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Free things to do in Rome – visit these places

The “Eternal City,” as Rome is known, offers something for everyone. History, shopping, fine dining, romance and most of all sightseeing. We have compiled a list of free attractions for you – in some places you won’t have to wait in endless lines!

1. Pantheon

Pantheon is one of the most famous and most visited buildings in Rome. You can find it in the Piazza della Rotonda. In the years 25-27 BC Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa had built this building, which was reconsecrated as a church, in honor of the gods. Here are tombstones of many famous Italian personalities. One of the most visited tombstones is that of the Renaissance master Raffael.

2. St. Peter’s Basilica

Everyone probably knows the church with the balcony from which Papa greets his faithful. Originally the Old Saint Peter’s Basilica, which was rebuilt into today’s St. Peter’s Basilica in the 16th century. Both churches stand on the same spot where, according to legend, St. Peter was crucified. World-renowned architect Michelangelo was also involved in building one of the largest and most beautiful basilicas in the world. Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s canopy are in one of the chapels. Admission to the basilica is free.

The Basilica is located in St. Peter’s Square, where you will also find the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel was named after Papa Sixt IV and is famous for being the place where the new papa is elected. Famous artists such as Botticelli, Perugino, Roselli and Ghirlandaio were involved in the construction. The frescoes that made the chapel famous were painted by Michelangelo.

3. Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most beautiful and famous fountains in the world. Its oldest part dates from the 19th century BC and was part of the aqueduct. The fountain is located in Trevi Square, which is full of tourists, couples in love and traders every evening. The fountain consists of statues representing the four seasons. The fact that it was featured in a famous Fellini film also contributes to the fame of the fountain. A popular belief says that tossing coins over your shoulder into the fountain is good luck. One coin leads to a safe return to Rome, two coins to the thrower falling in love with a Roman or three coins to a marriage with the related person. Every evening, 2,000 euros are fetched from the fountain. The money will be donated to Caritas.

4. La Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)

The Mouth of Truth can be found near the Church of Santa Maria in Piazza della Bocca della Veritá in Cosmedin. According to legend, the 175 cm tall marble face served as a lie detector in the past. According to this, anyone who puts their hand in the mouth of the truth and lies will have their hand bitten off. The Mouth of Truth only became really famous when Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck were shooting the film “A Heart and a Crown” in Rome. Since then, this mouth of truth has been visited by many tourists. When you visit Rome, you can find out if this legend is true.

5. Arch of Constantine

The impressive triumphal arch is located near the Colosseum. This structure symbolizes the victory of Emperor Constantine over his opponent Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, fought in 312. Emperor Constantine had the arch built in 315 AD. The arch was built of white marble and is also the largest and best preserved triumphal arch in Rome.

6. Villa Borghese Gardens

You can find the gardens next to the Borghes Gallery. The Galleria Borghese in Rome is a work of art in itself, with many other works of art preserved within it. The collection includes works by Bronzino, Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Guido, Reni, Rubens, Antonio Tempesta, Titian and Veronese, as well as sculptures by Bernini and Canova, among others. There is a fee to enter the gallery, but the gardens are free for everyone. It is an ideal place where you can relax after a busy day. But it is also a nice place where you can recharge your batteries for your next sightseeing.

7. Pyramid of Cestius

You absolutely have to see the only pyramid in Rome! Gaius Cestius Epulo had this 36 meter high concrete pyramid built in 12 BC as his tomb. It was modeled after Egyptian pyramids. Goethe also visited this pyramid on his trip to Italy, which means it is definitely worth seeing. What are you waiting for?

8. Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are a huge object with art collections. You can find them near St. Peter’s Basilica. Admission costs 15 euros, but they are free on the last Sunday of the month. There you can find Christian, antique, medieval or contemporary art collections. Every year these museums are visited by 6 million visitors. The journey through more than 20 centuries of history and art is an unforgettable experience that you should not miss.

Photo source: Shutterstock, Dreamstime, Unsplash.com
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