Back to Rome Intro.

Swiss Guard

In contrast to the "Ancient Center" and its pagan influences, the Vaticano and the Trastevere sections of Roma offer a very different look. By crossing the Tiber River and entering through a gate guarded by the strange looking "Swiss Guards", you may not realize it but you’ve just entered into the worlds smallest republic, Vatican City.

Basilica di San Pietro

Traveling down Via dei Concilazione takes you to one of the most breathtaking views in the world, Piazza San Pietro backed by the Basilica di San Pietro. The Basilica built on the site where St. Peter was buried after being martyred. It became the home for the Popes and the capital of the Catholic community ever since.

Interior - Sistine Chapel

This small 44 acre state has its own laws, currency, stamps, flags and until 1970 its own armed forces. It also houses the most important and elaborate art collections in the world. Being the head of the Catholic community in a largely catholic environment the Popes often asked the greatest artists of the world to create their masterpieces for the church. Most of them were more than happy to do it, perhaps with one exception.

View over Sistine Chapel

Arguably the greatest artistic creation in the world, The Sistine Chapel and it most famous of ceilings painted by Michelangelo, was done so in hesitance. Now considered a part of the Vatican Museums, the chapel not only houses the Michelangelo masterpiece but paintings by numerous other masters of Renaissance art. Linked to the Chapel but often overshadowed by the ceiling, are the Raphael Rooms, masterpieces in their own right.

Vatican Gardens

Across the famous Vatican Gardens lies the entrance to the world’s most important art collection, the Vatican Museums. Be sure to note the interesting double helix staircase by Giuseppe Momo designed in 1932 going up to the museums. On your way out of Vatican City, be sure to stop at the Castel Sant’Angelo. The large castle sits along the water on Via Lungotever Castello.

Interior - Palazzo Corsini

The neighboring Trastevere section of Roma gets its name because it was the part of the city on the other side of the Tiber. "Tra" means across and "Tevere" is Tiber as in the river. This area is unique right down to the people who live there. In fact if you ask them they are the only "True Romans" in the entire city. They speak separate and unique dialect to set themselves apart. Although the Trastevere an elongated section of Rome, aside from the Vatican the main attractions are all within walking distance from each other in the southern part of the area. They include : the Palazzo Corsini, that contains a very interesting and diverse art collection, The Palazzo Farnesina that an elaborate 16th century Palace, and the Botanical Gardens.

Santa Maria

The area also contains some of the most beautiful churches in the city that sometimes get overlooked by visitors because of the Vatican. Santa Maria in Trastevere, San Pietro in Montorio, San Francesco a Ripa, and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere. All of these churches contain attractions that would satisfy any appetite for beautiful artwork.