Destinations

Rome is a special place in the world, unlike like any other I know, and growing up there was something really exceptional. For long time it felt like was sort of “isolated” city from the “outside world” - surrounded by high walls and no much happening. But now, finally, it appears that the last “cultural” walls are finally coming down and the Rome of today is a vital city open to the world and full of new and happening places.

Must see: The list can be very long, so I will skip the most important monuments (Colosseum, St Peter Cathedral, Trevi Fountain) and will tell you my favorite ones. I cannot get over the magnificence of the Pantheon: it is after all the most important monument (from an architectural standpoint) of the ancient world and so perfectly preserved. Go there on a sunny day and listen to the story of how it was built - amazing. Ara Pacis: The new and very controversial Richard Meier’s building, home for the altar of Augustus, on the Lungo Tevere. A seven-day Archeological card gives access to other historical “Roman” sites - the Palatine, Colosseum, and can be purchased at most of these sites.

My 4 picks for “must see” Churches:

1. Santa Maria del Popolo, and
2. San Luigi de’ Francesi: each with two paintings from my favorite roman painter, Caravaggio.
3. Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, Borromini and Baroque masterpiece.
4. The Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest, original basilicas, with its early Christian remains and splendid mosaics in one of the loveliest squares in Rome.