Nearby Attractions
Three of our apartments are located in the wonderful area of the Opera Theatre, immersed in an aura of music and relax. From here you will easily reach your destinations on foot, or by using buses and underground, which stop few steps away from us. One of our exlusive apartments is in a residential area, not touristic, but very close to Villa Borghese and to the centre.
Colosseum
It may be two thousand years old but the Colosseum is still the symbol of the eternal city, every year drawing thousands of visitors, meaning long queues and an endless wait.
In order to avoid the problem, a ticket may be purchased in advance through the tourist contact centre, by phoning +39 060608 or visiting the website www.coopculture.it.
Combined ticket colosseum roman forum and palatine, valid for 2 days full : € 12,00; reduced : € 7,50
european union people between 18 and 25 years old
ticket on-line: reservation fee: € 2.00
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore
The Patriarchal Basilica of St. Mary Major reigns as an authentic jewel in the crown of Roman churches. Its beautiful treasures are of inestimable value, and represent the Church's role as the cradle of Christian artistic civilization in Rome.
OPENING TIMES
Daily: 7.00 am - 7.00 pm Church Office:Daily: 7.00 am - 12.30 pm and 3.00 pm - 6.30 pm
Mass Schedule:Weekdays: 7.00 am, 8.00 am, 9.00 am, 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 12.00 pm, 6.00 pm;
Holidays: 7.00 am, 8.00 am, 9.00 am, 10.00 am, 11.15 am, 12.00 pm, 6.00 pm;
Roman Forum
Situated in the valley between the Palatine hill and the Capitol hill, it consists of a square of almost trapezoidal form between the Regia and the Rostra on the short sides, and the Emilia and Giulia Basilicas on the long ones. An extension of the northern part is represented by the Comitium.
The square was created as a place for commercial exchanges and political and judicial activities at the point where important roads (the Via Sacra, the Vicus Tuscus, the Vicus Jugarius, the Clivus Capitolinus, the Argiletum) converged.
Altare della Patria
In 1878 the Italian Parliament decided to build a national monument in honour of the recently deceased sovereign Victor Emanuel II. After publishing two international competitions (in 1880 and 1882) for drawings, it was decided to choose the ones presented by Giuseppe Sacconi.In 1921 the body of the Unknown Soldier was placed inside the crypt designed by Armando Brasini. Between1924 and 1927, the Quadriga of Unity, by Carlo Fontana, and the Quadriga of Freedom, by Paolo Bartolini, were placed on the propylaea. However, it was not until 1935 that the works on the monument finally ended.
Trevi Fountain
Work on the celebrated rococo fountain was first begun in 1732 by Nicola Salvi (who beat off competition to be awarded the commission by Pope Clement XII) and was completed by Giuseppe Pannini in 1762.
The monument, whose water is supplied by one of the oldest Roman aqueducts, the “Acqua Virgine”, has been sculptured against the backdrop of Palazzo Poli and depicts Triton taming Oceanus’ shell-shaped chariot drawn by sea horses.
Before moving off, do not forget to throw a coin in the fountain. Custom has it that travellers doing this will one day return to the eternal city. Those seeking a little romance, perhaps even an Italian love, should then toss a second, third coin to make sure wedding bells will soon be chiming.
Not forgetting of course that the fountain provided the splendid setting for the best-known scene from director Federico Fellini’s classic film “La Dolce Vita”: a provocative Anita Ekberg swathed in a long black evening dress calls out for Marcello Mastroianni, “Marcello, Come Here!” as she glides through the fountain’s sparkling waters.
The Spanish Steps
On entering the piazza, you are immediately taken aback by such elegance: the yellow, brownish ochre-coloured buildings, Bernini’s fountain and the celebrated Spanish Steps rising up towards the Church of SS. Trinità dei Monti, all helping to create a refined, 18th century atmosphere. It is therefore no coincidence that high-fashion brands, such as Gucci, Bulgari and Valentino, all have show-piece shops just off the piazza. Home to English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, the world-famous piazza, located at the foot of the Pincio Hill, has always been considered both a priceless cultural gem as well as a popular tourist attraction.
During the 15th century it assumed a very important commercial role for the presence of the many hotels and residences inhabited by foreigners, recalled in this area by representatives of the Spanish and French governments.
The Spanish Steps (1723-26) were built, under the pontificate of Innocent XIII and the direction of the Roman architect Francesco De Santis, to be the meeting place for all citizens.
On the top of the Steps is the church of SS. Trinità dei Monti, founded in 1495.
