Architecture attractions

Ara Pacis Augustae
An altar completed in 19 BC to mark the peace established by Augustus. Located at Lungotevere in Augusta (06 8205 9127).

Baths of Caracalla
A classic Roman bathing complex which could hold up to 1,600 persons. Located at Via delle Terme di Caracalla, 52 (06 575 8626).

Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill is the home of the city government with Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio. Bordering the piazza are the Palazzo dei Conservatori, Palazzo dei Senatori and Palazzo Nuovo with the Capitoline Museums and its collection of classical art and ancient sculpture.

Casina delle Civette
A Swiss lodge built in 1840 and open to the public to view. Villa Torlonia. Via Nomentana, 70 (06 4425 0072).

Castel Sant'Angelo
Built between 135 and 139 AD by Hadrian as his mausoleum and then used as a fortress, a prison and now a museum. Climb to the upper terraces for views of Rome. Lungotevere Castell, 50 (06 681 9111). Use Metro Lepanto.

Circus Maximus
Circus Maximus was a large arena where over 200,000 people could watch gladiators. Now in ruins and builders over the years have taken the marble and stone. Via del Circo.

Colosseohe
The heart of ancient Rome with the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Forum of Augustus, Markets of Trajan and the Capitoline.

Colosseum
The Colosseum is a significant structure. Completed in 80 AD with seating for 50,000, it was the place to watch gladiators. It took
eight years to build and was started by Emperor Vespasian who died just before it was completed. The elliptical building is nearly 50 metres high. The upper storey was for lower classes and women and the lower area was for prominent citizens. The wild animals were kept in cages below ground. The Colosseum entertainment was free and sometimes lasted for several days. Unfortunately the southern side of the Colosseum was destroyed by an earthquake in 847. Via dei Fori Imperiali. (06 3996 7700). Use Metro Station Colosseo.

Domus Aurea
Ruins of the domus built for Nerone after the fire of 64 AD. The villa extended for a square mile between the slopes of the Caelian and Palatin hills. Located at Via della Domus Aurea (06 3996 7700). Use Metro Colosseo.

Golden House of Nero
After the fire in 64 AD, Nero built an ornate palace with a 150 foot nude statue of himself at the entrance. A major restoration of the palace was completed 1999. Via della Dommus Aurea (06 3974 9907).

Mamertine Prison
A underground prison. Clivio Argentario (06 679 2902).

Mercato Trainei
The most recent imperial forum built in 107 AD. Via 1V Novembre, 94 (06 679 0048).

Palazzo Altemps
Constructed in 1480 for Count Girolamo Riario, nephew of Papa Sisto IV. Located at 8, Sant' Apollinare Street.

Palazzo Crivelli
Built in the 16th century and decorated with lions heads, satyrs and disfigured heads. Located at Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 22.

Palazzo Spada
Piazza Capo di Ferro built by Giulio Merisi Caravaggio for Cardinal Capodiferro and restored by Borromini.

Palazzo Venezia
Originally the Venice embassy now a museum and art gallery.

Pantheon
Originally built in 27 BC and rebuilt in the second century AD, the Pantheon is one of the few ancient Roman buildings that it is still intact. A perfect square resting in a cylinder measuring 142 feet wide and 142 feet high with 25 feet thick walls, bronze doors
weighing 20 tons each and an impressive dome. Light comes from the oculus at the top of the dome. Dedicated in 609 to St. Mary ad Martyres, it holds Raphael's tomb. The Pantheon borders the Piazza della Rotonda, a rectangular square with a central fountain. Piazza della Rotonda (06 6830 0230).

Roman Forum (Palatino)
The Roman Forum was the political, economic and religious centre of ancient Rome and now is a wide area that is open to the public without charge. Largo Romolo e Remo (06 69901110). Use Metro Colosseo.

Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna
Built in 1725 the steps curve upwards from the Piazza di Spagna to the Church of Santa Trinit dei Monti. The shopping area of Via
Condotti leads back from the Spanish steps to Via del Corso. At the bottom of the steps lies Bernini's boat-shaped Barcaccia
fountain.

St. Peter's Basilica
Emperor Constantine in 319 AD built a basilica over where the tomb of St. Peter was located. It was reconstructed in the 15th
century. Inside is Michelangelo's Pieta. Located at St. Peter's Square (06 698 5318).

Tomb of Cecilia Metella
A funeral monument built at the end of the Roman period. Located at Via Appia Antica, 161 (06 3996 7700).

Villa Farnesina
A renaissance house in Trastevere with rooms covered in frescoes, some by Raphael.

Vittoriano
Inaugurated in 1911 and devoted to the King Victor Emmanuel II with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Sometimes called ‘the
wedding cake’ or ‘the typewriter’, inside it has changing art shows. From the top is a good 360 degree view of Rome. Located at
Piazza Venezia (06 699 1718).