Here is a small tour to see the most important highlights from Roman times in Italy. When you have a son who is engrossed in Roman history and you are going on a boy’s trip, then Italy is the natural choice. My son was 9 years old and had got his Roman history with the breast milk, now was the time to see the traces of antiquity in real life.
Hotels in Rome are expensive, but we managed to find a reasonably priced in city center, not far from the Spanish Steps. Hotel Panda was fine, with the smallest room I have ever stayed in, but we did not intend to spend time in the room. The evening was used to take a look at the mentioned stairs, as well as the Trevi fountain where Anita Ekland took a dip, immortalized by Fellini in La Dolche Vita. No one has captured the soul of Rome like Fellini. In order to get in the mood before a Roma trip, in addition to La Dolce Vita, you can see 8½ and Fellini’s Rome. And Satyricon to get Fellini’s interpretation of Roman times.
Table of Contents
Rome
It’s no problem to stay in Rome for a while. Few cities in the world, if any, boast so many sights. And for those of us who were interested in antiquity, Rome is the city above all. But we did not have eternities of time so it was important to cover the most important things, especially because I like to spend a bit time in each place. Then you have to manage with fewer sights to visit.
We started at the top with the Colosseum and the Pantheon. These two buildings are in a way the essence of the wonderful Roman architecture, and among the best preserved. The Pantheon in particular is wonderfully well maintained, thanks to its early use as a church. But the Colosseum is perhaps more impressive with its colossal size, its high walls and intricate basement structures where, among other things, wild animals were kept and hoisted up in the manege. It is also well known from the world of film. Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is probably the film from recent times that has made the most impression.
Colosseum and Pantheon
The Pantheon was built as a temple, probably by Hadrian, although it says Agrippa above the entrance. This is probably Hadrian’s way of honoring Agrippa, as Agrippa built the first temple here, but it burned and was demolished. The Pantheon was completed around the year 120, but still looks as if it was built in the 1800s. The most impressive thing about the building is the dome. Until 1436, it was the largest in the world, and is still the largest built of unreinforced concrete. Part of the secret is the special concrete they used here. Instead of sand as an additive to the cement, they used volcanic ash which is much lighter, and could thus build larger spans.
Pantheon
Oculus – light opening in the ceiling of the Pantheon
Between the Coliseum and the Pantheon there are a 20-minute walk. It is advisable to visit the Colosseum early in the morning, especially during the tourist season. It can get very crowded, and hot.
In stead of walking to get around, you can take bus 118 which covers many of the sights. And then there is the Big Bus hop on, hop off that can be used.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colosseum
https://www.rometoolkit.com/whattodo/rome_hop_on_tour_bus.htm
Forum Romanum
On the road between the Colosseum and the Pantheon you pass the Roman Forum. This was the very heart of the Roman Empire, with administration buildings and temples. The large area contains a number of building fragments and remains of monuments.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forum_Romanum
Terme di Caracalla
The trip continues south. Terms are the Roman hot baths, ref thermal. One of the largest was completed by Caracalla in 216 and had room for about 1600 bathers. Today only a ruin, but one can still get an impression of the size and construction principles. You can wander around the different parts of the bathroom. The frigidarium, the cold room and caldarium, the warm. You can see how the floors were built hollow where hot air was led in. And you can see the remains of vaults and niches where there were statues. Some of these have been found again and can be seen in museums. Well worth a visit. Bus 118 also.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baths_of_Caracalla
Via Appia and catacombs
All roads lead to Rome, and Via Appia was one of the most important. It goes from Rome and south. Through the Parco Regionale dell’Appia Antica, the road is very well preserved. If you are at Caracalla’s terms, it is not far to walk, otherwise bus 118 is again an alternative. Not only is it interesting to study the Roman road construction, and get the opportunity to walk the road, but the park itself is worth a visit. The cypresses provide a nice frame around the road. In addition, there are two catacombs here, the Catacombs of San Callisto and the Catacombs of San Sebastiano. These are definitely worth a visit, both for adults and children. You are led far underground in narrow passages. The corridors are located on 4-5 floors, and everywhere there are niches for burials. Not so many skeletons to see, then you have to go to the catacombs of Paris.
There are also a couple of really old basilicas in the area, from the 400s and started by Constantin.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appian_Way
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Rome
Aqueducts and Parco degli Acquedotti
A more overlooked sight, but if you want to see more Roman engineering, aqueducts are a must. You can see fragments of aqueducts elsewhere, but in the aqueduct park, Parco degli Acquedotti you can see long stretches of Aqua Felix and Aqua Claudia. The aqueducts were extremely important for Roman urban development. Around Rome there were a number of aqueducts up to 9 miles long. The park is really beautiful, and since we have come in on film, the opening scene of La Dolce Vita has been filmed here. A helicopter flies with a large Christ statue along Aqua Claudia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aqueducts_in_the_city_of_Rome
https://www.fossilguy.com/travel/italy/rome/aqueduct.htm
Castel Sant Angelo – Hadrian’s mausoleum.
This fort was originally built as Hadrian’s mausoleum in 139 and is very good condition as it was rebuilt into a fort in 410. Later the pope also used it and built a raised walkway into the Vatican. It is a majestic building with an impressive walkway to the top, wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage to drive up. Great views from the top. The right way to arrive at the building is over the St. Angelo Bridge from the year 134, right in front of the mausoleum.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castel_Sant%27Angelo
Augustus’ Mausoleum
To continue with mausoleums, Augustus’ Mausoleum is located just across the river and just north of Hadrian’s. However, it is in much worse condition than Hadrian’s, but you get an idea of what it looked like.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mausoleum_of_Augustus
Araound Rome
Ostia Antica
Ostia was the port city of Rome and is located at the mouth of the Tiber. It is a 20-minute train ride from Rome. The train leaves from Piramide metro station and you can use a metro day pass. In addition to Pompeii and Herculaneum, Ostia is the best-preserved city from Roman times and definitely worth a visit. Only a third of the city has been excavated, and you will see many very well-preserved houses, even two floor buildings. Ostia also has a beautiful amphitheater and many mosaics. The city surrounds a long main street and is located in a rural setting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ostia_Antica
Hadrian’s Villa – Villa Adriana – Tivoli
This villa is a magnificent example of how large and beautiful villas the Romans built, and especially the emperors of course. There is not too much left of the buildings themselves, but the ruins are beautifully situated and invite to stroll around in. Especially the pool with the statues is great.
You can take a bus or train to Tivoli. It takes an hour.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian%27s_Villa
Napels and Pompeii
No Roman tour is complete without Pompeii on the list. The city that was buried by volcanic eruptions in the year 79 is the very essence of Roman ruins. It only takes 3 hours by train from Rome to Naples and there are reasonable tickets. And once you are in Naples, you must visit the Archaeological Museum there as well. It is the most important in Italy and contains lots from antiquity, and Pompeii in particular. So if you also want to see Herculaneum, the other city that was wiped out by the eruption, you should take an overnight stay or two in Naples. Then you have time for a trip up to Mount Vesuvius as well.
From Naples it takes about half an hour by train both to Pompeii and to Herculaneum.
https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii
Herculaneum
The excavated area in Herculaneum is smaller than in Pompeii and is also deeper below the surface, so you climb in a way down into the city. Like Pompeii, it contains many very well-preserved buildings.
Read more: Herculaneum
Other countries
Almost everywhere you travel in Europe and the countries around the Mediterranean, there are Roman ruins to see. Just to use Google.
