Introduction: Baths were arguably the most important social venues in ancient Roman times, and the Baths of Caracalla were not only the largest baths in Rome at the time, but also the largest in the world. Built in 217 AD, they covered an area of 160,000 square meters. In addition to the 30,000-square-meter bathing complex, the site also included libraries, an arena, and more.
Introduction: The Borghese Gallery was originally the villa of Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a patron of Bernini and a renowned art collector. This Baroque-style villa, built in 1613, was directly converted into an art museum. The exhibits center around his collection, with sculptures displayed on the first floor and...
Introduction The Trevi Fountain is also known as the "Fountain of the Maiden," but its most famous name is the "Fountain of Wishes." It is said that if you stand with your back to the fountain and toss a coin over your shoulder into the water, your wish will come true. Visitors line up at the fountain, turn their backs to the pool, and throw coins into the water, making wishes to one day...
Guide | History: The Teatro dell'Opera di Roma was built in 1880. Its inaugural performance was the premiere of the opera *Semiramide* by the famous Italian composer Rossini. Since then, many renowned operas have premiered here, the most significant of which include Mascagni’s *Cavalleria Rusticana*, Puccini’s *Tosca*, and Rossini’s *The Barber of Seville*. In 1931, the theater underwent major renovations and was equipped with state-of-the-art stage technology. The renovated opera house became world-renowned for its exceptional acoustics. | Introduction: Among the many famous opera houses on the European continent, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma has a relatively short history. However, as the birthplace of opera, Rome boasts a glorious operatic history and has played a pivotal role in the development of the art form, always attracting significant attention. As a result, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma holds a unique status and influence in the global opera community. It is ranked among Italy’s three premier opera houses, alongside Milan’s La Scala and Naples’ Teatro di San Carlo. The Teatro dell'Opera di Roma is known for its pursuit of opulence and grandeur in performances, often incorporating dance and large choruses into opera productions. The stage sets also strive for the so-called "Roman-style" magnificence. | Transportation: Address: Piazza Beniamino Gigli 1 (next to Piazza della Repubblica). | Tickets / Opening Hours: Ticket Prices: The theater offers three types of seating: platea (stalls), palco (boxes), and galleria (balcony, which is far from the stage and almost touches the ceiling). Ticket prices increase the closer you are to the stage, and they vary greatly depending on the performance and date. Same-day tickets are usually easy to purchase, and visitors coming to Rome during an opera season can inquire directly at the box office. However, popular performances require booking well in advance. Ticket Office Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (until 1:30 PM on Sundays, closed on Mondays). Staff speak English. Credit cards are accepted. Phone: (06) 48160255. Booking Fax: (06) 4881755
Highlights In Room 7 on the first floor are artifacts unearthed from Veio, including the “Apollo,” “Heracles,” and “Woman Holding a Child” by Vulca—the only Etruscan artist whose fame has endured to this day—representing the pinnacle of Etruscan art. In Room 9, the “Sarcophagus of the Spouses” depicts a couple buried together, exuding an atmosphere of love and tenderness. This piece, created in the 6th century BC, was excavated from an ancient Etruscan city in western-central Italy, near Rome. On the second floor, Room 15 houses various bronze everyday items, among which the beautifully patterned “Wine Pitcher” is particularly noteworthy. Rooms 18 to 28 display bronze mirrors, candlesticks, jugs, and jewelry. Room 29 features reconstructed decorations from the Temple of Veio’s Temple of Hercules Victor, as well as the “Bust of Apollo,” influenced by late Classical Hellenism. Room 33 contains the “Ficoroni Cista,” a large bronze cylindrical container with intricate reliefs on its surface, dating from the 4th to 2nd centuries BC. The name Ficoroni comes from its 18th-century owner. Introduction The Villa Giulia Museum showcases artifacts from the Etruscans, who established urban civilization in the Apennine Peninsula between the 8th and 6th centuries BC. The museum is a must-visit not only for those interested in Etruscan culture and history but also for anyone wishing to understand their advanced civilization and artistic achievements. The museum was once the villa of Pope Julius III, featuring blooming flower beds in the courtyard and a beautiful colored replica of the Etruscan Temple of Hercules in its depths. The interior is divided into two levels, with exhibition rooms arranged around the courtyard. Transportation
Introduction Legend has it that in 356 AD, the Pope dreamed of the Virgin Mary, who commanded him to “build a church where snow falls tonight.” Although it was August at the time, snow fell here, so the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was built on the spot where the snow had fallen. Having undergone multiple renovations since its completion, the current basilica...
