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Monuments in Rome
The Appian Way
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The Appian Way, also called the Regina Viarum (The Queen of Roads), connected Rome to the South of Italy (Brindisi). It was started around 312 BC by censor Appius Claudius Caecus, but did not connect with Brindisi until around 190 BC.
The first 90 km of the road was considered revolutionary in its days because of its straightness. ...
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Roman Forum
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Open from 9 am to between 4 and 7 pm, depending on the season. Sunday from 9 am to 1 pm.
This forum is the largest architectural complex of ancient Rome currently preserved. It was constructed over a period of 900 years.
Originally, this valley - situated between the Capitole and the Palatine - was a burial place for the people living in the hills. A century later the area became a centre of exchange between the Etruscans and the Latins, as well as a social centre for the growing population in the Roman hills. The city of Rome was born! Still under the Etruscan kings the area was drained and paved. For sewerage processing they installed the famous Cloaco Maxima.
Little by little, th ...
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Catacombs
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The Catacombs were the meeting and burial places of Christians in Rome from the 1st century to the 5th century AD. After death people were wrapped in sheets and placed in niches carved into the tunnel walls. This custom had its origin in the fact that wealthy Christian families wanted other Christians, who couldn't afford a tomb, to have a proper burial place. Tunnels were dug starting from the family graves of these wealthy families. Because of the limited space, it was necessary to dig deeper and deeper, which explains the 4 or 5 levels of tunnels that you can see when you are visiting the catacombs.
CATACOMBS DI SAN CALLISTO
Via Appia Antica, 110
Open from 8.30 am to midday and fr ...
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Augustus Mausoleum
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Open from 9 am to 7 pm. Sunday to 1 pm. Closed Monday.
When August returned from Egypt in 29 AD, he undertook the construction of an enormous dynastic tomb, based on the tomb of Alexander the "Great" in Alexandria which the emperor had visited one year before.
In the Middle Ages, the tomb had turned to ruin. It became one of the fortresses of the Colonna family.
Later it was transformed into a range of things including a vineyard, a garden, and in the 19th century a concert room. ...
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Ara Pacis (Altar of Augustan Peaces)
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This altar was erected after August ended the revolts of Spain and Gaul around 13 AD. It is one of the best representations of Roman art from August's "golden century".
Pieces of the altar were found between 1568 and 1937 and in 1938 the Ara Pacis was reconstructed at its present site. ...
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The Palatine Hill
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The Clivus Palatinus is without doubt the most famous hill of Rome. On this hill, the remains of the huts inhabited by the shepherds who created the city have been excavated. During the Republic, the hill gradually became a residential centre for noble and wealthy people. August, who was born on the Palatin, decided to build his palace there, and so did his successors. This made the hill one huge imperial construction.
Its decline began in the 3rd century, when the Roman emperors left to live outside Rome. In the Middle Ages many of the buildings were transformed into churches and monasteries, and in the 16th century wealthy Roman families built their houses with gardens and vineyards, w ...
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Caracalla Baths
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Viale delle Terme di Caracalla.
Open 9 am to 7 pm. Monday from 9 am to 1 pm. Sunday from 9 am to midday.
Covering 10 hectares, the baths could hold around 1500 people. It also contained shops, areas for sporting activities, gardens, libraries, meeting rooms and entertainment. In the ancient times, all Roman citizens spent a few hours a day in the baths. This might explain why going to the baths became such an important part of social life: There, they had the time to talk about whatever they liked to!
Begun by Antonius Caracella and inaugurated in 217 AD, the baths were used until the 6th century. ...
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Pantheon
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Open from 9 am to 6 pm. Sunday to 1 pm.
The most beautiful and most intact monument of all ancient Rome was dedicated to the planetary gods, as its name implies. The original temple was built by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BC. Although the temple was rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian around 120 AD, Agrippa's name remained inscribed over the entrance, leading historians to believe it was the original building until excavations in the 1800s revealed traces of the earlier temple.
In that period, the building was even more impressive because it was built on a hill. You could only reach the place of worship by climbing the monumental stairs. The actual site of the building, and the groups of tourists admi ...
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Colosseum
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Open in winter from 9 am to 3 pm. In summer to 7 pm. On Sundays and Wednesdays to 1 pm.
Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, the Colosseum got its name in the medieval period because of either its colossal size - the massive structure could seat more than 80,000 people - or, because of the huge statue of Nero that was placed before its entrance.
Its construction was started by Emperor Vespasian in 72 AD and was inaugurated by his son Titus in 80 AD. For this event, games were organised for more than 100 days. Bloody gladiator combats were held. Also wild beast shows took place, during which some 5000 wild animals were slaughtered.
Its reputation as a symbol of Rome dates to ...
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Arch of Constantine
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Next to the colosseum you will see the Arch of Costantine. This triumphal arch was built to honour Constantine following his victory over Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian Bridge (Ponte Milvio) in 312 AD.
Its decorative reliefs were taken from earlier structures from the 2nd century. ...
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