Rome – South Rome

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The area south of the center of Rome includes various historic landmarks and vast archaeological areas, as well as the modern neighborhood of EUR. South Rome is composed of the Municipi V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, XI, and XII, while Municipio X, which is further away and includes the coastal town of Ostia, is treated separately.

✪ Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura

The Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura is one of the four major papal basilicas of Rome. The church is located near the Tiber river south of the Aurelian Walls, and was founded in the 4th century. The basilica was expanded and restored various times, and the complex is now one of the largest churches in the world. The church was almost entirely destroyed by a fire in 1823, and most of its current appearance dates from the 19th-century restoration. The current Neoclassical facade, adorned with a large mosaic, and the portico were both added after the fire. Most of the internal decorations also date from the 19th century, but the church also features 5th-century mosaics and an elaborate Gothic ciborium made by Arnolfo di Cambio in the 13th century. Under the church is an archaeological area featuring the supposed tomb of Saint Paul, while a medieval abbey is adjacent to the basilica.

✪ Via Appia Antica

The Appian Way (Via Appia) is an ancient Roman road that extended south from Rome, connecting the city to the port of Brindisi. Just south of Rome is a large archaeological park that includes a section of the ancient road, known as Via Appia Antica (“Ancient Appian Way”), and numerous ruins and landmarks. Along this road are the ruins of the Villa of Maxentius (Villa di Massenzio), a large complex dating from the 4th century that includes the Circus of Maxentius (Circo di Massenzio) and the Mausoleum of Maxentius (Mausoleo di Massenzio). The Tomb of Caecilia Metella (Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella), dating from the 1st century BCE, is nearby, while the ruined thermal baths of Capo di Bove are located more south. Also along the Via Appia Antica are the ruins of the large Villa of the Quintilii (Villa dei Quintili), which dates from the 2nd century and includes a thermal complex.

✪ Basilica of San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura

The Basilica of San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura is one of the traditional seven pilgrim churches or Rome, located along the Via Appia Antica. Originally erected in the 4th century, the church was rebuilt in the 9th century and heavily reworked in the 17th century. The basilica houses various Baroque decorations and artworks, including the Bust of the Saviour (Busto del Salvatore), the last sculpture made by Bernini. However, the church is best known for the large catacombs located underneath the building, which were used at least since the 3rd century. The underground cemetery originally hosted the relics of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, and was an early site of pilgrimage for Christians. The catacombs feature various halls with decorations and frescoes, including three mausolea.

Villa Doria Pamphilj

Villa Doria Pamphilj is a 17th-century villa featuring one of the largest parks in Rome, located west of the Janiculum hill. The huge landscape gardens feature various fountains and landmarks, and include the Basilica of San Pancrazio. This church was founded in the 6th century and was later expanded, and houses large catacombs underneath the building.

Centrale Montemartini

Centrale Montemartini is a former power station in Rome, now turned into a museum. Serving as a section of the Capitoline Museums, several ancient Roman statues and artworks are hosted here, curiously located among large industrial machinery.

Catacombs of Callixtus

The Catacombs of Callixtus (Catacombe di San Callisto) are one of the largest and oldest Paleochristian cemeteries, located near the Via Appia Antica in Rome. The huge complex houses the tombs of 16 popes, dating between the 2nd and 4th century, as well as several martyrs. Various halls of the catacombs are adorned with ancient frescoes.

Catacombs of Domitilla

The Catacombs of Domitilla (Catacombe di Domitilla) are a large underground cemetery housing thousands of tombs, located near the Catacombs of Callixtus. One of the earliest Christian cemeteries, the catacombs feature various ancient frescoes and decorations.

Mausoleum of Fosse Ardeatine

The Mausoleum of Fosse Ardeatine (Mausoleo delle Fosse Ardeatine) is a memorial and museum dedicated to the victims of the Fosse Ardeatine massacre. The monument houses the remains of the 335 Italian civilians and political prisoners killed by Nazi German soldiers in Rome on March 24, 1944.

Tombs of Via Latina

The Tombs of Via Latina (Tombe di Via Latina) are a group of ancient Roman tombs located in an archaeological park in Rome. The tombs, which date from the 2nd century, are adorned with various ancient decorations, mosaics, and frescoes.

Parco degli Acquedotti

Parco degli Acquedotti is an archaeological park at the southeastern outskirts of Rome. The vast park is known for hosting the ruins of various ancient Roman aqueducts. The area also serves as a public park, and has appeared in various movies and shows.

Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana

Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana is a building in the modern EUR neighborhood of Rome. Designed in the 1930s but only completed in 1953, its design is inspired by the Colosseum and serves as an example of Italian Rationalism and fascist architecture. Now it hosts the headquarters of fashion house Fendi.

Museum of Civilizations

The Museum of Civilizations (Museo delle Civiltà) is a museum located in the EUR neighborhood of Rome. It was founded in 2016 by merging the collections of various museums in the city, and features rich exhibits on ethnology, history, and art. The museum includes sections dedicated to prehistoric and medieval artifacts, traditional life in Italy, and the art of Asia and Africa.

Museum of Roman Civilization

The Museum of Roman Civilization (Museo della Civiltà Romana) is a museum dedicated to ancient Rome. The museum is hosted in a large building in the EUR neighborhood, which features tall colonnades. The exhibits of the museum are dedicated to various aspects of life in ancient Rome and the history of the city. A notable feature of the museum is the large model of ancient Rome during the imperial age. The museum is currently closed for renovation.

Mausoleum of Helena

The Mausoleum of Helena (Mausoleo di Elena) is a funerary monument erected in the 4th century at the outskirts of Rome. The large circular structure housed two richly decorated sarcophagi now located in the Pio-Clementino Museum in Vatican City. The mausoleum is located next to the Church of Santi Marcellino e Pietro ad Duas Lauros, which stands on top of the ancient Catacombs of Marcellinus and Peter (Catacombe dei Santi Marcellino e Pietro).

Villa Gordiani

Villa Gordiani is an archeological park in Rome that includes the ruins of a 3rd-century villa, regarded as the residence of emperors Gordian I, Gordian II, and Gordian III. The complex features the ruins of various structures, including a large mausoleum.