Rome is an ancient city with a plethora of cultural attractions and activities. For visitors who are looking for something off the beaten path, here are some of the most unusual things to do and see in Rome.
Quartiere Coppedè
Quartiere Coppedè is a unique and fascinating area in Rome, where the Ancient Greek, Roman Baroque, Mannerist, Medieval, and Art Nouveau styles all come together in one place. Gino Coppedè, a Florentine architect, was responsible for the creation of this quarter, and worked on it until his death in 1927. The quarter is full of architectural wonders, such as Florentine towers, Venetian palazzi, Baroque Roman palazzi, and a building that imitates musical notation. It is no wonder that Quartiere Coppedè has been used as the setting for a number of films.
To get to Quartiere Coppedè, take Tram 3 or 19 to Piazza Buenos Aires, and then make your way to Piazza Mincio, where you can find the whimsical Fontana delle Rane (Fountain of Frogs). Additionally, the archway over Via Tagliamento marks the entrance to the quarter and is home to an outdoor chandelier. Make sure to visit Quartiere Coppedè while in Rome, and take a break from the beaten path.
The Capuchin Crypt
Visiting the Spooky Capuchin Crypt, Santa Maria della Concezione dei Capuchins, is a chilling reminder of life’s impermanence. With 4,000 Capuchin bones adorning the walls of the church, it stands as one of the most potent memento mori in all of Rome. The bones are primarily of monks who were buried between 1528 and 1870, with additional remains taken from old Roman tombs. This creates a somber atmosphere that is in stark contrast to the luxury and glamor of the nearby Via Veneto.
The crypt’s message is clear – a reminder that death is inevitable. The words “What you are now, we once were; what we are now, you shall be” are a powerful reminder of this truth. Overall, a visit to the Capuchin Crypt is a haunting yet powerful experience. It provides a vivid reminder to live in the present and to appreciate life’s beauty.
Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary
The Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary is a unique shelter located in Rome, Italy, which is built on the ancient ruins of Largo di Torre Argentina. The shelter was established in the 1950s by Antonio Crast, who began feeding the nearby feral cats. Since then the sanctuary has grown, with volunteers coming every day of the week to tend to the cats, who number around 150. The main goal of the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary is to control the feral cat population, which they do by spaying and neutering cats in their own colony, as well as those in other colonies. In the last decade, the shelter has managed to reach out to 27,000 colonies. In addition, they aim to find loving homes for 125 cats each year. The sanctuary also provides a home for disabled and elderly cats, who are less likely to be adopted. Visitors to the shelter can meet the cats and purchase souvenirs made by the volunteers, with all proceeds going towards the cats. Thanks to donations, the sanctuary is able to remain in operation.
Temple of Hadrian
The Temple of Hadrian is an impressive monument located in the heart of Rome, Italy, that was initially built in the 2nd century AD. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian, its construction likely began as a tribute to his late wife Vibia Sabina, who was deified in 136. However, his successor, Antoninus Pius, completed the works around 145 and dedicated it to the deified emperor Hadrian instead. The temple featured eight columns along the short sides and thirteen on the long ones and was situated on a high podium accessible from the east side by means of a staircase. In 1695, Carlo Fontana incorporated the remaining parts of the temple into the Palazzo della Dogana di Terra, which was used for goods arriving in Rome by land. The temple was later transformed into the headquarters of the Rome Stock Exchange in 1831, and eventually purchased by the Camera di Commercio in 1873. Today, only a part of the north side colonnade remains, which is 15 meters tall with a diameter of 1.44 meters.
Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza
The church of S.Ivo alla Sapienza, located inside the courtyard of the Palazzo della Sapienza, is an extraordinary masterpiece of art and architecture. Constructed between 1642 and 1660, it was designed and partially built by Giacomo della Porta, with brilliant additions by Francesco Borromini, appointed architect of Sapienza by Pope Urban VIII Barberini. The facade features the heraldic symbols of the Chigi family, including eight-rayed stars and six peaks, in honour of Pope Alexander VII. On the top is a multifoiled dome with a clerestory and a spiral cusp, culminating in a crown with a sphere, cross, and dove. Inside, the centralized, mixtilinear plan is shaped like a six-pointed star and adorned with light colours. A triangle symbolizing the Trinity is followed by an inverted triangle, convex and concave parts of a circle, forming the stylized figure of three bees, a symbol of charity, prudence, and industriousness. The main altar displays an altarpiece of Sant’Ivo, patron saint of lawyers, painted by Pietro da Cortona and finished in 1683 by Giovanni Ventura Borghesi. The floor, also by Borromini, is an articulated design with white and black marble inlays. Throughout the courtyard, symbols of the Boncompagni dragons, Barberini bees, Borghese eagles, Chigi stars, and peaks are visible.
Casina delle Civette
Prince Alessandro Torlonia was the mastermind behind the construction of the Casina delle Civette (‘House of Owls’ in English). He commissioned the services of architect Giuseppe Jappelli to design and oversee the building’s construction in 1840, which was located in the grounds of the park. At first, the house was an unrefined and rustic structure, affectionately known as the “Swiss chalet”. However, over the passage of time, it was artfully transformed into a genteel dwelling, featuring mesmerizing colonnades, turrets, and loggias. The décor boasted fantastical illustrations of owls, fairies, swans, peacocks, ribbons, butterflies, and roses, all depicted in the majolicas and stained glass windows. To reflect the motif, the house was henceforth referred to as the Casina delle Civette. Prince Giovanni Torlonia was known to harbor an affinity for esoteric symbols, which is evident in the various owls, and other avian figures, displayed throughout the building, as well as on the furniture within the establishment. The exterior of the house is reminiscent of the Liberty style, while the interior is adorned with marble statues, wrought iron work, mosaics, and other ornamental accents. Today, it has been converted into a museum.
Zuccari Palace
The Zuccari Palace is an impressive building located near the top of the Spanish Steps on Gregoriana street. It is hard to miss with its grand entrance, which is adorned with a demonic figure that looks as if it were about to pounce on the unsuspecting passerby. Constructed by Federico Zuccaro, the palace was originally intended to be a meeting place for the artistic and Bohemian crowd, but his heirs later chose to rent it out to the wealthy and powerful. Today, the palace’s popularity continues to grow due to its iconic demonic decorations, which makes it a favorite spot among children. Currently, the Zuccari Palace is home to the bibliotheca Hertziana.
Elephant and Obelisk
1665 saw the unearthing of a 5.5 meter tall obelisk inscribed with Egyptian hieroglyphics in the garden of a Dominican monastery. The Pope requested a design from Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which depicted an elephant as a symbol of strength, in accordance with an image from the 15th century novel, “Poliphil’s Dream of the Love Battle”. Unfortunately, this design necessitated the insertion of a cube under the elephant’s belly in order to support the weight of the obelisk, despite Father Paglia’s objections. Consequently, the Romans began referring to it as the “Porcino Della Minerva”, or Minerva’s pig, eventually becoming Minerva’s chicken due to variations in Roman dialects. Bernini’s final act of defiance was to point the elephant’s backside towards the monastery and its tail slightly to the left, as a salute.
Tempietto at San Pietro in Montorio
La Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio in Trastevere may not be the most famous or beautiful church in Rome, but it has something that sets it apart from the rest. Funded in the 16th century by a Spanish Royal family, it was built as part of a Franciscan monastery, and is home to a tempietto designed by Bramante, which is said to be built above the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion. A delightful, perfectly proportioned renaissance structure, the tempietto is full of mosaics and marble and can be accessed through the Spanish Institute on the right. Despite its beauty, the church isn’t often visited, so those who do come here are granted plenty of time and space to appreciate it. If you find yourself nearby, take a morning to explore Villa Farnesina or Palazzo Corsini, then make your way up to la Fontana dell’Acqua Paola for a breathtaking view of the city. Afterwards, take a half hour to admire the Tempietto and its many wonders. It’s certainly worth a visit!
