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Rome, Italy - Top 6 things you can do in Rome once you are done with the touristy ones
 the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built by Michelangelo in one of the rooms of the former baths 6. The Via Appia
The Via Appia was one of the seven most important routes in Roman history and linked Rome with Brindisi in what is now Puglia (the heel of the Italian boot). We had an expert in Roman history write about several articles about this (thanks, Alex) and you can read one of them here. However, the Via Appia is interesting because it is a combination of Roman constructions (including the Circus of Maxentius, the Tomb of Cecilia Metella – which is free with the ticket from the Baths of Caracalla, see below on this attraction – and other ruins) and Paleo-Christian art. In the latter category fall some of the early Christian catacombs, including the Catacombs of St. Callistus, the largest of these, (Visiting hours: 9.00 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00, entrance fee is 8 euros), of St. Domitilla (the oldest) and St. Sebastian (with wonderful early Christian mosaics).
5. The ‘terme’ or baths
Usually, the focus of your trip for the Ancient Rome segment will be on the Coliseum and the area around it that includes the Roman Forums and the Palatine. However, not too far away from this area, maybe a 10 minute walk, are the Baths of Caracalla, built around the 3rd century AD. The area is large, perhaps this could have been one of the largest such location in Ancient Rome, and many of the domes and walls are still intact, despite the baths no longer being used after the 6th century and having been sacked by the Goths as well around that period of time. The terms are usually open in the morning, from 9 am to 2 pm and the entrance is a medical 6 euros.
Other notable baths are the Baths of Diocletian, close to the Central Station, in the Piazza della Repubblica, where the National Roman Museum has a good collection of Roman art. However, the most impressive thing about these baths is the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, built by Michelangelo in one of the rooms of the former baths, better known as the tepidarium (the warm room – we could perhaps have an article at some point to talk about the different rooms of a Roman bath. Apparently, Ancient Rome had about 900 public baths).
4. The Borghese Gallery and Park
This site should probably rank higher on in my top 10, but the competition is tough. Why am I sending you here? It would probably be for several statues of extreme sensibility that Bernini sculpted during his early creation period, throughout the 1620s. Several of the sculptures are almost real in the way the characters are created as if they are alive. Other than that, the gallery has a nice painting gallery, with the notable painting by Titian “Sacred and Profane Loveâ€, also from his early period of creation. The hours are 8.30 to 19.30 and the museum is closed on Monday. The entrance fee is 8.50 euros, but note that you have to reserve your ticket beforehand by calling at +39 06 32810. The park is a worthwhile relaxation walk after that. Walk towards the Pincio at Sunset: it will give you a beautiful overlook over Rome and the Vatican.
3. Palazzo Venezia
The Palace is worth a visit both because of the fact that it was the building hosting the Embassy of the Republic of Venice from 1564 to 1797, when the Republic lost its independence, and because of the National Museum of Palazzo Venezia (open Tuesday to Sunday, from 8.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m, tickets are € 4,00), an interesting art gallery with paintings from late medieval and early Renaissance, including some work by Cimabue (13th century).
If you do decide on this lesser known attraction (although in a place of high preeminence, right next to the gigantic Il Vittoriano, dedicated to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy), do see the Church of San Marco, on the right side of the palace. The church is remarkable: one of the oldest in Rome, initially built in 336, the church has retained some of its original medieval atmosphere (including a mosaic dating back to the 9th century), despite extensive Baroque restorations in the 17th century.
2. The Celio
The Celio is one of the seven hills in Rome, but it is also filled with charming churches, many of these dating back to Early Medieval Times. Your tour on the Celio can start with a Church of San Clemente, although this is not actually on the hill, but rather a proper introduction for it. The church is interesting because the current structure, dating from the 12th century, has several layers of previous constructions, including a Temple of Mithras and an original church from the 4th century. The mosaics from Early Middle Ages combine well with Renaissance art from 15th century (chapel of St. Catherine of Alexandria by Massaccio).
Next on your tour of the Celio would be the Church of the Four Crowned Saints, which you are likely to enjoy because its medieval atmosphere, nowhere clearer than in the cloisters and in the Chapel of St. Sylvester. In the latter, the entire process of entering to see some of the oldest frescos in Rome reminds of other times: you ring the doorbell to the chapel and receive a key to enter inside.
Two more medieval churches on your Celio visit: the Church of San Stefano Rotondo, the only round church in Rome, and the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo, both very much worth seeing.
1. Campo dei Fiori
This is probably one of the less pretentious places in Rome in terms of culture and architecture, but it is majestic and filled with a historical awe. Translated as “the field of flowers†(mainly because this area was not paved until 1456), this is where Giordano Bruno, a philosopher who proposed innovative idea for his times, such as heliocentrism, was burnt at the stake in 1600 by the Inquisition. His statue dominates the market and some say that it faces the Vatican in a gesture of final victory. Besides the philosophical perspective, you can enjoy here the market on all weekdays.
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