ITINERARIES

HISTORICAL-ARTISTIC ITINERARIES

Early Christian Churches - Esquilino

The church of the snow, but better known as St Mary Major Basilica, it is one of the four papal churches of Rome. The interior is completely decorated with fifth-century mosaics representing the stories of the Old and New Testament.

The two churches of St Pudenziana and St Prassede are without doubt two gems of  early Christian mosaic art. The Chapel of St Zenone and the mosaic in the apse of St Pudenziana, the most ancient in Rome, are a must.

Early Christian Churches - Trastevere

This itinerary will lead us to the early Christian churches where spirituality and artistic beauty are intertwined.

In the Basilica of Santa Cecilia we will admire the frescoes by the gifted artist Pietro Cavallini and the splendid works of art by Arnolfo di Cambio.

Then we go down the fourth-century Basilica of San Crisogono which was built it up during Constantine reign, concluding our walk in Santa Maria in Trastevere. This is Rome's oldest church devoted to the Virgin Mary and certainly one of the most intimate and charming. Here we will be enchanted by the thirteenth-century apse mosaics by Cavallini.

OUTSIDE ROME

Cerveteri - Etruscan Necropolis - National Etruscan Museum

The town of Cerveteri has left us the largest Etruscan necropolis which witnesses the culture and use of such an enigmatic people as the Etruscans were.

The National Etruscan Museum of Cerveteri is a useful compendium of our visit of the Etruscan land.

Tivoli - Hadrian Villa

Just a few miles away from Rome we will discover three places that have got a lot of stories to be told.

Hadrian Villa was more than that. It rather was a city reflecting the outstanding diversities of the Roman Empire.

Here the Emperor wanted this place to be his peaceful refuge, away from the political affairs of Rome and where he could express his love for travelling and arts.

Tivoli - Villa d'Este

In the very heart of Tivoli, we find the extraordinary Villa d’Este and its gardens.

It is a masterpiece of the Italian Garden and with its impressive concentration of fountains, nymphs, grottoes and music, it constitutes a much-copied model for European gardens in the mannerist and baroque styles.

FAMILY ITINERARIES

Pigorini Prehistoric Museum

This is one of the first museums in Europe devoted to human sciences housing the most important Italian collection as far as prehistoric materials is concerned.


Moreover it is one of the major museums of its kind as it can boast its excellent extra European ethnographic collection.

Roman Civilization Museum

This museum houses in its several rooms a great number of reproductions throughout plaster cast, ancient machinery, scale models, such as that of ancient Rome, graphic representations, and photos of monuments and works of art coming from all over the Roman Empire.

Saint Angel Castle

It was conceived as the Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, but during the Middle Ages it became an impregnable fortress.

Popes chose it as their residence and as in any castle here too we find dreadful dungeons.

Of great interest is the sentry room which nowadays has been turned into a military museum housing the weapons and uniforms of the papal army.

Then we can’t miss the treasure room together with the Paul III’s secret archive and his huge coffers.