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01 Pagina 11

Call number Michelangelo, beauty. They overlook the steps of Caravaggio should also not miss out
the same name and piazza di Spagna on popping in to the Church of
060608 Bernini,
Caravaggio – below. Head off to piazza San
Lorenzo in Lucina to remain in awe
S. Luigi dei Francesi. The nearby
Church of Sant’Ignazio, on the other
or visit the big names
www.turismoroma.it of the church and the piazza, an ele- hand, has a surprise in store: a strik-

[Roma tiaspetta
behind the
For tourist information, gant open-air salon, that unravels ing trompe l’oeil of the Glory of St.
basilicas of

San Lorenzo in Lucina

before us. Moving on towards the Ignatius, a magnificent prospective

Dives in Misericordia
cultural events and entertainment offered in Rome
Rome
Qurinale, we come to the Church of painting giving the spectator the illu-
LIST OF P.I.T. (Tourism Information Points)
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, sion of seeing the inside of a raised
whose lively façade and oval dome dome.
• G.B. Pastine Ciampino
bear all the hallmarks of Borromini’s
International Arrivals – Baggage Collection Area (9.00 - 18.30)
• Fiumicino
genius. Two other prized legacies of [ Between dropping into one church
International Airport "Leonardo Da Vinci"- International Borromini’s fine craftwork are locat- and another, we also can savour the joy
Arrivals - Terminal T - 3 (9.00 - 18.30) of simply being in the historical centre of
ed in the very centre of the city:
• Ostia Lido piece, which over the centuries con- the capital: timeless piazzas to sip our Be it outside the usual tourist’s itin-
Lungomare Paolo Toscanelli corner Piazza Anco Marzio
(9.30 - 19.00)
• Castel Sant'Angelo
tinues to astonish onlookers for its
highly technical craftwork and ability
Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza and
Sant’Agnese in Agone, which
bestows on Piazza Navona its
coffees, glimpses of beautiful new spots
taking us unaware as we turn every cor-
erary, the Basilica of San Paolo fuori
le Mura (St. Paul’s Outside the Walls), CHURCHES
and BASILICAS
ner, artists’ studios, although also shops one of Rome’s four papal basilicas,
Piazza Pia (9.30 - 19.00) to move us.
DGE SYSTEM
unmatched grace. Admirers of and boutiques to go on shopping sprees.
• Minghetti the second largest after St. Peter’s, is
Via Marco Minghetti (9.30 - 19.00)
• Navona
[ Seeing that we are in the vicinity, worth a visit. The church stands on
Piazza delle Cinque Lune (9.30 - 19.00)
a visit (lasting at least 3 hours) is highly the spot where St. Paul is said to
recommended to the Vatican Museum, have been buried.
• Nazionale
Via Nazionale - near Palazzo delle Esposizioni a treasure trove of the works of
(9.30 - 19.00) Caravaggio, Raffaello (Raphael), Giotto
and Leonardo da Vinci. A look-in to the
[ On our return to the centre, we sug-
• Santa Maria Maggiore gest taking a walk through the Ostiense
Via dell'Olmata (9.30 - 19.00) “Stanze di Raffaelo” (Raphael’s Rooms)
Photos: A. Cenni - M. Cristofani

district, where industrial archaeology and

• Sonnino and the “Cappella Sistina” (Sistine popular traditions perfectly blend. The
Piazza Sidney Sonnino (9.30 - 19.00) Chapel) is an absolute MUST. Centrale Montemartini, Rome’s first elec-
• Termini
Via Giovanni Giolitti, 34 tricity plant, has been triumphantly turned
Inside Building F - Platform 24 (8.00 - 20.30) Our walk continues with the explo- into a museum displaying hundreds of
ration of a whole series of “minor” antique sculptures from the Musei
churches, so-called only because of Capitolini (the Capitoline Museums).
The Card that offers you
Transport and 2 Museums free their size. The elegant crown of piaz-
www.romapass.it A fine example of the more contempo-
za del Popolo embraces the Church
rary soul of Rome’s churches may be
of Santa Maria del Popolo, where two
found in the district of Tor Tre Teste
magnificent Caravaggio paintings are

