Historic centre of Rome
Ever since its foundation, the City of the Seven Hills has been home to a diverse mix of cultures, many of which have left their mark on the art and architecture of Rome over centuries. Therefore, the historic centre of Rome today is a rich amalgam of Roman, medieval, Renaissance and baroque styles that blend together in an elegant balance that enchants visitors every year.
A good place to start a tour around the historic centre is Piazza Navona, whose strange elliptical shape reminds us that it was once a stadium built by the emperor Domitian in the 1st century CE. Its colourful surrounding apartments, beautiful fountains (the best-known of which is that of the Four Rivers, by Bernini) and the concave façade of the baroque church of Sant’Agnese in Agone are more than enough reasons to visit just this square alone! However, nearby you can also find the Campo di Fiori where you can see one of the oldest street markets in the Italian capital and see the square where the Inquisition burned the illustrious philosopher Giordano Bruno.
Fewer than 500 metres from there you will find the archaeological area known as Largo di Torre Argentina, the exact place where it is believed Julius Cesar was murdered, and the Cripta Balbi, one of the four buildings that constitute the National Museum of Rome.
The Eternal City is so packed with cultural heritage that it is almost impossible to leave every stone unturned. That being said, a visit to Pantheon is simply unnegotiable. This building is one of the best examples of the architectural skill of the ancient Romans, featuring the largest unsupported concrete dome in the world, measuring 43.44 metres in diameter. It is also the final resting place of the artist Rafael, who has inscribed on his tomb, ‘Here lies Rafael, by whom nature herself feared to be outdone while he lived and, when he died, feared that she herself would die.’
La Via dei Pastini, will take you directly to the Piazza di Pietra, where you can see the remaining 11 Corinthian columns of the Temple of Hadrian. 300 metres from here you can see the famous Trevi Fountain that is, without doubt, the most symbolic fountain in Rome. Designed by Nicola Salvi and Giuseppe Pannini, this monumental fountain is made more spectacular by the diminutive size of the square it is found in. If, as the legend goes, you wish to return to this glorious city again, then be sure to toss a coin into its waters before you leave.
Heading towards the River Tiber from here, you will come across the Ara Pacis, a breathtakingly ornate monument dedicated to the peace and prosperity that defined the era of the emperor Augustus. Taking the Via di Ripetta from here, in ten minutes you will arrive at the Piazza del Popolo, one of the most aesthetically pleasing squares in the city thanks to its symmetry stemming from the famous ‘twin churches’ of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria di Montesanto.