- 1. The Colosseum and Palatine Hill
- 2. Via Appia
- 3. The Pantheon
- 4. Piazza Navona
With a history spanning 28 centuries, Rome is a city where the past is truly woven into the present. Whether you’re fascinated by Rome historic sights or not, they greet you at every turn. It could be underfoot, walking on a road that’s thousands of years old and once held the key to the Roman Empire’s military success, or simply strolling through a Baroque piazza in search of a slice of Roman pizza, but layers of Rome’s history are on display no matter where you look. Peel back the layers and dig a little deeper on your next trip to the Eternal City with one of these fascinating history tours of Rome and see the ancient monuments, crumbling ruins and majestic temples in a whole new light.
The Colosseum and Palatine Hill
The heart of Ancient Rome, these two Rome historic sights are must-sees! Palatine Hill is one of the famous ‘Seven Hills of Rome’, which if you believe the legends, is the exact spot where Rome was founded. Today, it’s scattered with crumbling monuments and the pillars of long-gone temples, making it one of the top sights in Rome. And the Colosseum is no less significant! Built in 70AD, it was the largest amphitheatre in existence at the time, holding up to 80,000 spectators, and today it’s one of the most instantly-recognizable sights in the city.
See the Colosseum, the Imperial Forum and Palatine Hill with a guide to tell you all about the history of these iconic monuments and bring them to life. On Palatine Hill, you’ll see the ruins of the Temple of Julius Ceaser, and have spectacular views of the Forum on one side and Circus Maximus on the other. Then, explore the majestic Colosseum as your guide tells you stories from the battles which took place here, reveals fascinating histories and explains the ahead-of-its-time architecture. And the best part? You’ll skip the queue!
Via Appia
Via Appia, also known as the Appian Way, is an ancient roadway that stretches 560km, beginning in Rome and reaching all the way to Brindisi in southeast Italy. It’s said that this is the first Roman road to have used lime cement, paving the way for armies and supplies to make their way through the Empire. A road might not sound like one of the top sights in Rome, but when it was built in 312BC, this road was strategically crucial for the success of the Roman Empire.
With this Go Rome pass, you’ll be able to explore the ancient Via Appia by bike! Take your time and soak up all of the history, going at your own pace and stopping to make the most of the 3D map and explanation leaflet which is included. There are plenty of Rome historic sights to see along the way, such as the Catacombs of San Sebastiano and Circus Maxentius, one of the best-preserved circuses of imperial Rome. Luckily, you don’t have to cycle all 560km of it!
The Pantheon
More than 2000 years after it was built, the Pantheon is still one of Rome’s most spectacular sights, and if you’re looking for things to do in Rome, look no further than exploring this ancient temple. You’ll wonder how it was so well preserved; while the rest of Ancient Rome crumbled into ruin or was destroyed in battles, the Pantheon stood the test of time and emerged from city’s tumultuous history unscathed, and as beautiful as ever. As well as its fascinating history – like the fact that it was the first pagan temple to be converted into a church – the Pantheon is the resting place of Renaissance artists such as Raphael, and remains one of Rome’s greatest architectural achievements.
There are plenty of history of Rome tours which include the Pantheon, but it deserves to be the star of its own show. This one hour guided tour takes place in the early morning, so you can beat the crowds and make the most of exploring the spectacular space without lots of other people around. Your expert guide will explain the architectural and historic features of the temple to you, like the construction of its dome – the largest unsupported dome in existence!
Piazza Navona – underground
Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most beautiful, and famous, piazzas. Home to the three lavish fountains Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, Fontana del Moro, and Fontana del Nettuno, exploring this Baroque public square and stopping for a glass of wine at one of the restaurants which surround it is an attraction in itself. But what many people don’t know is that what lies beneath is one of the most fascinating Rome hidden gems. It was actually built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, a forum where Romans would watch ‘the games’.
One of the more unusual things to do in Rome, with this tour you can explore below ground and discover what most people don’t even know exists! 4.5 Metres below the piazza are the ruins of the ancient Stadium of Domitian, which you can explore at your own pace using your own audioguide to discover the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the history of this ancient archaeological site and hear all about the Roman sports which took place here. There are even 3D videos included in your guide, bringing the ruins to life and allowing you to see what it could have looked like during the games.
