Rome – Monti-Esquilino-Castro Pretorio

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Monti, Esquilino, and Castro Pretorio are three rioni located on the eastern side of the center of Rome. The area includes the hills located east of the archaeological areas of Campitelli and Celio, and features numerous ancient ruins and some of the most notable churches in Rome, such as the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano.

✪ Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano

The Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano is the cathedral of Rome, as well as the oldest and most important of the papal basilicas in the city, and as such it is also called “archbasilica”. Since this is the cathedral of pope, it ranks above all other churches, including Saint Peter’s Basilica. An inscription next to the entrance declares this basilica as the “mother church of the world”. Founded in the 4th century, it was rebuilt a few times, and its current appearance dates from the 18th century. The basilica features a monumental facade adorned with large statues, while the interior houses Baroque and rococo decorations. Among the numerous artworks hosted here are several statues, mosaics, and frescoes. An elaborate 14th-century Gothic ciborium stands above the high altar. The basilica is at the center of a complex that includes the Lateran Palace and the Lateran Baptistery.

✪ Imperial Fora

Across the road from the Roman Forum and located along the Via dei Fori Imperiali are the Imperial Fora (Fori Imperiali), another large archaeological area featuring numerous ancient ruins. At the western edge of the Imperial Fora is Trajan’s Column (Colonna Traiana), a triumphal column completed in the year 113 and richly adorned with a series of elaborate reliefs. The column is located among the ruins of the Basilica Ulpia and Trajan’s Forum (Foro di Traiano). The area also includes the ruins of the Forum of Augustus (Foro di Augusto) and the Forum of Nerva (Foro di Nerva), while the Forum of Caesar (Foro di Cesare) is located across the road to the south, next to the Roman Forum. On the northern edge of the Imperial Fora is Trajan’s Market (Mercati di Traiano), a large complex hosting a museum dedicated to the surrounding archaeological area. Above Trajan’s Market is the medieval tower known as Torre delle Milizie, erected during the 13th century.

✪ Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli

The Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli is a church in Rome founded in the 5th century. The church was built to house the relics of what are said to be the chains with which Saint Peter was imprisoned. However, the basilica is best known for hosting the huge Tomb of Pope Julius II (Tomba di Giulio II) made by Michelangelo and featuring the famous sculpture of Moses (Mosè). Originally intended to be much larger and placed in Saint Peter’s Basilica, it was instead moved here after the pope’s death. The church also features various other artworks and some frescoes.

✪ Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the four papal basilicas of Rome, located on top of the Esquiline Hill. The church was built starting in the 5th century and was later restored and reworked several times. The basilica features a wide facade adorned with a Neoclassical loggia, and is topped by 14th-century bell tower. Inside, the walls of the basilica are adorned by a large cycle of medieval mosaics, with the oldest dating from the 5th century. The church also features various other artworks and richly decorated chapels, and hosts the tomb of sculptor and architect Bernini. The complex also includes a museum of religious art. The square in front of the church is adorned with an Egyptian-style obelisk erected around the 1st century.

✪ Palazzo Massimo alle Terme

Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is a 19th-century palace hosting the main branch of the National Roman Museum (Museo Nazionale Romano). The museum houses a huge collection of Roman sculptures, mosaics, and other artworks, including some of the greatest works of ancient art, and also features a large numismatic section.

✪ Baths of Diocletian

The Baths of Diocletian (Terme di Diocleziano) are a large thermal complex erected between 298 and 306. Once the largest baths in Rome, the buildings were later reused. The complex now hosts a section of the National Roman Museum, with exhibits on the prehistory of Rome, a collection of ancient inscriptions, and several ancient sculptures and artworks. The Baths of Diocletian include the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, erected in the 16th century following a design by Michelangelo and featuring various artworks and decorations. The Baroque Church of San Bernardo alle Terme was instead erected on the remains of a circular tower that was once part of the complex. The Baths of Diocletian face the large Piazza della Repubblica, which is adorned with the Fountain of the Naiads (Fontana delle Naiadi), completed in the early 20th century. Next to the square is the Monument to the Fallen of Dogali (Monumento ai Caduti di Dogali), an obelisk dedicated to the Italian soldiers who died during the Battle of Dogali in 1887.

