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"The Historic City Centre"

Rome Tourist Guide Routes  

The Historic City Centre

The Centro Storico or historic city centre lies to the west of Via del Corso. This area was once surrounded by the ancient city walls and consists of an intricate network of little streets, important monuments, elegant palaces and some of Rome's most famous and charming squares.

The route begins at the well-known Piazza Colonna, which lies just to the left of Via del Corso after crossing Via Pietra. Both Piazza Colonna and the adjacent Piazza del Montecitorio are key places in the world of Italian politics. The Palazzo Chigi on Piazza Colonna is the official residence of the prime minister, and the Palazzo del Montecitorio is the seat of the government and houses the Chamber of Deputies.

The maze of charming, little, cobblestone streets offers a rich variety of boutiques specialising in all of fashion's latest trends. But before indulging in a shopping spree, make sure to check the price tags - this area is notoriously expensive. Eventually you come to the Piazza della Rotonda, a busy square lined with outdoor cafés and several excellent ice-cream shops. This is also where you find one of Rome's most important and exceptional landmarks, the Pantheon. This is the most well-preserved building of Ancient Rome, an impressive fact considering that construction on it began in the year 27 B.C. under Emperor Agrippa. The exterior features a pediment sustained by sixteen Corinthian columns. The most astonishing part of this temple, however, is still to come - the cupola is one of the most impressive in ancient Roman architecture. At its centre is a hole (known as the occulus), where sunlight filters through and creates an indescribable play of light and shadow throughout the temple's interior. The Pantheon is also the final resting place of Italy's first two kings, Vittorio Emmanuele II and Umberto I, and the celebrated artist Raphael.     

Upon leaving the Pantheon, take some time to explore the Piazza della Rotonda, which is always lively no matter the time of day. There is something inherently cheerful and spirited about the atmosphere in this square, which is equally popular with tourists and locals. The latter enjoy the square in traditional Roman style, either by sitting on the steps around the fountain or in one of the café terraces that abound in this area. The Tazza d'Oro is one of the best cafés in Rome, serving a delectable selection of Italian coffees at what are, considering the location and fame of this establishment, surprisingly reasonable prices.  

Heading down towards the river on Via Minerva, you come to the Santa Maria Sopra Minerva Church. Built in a Gothic style that is a true rarity in Rome, the church is also adorned with some of Michelangelo's earliest sculptures. As you leave the church, you are probably going to notice a rather odd sculpture. This piece, depicting an Egyptian obelisk on top of a small elephant, is a product of the great Bernini's imagination.

You are now faced with countless ways of exploring the Centro Storico, but the best choice is taking Via del Pie' di Marmo from Piazza Sopra Minerva. This aptly named street (Avenue of the Marble Foot) cannot be missed. The corner is marked by a giant, marble foot, the last remnant of an ancient Roman sculpture, lying nonchalantly out in the open. There are some things that you can only find in Rome.  

As you wander towards Piazza Navona, you pass the elegant Palazzo Madama, a palace built in the 16th century by the Medici family, which now houses the city's Senate. Facing the palace is yet another church that shouldn't be missed, the San Luigi dei Francesi Church. This baroque church is very popular amongst locals, who seem unfazed by the fact that the chapels in their parish church feature the work of masters like Giacomo della Porta, Domenico Fontana and Caravaggio.

After crossing the Corso di Rinascimento, you finally come to the Piazza Navona, the undisputed star amongst Roman squares. This fame has turned the square into a rather touristy place where locals generally spend little of their time. That being said, the square is still one of the best places to savour some of Rome's celebrated gelati (ice-cream) and watch the almost constant whirlwind of activity. In addition to tourists milling about, the square also serves as a marketplace for artisans selling handcrafted products and street performers adding a splash of colour to the scene. And then there is the art; pieces such as the Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi, one of three fountains that decorate the square, turn Piazza Navona into a veritable outdoor museum. The fountain stands in the centre of the square, flanked by the Fontana del Moro to the south and the Fontana del Nettuno to the north, and faces yet another baroque masterpiece, the Sant Agnese in Agone Church. The fountain and the church are the work of Bernini and Borromini respectively, two fierce rivals during their lifetime. 

If you leave the square on Via dell'Anima, you reach one of the most unusual places in Rome, the Piazza Pasquino. An odd statue stands at one end of the square, leaning up against the Palazzo Braschi. This was once one of Rome's "talking statues", the cornerstone of an ancient and rather unconventional tradition. The Palazzo Braschi, home to the Museo di Roma, also has more than a few stories to tell. The museum has gathered a vast collection of documents and other fascinating material pertaining to the city's history and is a treat for anyone wanting a more in depth look at Rome's past.

Leaving the palace behind and heading down Via Baulari, you end up at the Piazza Campo de'Fiori. This is yet another aptly named place, famous for the colourful flower and plant market that has taken place here for generations. The square is nestled amidst a jumble of little cobblestone streets, filled with chic shops, small galleries and charming details left behind by centuries worth of history. At night the square is just as lively, drawing crowds of young people who have made the Campo de'Fiori the epicentre of their nightlife. At the centre of the square stands a sombre, hooded statue honouring Giordano Bruno. Bruno was a scholarly monk whose radical ideas concerning astronomy cost him his life during the era of the Inquisition.  

The elegant Piazza Farnese is just around the corner from the Campo de'Fiori. The square shares its name with an equally elegant palace that is now used by the French embassy. The square's most eye-catching feature is a pair of twin fountains that were designed using pieces from the Termes di Caracalla.

The Palazzo Spada, one of the last landmarks in this area, is right at the edge of the Centro Storico, just before reaching the river. The palace is exceptionally well-maintained, preserving much of its elegance thanks to a restoration Borromini performed under commission from the Spada family in 1632. The palace is open to the public, and its gallery contains a very interesting art collection with pieces by renowned artists such as Rubens and Titian.