Rome Architecture Monuments
Museums Archeological Parks and Volcanic Lazio
Lazio - Latium is mainly flat and hilly, with small
mountainous areas in the eastern and southern districts. The coastline is mainly
composed of sandy beaches. Behind the coastal strip, to the north, lies the coastal
plain of Maremma Laziale. The center is occupied by the Roman countryside, a
vast alluvial plain surrounding the city of Rome, and the south is
characterized by flatlands. The Apennines of Latium are marked by the Tiber River
valley and three mountains of volcanic origin whose craters are occupied by
Lakes Bolsena, Vico and Bracciano. South of the Tiber, the Alban Hills, are
also of volcanic origin.
Rome
Ancient Rome
Campo
Marzio, today’s Torre Argentina and adjacent to the Tiber, is where the Roman
army mustered and local politics took place. From here, it is a short walking
distance to the alley of the historic center, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona.
Baroque Rome Piazza Navona was the the center of Rome during the 17th century. Other baroque era buildings in the historic center include: Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and its magnificent facade, the Borromini bell towers and the San Luigi dei Francesi Church with works by Caravaggio.
Baroque Rome Piazza Navona was the the center of Rome during the 17th century. Other baroque era buildings in the historic center include: Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and its magnificent facade, the Borromini bell towers and the San Luigi dei Francesi Church with works by Caravaggio.
Renaissance
Rome Palazzo Farnese, home
of the embassy of France, is considered the most beautiful building of this
period, along with the Palazzo della Cancelleria Vaticana, Palazzo Massimo alle
Colonne, Palazzo Venezia. Rome’s capitol square and it’s city hall today, was
planned by Michelangelo.
The Aventine Hill is where Remus positioned himself in his quest to give birth to the city. Breathtaking bird’s eye views include the Circo Massimo, the Palatine Imperial Palace and the Church of Santa Prisca.
Saint Peter Square and Basilica is representative of two thousand years of history and faith as recounted by the universal language of art.
The Aventine Hill is where Remus positioned himself in his quest to give birth to the city. Breathtaking bird’s eye views include the Circo Massimo, the Palatine Imperial Palace and the Church of Santa Prisca.
Saint Peter Square and Basilica is representative of two thousand years of history and faith as recounted by the universal language of art.
Villa d’Este
Tivoli an Italian baroque garden with large numbers of
fountains, nymphs, caves, water and hydraulic works, reminiscent of the gardens
of Babylonia, and an example of Roman engineering skills.
Civita di
Bagnoregio can be reached only via a foot bridge. This unique
example of an Italian borgo is continually subject to erosion from the hill on
which it stands and the valley below.
Rome and Lazio Country and City Itineraries Local Folklore
and Traditions
Museums and Archeological Parks
The Coloseum
Amphitheatrum Flavium was a multi purpose stage for gladiator fights and other
public events; it held as much as 75 thousand spectators and contained several
technological features.
The Roman Forum the heart of the ancient city,
it starts from the Arch of Titus and unfolds along the Via Sacra, site of
parades honoring victorious Roman legions. Among the Forum’s monuments:
Massenzio’s Basilica; the Temple of Antonino and Faustina; Caesar’s Temple; the
Curia; Settimio’s Arch; the Temples of Concordia and Saturn; the Tabularium and
the State Archives.
Appia
Archeological Park the first and most important road connecting
Rome with its provinces was the Via Appia, also known as Regina Viarum. Beginning
with the Aurelian Walls, heading south, there are a succession of suburban
monuments including Massenzio’s villa and circus, Cecilia Metella’s sepulcher, Caetani
Castle and the Bove Cape archeological area and baths.
Villa Giulia
Etruscan Museum a magnificent building that houses major finds
that present the mysterious Etruscans during various periods of their history:
domination of the seas during the 7th century;
the maritime and commercial power of the 6th century; crisis during
the 5th century; their funeral rites; politics and religion in their
communities and the gradual takeover by the Romans.
Ancient
Roman Paintings in Palazzo Massimo, part of the Museo Nazionale
Romano, where frescoes from two Augustus era villas were restored: villa
Farnesina and Villa Livia. The finds on display consent a thorough
reconstruction of Roman fresco, tempera and encaustic reconstruction techniques.
Rome’s Ancient
Christian Basilicas contains
numerous examples
of polychrome mosaics that closely resemble those present in imperial buildings.
This itinerary includes: Santa Prassede, Santa Pudenziana, and the Basilicas of
Santa Maria Maggiore SS Cosma and Damianno.
Domitilla Catacombs is one of the largest underground Christian cemeteries, containing the remains of Nereo, Achìlleo and two centurions persecuted by Diocletian. The itinerary includes the Flavi hypogeum, a pagan site that holds some Christian remains.
