-continued from Roma-Day1

There is a whole lot of walking after a visit to the Vatican City,  we decided then to take a train to Piazza del Popolo from the Metro station Ottaviano to Flaminio, 2 stops away – (Direction Anagnina)

Piazza del Popolo

You are welcomed into the Piazza through the Gates of Porta del Popolo – a 1-minute walk from the Metro Station.

Inside the Piazza itself right in the middle is an Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses II, surrounded by Egyptian lions at its base as fountains. Best views of the Piazza are really from Pincio Hill that has been cleverly incorporated into the Piazza by ramps and curving steps , the Hill has also a link into the Villa Borghese gardens.

There are 2 other Fountains in the Square besides the Fontana dell Obelisco – with its back to Pincio Hill is the “Rome between the Tiber and the Aniene” in the East and “Fontana del Nettuno” in the West.

 

The other attractions in this Square (which is actually elliptically shaped) are the three Santa Maria Churches , the most famous and unique (in my opinion) being Santa Maria del Popolo , located between the Porta del Popolo and the Pincio Hill.  It is one of the places where you can view great Art by the Masters, Caravaggio, Raphael, Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Free! The church itself is definitely worth visiting as well.

The other two at the opposite side looks like twin churches side by side – I unfortunately don’t have a photo – as it is undergoing renovations when I visited. Right in the middle of the two churches, Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto is the famous Via del Corso which is the main street running through the historical center of Rome. Walking along it brings to many of the main sights in Rome. Also plenty of shops on both sides of the street for the pleasure of shoppers.

Going along the parallel road to Via del Corso, which is Via del Babuino will lead to Piazza di Spagna – about a 15-minute stroll which might take longer since there are so many shops to distract you along the way. Stay focused!

Piazza di Spagna

One of the most famous squares in Rome, when you can see it, that is ! It is always full of people , there seems to be no off season here. Also the reason could be that several of the luxury shopping streets like Via del Condotti , Via del Corso are nearby. The steps are linking the Piazza to the Church Trinità dei Monti up on the Pincio Hill. So its just a couple of steps right ? , well 135 where the Amazing Race participants had to physically count. This being Rome – nothing is JUST!!! It looks majestic and clean enough that people sit here to enjoy the views – or just too lazy for climbing all of it. *Tip: Another alternative to climbing the steps to get to the top is via the lift  located next to the Metro Station nearby.

So…what else is here besides the crowd of People ? There is an ugly boat fountain here – hey – don’t judge me , I’m not criticizing it, its the real name of it, or the more elegant name for it – Fontana della Barcaccia. Its not one of the prettier ones in Rome –  but it has a story behind – for once when the Tiber River was flooded and water came up to the Piazza di Spagna. When the water receeded , a boat was left behind at the spot of the fountain. Well, its a pretty story – perhaps to make up for its ugliness 🙂 (kidding!)

Piazza del Quirinale

The Piazza is up on a hill and I visited this on my previous trip , when I was privy to the Hop-On, Hop Off Bus – otherwise I think I would have to forgo it, in favour of other more interesting sites in Rome. If you plan a visit here, then there are essentially 4 things here to check out.  Firstly, there is the view from up there, located as it is up on Quirinal Hill the highest of the the seven hills in Rome. Secondly, is the Palazzo del Quirinale – it is now one of the presidential homes. Thirdly, is the striking Obelisk with fountain at its base and Fourthly is the Changing of the Guard every day. Tip: I would check the schedule – for actual times, as they differ during the summer and winter months – http://www.turismoroma.it/cosa-fare/quirinale?lang=en 

I just did the outside of the grounds and did not visit the Palace , nor did I get to see the changing of Guards – it was from my list of things to see and do but were really the Plan C of the trip.

 

Piazza Venezia

The Piazza Venezia is pretty hard to miss – it has a – in your face monument the grand white-washed Monument of Vittorio Emmanuelle II. Its location is very central too , and stands here between the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. Its even built , controversially so on the Palatine Hill grounds.  There is a gigantic statue of Vittorio Emanuelle II (First King of  Unified Italy) atop his Horse at the Front leaving no doubts that it was built in his honour.

