Unique Things To See in Rome

An Overview of Rome

The seat of the world’s longest-lasting empire, Rome is a city layered in history, religion, imperial influences and architecture.  The entire metropolitan area and surrounding countryside operates as a nexus for all of humanity.  There are many unique things to see in Rome.

Exploring Rome is fairly simple, since a subterranean subway system traverses the city easily and ride sharing is otherwise available.  Tourists absolutely throng Rome, making foot traffic sometimes difficult to traverse, but the entire city is easily accessed by walking.  Subway cards can be purchased in stations and taxis are readily available, but are known to overcharge tourists.  Getting a rideshare to a hotel is advisable.  

Properly experiencing the city takes a week at minimum, so plan location visits by district.  

Unique Things To See in Rome

Quartiere Coppedè

This is an outlandish portion of the city, a fantasy-architecture district of Rome designed by visionary Gino Coppedè.  This district mixes Ancient Greek styles with Roman Baroque, Mannerist, Medieval and Art Nouveau.  There are examples of Florentine Towers, Venetian Plazzi, external mosaics, large frescoes and an operational sundial.

Sant’Ignazio Church

The Jesuit Church of the Saint was designed with a huge, arcing dome in mind.  However, due to funds running out, the church’s patrons got creative. As such, the interior of the Church hosts a life-size painting illusion of a functional dome, visible only from within.

Cloaca Maxima

One of Rome’s great feats of engineering, the “Greatest Sewer” was constructed in the 6th century BCE during the reign of Tarquinius Priscus.  It was adapted from a program used to drain the marshlands and functions alongside the Tiber. Portions of the structure are still technically operational and the sewer can be viewed near the Ponte Rotto Bridge and the Basilica Julia at the Roman Forum.

The Mouth of Truth

This is an enormous, round, marble mask located in Cosmedin Church.  The feature is surrounded in urban myths, most famously that a liar who places their hand in the mouth will lose some fingers.

Via Appia – The Appian Way

This is an ancient, historical and tactically vital road of Rome which linked the supercity to the East (Greece).  The intact and still-used road is over 2300 years old and bypasses numerous famous landmarks, tombs and public parks.

Campo de Fiori

This is a supremely popular plaza area with food and drink options.  It hosts a flower and food market along with many statues.  The most famous statue here commemorates Giordano Bruno, who was burnt at the stake in the 1600s for heresy.  

The Colosseum

This is the veritable signature building of Rome. Upon being constructed, the Wonder of the World was the largest amphitheater in existence.  It is famous for its longevity and gladiatorial matches hosted within its walls.  It is located near the famous Roman Forums.

St. Peter’s Basilica

This is the beyond-stunning basilica located in the Vatican City, famous beyond all others for its astonishing artwork.  It is the largest church in the world in terms of interior space and the principal designers included Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.  The famous Dome can be climbed to overlook the surrounding area.

The Mussolini Balcony

During orations, Benito Mussolini of the Axis powers would address throngs of Italians from atop this infamous balcony overlooking Palazzo Venezia.

Trevi Fountain

Among the oldest water sources in all of Rome, the original Trevi Fountain was constructed around 19 BCE alongside aqueduct projects.  Though restored many times, the legend of the fountain remains.  Tossing a coin into the waters means a person will someday return to the eternal city.  

Nymphaeum of Egeria

Nymphs are the famous water-spirits of Roman lore.  Rich Romans would build features to attract these nature-spirits to their homes, which created a natural grotto for relaxation and banquets.  However, this particular site (thought to be related to the Camenae nymphs) was built by Herodes Atticus after inheriting an enormous fortune from his powerful wife, Annia Regilla.  There are records that imply the famed Atticus was responsible for murdering the then-pregnant Regilla.

McDonald’s Sevian Wall

This is an intact portion of the Servian Wall is inside an operational McDonalds in the Roma Termini station.  It’s rather funny to see and there is decent free-WIFI here for directions.  

Rivendita Libri “Teatro e Cioccolata”

This is a chocolate liquor shop with a menu consisting of edible chocolate shot glasses. The various, humorously named alcoholic treats are consumed by dropping the entire miniture cup into an opened mouth.

