natural landscapes. Everywhere the official language was Latin, everywhere they paid with sesterces, and everywhere the same set of laws was in force - Roman law.
The route around Rome was hastily drawn up the evening of the previous day. On the map I asked for from the hotel, I drew a thick curve, marking with circles all the sights that needed to be seen. The result is a kind of zigzag diagonal, crossing the eternal city in the middle from southeast to northwest, from the Termini area to Villa Borghese.
In the morning there was an early rise. Having quickly gotten ready, we went down to the hotel lobby, where the final preparations for breakfast were being made. I liked the Mediterranean breakfast: tasty and cheerful. For those not in the know, it's usually coffee and a bun. But the coffee is not simple, but aromatic cappuccino with delicate milk foam sprinkled with cinnamon on top... And locally made buns are quite an appetizing thing =)
Having quickly finished breakfast, we rushed out of the hotel, walked fifty meters and stood up as if struck by thunder. Where should we go, actually? Where are we anyway? On which street? These questions put my mother and I at a dead end.
This is where my very-very-pur, but at least some English was needed. It turned out that most Italians understand English even less than me. That is, they don’t understand anything about it at all.
Despite mutual misunderstanding, we finally figured out what was what. We took the path to the Coliseum, but not directly, but through the ruins of the castle of Victor Emmanuel and the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. We hadn’t really heard anything about the last two points before, they were just marked on the map and lay just (or almost) on the way to the Colosseum.
Our long, but, alas, fleeting, journey through Rome has begun. Life in the city was in full swing, although in August all the Romans (as, indeed, all Italians) take vacations and move on, leaving the city at the complete disposal of tourists.
On the road, along the sidewalks, all kinds of dirt are scattered everywhere - a constant companion of the city outskirts. Migrants from the countries of South Asia and Africa scurry up and down; Fit Roman girls, one of the few Romans left in the city, run past.
And we walk leisurely, looking around and marveling at the abundance of ancient ruins and their excellent preservation.
We reached the ruins of the castle of the first king of united Italy, Victor Emmanuel.
For reference: until the middle of the 19th century, Italy as a state did not exist at all, and the territory of the Italian boot was occupied by tiny republics and principalities warring among themselves. Only in 1848 did the process of unification of Italy begin - the so-called Risorgirmento, which lasted more than twenty years. Victor Emmanuel, the king of the Sardinian kingdom, which was the center of unification, was elected ruler of the already united Italy.
But so far we had not the slightest idea about this, nor that this was stretching out before us. This is how we would have stood and looked at the ruins of unknown origin, if not for the complacent Italian policeman, who told us a brief history of this building.
The castle itself resembles a small mansion; At the foot of it, ancient columns and slabs sleep peacefully, and around it all there is a vast park.
In the morning you can meet unfortunate guests here - immigrants who found some semblance of shelter in the city park. One boy slept carefree on the grass between four huge trunks. I clicked on him, in response to which he began to shower me with the latest curses, waving his arms indignantly. We instantly disappeared from the scene and wandered on calmly.
Soon it appeared before us - Santa Maria Maggiore, an extremely complex architectural church. It has two facades in plan, and they are so different from each other that it seems as if they are two completely different churches. The front façade is decorated with a slender clock tower (the tallest in Rome).
The rear facade is topped by two vaulted domes that rise on either side of the center.
The lack of a clear layout is immediately noticeable. It is clear that the church was built over centuries. This is evidenced by the variety of architectural styles: Gothic stained glass windows, luxurious baroque facades, domes in the spirit of the Renaissance and their conceivable and inconceivable interweavings.
We debated for a long time whether to come in or not. Finally, having made up their mind, they crossed the threshold and were petrified by what they saw. The cathedral is beautiful both outside and inside. It was definitely worth visiting.
Having left this quiet and majestic monastery, we rushed to the Flavian Amphitheater, or, in our language, to the Colosseum. Is there a person in the world who does not know what the Colosseum is? Perhaps the Papuans of New Guinea or the Eskimos of the Far North do not know this, but the entire civilized world has heard about it in full. Everyone except my mom.
To my joyful exclamation:
- And now we are going to the Colosseum! - she asks me a simply discouraging question:
- What is the Colosseum?
Having recovered a little from the shock, I began to explain.
I say: “The Colosseum is an ancient Roman amphitheater where gladiator fights and fights with wild animals were held.” So that a clear image of this structure appears in her head, I ask a leading question:
“Mom, do you remember the movie is called Gladiator?” The idea was a success, and I continued my impromptu excursion:
“The Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD by Roman emperors from the Flavian family, which is why it is called the Flavian Amphitheater. It could accommodate up to 80 thousand people, and everyone - from the emperor to the last plebeian - could be present at the spectacles. However, they were accommodated in the Colosseum according to social status. Aristocrats, rich and respected townspeople sat in the lower rows, and the imperial box was also located there. The lower a person’s position in society, the higher his seat was.
The spectacles here were not for the faint of heart. From a modern point of view, of course. Let's say they brought a man - a slave - into the arena and let a hungry lion approach him. And the spectators actively chanted and clapped, reveling in the bloodthirsty game unfolding before their eyes.
Now you have at least some idea of what the Colosseum is. Get ready to see it in person."
Soon he appeared in all his genuine greatness. He looked at us like something out of a photograph. I almost screamed with delight mixed with disbelief.
The previous day we had learned one very useful secret: how to get to the Colosseum without waiting in a long line for tickets. Nothing illegal, I say right away. The fact is that the ticket gives you the opportunity to visit not only the Colosseum, but also the forums and the Palatine Hill. And there is a ticket office not only at the entrance to the Colosseum, but also at the Palatine Hill, behind the Arch of Constantine.
We were lucky: there was no queue at this ticket office. And we, rejoicing that we would not lose precious time in tedious hours of waiting, bought tickets and went to the Palatine Hill. It was here, according to legend, that the she-wolf nursed little Romulus and Remus, the legendary founders of Rome. It is from this hill that the almost three-thousand-year history of the city begins. It is green here and smells of history. The ruins of ancient ancient and medieval buildings are visible from everywhere.
It's easy to get lost if you don't know where to go. What we didn’t fail to do =) Having wandered around to our heart’s content and still not finding the Farnesian Gardens, we suddenly remembered time and the fact that we have a limited amount of it, and wandered off to look for a way out.
It was already around 11 am when we approached the Colosseum with tickets in hand. They looked with pity at the unfortunate people standing in the half-kilometer queue, which seemed to crawl slower than a snail. And in a few minutes we reached the inside of the amphitheater, even more battered by time than its appearance;
There is no arena in the Colosseum, but the basement rooms underneath are visible. There are no less people inside than outside.
I would come here at dawn on a cold November morning to sit here alone and breathe in this spirit of history, which, alas, is easily dispelled due to the abundance of contemporaries snooping here and there. I would walk through these torn remains of former power and see before me an angry crowd, a sleek emperor in a crown of thorns, surrounded by a dressed retinue, I would see gladiators rushing at each other with frantic fury. However, I was unable to stretch my imagination in the seething stream of people. These stones were just stones for me, and not witnesses to gladiatorial fights and staged sea battles.
Having walked around the lower gallery, we left the Colosseum.
We moved along the street of the Imperial Forums (via Fori Imperiali). This street is also a kind of landmark. What views of the ancient ruins open up from here! For confirmation, if you don’t take my word for it, a photograph.
Constantly looking around, we reached the so-called Wedding Cake, or the Typewriter, or, even worse, the Dentures. All these are loving nicknames given by the Romans to the monument in honor of the already mentioned Victor Emmanuel. The Italians themselves are not very fond of their first king, hence these funny nicknames (very accurate, if you think about it).
By the way, the official name of the monument is Vittoriano. Its other official name is the Altar of the Fatherland. An eternal flame burns here in memory of the Italians who died in the First World War.
In style, Vittoriano is pure baroque, lush, elegant and monumental. It's beautiful, you won't mind. Especially if you look at it after crossing the road in advance. Why? Bright green, sun-drenched grass shines in the foreground, and against this background the snow-white monument looks even more advantageous.
Then we went to look for Piazza Venezia. I tell my mother: “It is behind Vittoriano, as shown on the map.” She tells me the opposite: that we need to go forward, not backward. A heated argument ensues. Moving from side to side, now forward, now back, we asked a lot of people: “Where is piazza Venezia?” But all our respondents were just like us, unlucky tourists =) Fortunately, on the way we met a native Roman woman who literally stunned us with her answer. And she said this: “This is Piazza Venezia. You are in the Piazza Venezia.”
So, we suffered for so long in search of the cracked square, while we ourselves were on it? And we had a good laugh at ourselves. Although, in general, we had nothing to do with it. It’s just that on the map Vittoriano is shown incorrectly: it looks at Piazza Venice not in front, as it actually is, but backwards. So we are confused. Having warmly thanked the kind Italian woman, we headed for the Pantheon.
The Pantheon, along with the Colosseum and Forums, is a kind of calling card of the city. The Temple of All Gods, which was once pagan, turned into a Christian church in the 7th century.
You will not see such an unusual Christian church anywhere in the world. The whole point is that it's round. No Latin or Greek crosses, no naves, nothing from a Christian church. Moreover, there is a nine-meter hole in the dome. True, this is not a hole at all, it is a special hole through which light penetrates here. And sometimes it’s rain, and hail, and everything that comes close.
By the way, many outstanding Italians found peace in the Pantheon, including Rafael Santi. His grave is located in a separate niche; it is decorated with two sculptures: a bust of Raphael himself and a statue of the Virgin Mary. Who is depicted in the image of the Virgin Mary is an unsolvable mystery of history. Perhaps his bride is from a rich and noble family, or his beloved (read mistress) Fornarina, for whom he built a luxurious villa and whom he immortalized on his canvases?...
To be continued...
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Therefore, we will not only visit the most important sights in the city center, but also take a closer look at the inhabitants of this city - how they talk, how they eat and drink coffee, which churches they prefer for concentrated prayer, and what they remember when they quickly glance at the buildings of Ancient and Modern Rome.
We will begin our walk in Piazza Venezia, where, according to the Italians, “you can feel the heartbeat of the Eternal City.” Here, a true Roman will certainly drop into a bar, and, having drunk his coffee while standing in one sip, will go about his business. Meanwhile, we will slowly climb the Capitoline Hill to the Basilica of the Virgin Mary, built on the site of the Roman temple of the goddess Juno. Devout Italians believe that you can get rid of all diseases if you pray to a wooden figurine of the Baby Jesus (Bambin Gesu), carved by the angels themselves from a tree growing in the Garden of Gethsemane.
On Capitol Hill I will tell you the legend of the founding of the Eternal City, and we will admire the famous Capitoline She-Wolf, who nursed the twins Romulus and Remus. Not far from the sculpture of the she-wolf there is a fountain with drinking water, Aqua Marcia, which to this day is loved by all Romans for its taste and coolness. I will show you how real Romans drink water, holding the spout of the drinking fountain from below so that the stream of fresh and cold water touches your lips, but not your hands. Against the backdrop of the opening panorama of the Roman Forum, I will tell you stories about a brilliant commander and a talented architect who conquered not only nations, but also the forces of nature.
Then we will go to the legendary Trevi Fountain, where we will find out how many coins need to be thrown into it to make all wishes come true, and we will drink water from lovers’ straws, because every Italian has done this at least once in his life to meet his love and live a long, happy life life together.
After wandering through the narrow streets, we will end up at the Piazza Rotunda in front of the Pantheon, where we will try to unravel the mystery of the unfinished portico of the temple to all the gods, like the Romans throughout all centuries. On the way to Piazza Navona, I will tell you about the philosophy of coffee in Italy, because in this country coffee is an indisputable unifying factor. All true connoisseurs of this drink will tell you that the best coffee in Rome can be tasted in St. Eustachia is not far from the Pantheon, and over a cup of coffee we will learn the legend about this saint and why all the walls of the coffee shop are decorated with images of a deer with a cross above its head.
The last point on our route is Piazza Navona, a meeting place and evening recreation for Roman youth and couples. I will tell you the history of the square and its name, we will admire the Fountain of the Four Rivers by Lorenzo Bernini and the Church of St. Agnes, created by his eternal rival Francesco Borromini. And since Catholic Christmas is very close, I will tell you how this holiday is celebrated in a traditional Italian family. As Piazza Navona becomes the most iconic market in the city during Christmas, it is sure to captivate you with its atmosphere and chic stalls selling traditional sweets!
And, of course, what would it be without the cherry on the cake? At the end of our walk, a sweet surprise awaits you - a delicacy that, as the Italians themselves say, will make you lick your whiskers like a cat! I will look forward to our acquaintance and will try to give you as many joyful moments and vivid impressions as possible!
Organizational details:
- Coffee and sweets are not included in the price of the excursion and are paid separately.
- For a group of 4 people the cost of the excursion is 120 euros
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I hope this series of photographs will bring you even closer to the “correct” Rome. So, this story is about my Rome on July 13, 2014.
I am called to rise with the first rays of the sun by duty and conscience towards my clients - couples in love from different countries of the world who come to Italy before or after their wedding, and sometimes just for their anniversary or birthday. I am convinced that only at this time can you truly enjoy the city and take beautiful pictures. On my official website jakutsevich.ru you will find more photos and ideas for walks at dawn, and not only in Italy. But today my story is not about lovers, but about love for Rome.
Most often we meet with friends and clients at the Arch of Constantine near the Colosseum. Literally at the beginning of July it was finally freed from the scaffolding.
This is what the square near the main Roman attraction usually looks like at 6.30-7.00 in the morning. All public excursions start at 8.30-9.00, and before this time most people are not interested in it. This is why we schedule ours so early.
This morning I walked with Holly and Jordan, who flew to Rome from the USA six months before the wedding. For those who are interested, maybe a story about the guys.
On this day, according to all forecasts, even on the iPhone, weather forecasters promised heavy rains.
Of course, I don’t like getting wet, but as a photographer I simply adore this kind of light and clouds. Moreover, any rain tends to end, and in Rome it usually rains for a short time, but “like a bucket.” In any case, you can always pass the time in one of the many cafes with a cup.
A minute after the photo above was taken, it started pouring from that same bucket, and we jumped into a taxi and moved to . Here we had to wait for about 20 minutes under a canopy.
And, as usual, the clouds quickly cleared.
We admired the embankment and decided to go down to the river.
Who knows, but seagulls can be found in any weather.
Bridge of Umberto I - the second king of Italy.
In front of the Pantheon there is only us and a lonely umbrella seller, who during the day turns into a water or scarf seller.
Not far from the Pantheon is the Church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola a Campo Marzio. We advise everyone to look there and admire the incredibly beautiful painting by the famous Andrea Pozzo, which creates the illusion of a dome, although the ceiling is flat.
Early in the morning after rain, even the central streets are completely deserted.
How do you like this Via del Corso without hundreds of shopaholic tourists?
And the most glamorous Via Condotti leading to.
We headed towards the People's Square.
Here we met several bored workers dismantling fencing after a recent concert.
The final destination of our morning walk was the Pincio hill and one of the most beautiful Roman parks. It is from here that one of the best free views of the panorama of Rome opens. This is where hundreds of tourists crowd during the day. In the distance you can see, as you can see, at 9 am there are not very many people who want to admire the panoramas of the Eternal City. And rightly so, in the morning there is no such suffocating heat that everyone loves so much in July-August, and it’s boring to be alone.
View of the People's Square.
It was here that we met with Holi's mother and brothers for a small family photo session.
It seems that the Vatican is just a stone's throw away.
And this is how proudly the city is located on Venice Square.
You can admire the Roman churches endlessly.
What's a morning without coffee? – you ask and you will be absolutely right.
Our entire delegation is in a cheerful and positive mood, and life is generally good with the chocolate croissant!
Editor-in-Chief of “ITALY FOR ME” Yana Yakutsevich is always happy to join us.
Our entire walk took about 4 hours and we were a little tired, but impressed by the beauty we saw, we went for a well-deserved rest to meet in the evening in one of the most atmospheric areas of Rome. Surprisingly, many tourists still haven’t heard of or ignore this gastronomic paradise – you won’t find such a concentration of bars and restaurants anywhere else in Rome.
It was especially deserted that evening, as most tourists were glued to the TV screens in the bars, which were showing the World Cup final in Brazil.
The bars themselves are very small and sitting inside is not particularly customary, so most of the fans hang out on the street.
It is in this format that most Italians while away their evenings if they want to socialize and have a drink. Sitting inside and throwing a feast for the whole world is not particularly customary. More often than not, everyone stands with glasses on the street next to the bar and after drinking a glass they move on to the next establishment.
This was my day in “proper Rome”. As you can see, no one stopped us from having a delicious and inexpensive breakfast and dinner, as well as comfortably enjoying the most popular places and attractions. You can love this kind of Rome and you can fall in love with this kind of Rome for life!
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