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Afternoon Delight Tour (4 hours) 3:30pm - 7:30pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Castel Sant'Angelo,
St. Peter's Square.
The Pantheon is a building in Rome that was begun in 27 BC by the statesman Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. It was
completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian sometime between AD 118 and 128. It is remarkable for its size, its
construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times, measuring about 142 feet (43 m)
in diameter, and rising to a height of 71 feet (22 m) above its base. It was dedicated in AD 609 as the Church of
the Santa Maria Rotonda, or ad Martyrs, which it remains today. The tomb of Raphael is found inside.
Piazza Navona is a marvel of light and sculpture. It is exceptionally long and owes its shape to the ruins that
formed it, for under the buildings that surround Piazza Navona are the remains of the Circus Domitian, Domitian's
stadium -- a part of which can still be seen. The piazza features many fine old buildings, a beautiful church and
three stunning fountains. In the centre of the piazza is Bernini's most spectacular fountain, la Fontana dei Fiumi
(Four Rivers) erected in 1651. Piazza Navona is an extremely lively place with open-air cafes around it. During
the summer, numerous artists draw or paint members of the public for a fee. The place is crowded each day and there
are often buskers and sometimes mimes to entertain.
Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II
(Vittorio Emanuele II Bridge) was dedicated to the first king of Italy and inaugurated in 1911, on the occassion of the
50th anniversary of the reign. It is the most monumental bridge among all those built after Rome became the capital of Italy. From this bridge
you will see magnificent views of both St. Peter's basilica and the Castel Sant'Angelo.
The Tiber River (Italian
Tevere, Latin
Tiberis) is the third-longest river
in Italy, it has
achieved lasting fame as the main watercourse of the city of
Rome, founded on its eastern banks.
Castel Sant’Angelo was built, as was the Elian Bridge in front, by the Emperor Hadrian (117-138) as a Mausoleum
for himself and his successors. Antoninus Pius completed it in 139. In 271, the Emperor Aurelian incorporated
the pile into the defense system he designed: it lost its function as a tomb to become a fortress. In 1277, it
was occupied by Nicholas II who connected it to the Vatican by the famous corridor, a safety passage which runs
along the top of the encircling wall of the Vatican. Henceforth, it remained under the control of the Popes who
used it as a fortress, to impress, but also as a prison and a place for torture. The bridge in front (Ponte degli Angeli)
crosses the
Tiber River and is adorned by some of Bernini’s most beautiful and interesting statues.
St. Peter’s Square is one of Rome’s greatest sites, visited by millions of tourists and faithful.
The splendid square and colonnade, Bernini's finest work, form a superb entryway to the greatest church
of Christendom, dominated by the magnificent Dome of Michelangelo. Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta and
Domenico Fontana carried out the construction of this basilica, plagued by numerous obstacles and problems.
The basilica rises over the foundations of a paleochristian Church, which, according to tradition, was built
over the tomb of the Martyred Apostle Peter.
Don't forget to ask Tony to suggest where to have dinner. He knows many excellent places to dine or just have a glass of wine. His favorite restaurant is Paolo’s Antica Taverna, one of Rome’s best trattorias, located just behind Piazza Navona. Paolo’s chefs are world-class and will
serve you authentic Italian dishes in a quaint and vibrant atmosphere.
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