Domitilla Catacombs is one of the largest underground Christian cemeteries, containing the remains of Nereo, Achìlleo and two centurions persecuted by Diocletian. The itinerary includes the Flavi hypogeum, a pagan site that holds some Christian remains.
The Ostia
Antica Archeological Park is one of the best preserved Roman
era urban areas. Following the emperor Hadrian’s redevelopment of Rome’s port,
Ostia reached a population of 100 thousand.
Villa Adriana
Tivoli and the Archeological Park were built in 117 ad as
Hadrian’s residence away from the chaos of Rome. The archeological park is as
large as Pompeii’s. This UNESCO site is an example of Roman architectural and
technological know-how.
Virtual Etruscans at the Cerveteri Necropolis a setting that gives us important clues regarding the urban layout of Etruscan cities. The Necropolis has two multimedia virtual reality itineraries.
The Cerveteri Etruscan Museum in Ruspoli Castle and Cerveteri’s historic center, holds finds from the nearby necropolis as well as ancient Etruscan instruments, equipment and jewelry.
Virtual Etruscans at the Cerveteri Necropolis a setting that gives us important clues regarding the urban layout of Etruscan cities. The Necropolis has two multimedia virtual reality itineraries.
The Cerveteri Etruscan Museum in Ruspoli Castle and Cerveteri’s historic center, holds finds from the nearby necropolis as well as ancient Etruscan instruments, equipment and jewelry.
Via Amerina is an ancient Roman road
connecting Rome and Amelia that features Roman era bridges, two volcanos and a
series of ravines. Alongside, courtyards containing tombs and imprints from the
wagons that traveled this road 2500 years ago.
The Monterozzi
Etruscan Necropolis in Tarquinia is 6 Km long hill that
contains six thousand Etruscan tombs, of which 200 with paintings. For this it
is considered the most important necropolis in the Mediterranean basin and has
been referred to as the first chapter in the history of Italian paintings.
The Etruscan
Archeological Museum in Tarquinia is
on three levels: the ground floor contains sarcophagy and other Greek marble
sculptures belonging to the most important Etruscan families in Tarquinia; the
first floor holds ceramic displays, Etruscan bronze vases and coins, Roman gold
coins, gold jewelry made with the granulation technique and gift offerings to
receive favor from the divinities; the second floor presents spectacular views
of Tarquinia and surrounding countryside.
The Vulci
Archeological and Nature Park presents the excavations of the
Etruscan-Roman town as well as the tombs of Etruscan nobles in an
uncontaminated setting: a canyon formed by dark volcanic rock, sculpted by the
waters of the Fiora River; a plateau populated by majestic maremmano cows and
wild horses; and the river banks acting as refuge for boars and hares.
Volcanic Lazio
Rocca di Papa Seismic Lab is the
first Italian center for seismic education. Multimedia, interactive and lab
activities on eartquake forecasting and building assessments. The Rocca di Papa
Geophysics Museums presents eartquake measuring instruments.
The Sea and Volcanoes in Rome under the monuments, a trail of seas and volcanoes characterizes the archeological and geophysical history of ancient Rome. The itinerary includes the Tarpea cliffs, the Imperial Forum, Capitol Hill and Trajan’s market.
The Sea and Volcanoes in Rome under the monuments, a trail of seas and volcanoes characterizes the archeological and geophysical history of ancient Rome. The itinerary includes the Tarpea cliffs, the Imperial Forum, Capitol Hill and Trajan’s market.
Appian Way Lava
an itinerary that traces a 12 Km lava flow along the road from the tomb of
Cecilia Metella, through Massenzio’s Circus and ending at the baths of Villa
Capo di Bove.
Volcanoes at Rome’s Gates a visit to Mount Tuscolo’s giant crater and two smaller ones that are now Lakes Albano and Nemi.
Volcanoes at Rome’s Gates a visit to Mount Tuscolo’s giant crater and two smaller ones that are now Lakes Albano and Nemi.
The Caldara Di Manziana is still active in the Bracciano and Martignano Park
with pools of sulphuric water; their origin is the magma chamber of the ancient
Sabatino volcano. The word "Caldara" is from a popular Italian expression referring
to a large pot of boiling water.
Lazio’s
Volcanic Beach the Tor Caldara Reserve near Anzio is a forest
and the sea terminal of Lazio’s volcanic region; the area is characterized by
resurgences that form pools of water gurgling yellow sulfur fumes and deposits
that give the rocky coastline an unusual appearance.
Treja Valley
and Mount Gelato the excursion begins 40 Km from Rome with a
descent along the Treja River banks that lead to a series of waterfalls and
basin. On top of falls, an 11th century watermill that was active
until the 1950s to grind cereals. The mills’ energy transmission system is
still in place.