Location: Piazza Venezia / Ancient City
Top Things to do in Piazza Venezia / Ancient City
10 Sights & Landmarks in Piazza Venezia / Ancient City That You Shouldn't Miss
Rome wasn't built in a day--and you'll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites. Toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, contemplate the Colosseum and the Pantheon, and sample a perfect espresso or gelato before spending an afternoon shopping at the Campo de’Fiori or Via Veneto. Enjoy some of the most memorable meals of your life here, too, from fresh pasta to succulent fried artichokes or a tender oxtail stew.
Restaurants in Rome
1. Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 12,067 reviews
Reviewed By Llubi - London, United Kingdom
This place is free to visit. Is a beautiful place , is imponente... every corner is perfect from the stairs to the main part.... is full of details and sculptures....in there is located the tomb of the anonymous soldier where the eternal flame is on. If you carry on walking you can reach easily the Roman forum , Constantino arch and the coliseum. Highly recommend to take pictures from the top of the monument and to walk inside is simple beautiful
2. Palatine Hill
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,994 reviews
The commercial, political and religious center of ancient Rome, which features the Arch of Septimus Severus, Temple of Saturn, Arch of Titus and the House of the Vestals.
Reviewed By genie26c - Plymouth, United Kingdom
I would certainly advise pre-booking your tickets, or join a group tour to avoid the very long queues and group tours get to use a separate entrance too, which makes it even easier. We'd just been on an express tour of the Colosseum with 'Tour in the City' and wanted to see the Palentine Hill and Forum as well (your Colosseum ticket includes entry to Palentine Hill and Forum) so our Colosseum guide was able to arrange for us go with another tour company that they are affiliated with ('Fun Tours'), which meant we were able to get into the Palentine Hill/Forum and also tag onto that tour too - which was really informative and didn't take too long, maybe about 45 mins. Then we were left to our own devices. The Palentine Hill is surprisingly tranquil and has some beautiful views. it wasn't crowded and it was nice to simply walk about and take in the scenery and history of everything at our own pace. Thoroughly enjoyed it here and if we'd been a bit more organised, it would have been nice to bring refreshments/food and find a quiet place to sit and have a picnic.
3. Piazza Venezia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,370 reviews
Close to many tourist attractions such as the Roman Forum and Capitol Hill, this large sunny square is the true hub of Rome, which features the impressive monument of King Vittorio Emmanuele II.
Reviewed By MissEmilyMc - London, United Kingdom
Piazza Venezia doesn’t just serve as a central hub in Rome as there’s several intersections and it’s close to nearby attractions such as the Roman Forum, The Colosseum and Capitol Hill. Regardless of it serving as a central hub, there is one landmark that dominates Piazza Venezia which is a monument called Il Vittoriano (Victor Emannuel II) - the first King of Italy. Not only is this landmark one of the largest in Rome as well as being one of the most majestic but a very recent addition to Rome’s scenery as it was built during the 20th century. The unmissable centrepiece is the bronze equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II riding a horse, it’s so large that when it was completed there was a celebratory dinner held in the horse’s stomach (fitting approximately 20 people). Even though this landmark in itself is a magnificent work of art many Romans would disagree and refer to it as “The Wedding Cake” since they dispute the marble clashes with existing architecture. Not only is the architecture a problem for Romans but the history behind it with churches and homes being demolished in way for it as well as a place where Mussolini and Hitler were pictured. Mussolini took over the monument for political use which has left bad memories for Romans. There’s even more symbolism found when looking closer at Victor Emmanuel II such as the two fountains at either side of the monument representing the seas surrounding Italy - Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea. The friezes at the top of Victor Emmanuel II represents the different regions of Italy being personified as statues, an incredible idea and sight adding to the incredible architecture. The most spectacular features are the everlasting flame, eternally shining and burning in front of the altar, which are always guarded by two soldiers - representing and marking the grave of the “Unknown Soldier” who died during World War I. The same principle applies to those who were never identified but died during the war, they’re given a tribute as well as everyone being given a symbolic reminder of the deaths during this war. Overall, the monument was constructed to represent and celebrate the unification of Italy and furthermore the power of Rome as the capital of the country. There are countless buildings surrounding Piazza Venezia such as The Via del Corso, Palazzo Bonaparte and most famously Michelangelo's House. Before leaving Piazza Venezia our tour guide brought us to Trajan’s Column which was built by Emperor Trajan in 113 AD - hence the name. The triumphal column commemorates and represents the Trajan’s victory over the Dacians to which can be seen on the column itself explains the entire campaign. The Trajan Column doesn’t proudly show the Emperor Trajan in all his glory but one of Rome’s patron saints there - St Peter, since during the 19th century Pope Sixtus V changed the statue. The great influence and reach that numerous Pope’s had throughout Rome during all eras, with such a large influence still standing today.