Rome was founded 2,500 years ago on seven small hills in the plains of the lower Tiber River in central-western Italy, covering an urban area of over 1,200 square kilometers. It is the capital of Italy and the country's political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub. It is a world-renowned historic and cultural city, and also a travel...
Rome, the capital of Italy, one of the oldest cities in Europe, and a sacred site for over 700 million Catholics worldwide, is located in central Italy on the lower plains of the Tiber River. It was the birthplace and capital of the ancient Roman Empire (30 BC–AD 476). Since ancient times, it has been renowned for its long history and splendid scenery...
Car-free Piazza Navona offers more open space than any other square in Rome. During the day, pigeons fly through the sky, creating a leisurely scene. At night, well-dressed gentlemen and ladies, along with tourists, stroll through the square, joined by street performers and portrait artists hoping to earn money from them. Especially from early December to January 6th...
The Colosseum was built between 72 and 82 AD and is a symbol of ancient Roman civilization. This site is located in the center of Rome, the capital of Italy, south of Piazza Venezia and near the Roman Forum. The Colosseum is an exemplary masterpiece and marvel in the history of architecture, renowned worldwide for its grandeur, majesty, and magnificence. Although only...
Introduction Built in 107 AD, Trajan's Forum was constructed to commemorate Emperor Trajan's victorious campaign in Romania. The site comprises two massive libraries, two grand halls, the still-standing Trajan's Column celebrating his victory, and rows of statues, making it the most spectacular area in the city at the time. The layout of the forum…
Introduction The Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica is located on the second floor of the Palazzo Barberini, southeast of Piazza Barberini. This palace is a representative example of Baroque architecture, jointly designed by Bernini and Borromini and completed in 1633. The two staircases on the façade were created by the two artists respectively—you can take a close look and appreciate the differences in design style between these two Baroque masters. ...
The Borghese Gallery was originally a villa of the Borghese family, designed and built in 1605 by Flaminio Ponzio, the architect of Pope Paul V. It is a typical ancient Roman country mansion, with side rooms extending all the way into the garden. Cardinal Scipione Borghese...
The Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, also known as the Church of St. Charles at the Four Fountains, is a Catholic church located in Rome, Italy. It was designed by the architect Borromini and built between 1638 and 1641. This is the only building initiated during the later years of Borromini’s career. The Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane...
During the ancient Roman period, burying the dead within the city was not allowed, so most Romans were cremated. However, early Christians were unwilling to have their remains cremated, so they secretly built a network of tunnels and caves outside the city of Rome. These are the awe-inspiring Catacombs of Rome that we see today...
Moses is the national leader of the Jewish people recorded in the Old Testament as living in the 13th century BC, and is regarded as an extremely important prophet in religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and the Baháʼí Faith. The Statue of Moses is a marble sculpture carved by the renowned Renaissance artist Michelangelo around the year 15...
The Basilica of Saint Peter in Chains, also known as the Basilica of Eudoxia, is a minor basilica of the Roman Catholic Church located in Rome, Italy. It was built between 432 and 440 AD during the papacy of Pope Sixtus III, primarily to house the chains that bound Saint Peter (also known as Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles) during his imprisonment in Jerusalem...
Titus was the second emperor of the Flavian dynasty during the Imperial period. The Arch of Titus is a single-arch marble triumphal arch located on the Sacred Way southeast of the Roman Forum in Rome, Italy. It was built by Emperor Domitian shortly after the death of his brother Titus to commemorate the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which put an end to the Jewish revolt that began in 66 AD...
If you hear someone mention Rome’s “eighth hill,” they’re referring to Janiculum Hill. It’s a hill located in the western part of Rome and is the second highest within the modern city limits. However, Janiculum Hill is not one of the Seven Hills of Rome because it was not within the ancient city boundaries. This...
Palazzo dei Conservatori is located on Rome’s Piazza del Campidoglio, to the right of Palazzo Senatorio and opposite Palazzo Nuovo. Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo, along with the Tabularium, all serve as exhibition spaces for the Capitoline Museums. The name of Palazzo dei Conservatori comes from its medieval function as the seat of the Conservatori (magistrates), who, together with the Senate (Senato), governed the Eternal City.