L' Acropoli di Roma |
The Tour develops along the Fori Imperiali that have seen the Triumphs of Roman Generals and the Stations of the Via Crucis of the Holy Father, until reaching the Sacred Hill (Campidoglio) where we admire the sun that sets on millennia of History. |
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20' |
We begin this afternoon Tour from the greatest construction for games and shows of all times, the Maximum Circus. As large as 6 soccer fields it accommodated beyond 250,000 spectators. We coast the bank of the Tiber until arriving at the first Roman port of the river, Port Tiberino, where the foreign merchants left the Caudicarie ships in order to carry their goods to the Foro Boario, the largest cattle market of Rome. |
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In the Church of Saint Maria of Cosmedin, risen over the remains of an ancient altar dedicated to Hercules, we introduce our hand in the Bocca della Verità (literally the "mouth of the truth"), an ancient mask that the medieval legend says bites the hands of liars. Near by you can see the temple of Hercules Victor, the oldest example of a Roman temple in marble. We are in the Velabro, the ancient swamp where the She Wolf, symbol of Rome, saved the twins Romolo and Remo. A look at the great Arch of Giano and we are at the feet of the sacred hill: the Campidoglio. |
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1he 30' |
After having admired the Insula, a typical condominium of the Roman plebs that accommodated up to 400 persons, we climb the famous stairway to the Chapel of Aracoeli, built on the remains of the Temple of Giunone Moneta (the ancient mint of Rome), and arrive in Piazza del Campidoglio. Defined by the New York Times as the most beautiful square in the world, it’s a concentration of stunning artistical and architectural beauties. Its current aspect is thanks to Michelangelo: the great statues of Castore and Polluce introduce us to the central area where the equestrian statue of Marco Aurelio stands, while on three sides of the square we find the splendid museums of Palazzo dei Conservatori, the new Capitoline Museum (one of the richest and oldest museums of the world) and the Tabularium where the city council’s offices reside. |
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40' |
At the feet of the Campidoglio we stop in the ancient Carcere Mamertino, an ancient jail where political prisoners were strangled and where Saints Peter and Paul, the Patrons of Rome, were jailed. Julius Cesar spent 60 million sesterzi to expropriate the land where he built the Fori Imperiali (Imperial Forums), universal symbol of archaeology. We walk among the ruins of various forums (of the Peace, of Augusto, of Traiano) and reach the Column of Traiano (called "centennial" because 100 roman feet high) that documents with its wrapping decorations the victories of the emperor on the Daci. |
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30' |
At the end of the Imperial Forums is the last stage of the Tour, Venezia Square, neurotic centre of the daily life. It’s a curious show to watch municipal policeman directing traffic with their unmistakable mimics. On one side of the square we find the Vittoriano, a gigantic monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II and also to the "Unknown Soldier" (known among tourists as "the wedding cake"). On the right hand side of the square is Palazzo Venezia, historical residence of embassies and official residence of Mussolini, during the Fascist period, from where he harangued the crowds that gathered. |
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ROMAInsieme - THE ACROPOLIS OF ROME An historical Tour, from past to present. |
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