Discover Rome in One Day: Essential Stops and Experiences
Rome is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Rich of history dating back from 753 B.C., it is full of archeological sites, attractions and things to do. With what Rome has to offer, you could stay a lifetime exploring it. No wonder they call it “The Eternal City.
Attracting millions of visitors every year. It is a perfect place to start your Italian trip. I had the luxury to fly in for a weekend and managed to see a lot. I arrived on a Friday morning, had all Saturday, and left on Sunday morning. Even with one full day, you would be surprised of what you can see.
Going to Rome from Fiumicino
I arrived at Fiumicino’s International Airport (IATA : FCO) on a Friday. After collecting my belongings I recommend not to take a taxi. It could be costly. Follow the signs to the train station within the airport. You will want to take the train to Rome Termini, basically the City Centre. If you have difficulty finding it, ask at the information desk which train you should get to Rome Termini. The fare is €14 per adult and the journey took about 30 to 45 minutes. I ended up gettin an AirBnB near the train station, which made it easy to drop off luggage.
Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore
Though my full day hadn’t started, before checking in, I made my way towards this Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. This is the site is important due to pope Liberius seeing the Virgin Mary appear in a dream. On 432 A.D. pope Sixtus II ordered its construction of this basilica. This is also where a blanket of snow appeared on the this site and its commerated 5 August with flower petals that are dropped from the ceiling.
Nearby across the street you will find Bar Molino, a bakery and kitchen. Stop by for some great wine and some pizza slices. If you haven’t been to Italy, Pizza is different in every region, and this place will make you want more.
After eating some food and drinking a few glasses of wine, it was time to to actually head towards the AirBnB and check in. I stayed at Hotel Des Artistes, perfectly located near the main train station and the metro stop Castro Pretorio.
Colosseum
Depending on how you feel after arriving, you can head out to the Colosseum that same day, so you can witness all it’s glory at night. The most iconic structure of the Roman Empire at night is something you must witness.
As you stare at 2,000 years of history, it will bring you back in time during the Roman Empires motto of “Bread and Circuses”, when the Flavian Amphitheatre exhibited exotic animals, executions, recreations of battles and gladiators fights that entertained 50,000 spectators. Truly a wonder of the world!
I then recommend to go the next day to also get a glimpse. I did in the following morning.
Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tour
It is Saturday, and I started my full day with some breakfast near the my stay and then afterwards I took the metro to Roma Termini. Walk to the ground level and head to the front. From here I bought a 24-hour pass with Big Bus Tours. You can’t miss them. There are other services available; chose which ever suits you best. The sight seeing tour of Rome offer’s insight into the city’s culturally rich past with informative commentary.
Throughout the tour you can hop on and off to explore Rome’s famous landmarks and attractions at your own pace. They provide you with a map with there stops, which they are relatively close to Rome’s most important and iconic sites, to include a stop close to the Vatican.
I saw quite a lot in these 24 hours, but these are some of my favorite places I got to see.
Altare della Patria
If you are on the Big Bus, this is near Stop 5. Located in Piazza Venezia, this the white and colossal monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, also known as the Altara della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland), was built between 1895 and 1911 on top of Palatine Hill and was designed Giuseppe Sacconi.
The Altare della Patria was constructed with white marble from the region of Brescia. Because of how large it is (135 metres wide and 70 metres high) this building has been given several nicknames, ranging from the wedding cake, the dentures, to the typewriter. In front of this immaculate building you will see a large bronze horse-back statue of Victor Emmanuel II, he was the first to assume the title of King of Italy. The first king of a united Italy since the the 6th Century.
Roman Forum
Right next to the Altar of the Fatherland, on the right side facing the building, head towards the steps that will lead you to the Cordonata Capitolina. This square was designed by Michaelangelo and houses the Commune di Roma, Rome’s City Hall. Admire the buildings around it and make your way towards right. This will lead you to the Roman Forum Panoramic Viewpoint.
This will lead you through an alley way, which then takes you to one of the best views of Ancient Rome. The Roman Forum, known as Forum Romanum in Latin, was a site located at the centre of the ancient city. This is place held many important religious, political and social activities, to include the Colosseum. Historians believe people first began publicly gathering in the open-air Forum around 500 B.C., when the Roman Republic was founded.
The Spanish Steps and Piazza Del Popolo
I made my way back to the Big Bus stop and rode it all the way to Stop 7. This puts you close to the Piazza del Popolo and the Spanish Steps. These beautifully designed baroque style steps is one of those places you have to see when visiting Rome. It is a wonderful place to sit down and take in the atmosphere and views for the Eternal City. The steps are a wide irregular gathering place consisting of 138 steps that connect to the lower Piazza di Spagna with the upper piazza Trinita dei Monti, with its beautiful twin tower church dominating the skyline.