The Roman Forum

The Forum Romanum is a vast set of ancient Roman ruins and pillars which once hosted major government structures in the very center of Rome.  The ruins can be overlooked from the surrounding streets, but walking through the ruins costs a small fee.

Domus Aurea – Nero’s Golden House

This vast complex built as a pleasure palace by the infamous Emperor Nero, who supposedly “fiddled while Rome burned.”  The structures were built upon Oppian Hill after a fire damaged Nero’s original palace Domus Transitoria.  It is now a well-preserved landmark and park.

The Centrale Montemartini

This is an ancient sculpture museum, in a former power plant. It’s filled with Greek & Roman statues, busts & friezes.

Torre Argentina

This series of ancient Roman ruins (Pompe’s Theater) can be viewed for free at the street level. The ruins are home to dozens of cats who lounge on stonework and are taken care of at the nearby shelter.  This is the legendary site where Julius Caesar was assassinated.  

The House of Owls – The Casina delle Civette

Once upon a time, this building was a strange, residential, artistic home built in the Swiss Cabin Style by Giuseppe Jappelli.  It was famously altered and expanded upon by Prince Giovanni Torlania.  The interior is full of quirky and strange pieces of music, art and paintings.

Villa Celimontana

The Villa Celimontana is a villa on the Caelian Hill in Rome, best known for its gardens.  It’s a somewhat quiet part of Rome with many outdoor seating options and a notable series of decorated fountains depicting Greek myths.

Trapizzino

While this isn’t specifically found at a single location, a Trapizzino is a supremely well-loved piece of Roman cuisine.  The street-food can be found throughout the city and serves as a sort of bread pocket for meals.

Circus Maximus

The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue in Rome.   This location also hosts the Mithraeum, a temple dedicated to the Iranian-imported god Mithras.  Mithras was extremely popular with the Roman legions and it’s thought that the Cult of Mithras was partially responsible for the establishment of a handshake as a greeting.

Bartolucci

Located near Trevi Fountain, this is a very odd toy shop specializing in ancient, wooden toy designs.  Rocking horses, odd puppets, figurines and carved trinkets for children can all be found here.  

Borghese Gardens

The Villa Borghese Gardens are located on the Pincian Hill, close to Spanish Steps.  It hosts a number of free museums and other attractions, one of the more popular being the quaint paddle boats, which traverse the shallow lake-and-fountain area.

Santa Maria della Concezione Crypts

This is an extremely striking crypt decorated with the bones of 4,000 friars.  It was mentioned by Mark Twain in his book “Innocents Abroad.”  The crypt also contains a plaque which states “What you are now, we once were.  What we are now, you shall be.”  

Trajan’s Column

Trajan’s Column is a Roman triumphal column in Rome, which commemorates Roman emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars.  It is located in Trajan’s Forum.  The column depicts a spiral of triumphs gradually climbing the pillar.

Galleria Sciarra

This is an obscure but fascinating portion of Rome.  Created at the peak of the Art Nouveau movement, this structure was meant to be a mall, but instead served as an opulent courtyard for the wealthy Sciarra Family.  The interior of the Galleria contains gorgeous frescoes climbing into a geometric, naturally lit interior pillar.

The Protestant Cemetery

This is a beautiful series of polished marble graves and sculptures which also serves as the final resting place for famed poets Shelly and Keats.

Pyramid of Cestius

The Pyramid of Cestius is the only authentic “Egyptian” pyramid of Rome still intact.  In the 30 BCE, Rome was fascinated by an influx of Egyptian culture, importing pyramid designs, obelisks as well as Egyptian culture-goods.  

The Pantheon

The supremely famous Roman Temple turned Church, originally built by the military genius of Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Octavian Augustus.  It is the best preserved monument of Ancient Rome.

The Monster House – Zuccari Palace

This is a quirky piece of architecture, all of the windows, doors and entrances of this building are framed with giant figures eating guests.

Parco degli Acquedotti – Aqueduct Park

This is an expansive and beautiful park area which protects two extremely well-preserved Roman Aqueducts.  

Monte Testaccio – Mountain of Shards

This large hill is an entirely artificial construct made by ancient Romans tossing pieces of chipped pottery onto a pile.  The site has since become a powerful statement to Roman History, since Garibaldi defended Rome from atop it, wine cooling caves tunneled beneath and remained a site for passion plays.