Entrance here is free , you can climb the staircase to where the pillars are, however there is an elevator behind that will take you to the top where the Panaromic Terrace is – Its 10 Euros the last time I checked, but its the only way to see those majestic views of the Roman Forum right up till the Colosseum , and also back to the city.  The ticket also buys you entrance to the museum of unification inside the building.

 

Colosseum , Roman Forum, Palatine Hill.

It kills me to say it – but I have not visited the 3 places here. It is every time part of Plan B but I never got to it , partly due to a lack of time – as it takes half the day to really cover them and a big part is due to lack of interest and energy to walk the grounds , especially not in high summer.  Now I have put in my disclaimer, I hope one day I will get to it as it is high on the historical and architectural value list of places to see.  I have seen it from outside and its amazingly impressive even then.

*Tips:  Even though I did not visit it , I still prepared for it 🙂 So some things to note.

1. I would avoid a summer visit – it gets uncomfortably warm in Rome in high summer.
2. Shoes! Not in the perpective of Carrie Bradshaw, please – Its always nice to be stylish but do consider the uneven pathways to walk through, so comfort is key here.
3. I honestly don’t think there is a good way to beat the crowd – everybody reads the same tips and guides. There are however cards to consider like the Roma Pass or Omnia card, really depending on what you plan to visit – to make it worthwhile. Here is a blog I found useful to compare the 2 https://blog.rome-accommodation.net/roma-pass-and-omnia-card-price-difference

 

Temple of Hercules

A short 20 minute walk from Colosseo brings you to the Temple of Hercules , thought to be the oldest surviving Marble building from Ancient Rome. No matter what, the place has a calming feel to it. Its circular shape with columns all around is in contrast with the nearby rectangularish Temple of Portunus.

 

Bocca della Verita (Mouth of Truth)

Right across the road from the temples is the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church. You will normally see a long queue to enter it. No, no, its not because people are holy – they all queue to take fun pics of the massive marble mask in the church. The mask was made popular in the Audrey Hepburn/Gregory Peck movie “Roman Holiday”. It is said to cut off the fingers of liars who place the hand in the mouth. So people line up to take pictures of their hands in the Mouth of Truth with audaciously badly-acted pretense of pain of having their fingers chowed down. 🙂

Since I always want to be different , I posed with it , digging into its nose with my other hand missing and looking happy about it. (I know , I know, *eye-roll)

The church charged 2 Euros , I read to take a single photo with the Mask. When I was there in early December 2017, they did not charge anything. Hence the happy smile 🙂 After the photo shot, you exit through the church. Its good to be respectfully silent until you exit, even though you just want to giggle and look at the hilarious photo you just took.

Food:

It was planned for us to have dinner at Trastevere – I got recommendations to try the food here from the sister of my Italian friend. It was a pleasant walk from Bocca della Verita to cross the Tiber on one of the many bridges. In Rome, it is best to make dinner reservations, for the good restaurants around – fill up really quickly. There is really great food here and also reasonably priced.  I was unfortunately beat from walking around all day that I did not look around Trastevere, a medieval neighbourhood with a lively night life.  Time to try the Spaghetti Carbonara , which the Romans always claim belongs to Rome – was good! I also tried the Trapizzino , the street food craze that the Italians are raving about. It was ok – but probably because I was expecting pizza filling in it.

 

After the yummy food , it was time to cross back to the other side of the Tiber to the Hotel. I was prepared for another photo opportunity , this time of the view of Ponte Sisto  Bridge with St. Peter’s Basilica as part of the backdrop. My camera doesn’t do it justice, its a gorgeous scene.

Summary: 

Places covered on this day..

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In Summary,  there is a lot to see and do in Rome, and if you are a weekend traveller, you are going to have to prioritize what you really , really want to see, taking into account long queues with waiting times. In the end , safe to say you will need to plan and do some research, which I hope I was able to provide in this write-up.  Some additional *tips.

1. The architecture / fountains like the Trevi or Colosseum have been standing here for a very long time – and if it is your life’s aim to see them in all its glory – you should do a check if they are in  restoration at the time of your planned visit.
2. Touristy places, comes with pickpockets , they are a packaged deal almost. So be aware of your surroundings and pack away your valuables , so as to continue having a good holiday.

 

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-The End-