The Spanish steps unique design and beauty has made it a popular place for artists, painters, poets, and photographers. They have all been attracted to the place only to be inspired. The artist’s presence used to attract many beautiful women to the area, hoping to taken as models. Today you will see many people trying to get that perfect instagram photo.
At the lower end of the stairs you can find an early baroque fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia, or “Fountain of the Old Boat”. The fountain has the form of a sinking ship based upon a folk legend. The legend is about a fishing boat that was carried all the way to this exact spot during a massive flood of the Tiber River in the 16th century.
Fontana di Trevi
From here I decided to wander my way towards the most iconic fountain in Rome and possibly the world, Fontana di Trevi. This baroque fountain located on Piazza di Trevi was constructed from 1732 to 1762. Originally designed for Pope Clemens XII by the artist Bernini, construction didn’t start until 50 years later after a less expensive redesign by architect Nicola Salvi. This beautiful fountain attracts millions of visitors annually. The fountain has been featured in the movies La Dolce Vita, Angels and Demons, The Lizzie McGuire Movies and Roman Holiday.
This fountain sits almost 30-metre high and was built against the back of the Palazzo Poli building. In the centre underneath the arch you will find Neptune being pulled to the sea on his shell-shaped chariot pulled by two winged horses and tritons (young gods of the sea). Take a look at the the horses. You will find one of them to be calm and obedient, while the other bing a little rowdy. They symbolise the changing tides of the sea. The two statues on both sides (constructed by Filippo della Valle) next to Neptune represent Abundance, to the left, and Health, to the right. The name ‘La Fontana di Trevi’ is derived from ‘tre via’, or three roads. Three roads used to come together at the site of the fountain.
Here is a little fun tradition during your visit to the fountain. Get close to the fountain to throw a coin into the fountain – face your back towards the fountain, keep your eyes closed and throw the coin into the water over your left shoulder using your right hand. According to this legend, the person who throws the coin will one day return to Rome. If you throw two coins into the fountain? You will find your love in Rome. Looking to get married or divorced? Throw three coins into the fountain.
Weekly, the municipality of Rome cleans the fountain and donates a large portion of the proceeds to a charity that helps poor families. Some estimates are about 1.4 million euros annually.
Castel Sant Angelo
With daylight running out I started to make my way towards Castel Sant’Angelo, Big Bus stop 6. This castle was built in the 2nd century as a mausoleum by the order of emperor Hadrian. The castle was not associated with the current name until 590 A.D., when Pope Gregory I saw the Archangel Michael with his sword on top of the mausoleum. I know we are in Covid times, but this vision signaled the end of the plague. In 1753, Pope Pius II built a chapel at the site where where the archangel had appeared. You can also see this being featured in the film Angels & Demons, the castle used as a hideout for the illuminati.
The Castle of the Holy angel is connected with the other side of the Tiber River by the ‘Ponte Sant’ Angelo‘, or Bridge of the Holy Angel. Each side of the bridge is lined with five angels made by pupils of the famous Bernini. The angels carry objects related to the suffering of Jesus Christ.
Vatican City
Near the Castel Sant’Angelo is Vatican City, a city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy, which is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the home of the Pope and a treasure trove of iconic art and architecture. The Vatican Museum houses some of the most important ancient Roman sculptures such as “Laocoön and His Sons” as well as Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.
One of the most sacred places in Christendom, The Vatican City stands as a testimony to a two-millennia history. The Basilica is at the centre of the city which is also the site of Apostle Saint Peter’s tomb, the first of the uninterrupted succession of Roman Pontiffs. It is also a main pilgrimage centre, the Vatican is directly and tangibly linked with the history of Christianity. Additionally, it is both an ideal and an exemplary creation of the Renaissance and of Baroque art.
Conclusion
It is Sunday and it is time for me to catch a flight back to Catania. Rome is one of those cities that has so much to offer that you can live there for an eternity and you will always find yourself falling in love with it. Though a short weekend was great to see the some the sites, I recommend you stay a little longer. With more time you will be able to walk inside the colosseum, take a stride inside the roman forum, and see the amazing collection of art inside the Vatican Museum. I threw one coin at the Fontana di Trevi, I guess I will be coming back.
What other cities in Italy would you like to visit? Leave comments and questions below and I will respond as soon as possible.