Sistine Chapel

Home to one of the most famous artworks of all time, the Sistine Chapel is the official residence of the Pope.  It is a cornerstone of High Renaissance Art with heavy contributions by the ever-famous Michaelangelo, as well as Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Pietro Perugino, and a set of large tapestries by Raphael.

Vigna Randanini

Vigna Randanini is one of two publicly available catacombs in Rome, Vigna Randanini is a Jewish Catacomb carved from Volcanic Stone

Metropoliz Museum of the Other and the Elsewhere

This is an enormous artist squat operating out of an abandoned salami factory.  The museum has evolved into a cooperative art space and shelter for various visiting artists.

Museum of the Holy Souls in Purgatory

Located in the back of Chiesa del Sacro Cuore del Suffragio on the banks of the Tiber, this tiny museum is filled with artifacts which are burnt by the hands of souls trapped in purgatory.  Though purgatory is never mentioned in the bible, Catholics believe that a soul worthy of neither heaven, nor hell is sent to purgatory as penance.  These souls eventually cleanse themselves to reach heaven, but in the meantime, their desperate, black handprints scar bibles, tabletops and articles of clothing. 

Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti – The Spanish Steps

These are a series of famous steps climbing a steep slope near Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti. The steps are a central location regarding several traditional and public events in Rome.

The Arch of Janus

This is a very strange piece of architecture known as a quadrifron.  Though the arch was later named for the Roman god of gates, choices and decisions, this structure was thought to be a trade shelter for the Forum Boarium Market.

The Water Clock

This is a hydro chronometer. a rare timepiece operating on water flow.  This is one of the only two Water Clocks located in Rome and serves as a centerpiece in a famed garden (Villa Borghese).

The Congregation of Wits

Rome is home to six famous “Talking Statues” which were used by the larger public to drop off messages leveling criticism at Roman authorities and the Popes.  Generations of Popes attempted to halt the messages, but the statues “Pasquino, Marforio, Madama Lucrezia, Abate Luigi, Il Facchino and Il Babuino” all remained venues for complaints.  Il Babuino (The Baboon) is the most famous and entertaining of these.  Depicting Silenus (a satyr) this statue was so ugly, Romans renamed it “The Baboon.”

The Temple of Hercules Victor

This is a small temple on the Tiber River called a tholos (Greek Rounded Temple).  It is the oldest still-intact marble building of Rome, constructed out of Greek Marble.

Mercatus Traiani Trajan’s Markets

Trajan, considered a grand Roman emperor, was responsible for creating a massive market and shopping forum to organize imperial Rome’s famed trading nexus.  The multi-story ruins are an impressive site and there are sections which were used to distribute Rome’s infamous bread-offerings; a regular discharge of wheat provided to Rome’s poor to prevent social upheaval.

The Sweating Cenotaph at the Archbasilica San Giovanni in Laterano

This is a very strange monument known for “sweating.”  According to legend, when the death of a pope is imminent, the stone face of the monument begins to drip.  The incoming death of a cardinal or bishop causes the stone to grow slightly damp.

Saint Catherine Russian Orthodox Church

This church stands out from the other 900 churches of Rome.  The extremely Russian design of white stone with gold and green trim is the first Russian Orthodox church built in Rome since the Great Schism 950 years ago.  

Trevi Waterfall

Located to the East of Rome, this major water source for the Tiber can be found In The Municipality Of Trevi Nel Lazio In The Province Of Frosinone.  The waterfall emerges from an elevated cave forming a unique natural spectacle.

The Museum of Roman Ships at Fiumicino

This museum is an absolute gem of archaeology, this museum was created after discovering fully intact Roman maritime vessels during excavations while building a new airport. The museum has the intact hulls of Roman war-ships, fishing vessels, trade vessels and more.

The Vatican

The Vatican is the center of governance, power and religious decisions for the Catholic Church, the Vatican has served as home for the pope and various pieces of Iconic Christian artwork.  

The Mausoleum of Augustus

Perhaps the most influential of all Roman emperors, Augustus’ final resting place is near the Tiber River, a superstructure of Hellenistic designs created by making platforms of concentric rings. Sadly, the mausoleum was heavily damaged by the Visagoth sack of Rome, but was eventually restored as an archeological site.