Lateran Palace

The Lateran Palace (Palazzo del Laterano) is an historic palace adjacent to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Originally built during the Roman age, the palace later became the residence of the popes, and kept this role until the 14th century. Rebuilt and reworked several times, its current appearance dates from the 16th century. In 1929, the Lateran Treaty that established Vatican City as an independent state was signed here. The palace now houses the Vatican Historical Museum (Museo Storico Vaticano), dedicated to the history of the popes since the 16th century, including a collection of vehicles used by the popes. Next to the palace is the Lateran Obelisk (Obelisco Lateranense), the largest standing ancient Egyptian obelisk in the world, dating from around 1400 BCE.

Lateran Baptistery

The Lateran Baptistery (Battistero Lateranense) is a Paleochristian baptistery located next to the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Erected in the 4th century, it is one of the earliest Christian structures with a central plan, and served as a model for other baptisteries throughout Italy and Europe. The building was restored in the 17th century, and adorned with various frescoes and decorations.

Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs

The Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs (Santuario della Scala Santa) is a religious building located next to the Lateran Palace. It consists of a marble staircase made of what are said to be the steps on which Jesus Christ walked inside the palace of Pontius Pilatus in Jerusalem. The staircase was brought to Rome in the 4th century, and in the 16th century it was enclosed in the current structure. At the top of the stairs is the Sancta Sanctorum, a richly decorated hall that once served as the pope’s private chapel. Adjacent to the building is the Triclinium Leoninum, a section of the ancient Lateran Palace adorned with a mosaic.

Porta Asinaria

Porta Asinaria is a monumental city gate located along the Aurelian Walls near the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. Built during the 3rd century, it features imposing towers. Next to it is another gate, Porta San Giovanni, built in the 16th century.

Museum of the Liberation of Rome

The Museum of the Liberation of Rome (Museo Storico della Liberazione) is a museum dedicated to the Nazi German occupation of the city during World War II and the Italian Resistance. The museum is hosted in a building used by the Germans to imprison and torture the Italian partisans, and features various memorabilia and exhibitions related to that period.

Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio

The Basilica of Santo Stefano Rotondo al Celio is an ancient church in the rione Monti of Rome, at the border with the rione Celio. The church has a circular plan and was originally erected in the 5th century. Later restored during the Renaissance, the basilica is adorned with a series of frescoes painted in the 16th and 17th century and depicting scenes of martyrdom.

Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano

The Basilica of San Clemente al Laterano is a church in Rome built around the 12th century on the site of a previous Paleochristian church. The ancient basilica was erected on top of a pagan temple and a Roman house, while even older foundations, dating from the age of the Roman Republic are underneath the complex. The current church is adorned with numerous decorations and artworks, including a large apse mosaic, while the ancient basilica features some medieval frescoes. Among the ancient structures under the complex is a mithraeum dating from around the 2nd century.

Ludus Magnus

The Ludus Magnus is an archaeological area located next to the Colosseum hosting the ruins of a gladiatorial school. Built in the late 1st century CE, it consisted of a building where gladiators used to live and an arena where they practiced. Abandoned around the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it was rediscovered in the 20th century.

Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea (“Golden House”) is an ancient Roman palace built by emperor Nero after the fire of 64 CE. The huge complex was later demolished by the successors of Nero and various other structures were built here, including the Colosseum, erected on the site of a lake that was once in the gardens of the palace. The Domus Aurea is now part of a large archaeological area that also includes the ruins of the Baths of Trajan (Terme di Traiano), and various halls adorned with frescoes and decorations have been unearthed.

Church of Santa Caterina a Magnanapoli

The Church of Santa Caterina a Magnanapoli is a 17th-century church in the rione Monti of Rome next to the Torre delle Milizie. The interior of the church is richly adorned with elaborate Baroque decorations and sculptures.

Basilica of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti

The Basilica of Santi Silvestro e Martino ai Monti is a church in Rome founded in the 4th century and rebuilt various times. The current structure dates from the 9th century with 17th-century additions. The church features a richly adorned Baroque interior and hosts several frescoes and artworks.

Palazzo delle Esposizioni

Palazzo delle Esposizioni is a 19th-century exhibition hall and cultural center in Rome. The building features a monumental Neoclassical facade, and it has hosted numerous important exhibitions and events.

Basilica of San Vitale

The Basilica of San Vitale is a Paleochristian church erected in Rome between the 4th and 5th century and restored during the Renaissance. The internal walls of the basilica are richly adorned with a huge cycle of elaborate Renaissance frescoes.

Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale

The Church of Sant’Andrea al Quirinale is a 17th-century Baroque church located near Palazzo del Quirinale Palace. Designed by Bernini, the small church has an elliptical plan and is richly adorned with artworks and decorations. The church houses the tomb of Charles Emmanuel IV of Sardinia and a sculpture in polychrome marble of Saint Stanislaus Kostka.

Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane

The Church of San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane is a historic church in Rome located on the Quirinal Hill. Erected in the 17th century, this church was designed by Borromini and features an intricate Baroque facade. Due to the small space available, the building was designed to combine convex and concave surfaces with oval and rectangular shapes to create a unique floor plan. The church owes its name to the Quattro Fontane (“Four Fountains”), an ensemble of four 16th-century fountains located at the corners of an intersection.

Teatro dell’Opera di Roma

The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma is an opera house erected during the late 19th century in Rome. The theater has hosted many prestigious world premieres, including those of the Cavalleria rusticana by Pietro Mascagni and the Tosca by Giacomo Puccini, and continues to be one of the most important opera houses in Italy.

Servian Walls

The Servian Walls (Mura Serviane) are the ancient city walls of Rome, originally erected in the 6th century BCE and rebuilt in the 4th century BCE. Some sections of these fortifications are still visible to this day, most notably next to the Roma Termini railway station. A portion of the walls is curiously located inside a fast food restaurant in the train station.

Porta Pia

Porta Pia is a monumental city gate in Rome, erected in the 16th century and designed by Michelangelo. The gate is known as the place from which the Bersaglieri of the Italian Army entered Rome in 1870, capturing the city. Inside the gate there is a museum dedicated to the Bersaglieri, hosting numerous memorabilia.

Basilica of Santa Prassede

The Basilica of Santa Prassede is a church built between the 8th and 9th century in Rome. The church features a large cycle of medieval Byzantine-style mosaics, including those hosted in the richly adorned Chapel of Saint Zeno (Sacello di San Zenone). The church also houses various other artworks, funerary monuments, and decorated chapels.

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II

Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II is the largest square in Rome, built in the 19th century. The square is adorned with a garden hosting the ruins of a 3rd-century fountain known as Trophy of Marius (Trofei di Mario) or Nymphaeum of Alexander (Ninfeo di Alessandro). Next to these ruins is the Porta Alchemica (“Alchemical Door”) or Porta Magica (“Magic Portal”), a 17th-century portal that once served as entrance to a villa that has been demolished. Facing the square is the Church of Sant’Eusebio, founded in the Middle Ages and later reworked in Neoclassical style.

Temple of Minerva Medica

The Temple of Minerva Medica (Tempio di Minerva Medica) is an ancient Roman structure dating from the 4th century. The building has a decagonal plan and was actually not a temple but the nymphaeum of an ancient villa. After being abandoned, it remained well preserved for centuries, but the roof partially collapsed in 1828. Various archaeological ruins and ancient statues have been found around the building.

Porta Maggiore

Porta Maggiore is an ancient city gate in Rome located along the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls. The monumental structure was originally built in the 1st century CE, to mark the place where various aqueducts met, and was later included in the Aurelian Walls. The gate features some Roman inscriptions and it is surrounded by a few archaeological ruins. Among these are the Tomb of Eurysaces (Sepolcro di Eurisace), a monumental tomb for a baker from the 1st century BCE, and the underground Basilica of Porta Maggiore, which dates from the 1st century CE.

Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

The Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is one of the seven pilgrimage churches of Rome. Founded in the 4th century and reworked several times, it gained its current appearance during a restoration in the 18th century. The church features various decorations and artworks, and it is known for hosting various ancient relics, including the Titulus Crucis, which is said to be the title panel of the cross on which Jesus was crucified. Adjacent to the church are the ruins of the Amphitheatrum Castrense (Anfiteatro Castrense), a Roman amphitheater built in the 3rd century. The ruins of the Circus Varianus (Circo Variano), an open-air venue built around the same time as the nearby amphitheater, are located behind the basilica.

National Museum of Musical Instruments

The National Museum of Musical Instruments (Museo Nazionale degli Strumenti Musicali) is a museum located next to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. Its collection includes several historic musical instruments, with pieces from all over the world.

Historical Museum of the Granatieri di Sardegna

The Historical Museum of the Granatieri di Sardegna (Museo Storico dei Granatieri di Sardegna) is a military museum in Rome located near the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme. The museum houses a collection of historic weapons and memorabilia of a mechanized infantry brigade of the Italian Army, with pieces dating from the 19th and 20th century. The adjacent Historical Museum of the Infantry (Museo Storico della Fanteria) similarly hosts objects related to the infantry of the Italian Army.