In a city as popular as Rome, tourists can easily be led to packaged tours that offer nothing but the same scripts, sites and information to thousands of other tourists who just don’t know any better. These tours can also cost quite a sum of money. All it takes is some inside information from locals and from other travelers who prefer to experience the city away from the tourist mobs. Here are just a few of what could be dozens of sites in Rome which are not in standard guide books and packaged tour routes.
View from the top – Any city looks breathtaking when viewed from high elevations such as the Empire State in New York or a natural formation such as the Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa. Now, imagine what Rome would look like from a similar view with its awe-inspiring buildings and landmarks. This view is possible from a piazza built for the Knights of Malta on top of the Aventino Hill. Rome is simply unmatched when visitors see it through the keyhole at the edge of the piazza’s Via Santa Sabina.
Roman underground – Ancient history is buried under the relatively modern structures and buildings of Rome, Italy. Perhaps nothing illustrates this more than the three layers of underground archaeological displays in the Basilica di San Clemente. Underneath the church which was reconstructed during the 1800s is another church built in 1180, under which is another church cited in the 3rd century by Saint Jerome as a place of worship for early Christians. At the very bottom of these layers lie artifacts from pre-Christian Rome.
Past lives and deaths on the surface – On street level, Rome has many interesting spots not mentioned in guidebooks. Two of these are the baths built for Emperor Carcalla, which is so peaceful in spite of being surrounded by roads. The other is the Protestant Cemetery, which is another tranquil space for exploring on foot.
The Spanish Steps, the Forum, the Coliseum and Saint Peter’s Basilica are a few of the most beloved sites in Rome, Italy. As beautiful and as historic as they are, the crowds can be overwhelming when visiting these areas, especially during peak season. But, as the three examples given above suggest, there are still pockets of solitude left in this city to be explored by the more curious travelers.