4. Colle Capitolino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
The political and religious center of ancient Rome, this is the smallest, but the most famous, of the Seven Hills of Rome, which features the Senate.
Reviewed By JohnSt_2 - The Hague, The Netherlands
We visited the Capitoline Hill several times, to enter the musei capitolini and to enjoy the view over the forum romanum from here. What a stunning view! Especially on a clear sunny day you can see the monuments very well and identify the buildings with the help of a guide book. Some tours start here to prepare for a visit to the forum and a string of groups can be seen in the course of the day. There is a cafettaria to the right of the capitolini museum entrance, around the corner after fifteen meters or so, second floor. There is excellent coffee/cappuccino here, very nice pastry and some sandwiches. Its free terrace again provides an excellent view of the north western side, including at some distance the St. Peter’s dome. Enjoy!
5. Arco di Costantino
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,686 reviews
Built in 315AD and noted by its triple arches, this structure commemorates Constantine's victory over Maxentuis.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
The three-door Arch of Constantine (Arco di Constantino) is the largest of the three triumphal arches in the Roman Forum. It was built in honor of Emperor Constantine (Flavius Valerius Constantinus) in 312-315 and commemorates the victory over Emperor Maxentius, whom Constantine won in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, and his 10-year reign. A large and magnificent structure 21 meters high and 25.7 meters wide. Unfortunately, the size next to the Colosseum is not important - but impressive. Some of the reliefs and columns were taken from earlier structures and inserted in the Arch of Constantine. Certainly one of the most fascinating buildings in the Roman Forum. Like so many buildings in Rome, architecture is impressive, above all due to its details, size and old age.
6. Piazza del Campidoglio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,359 reviews
This beautiful square, designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti (1538-1584,) features an elliptical courtyard with a central figure sculpture.
Reviewed By alessandrofL127YD - Milan, Italy
Wonderful square with ingenius design of pavement to solve the problems of the space. Pope Paul III commissioned it to Michelangelo in 1536. The center of the designed pavement is the basement of the Equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, Palace Senatorio and two gemini palaces close the scenic square.
7. Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 705 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
One of the most wonderful basilicas in Rome. Located near Piazza del Campidoglio, at the top of the spectacular 124 marble steps. Plates comes from various ancient buildings. It was built in the 13th century, probably on the site of the ancient temple of Juno. The church was built by Franciscans , probably according to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio. In 1348, on the initiative of Cola di Rienzi , a staircase was added as a votive offering of thanks to the Mother of God for stopping the plague epidemic . The stairs were designed by Lorenzo di Simone di Andreozzo . The interior is an absolute spiritual feast. However, the temple is known primarily from Santo Bambino - the fifteenth-century figurine of the Baby Jesus. The figurine was reportedly stolen on February 1, 1994, and replaced by a copy.
8. Casa delle Vestali
9. Palazzo dei Conservatori
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By kylesE8563QS
during the Middle Ages , this was the seat of the city magistrates and the ground floor is the municipal registrar's office.The first floor rooms have Classical statues and decorative items from the 16th and 17th centuries. the second floor has art galleries with works of Veronese, Guercino, Titian, Tintoretto, Ruebens, Caravaggio, and Van Dick
10. Via Sacra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
Reviewed By AMohsen - Port Said, Egypt
Everybody walks through this road between the different attractions of the old Roman city (Colosseum, Roman Forum..etc.).