Veii (Veius)

Located North of Rome (17 km), there once was a rival civilization that nearly dominated a fledgling Roman state.  The Etruscans were famous natives to the Italian peninsula and were responsible for Rome’s hard-fought decade of war.  The Etruscans were essentially obliterated as a culture, but the Veio Regional Natural Park still hosts some of their oldest ruins.  For further Etruscan ruins, it’s worth looking for the obscure fortress-outpost Galeria Antica.

Villa Doria Pamphili Park

This is a wonderful central park built just outside the ancient walls of Rome.  The park is known for its famous Casino del Bel Respiro (Small Villa of Good Breath) with baroque style statues and ornamentations.  There is also a series of secret gardens, small waterfalls, framed ponds, hedge mazes and polo fields.

Il Facchino

This statue is a slightly damaged passion piece depicting a defunct Roman job.  An Acquaroli was a man who would take water from the Tiber to be sold to the city’s interior inhabitants.  Rome’s rapidly advancing plumbing system rendered this job moot.

The Lupercal

This is a famous portion of Rome near the Tiber, this is the legendary site where the She-Wolf suckled Romulus and Remus to health.  

Tivoli

This is a full-day trip out of Rome leading to a major access area for Hadrian’s Villa.  When it was constructed, it was actually larger than Imperial Rome with new temples, theaters, baths and gardens.  The Villa D’Este is located here which consists of the Hundred Fountains following trees, gardens and artificial waterfalls.

Garum Museum

Nearby Circus Maximus is a fantastic museum unlike any other on earth.  IIt is a two story Food Museum hosting a collection of gastronomic artifacts including various culinary curiosities from over four hundred years ago.  The museum is free, but requires an appointment to enter.  The museum is in both English and Italian.

Nonna Betta

Nonna Betta is a somewhat upscale kosher restaurant on Via del Portico d’Ottavia in Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, this place serves a very unique Jewish-Culinary Artichoke dish supposedly originating in the ghetto.

Le Terme di Caracalla – The Ancient Thermal Baths of Caracalla

These are the largest surviving ruins of ancient baths in Rome.  It hosts brick walls, shattered archways and extensive floor-mosaics across 33 acres.  The baths were commissioned by Septimus Severus prior to his death and named for his son, Caracalla.  (Caracalla was known as a perfectly evil emperor thanks to numerous massacres and persecutions through his reign, though records also contest that he was an able administrator).  

Galleria Borghese (in Villa Borghese Park)

This is likely one of the best museums in Rome (excluding the city itself).  The collection was started by Cardinal Scipione Borghese who was notorious as a ruthless art collector in his era.  This must be booked in advance and it requires roughly two hours to properly appreciate the museum.  

The Altar of the Fatherland

This is an enormous building located in Piazza Venezia just outside the Roman Forum.  The immense structure has a somewhat hidden glass elevator which offers a 360 degree view overlooking the entire city.

Stadio dei Marmi

This is a huge, open-air stadium built by Benito Mussolini encircled by 59 marble figures each demonstrating a unique sporting discipline.  The Greek and Facist art fusion was created in a bid to get Italy to host the 1940 Summer Olympics in Rome (which were of course canceled due to WWII).

Eitch Borromini Rooftop Bar

This is a rather busy and somewhat pricey bar which overlooks a major feature of Rome, including St. Peter’s, the Pantheon and Piazza Venezia.  It’s located atop Eitch Borromini Hotel.

Aventine Hill

This is one of Rome’s Seven Sacred Hills, Aventine is a quiet and leafy residential neighborhood famous for a small keyhole in a plain door on the Knights of Malta property.  Looking through the shrubbery tunnel and keyhole gives a perfect view of St. Peter’s Basilica.  It’s good to go early to avoid a line.

Arch of Constantine

This is a grand Roman arch built for the notorious Roman emperor built around 315 CE

Roseto Comunale – Rose Garden

Roseto Comunal is a serene retreat from the crowds just outside of Circus Maximus.

Orto Botanico

This is a very peaceful Rome-Japanese fusion botanical garden with medicinal plants, ivy-covered structures and many flowers.  Entrance prices are around four euros.

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