Housing Italy: Rome - Attractions & Activities

Attractions & Activities

Here's what we consider to be the best of the best in Rome. We hope you get a chance to experience some of them, as well as find some personal favorites of your own. When you get back, drop us a line and tell us about them.

The Colosseum
Did you know that since there was no roof on the Colosseum, in the summer great canvas sheets were rigged to the top to form awnings that kept the sun off everyone inside? These sheets were so large and unwieldy that sailors from the the nearby port of Ostia were brought in to manage them. With the awnings attached, the Colosseum must have looked something like a grand barge that could sail away.

The Forum
It was the center of all things political, religious, and commercial in the ancient Roman world. From the Lapis Niger to the Column of Phocas, the Forum Romanum also held numerous monuments commemorating the city's wealthiest and most successful people. When one observes the structures and learns of their history, many familiar names appear, such as Sulla, Cicero, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Constantine, and many others. It was the heart of Rome's power and controlled all events in the vast empire.

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona
On summer evenings, join the throngs absorbing the last rays of Roman sunshine while circling Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers with your favorite gelato. This is the most famous square in Rome, its beauty comes from three fountains, two of which made by Bernini. For years the square has been place of many popolar celebrations, if you go on the 5th of Genuary you can enjoy the Ephifany Day, when Piazza Navona is full of toys and sweets.

Bocca della Verita
Submit to man's first lie-detector test by placing your hand in the mouth of this famous ancient Roman version of a manhole cover--Gregory Peck did in Roman Holiday, half scaring the wits out of Audrey Hepburn.

The Fontana de Trevi
It is an island in the center of the city, a grand baroque stage where the power of life of the water is celebrated. In the middle of the scene is The Ocean which advances on a magnific shell and it is anounced by. Throw a coin and make a wish, this famous fountain will make it true for you.

The Pantheon
Stand in a shaft of sunlight or a rain shower under the oculus of the most perfect dome ever built Piazza della Rotonda, tel. 06/6830-0230. Admission free. Open Mon.-Sat. 9-2, Sun. 9-1.

Sistine Chapel
Under everything-old-is-
new-again comes Michelangelo's awe-inspiring ceiling, freshly restored and glowing in bright colors. Viale Vaticano, tel. 06/698-3333.
Admission: 13,000 lire; free on last Sun. of month.
Open Easter wk and July-Sept., weekdays 8:45-5 (no admission after 4), Sat. 8:45-2; Oct.-June (except Easter), Mon.-Sat. 9-2 (no admission after 1). Closed Sun. year-round, except last Sun. of month (open 9-2, admission free), and religious holidays: Jan. 1, Jan. 6, Feb. 11, Mar. 19, Easter Sun. and Mon., May 1, Ascension Thurs., Corpus Christi, June 29, Aug. 15-16, Nov. 1, Dec. 8, Dec. 25-26.