Rome is one of the most renowned cities in the world due to the iconic landmarks we can find. The Eternal City has some of the most famous monuments and buildings in the world. The Colosseum, the Vatican, or the Fontana di Trevi are on the list of all tourists when they go to the Italian capital for the first time. However, once you hit the city, you can find some marvelous and unknown gems that are worth a visit as well.
Nestled in the heart of Rome, just a stone’s throw from Via del Corso, there rests Galleria Sciarra. This stunning covered passageway was built in the late 19th century, and it’s a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance Revival style called stile Umbertino, named after Umberto I of Italy, the Italian King of this period. The walls and the ceiling of the gallery are adorned with intricate frescoes from Giuseppe Cellini, depicting scenes that celebrate the virtues of family life and female beauty.
Even though it’s highly unknown, you can find a free walking tour Rome that goes to the Galleria Sciarra, where a tour guide will help you understand the importance of its architectural and artistic style and why this gallery is one of its best examples. If you are lucky enough and your tour guide is a Fine Arts expert, you would be able to learn everything about this landmark and its influence in the city.
A short walk away from the Colosseum, you can find the Basilica of San Clemente. One of the most attractive characteristics of Rome is that you can find buildings from almost a thousand years ago, something that is not too easy to see in other places of the world. And this basilica is one of them.
The topmost level is a 12th-century basilica, known for its beautiful mosaics and richly decorated interior. But it’s beneath where we can find the true nature of the building. There, we can find a 4th-century church, where visitors can see ancient frescoes from the very first centuries of the Christian expansion across Europe. The lowest level dates back to the 1st century, in the middle times of the Roman Empire, and includes the remains of a Roman house and a Mithraic temple.
Exploring the Basilica of San Clemente is a trip to the past of the City of Rome, with three different eras represented in just one building. These fascinating historical layers make the basilica a unique experience.
“A Protestant cemetery in the middle of the Catholic capital? Is this real?”. It seems so! Tucked away in the Testaccio district, the Protestant Cemetery (Cimitero Acattolico) is one of Rome’s most beautiful spots. This cemetery is the final resting place of many notable figures, including the English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley; and the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci.
The cemetery is well-maintained, with lush greenery, cypress trees, and blooming flowers, which creates a peaceful and contemplative environment. Walking through its quiet paths, visitors can find intricately carved tombstones and monuments, each telling its own story.
But keep in mind you are in a cemetery. You should pay respect to the people resting there during your visit.
As the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome has a lot of remains of the Ancient Era. The Via Appia Antica is one of them, and if you are interested in this part of the city’s history, it is a must-visit. This ancient road was once a vital artery of the Roman Empire, stretching from Rome to Brindisi, in the south of Italy.
There are two ways to see Via Appia Antica: either walking or cycling. During your trip, you can see some of the ancient ruins, tombs, and churches that dot the landscape. Highlights of this visit are the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano, as well as the Circus of Maxentius, a well-preserved Roman circus. In July 2024, it entered the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The origins of Rome are traced to the legendary Seven Hills. East of the Tiber River, these small mountains are the heart of Ancient Rome. Aventine Hill is one of them, and despite its central location, it remains relatively undiscovered by tourists, being Quirinal Hill and Palatine Hill the most well-known of them.
In Aventine Hill, we can find the Giardino degli Aranci (Orange Garden, in English), a charming park with breathtaking views over Rome. Nearby, we have the famous keyhole of the Knights of Malta, which offers a unique framed view of St. Peter’s Basilica.
