Ancient Rome - 8 must see highlights by Mark Sukhija

Sites dating from the Ancient Rome are dotted all over the city so it's pretty much impossible for me to cover everything on this page. This is, however, a small collection of highlights which I reckon you shouldn't miss.

  1. The interior of the Colosseum in RomeColosseum - the Colosseum is probably the most iconic symbol of Rome and ancient Roman and an absolute must see for visitors to Rome. There are many tour guides touting for business outside the Colosseum - find Aldos' group (they wear blue id cards) - for the best tours.

  2. Roman Forum - the Roman Forum is possibly what most people think of when thinking of Rome and is now one of the major attractions of Rome itself. Home to Saturns Temple, the Arch of Septimus Severus, the Arch of Titus and the enormous Basilica of Maxentius - the latter would provide the inspiration for later religous Basilica.

  3. Baths of Caracalla - Baths were central to Roman life and the Baths of Caracalla are amongst the most well preserved in Rome itself. Baths were an important part of Roman life - but I didn't realise how large they were until I visited Caracallas baths. Much of the walls are still preserved and there was even a library in the Terme di Caracalla. Take the excellent audio-guide to take you through the history and structure of the baths.

  4. Pantheon - the Pantheon (or Temple to All The Gods) is the oldest domed structure standing in Rome Built under the rule of either Trajan or Hadrian the Pantheon was once a temple to all the Roman Gods but has served as a Roman Catholic Church since the 7th century.

  5. Palatine Hill and Casa di Augusto - The Palatine Hill is, according to leged, the hill on which Rome was founded by Romulus and Remus who were raised here by a she-wolf. As the most sacred hill in Rome, Augustus built his enormous palace here which can still be visited including an enormous games room. Augustus House (Casa di Augusto,) was the home of the first Roman Emporer Augustus. Restored and reopened to the public in March 2008, the Casa di Augusto boasts some of the oldest frescoes in Rome.

  6. Case Romane del Celio - The Roman Houses, which include houses, shop and a road section, cuts through the foundations of Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo which was built on top of the houses. Traditionally dated to the 4th Century, this site was reopened in 2002 and the section is surprisingly complete and provides an interesting insight into structure of the houses and roads of the time.

  7. Domus Aurea and Trajans Baths - The Domus Aurea ("Golden House") was originally elaborately decorated, including gold leaf which gave the house it's name, the villa was built on the Esquiline Hill between the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD and Neros suicide in 68 AD. After Neros death, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian built over his palace with their forms of architecture. Trajan covered the last of the palace and built his baths on top.

  8. Castel Sant'Angello - Originally built as the mausoleum for the Emporer Hadrian, the Castel Sant'Angello was later substanially expanded and modified to serve as a Papal fortresss. Although most of the contents of the tomb were destroyed the cylindrical shape of the mausoleum is quite clear when ascending the ramp on the interior of the Castle. There are excellent views of town to be had from the various platforms on top of the castle.

Related Posts

Rome - 14 things not to miss My personal advise on what to do and see in Rome
Rome - Chiesa di San Marco Information on and about the Chiesa di San Marco at Piazza Venezia near Vittorano in Rome
Rome - Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli Historical information about Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli in Rome
Rome - interior of St Ignatius Church Interior of the baroque Church of St Ignatius with it's 'false' cuppola in central Rome
Italy - 5 great hotels Recommended hotels in Rome, Florence, Turin and Milan
Rome - great places to eat My personal recomendations on places to eat in Rome
Rome - recommended places to stay Recommended places to stay in and around Rome
Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo Castel Sant'Angel on the banks of the River Tiber by night

Map

Further reading

Rome - Church of St Susanna, Cistercian Nuns - Notes on the Church of St Susanna, Cistercian Nuns, Rome

Rome - Galleria Borghese - Notes on the Villa Galleria Borghese in Rome, Lazio, Rome

Rome - Chiesa di San Marco - Information on and about the Chiesa di San Marco at Piazza Venezia near Vittorano in Rome

Rome - Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli - Historical information about Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli in Rome

Rome - interior of St Ignatius Church - Interior of the baroque Church of St Ignatius with it's 'false' cuppola in central Rome

Italy - 5 great restaurants - Recommended places to stay dine in Rome, Florence and Venice

Rome - great places to eat - My personal recomendations on places to eat in Rome

Rome - church of Santa Barbara dei Librari - A brief history and notes on Santa Barbara dei Librari

Italy - 5 great hotels - Recommended hotels in Rome, Florence, Turin and Milan

Rome - recommended places to stay - Recommended places to stay in and around Rome

Vatican City - Official site of the Holy See

About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook