Rome Termini And San Lorenzo

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, In P. Esquilino (☎06 69 88 68 02), It's a good thing the Basilica is so close to Termini, or the slew of cheap eats and hostels might be the only first impression visitors received of the area. Just a 5min. walk from the station, this fifth-century church is a stunning combination of Baroque and classic Roman design. With its white marble artifice and huge flight of stairs, the back of the church (close to V. Cavour) might be even more stunning than the front. Although the frescoes that line the side chapels are impressive, it's the gold-coffered ceiling and wide apse that really impress. Seriously, there's a lot of gold in here. If you aren't blinded by the shininess, the 14th-century mosaics covering the loggia and the large baldacchino at the altar are also beautiful. Adjoining the basilica is a small museum containing artifacts and artwork relating to the church's history, even though the basilica itself offers enough to see. Upon leaving, check out the beautiful indigo (violet, if Termini. Turn right onto V. Giolitti and walk down V. Cavour. Modest dress required. Basilica free. Museum €4, EU students and over 65 €2. Loggia €5/€3. Audio tour (available in English) €4. Basilica open daily 7am-7pm. Museum open daily 9am-6pm. Wheelchair access.
Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli, P. della Repubblica (☎06 48 80 812; www.santamariadegliangeliroma.it), At the crest of the expansive P. della Repubblica, this 16th-century church (Michelangelo's last, at age 86) is monumental, starting with its front doors; the façade is actually taken from the remains of Diocletian's hot baths, on which Pope Pius IV commissioned the church to be built. Half-sculpted and half-in-the-rough figures jut out of the huge doors; the bronze one on the left symbolizes the risen Christ. Throughout the interior, there are many similar statues left only partially completed. Inside, a small rotunda leads into an especially open interior whose design underwent many revisions before it was finally completed. The scarcity of seats makes it less crowded than most churches. A sundial, which leads from the east transept to the altar, was used by the Romans for centuries. Check out the schedule of sundial viewings or reserve a demonstration at the information desk. Termini. Walk into the P. del Cinquecento and veer left toward V. Viminale. Sundial demonstrations should be reserved 2 days in advance, June 15-Sept 15. Call Open M-F 7am-6:30pm, Sa-Su 7am-7:30pm. Wheelchair access.
Baths of Diocletian, V. Enrico de Nicola 79 (☎06 39 96 77 00), In the heart of busy Termini, the Baths of Diocletian have weathered the city grime. Begun in 298 CE by Maximianus, brother of Diocletian, the baths took nearly 10 years—and more than 40,000 Christian slaves—to build. Upon completion, they were able to accommodate 3000 people in what ended up being much more than a mere “bath”—the Diocletian complex contained libraries, gardens, gallery spaces, gyms, and even brothels. Though the baths may no longer exist in the same state of glory, a visit to them is surely worth it. Termini. Walk into P. dei Cinquecento; enter on V. Volturno. Part of the Museo Nazionale Romano group; buy 1 ticket for entrance to all 4 sights over 3 days. €7, EU students €3.50, EU citizens under 18 and over 65 free. Open Tu-Su 9am-7:45pm. No wheelchair access.
Via XX Settembre, Even though V. XX Settembre is mostly a functioning thoroughfare, a number of beautiful sights can be seen while walking along its length. The street merges into V. dei Quirinale on one end and V. Nomentana on the other. Between grabbing a bite and making your way to the next destination, check out the four obelisks built by the city in the 1700s to help define Rome's neighborhoods and improve traffic conditions. (Hard to believe that they needed improvement in a time that predated Vespas and the popularization of the car.) The best spot on XX Settembre from which to survey the scene is at V. delle Quattro Fontane, where you can see the monuments of Via dei Quirinale, the Spanish Steps, and Santa Maria Maggiore. Atop the P. San Bernardo sits the beautiful and seriously colossal Fontana dell'Acqua Felice. Termini. Walk through P. della Repubblica until you reach V. XX Settembre. Free. Wheelchair access.

Via Nomentana

V. Nomentana is a sight in itself, even if you don't hit any real “sights” along the walk. Lined with beautiful houses (that were ironically once used as farms), it is worth an afternoon stroll if ...more