Rome guided Tours
Imperial Rome
Rome, the cradle of Mediterranean civilization. The Caput
Mundi (Head of the World) expands on the famous Seven Hills. From Capitoline
Hill, the religious and political center of ancient Rome, you
can enjoy extraordinary views of the Republican Forum with
its temples, basilicas, House of the Vestal Virgins, and the Temple of
the Divus Caesar (Divine Caesar).
Walk along the Via Sacra as far as the Arch of Emperor
Titus to the Coliseum. Walking a little bit
farther, we arrive at the Circus Maximus, the largest
Circus ever built, at the foot of the Palatine Hill, the residence
of the Caesars. The Church of St. Peter in Chains is close by, with Michelangelo's
Moses. Enjoy other sites along the way.
Vatican Tour
Vatican City is one of the smallest independent
states on earth. It came into being after the Lateran Treaty of 1929
between Pope Pius XI and Mussolini. It is 42 hectares in area. The Vatican
palaces occupy an area of 5.5 hectares ad house some of the greatest
art treasures and the largest collection of ancient sculptures in the
world.
From the entrance to the Museums, we go to the Belvedere
Pavilion, where you can have an interesting view of Rome,
ten see the first statue that started the Vatican collection, the Apollo,
along with other famous sculptures. We enter the Gallery of
the Candelabra, with a marble floor from an ancient imperial
building, and a collection of sculptures from the Rome of the Emperors.
Next is the Gallery of the Tapestries, with coatrooms
made by Raphael's pupils, followed by the Gallery of the Geographic
Map, representing Italy as it existed in the 16th Century.
We proceed toward the Stanze di Raffaello. The apartments
of Pope Julius II were painted by Raphael between the years 1508 and
1520.
We enter the Sistine Chapel with the famous Ceiling
Frescos by Michelangelo. The whole Chapel is an extraordinary
and unique masterpiece of art and history. We leave the Chapel to enter
the Basilica of St. Peter, the most impressive church
of Christendom with Michelangelo's dome, enriched by works of art made
by well known artists, among them the Pietà,
by Michelangelo, and the largest bronze sculpture in the world on top
of the papal altar. The first basilica in this location was built by
Constantine on the site of St. Peter's tomb, in the area of Nero's
circus, place where Peter was crucified head down under the persecution.
We exit the Museums and enter St. Peter's Square to see the papal window
and the obelisk, brought from Alexandria of Egypt in AD 37 and placed
in the middle of the circus of emperor Caligula, properties inherited
by emperor Nero.
Romantic Baroque Rome
We begin with the Fontana di Trevi, an imposing
18th Century monument, late Baroque art, fed by the aqueduct of Virgin
Water, brought to Rome by the architect of Augustus, Agrippa in the 19
BC. The Spanish Steps were built in 1721-25, a masterpiece
of 18th Century town planning, with 137 steps culminating with the church
of Trinity dei Monti.
Through Via del Babuino, opened in 1525, you arrive at Piazza
del Popolo, a scenic entrance in bygone days for travelers
entering Rome from the ancient Via Flaminia. The piazza contains the
first obelisk brought to Rome by Augustus from Heliopolis, dated 13-12th
Century BC, dedicated to the Pharaohs Rameses II and Merenptah.
Back to Piazza Colonna, we find a Second
Century column dedicated to Emperor Marcus Aurelius, and the 16th Century
Palace Residence of the Prime Minister. The Pantheon is
a 2nd Century temple rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian. The first temple in
Rome to be Christianized, in 609 AD. Piazza Navona was
built on the site of the stadium of emperor Domitian, and preserves the
original dimensions. Three splendid fountains decorate the area; the
most spectacular one is the central: la Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi,
a famous work by Bernini.
Rome in the Middle Ages with the Jewish Quarter and Synagogue
Trastevere ("across the Tiber") has been
for centuries one of the most popular areas in Rome. Caesar had his villa
there and remains of other beautiful republican residences have been
excavated. The beautiful church of Santa Cecilia with
9th Century mosaics, the church of St. Crisogomo containing
13th Century mosaics, Sta. Maria in Trastevere housing
a treasure of medieval memories with mosaics of the 12th Century, the
only surviving Jewish synagogue of the 13th Century.
Crossing Pons Fabricius, built in 62 BC,
and Tiberina Island, we have a view of the Synagogue with
the Jewish Museum and the Ghetto with
medieval and imperial memories.
The Catacombs
The Catacombs are underground cemeteries
outside of Rome proper. Each catacomb has its own peculiar interest.
There are galleries excavated in tufa extending for several kilometers
and arranged in multiple levels.
Galleria Borghese (Borghese Gallery)
A collection of sculpture and paintings, founded by Cardinal
Scipione Borghese, a nephew of Pope Paul V. It includes Raphael's
Deposition. Pauline Borghese, sister of Napoleon, as a Venus
Victrix, by Canova (1805), the favorite sculptor of Napoleon. Fantastic
sculptures by Bernini. A jewel of the Rome of the popes.
Reservation required.
Domus Aurea
The 'Golden House': remains of the residence
of the Emperor Nero. Impressive architectures. Reservation required.
