Free: All time The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli was built in the middle of 5th century to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. Legend has it that the chains were originally broke into two pieces but they miraculously fused together when reunited. It...

Free: All time You’re not likely to have any shortage on drinking water in Rome. There are some 2,500 fountains scattered throughout Rome where you can refill your water bottle. No, they’re not the decorative fountains like Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain) or Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat). These are the “Nasoni”,...

Free: All time What did the Jesuit Church of St. Ignatius (Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio) in Rome realized that they didn’t have the budget to build a dome in the church? They faked it. That’s right. If you walk in the church today, you’ll see that it has a stunning dome and pillars extending high into...

Free: All time The 2-hour long tour by New Rome is free. It works on tip-basis. If you find yourself enjoying the tour, you’re welcome to tip the guide. The tour runs daily at 5:30pm, rain, hail or shine. No reservation is necessary, just show up at the Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna) at the...

Free: All time Probably the best known fountain of all the fountains in Rome, if not, in the world, Fontana di Trevi is a striking and grand fountain that takes up pretty much the entire Piazza di Trevi. The name Trevie is derived from “tre” and “vie”, literally translate to three and roads (The fountain...

Free: All time (Exterior) The Colosseum is a landmark that you shouldn’t miss out while in Rome. During its prime time just after its construction in 80 AD, this grand elliptical amphitheatre could hold up to 80,000 spectators and was used for gladiatorial contests as well as classical plays. It was the largest amphitheatre of...

Free: All time Piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular squares of Rome; probably because in the square are the well-known Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti (Spanish Steps) and Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat). The Spanish Steps consist of of a monumental stairway of 135 steps leading up to the...

Free: All time St. Peter’s Basilica is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world. Built from the year 1506 and 1626, St. Peter’s Basilica had had many architects and artists having their hands on it: Vignola, Michelangelo, Bernini, etc. By Roman Catholic tradition, the basilica is...

Free: All time The Pantheon is the oldest standing and the best preserved domed structure in Rome. This structure, built as a temple honoring all Roman gods, dates back to 27 BC. The dome in the Pantheon is an engineering feat that even almost two thousands years after it was built, it is still the...

Free: All time Away off the beaten tourist track, on the Aventine Hill, lies the Villa of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Prior as being the site for the present Order of Malta, the Villa has seen many occupants including a Benedictine monastery and the Knights of Templars. However, the Villa is arguably best...

Free: All time When you walk down Via Ripetta, you’ll see a window full of disturbing ancient doll heads and limbs at house no. 29. This ghastly display is the front of a little shop called “Restaurici Artistici Squatriti: Ospedale delle Bambole” (The Doll Hospital). The Squatriti family took up a curious trait of fixing...

Free: All time The Pyramid of Cestius (The Roman Pyramid) stood in a busy traffic intersection in Rome. It was built in about 18-12 BC as a tomb for Gaius Cestius – a magistrate in Rome. The sharply pointed shape of the pyramid is strongly reminiscent of the pyramids of Nubia which had been attacked...