Discover Rome: Ancient History, Museums and Parkland

Rome between antiquity, art and green open spaces

Rome is a city for travellers who want to experience history not only in a single building, but in different forms. The UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses Rome’s historic centre within the city walls at their greatest extent in the 17th century. Museums, historic roads and a large park add to this. For you, this creates a cultural stay that you can combine with walks and time in green surroundings.

Monuments with a clear historical character

The Colosseum was built in the 1st century AD on the orders of emperors of the Flavian dynasty. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world. Reserving a time slot is required for admission. Therefore, plan this visit as a fixed item on your itinerary if you would like to get to know Rome’s ancient architecture in greater detail.

Today’s Pantheon was fundamentally rebuilt under Hadrian between 118 and 125 AD. Its proportions are particularly striking: its height corresponds to the diameter of its dome, which measures slightly more than 43 metres. When viewing the Pantheon, the relationship between height and dome diameter can serve as a concrete geometric reference.

Art and collecting history on the Capitoline

The Capitoline Museums date back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV donated a collection of bronze statues to the people of Rome. The museums include an underground gallery containing the Galleria Lapidaria, which leads to the ancient Tabularium. The Pinacoteca Capitolina displays works by Caravaggio, Guercino, Guido Reni and Pietro da Cortona. Thus, the history of collecting, underground architecture and painting come together at one cultural focal point.

Walks along historic roads

Those who want to experience Rome on foot or by bicycle will find a long historic route in the Via Appia Antica. It stretches for approximately 16 km from Piazzale Numa Pompilio (Porta Capena) to Località Frattocchie/Santa Maria delle Mole. This distance is an important consideration when planning your day.

The Via Appia is closed to traffic on public holidays and is suitable for walks and bicycle tours. When choosing between a walk and a bicycle tour, you can therefore consider whether you want to cover the approximately 16 km in full or only in sections.

Villa Borghese: Park, water and art

Villa Borghese encompasses buildings, sculptures, monuments and fountains among centuries-old trees, ponds, Italian gardens and extensive open spaces. The extensive open spaces and Italian gardens complement the buildings, sculptures, monuments and fountains with a landscape perspective on Villa Borghese. The Italian state acquired Villa Borghese in 1903 and designated it as a public park. At the Giardino del lago, visitors can rent small boats. For you, this location combines artistic and park elements with a specific opportunity to spend time on the water.

Further destinations for planning your trip

Ostia Antica, Casal Palocco, Tomba Di Nerone and Centro Commerciale Agnanina

To the main travel overview: Rome.

More travel destinations

More places within the same destination:

Nettuno, Marina Di Ardea, Anzio, Tragliata.