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Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain (Piazza di Trevi, Rome) – tapping into a water source from the Ancient Roman period (the Aqua Virgo aqueduct), this fountain was actually completed in 1762 by Nicola Salvi, making it the largest and most famous Baroque fountain in Rome. The fountain’s central figures are Neptune (God of the sea), flanked by two Tritons. One struggles to master a very unruly “sea horse”, the other leads a far more docile animal — symbolizing the two contrasting moods of the sea.

Nowadays, it’s a major tourist attraction, and became a setting of various Hollywood films over the years, such as Federico Fellini’s 1960 movie “La Dolce Vita” (with a famous scene of blonde actress Anita Ekberg seductively splashing in the fountain’s waters). In 2013, the Italian fashion house Fendi financed its restoration.

Saint Peter’s Basilica/Basilica di San Pietro

Saint Peter’s Basilica/Basilica di San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City, Rome) – this is the world’s largest shrine to Christianity, located in the heart of Vatican City (the global center of the Roman Catholic Church). With a surface of 22,000 sq. meters, 20,000 followers can pray inside of it. The original church was commissioned by Emperor Constantine in tribute to the martyrized Saint Peter (one of Jesus’ 12 apostles) – where he is buried. Various Popes are buried here as well. During the 15th century, Papal authorities commissioned its enlargement, completed in its present form in 1626. Michelangelo, along with fellow architects Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini contributed to its design and construction. Admission: Free. Hours: Daily: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Climbing the Cupola: Admission: €7 (via elevator), €6 (via stairs). Hours 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (April – Sept.), 8:00 am – 4:45 pm (October – March).

NOTE (Dress Code): Visitors who are not dressed in the appropriate attire will not be allowed entry into the basilica. Refrain from wearing shorts, short skirts, or sleeveless shirts when visiting Saint Peter’s and/or bring a shawl or other cover-up.

Seeing the Pope

On Sundays at noon, the pope usually appears at the second window from the right of the Apostolic Palace (if he’s in town), to pray the Angelus and bless the crowd in the Square. The current Pope has continued this tradition, no ticket required.

Otherwise, you can attend the Wednesday General Audience held in St Peter’s Square. In winter the audience is held in the Paul VI Hall accessed just to the left of the Square. Tickets are required for the Audience, but are easily obtained. For Papal Event Tickets, go to:

http://saintpetersbasilica.org/touristinfo.htm#tickets

When the Pope is at his summer residence (July and August), the General Audience is held in the Courtyard in the town of Castelgandolfo. He leads the prayer from his study window. Tickets are not required for this event, but at Castelgandolfo (16 miles out of Rome) space is very limited.

Roman Forum

Roman Forum (Via della Salaria Vecchia 5/6, Rome) – this is a plaza from the Ancient Roman period that contains the ruins of several government buildings – located in the center of modern-day Rome. During the days of the Roman Empire, this was the place where commerce, business, the administration of justice and religious activities took place.

Remains of religious structures such as the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, and the Temple of Vesta are found here, as well as the Basilica Aemilia (from 179 BC) – where judiciary activities were once held, and the Curia Julia (where the Roman Senate once gathered). In addition, shrines to Ancient Rome’s military victories & conquests were built here, too, such as the Arch of Titus (which commemorated the Romans’ conquest of Jerusalem in 70 AD, which depicted the spoils of that victory, including a menorah and altar).

Admission: €12, which includes the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. Hours: Daily from 8:30 am to one hour before sunset. Check the following website for more details: www.coopculture.it

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio (Florence) – this is Florence’s most famous bridge. Completed circa 1450, it was Florence’s first bridge across the Arno River and is the only surviving bridge from Florence’s medieval days (others were destroyed in World War II). The Ponte Vecchio is still lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry. From the bridge, you’ll have a great view along the Arno River and beyond.

Pompeii

Pompeii (near Naples) – this was a Roman-era seaside town just outside of present-day Naples that fell victims to Mount Vesuvius’ volcanic eruption and subsequent flows of lava afterwards in 79 AD — wiping out the town. The excavations that took place in modern times revealed slices of life of Ancient Rome – from ordinary residents to the local elite. Along with uncovering various artifacts, even some of the victims’ corpses (in their ash-burnt condition), were also found by archaeologists. An amphitheater was also excavated (where gladiator matches were once held). Publicity over these excavations has since attracted tour groups to visit this site. Admission: €11 (good for the entire day). Hours: Daily 8:30 – 7:30 pm (April – October), 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (November – March). For more info, see: www.pompeiisites.org

Pantheon

Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda, Rome) – this is a one-time pagan temple (rebuilt in AD 120 by the Roman emperor Hadrian), that became a church in AD 608. This is one of the most preserved structures from Ancient Rome, and draws crowds for that very reason. The dome of the Pantheon is supported by a series of arches that run horizontally round. Romans had perfected the use of arches which helped sustain the weight of their buildings.

The Italian kings Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I, and the famed Renaissance painter Raphael and his fiancée are buried in the Pantheon. It is an enduring example of second century Roman architecture – showing mathematical genius and simple geometry that today still impresses architects and amazes the eyes of casual viewers.
Admission: Free. Hours: Monday – Saturday (9:00 am – 6:30 pm), Sunday (9:00 am – 1:00 pm).