One Day Itinerary
9:30am - 6:30pm
Private
Tour on Request
The Coliseum is one of the world’s
most famous landmarks and tourist attractions. Although it
survives only as a ruin, it still rates as one of the finest
examples of Roman architecture and engineering. We won't go
inside as the wait can be up to 2 hours! But the
Coliseum is most photogenic from the outside in any event!
The Foro Romano, or Roman Forum, was the
focal point of the city for early Romans. It was the center
for commercial, political, and civil activities and
contained markets, prisons, statues, entertainment areas,
temples and monuments built by various emperors. Perhaps
more than any other Roman ruin, the Forum gives us a glimpse
into both the architectural and political power of Rome
during the time of the emperors and is the perfect outdoor
classroom to make memorable photographs of one of the
world's greatest historic sites.
The Campidoglio is a remarkable
square and an urban masterpiece designed by Michelangelo. At
the center of the square, and not to Michelangelo's liking,
stands the only equestrian bronze to have survived since
Antiquity, that of Marcus Aurelius. The sculpture was held
in high regard because it was though to depict Emperor
Constantine, the first Christian Emperor.
Teatro Marcello was the largest ever built in the
Roman Empire. Caesar wanted to build a theater to rival the
one built by Pompey, whom he had just defeated and killed in
the struggle for the control of Rome. Part of the site that
he chose had been used at least since 179 BC for dramatic
productions in front of a temple of Apollo. Built
mainly of tufa, cement, and brickwork, the Theatrum Marcelli
was completely sheathed in white travertine. True to
Caesar's original plan, it was bigger and more elaborate
that Pompey's theater, seating about 12,000 spectators.
Tortoise
Fountain (Fontana delle
Tartarughe) was built by Taddeo Landini and Giacomo della
Porta, and located in Piazza Mattei. It is one of the most unique and
less-known fountains in all of Rome. Recently restored
to its original state, this is one of those "off the
beaten path" places that make Rome so interesting.
The Pantheon
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.
Campo dei Fiori where Giordano Bruno was burnt at
the stake as a heretic. We’ll visit Piazza Farnese the
setting of Puccini's opera Tosca, with its 16th Century
Palazzo and two magnificent fountains made from two giant
basins originally from the Baths of Caracalla. Our
route takes us through Piazza Navona, Via Coronari - antique
row - and onto Castel Sant'Angelo.
Piazza Navona
is a marvel of light and sculpture, and covers 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 center 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.
Castel Sant’Angelo is
the
chief site of executions in Rome built by the Emperor
Hadrian in the 2nd Century A.D. It was built, as was
the Elian Bridge in front, by the Emperor Hadrian (117-138)
as a Mausoleum for himself and his successors. 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.
The Bridge of
Angels (Ponte degli Angeli) connecting Castel Sant'Angelo with
the Historic Center crosses the Tiber River and is adorned
by some of Bernini’s most beautiful and interesting
statues. It appeared in Dan
Brown's 2000 novel Angels and Demons, the location was the secret lair
for the Hassassin and is the last existing
church of the Illuminati.
The Tiber River 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. The river winds through the city and is adorned
by many bridges. Throughout the year it is full of
boat traffic - everything from tourist boats to kayaks.
Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II (Vittorio Emanuele II Bridge)
was dedicated to the first king of Italy and inaugurated in
1911, on the ocassion 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.
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 who with Giacomo della
Porta and Domenico Fontana carried out the construction of
this basilica. which rises over the tomb of the Martyred
Apostle Peter.
Starting point of
full day tour. We
will begin our tour in front of the Metro station across the
street from the Coliseum. Your guide will meet you just
under the tree in front of the green news kiosk. To
see the meeting point and time, click on the link below:
