Piazza di Spagna is, on the other hand, located in one of the most elegant and exclusive areas in the historic centre. Visitors are consistently captivated by its remarkable steps, which were designed by Francesco De Sanctis in the eighteenth century.
Second Day
Our second day commences in the Vatican City, where visitors are literally hypnotised by the impressive splendour of the Basilica of St. Peter as soon as they start making their way down Via della Conciliazione. No photograph can do justice to the sense of marvel inspired by immensity of the building, the grandeur and by the magnificence of the adornments and works of art inside. Once here, a visit must be made to the Vatican Museums with its huge artistic wealth, the product of centuries of collecting and papal commissions.
If we turn back down the Via della Conciliazione, we will reach Castel Sant’Angelo, the papal fortress built in the Medieval period on the ruins of the tomb of the Emperor Hadrian (II century A.D).
We suggest now moving off towards Trastevere, an ideal district for a pleasant stroll through its alleys and piazzas whose colours and general atmosphere still preserve genuine Roman traits of old. Trastevere moreover offers a vast choice of restaurants and bars to spend a relaxing evening out.
Third Day
Given that you have that extra day, we would advice spending it away from the historic centre at Ostia Antica’s huge archaeological site. These massive excavations provide a unique opportunity to mentally piece together a picture of what an ancient Roman town must have really looked like, to learn about everyday lives of a glorious past age, which often proves to be a rather more difficult task among the city centre’s huge public monuments.
On our return from Ostia Antica, let us get off the bus one stop before Porta San Paolo in order to take a walk through Eur, to discover a more modern Rome, a district where one is aware of a uniquely metaphysical and surreal atmosphere.
From here, after reaching the Ostiense district, it is definitely worth your while visiting the Centrale Montemartini, which merits praise as a fine example of industrial archaeology converted into a museum. To create space in the Museum of the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Museo Nuovo and the Braccio Nuovo, while ensuring the works of art remained on public display, an exhibition was created in 1997 in the restructured rooms of the first public electricity plant in Rome.
Fourth Day
Much of the fourth and last day is spent in parkland.
We are in fact off in the morning to the Villa Borghese public park for a visit to the Borghese Gallery. This exquisite art gallery is home to a fine collection of masterpieces including those of Caravaggio, Canova and Bernini, to name but a few.
We recommend in the afternoon visiting the Catacombs of Appia Antica, the underground cemetery of the first Christians, situated outside of the city walls as the burial of the deceased was then prohibited in a residential area.
Finally a stroll along the original Appia Antica is the perfect way to bring your stay in Rome to a close and an opportunity to once again let those stones and relics resting in their natural environment bring history back to life again.