San Paolo Fuori le Mura

where the magnificent Church Dives in

Sant’Agnese in Agone
to be found. Just a few hundred
Misericordia stands in all its glory. The
metres away there is the Church of
“Third Millennium Church” or “Jubilee
Trinità dei Monti, whose twin bell
Church” is a work by the renowned
towers offer a spectacle of rare
U.S. Architect, Richard Meier.
PIEGHEVOLI DEFINITIVI INGLESE 6 ant MODIF_Layout 1 23/06/11 13.01 Pagina 12
The history of the churches of Rome has
through the centuries evolved hand in
hand with the Italian capital’s, leaving its
distinctive mark on the city’s religious,
social and artistic life. Rome can boast
several imposing basilicas together with
a number of discreet temples, providing
sublime examples of mediaeval, renaissance
or baroque art. However, Rome is also
graced by futuristic constructions, which
together with earlier works offer timeless
centrepieces in this quite unforgettable
city. “Churches and Basilicas” provides an
unique itinerary meandering through a
rich legacy of art and history in the quest
for the Eternal City’s more spiritual soul.
Addresses
1 Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.
P.zza S. Croce in Gerusalemme. Bus: 3, 85, 87, 571, 649.
Metro: Line A, S. Giovanni Station.
San Our walk starts off from the Basilica of Rome’s Walking alongside the Tiber north-
Giovanni in San Giovanni in Laterano, the many wards, our journey therefore takes us
Laterano, Cathedral of Rome, which is often churches to piazza San Peter’s Cathedral,
“the mother referred to as the “The Mother of all and their Bernini’s true masterpiece. The
Catholic churches all over the world”. grandeur of Carlo Maderno’s seven-
of all hidden
Santa Maria in Trastevere
churches” It represents the ideal union between treasures teenth century façade gives some idea
Santa Maria Maggiore
the Pagan and Christian eras: it was in of the colossal dimensions of the
2 Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. P.zza San fact conceived as a building for public Basilica of San Pietro, which is still one
Giovanni in Laterano. Bus: 3, 16, 81, 85, 87, 360, 714,
meetings and for justice administra- of the largest churches in the world,
810, 850, 117. Metro: Line A, San Giovanni Station.
tion. With the spreading of the faith it today. The harmony and size of
3 San Clemente. Via Labicana, 95. Metro: Line B,
Colosseo Station then proceed along Via S. Giovanni in was turned into a grand ecclesiastical Michelangelo’s dome is altogether
Laterano. construction, perfect for a large con- stunning, even if it is better appreciat-
4 San Pietro in Vincoli. P.zza S. Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a. gregation. Its eighteenth century ed in the tough but satisfying climb to
Bus: 11, 27, 81. Metro: Line B, Colosseo Station. façade provides just a taste of the the top, where both its interior and
5 Basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura. Via Ostiense. magnificent interior designed by [Just 1 km. from San Giovanni and or abounds with a vast selection of
highly interesting art.
exterior may be admired. Mention at
Bus: C6, C8, 23, 128, 766, 761. Metro: Line B, Basilica Borromini. Do not leave without first we come to Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, this point should be made of one of
San Paolo Station.
[
visiting its cloisters and absorbing its one of the seven churches of Rome which the several outstanding works of art
We are now just a stone’s throw
6 Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. P.zza S. Maria sacred atmosphere. pilgrims had to visit on foot in a single day. inside: Michelangelo’s Pietà, a master-
We can now have a short break to do away from the Domus Aurea, the villa built
Maggiore. Metro: Line A, Termini Station; Line B, Cavour
Station. some shopping in one of the most popular on Nero’s orders following the fire of 64
and characteristic markets of Rome: via A.D. and from the Colle Oppio (The Oppian
7 San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane. Via del Quirinale,
Hill), where you can enjoy a short rest in
Sannio. It is time to mingle with the
23. Metro: Line A, Barberini Station. The greatness
Romans, to look for a bargain at one of the the park and savour an exceptional view of
8 Trinità dei Monti. P.zza Trinità dei Monti. Metro: Line
several stalls decked out with their colour- the Colosseum. of Piazza San
A, Barberini/Spagna Station.
ful array of new and second-hand clothes. Pietro and
9 Santa Maria del Popolo. P.zza del Popolo, 22. Metro: Our tour now continues on the other
Michelangelo’s
Line A, Flaminio Station. side of the Tiber until we get to the
Moving down via di San Giovanni in dome
10 Sant'Ignazio. Bus: 64 e 40, bus stop in piazza Basilica of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.
Laterano, we reach the Basilica of San
Venezia. From here proceed along Via del Corso to Located in the very heart of one of
then turn left into Via del Caravita. Clemente, whose late baroque exteri-
or conceals artistic treasures mainly Rome’s most charming districts, this
11 San Luigi dei Francesi. P.zza S. Luigi dei Francesi, 5.
dating back to the Middle Ages. If we Church merits attention for a truly artis-
Bus: 70, 81, 87, 116, 492, 628.
tic gem: Pietro Cavallini’s fresco of the
12 Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza. C.so Rinascimento, 40. Bus: head towards piazza Esquilino we will
492 e 70. have the opportunity to admire the Last Judgement, an exceptional exam-
13 Sant'Agnese in Agone. P.zza Navona. Bus: 64 and portico of the Basilica of San Pietro in ple of pre-Giottesque art in the capital.
[
get off at the Vittorio Emanuele bus stop. Vincoli, which also houses
San Giovanni in Laterano
14 Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. P.zza S. Cecilia, 22. Take the opportunity to stroll
Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of
through the so very Roman district of
Tram: 8 from Torre Argentina, get off after Ponte
Garibaldi. From here, proceed along Lungotevere until
“Moses”. Just a little further on, we Trastevere. As well as visiting the Church
p.zza Castellani to turn into Via dei Vascellari. find ourselves facing Santa Maria of Santa Maria, delight in the picturesque
15 Dives in Misericordia. Via F. Tovaglieri. Bus: 556. By Maggiore, the best preserved of the alleys as they wind through a cheerful
San Pietro
five patriarchal basilicas, whose interi- zone, heaving with cafés, restaurants and
car from the city centre: drive down Via Prenestina
cocktail bars.
until via A. Staderini, then turn right.