The Pincio Water Clock
If you find yourself walking through the captivating streets of Rome, you may feel as if you have stepped into a fairytale. If you continue to venture through the grounds of Villa Borghese, you may stumble upon a unique nineteenth-century jewel – the ancient water clock of Villa Borghese. This clock looks like an ordinary watch, but it works through the flow of water, making it a true engineering masterpiece.
Created by the Ligurian Dominican friar, John the Baptist Embriaco, and designed by Swiss architect Joachim Ersoch, the clock was placed on rocks inside a small lake. This corner of the park transports visitors to an indefinite time, providing an enchanted atmosphere. Embriaco had to fight against the Catholic institutions to get the clock approved, but at the Universal Exhibition in Paris in 1870, the hydro-clock earned the praise of Napoleon III.
Galleria Sciarra
The Galleria Sciarra is an often overlooked gem in Rome, found just a few minutes away from the world-famous Trevi Fountain. This 19th century outdoor courtyard is the perfect spot to take in the beauty of the female form. The courtyard is framed by an ornate office building, and is open to the public during business hours. It was originally intended to be a shopping centre, but now serves as a stunning open-air gallery. Giuseppe Cellini’s series of frescoes adorn the walls, each focused on the different virtues of women. The iron and glass ceiling allows natural light to illuminate the exquisite details of the frescoes, creating a breathtaking display. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or simply looking for a unique way to explore Rome’s culture, the Galleria Sciarra is definitely worth a visit. Its central location and free admission make it a great way to experience a piece of 19th century Italian art without breaking the bank.
Pons Aemilius (Ponte Rotto – Broken Bridge)
The Pons Aemilius was the first stone bridge to be built in Rome and its history dates back to 179 BCE. However, it had to be rebuilt several times due to floods and other disasters. In 1598, a catastrophic flood destroyed half of the bridge. The remaining part was not reconstructed and was left abandoned for two hundred and fifty years. Thus, it was referred to as the Ponte Rotto (Broken Bridge). In 1853, Pope Pius IX connected the remaining arch to the other bank of the river by an iron footbridge. Unfortunately, in 1887, most of the Ponte Rotto was demolished to make way for the Ponte Palatino (also known as the Ponte Inglese), designed by the architect Angelo Vescovali. Now, all that remains of the once grand Pons Aemilius is a single arch, standing alone in the middle of the Tiber River. It is a reminder of the past and a testament to the resilience of the Roman Empire.
Fontana del Mosè
The monumental fountain in Piazza San Bernardo is a testament to the grandeur of Sixtus V’s vision for Rome. Built between 1585 and 1589, it shows the hand of master architect Domenico Fontana, who put the final touches on the Felice Aqueduct, which supplied the city with water. The fountain is surrounded by a travertine balustrade, and is shaped like a triumphal arch with three large niches. Inside the central arch is the imposing statue of Moses, created by Prospero Antichi and finished by Leonardo Sormani. The lateral niches bear bas-reliefs by Flaminio Vacca and Pietro Paolo Olivieri and Giovanni Battista della Porta. Water gushes from a fake cliff in cipolin, and the basins are decorated with four lions in Bardiglio marble, a work of Adamo Tadolini. Topping it all off is an attic featuring a long celebratory inscription surmounted by the papal coat of arms and two angels. This majestic fountain stands as a reminder of the grandeur of the “determined pope” and his vision for Rome.
Biblioteca Angelica
The Angelica Library, founded in Rome in 1604 by the Augustinian bishop Angelo Rocca, is an important cultural landmark of Italy. Established as the first European library open to the public, it is currently part of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities and for Tourism. With a collection estimated at 120,000 volumes, mainly relating to Augustinian thought and the history of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the library has been the home of the Arcadia Literary Academy since 1940. It also houses a vast patrimony of manuscripts, incunabula, maps and engravings, as well as contemporary books which are available for loan. Throughout its history, the library has been a place of intellectual research, playing a pivotal role in the religious controversies of the eighteenth century. It was also a witness to the historic events that affected Rome in the 19th century and the acquisition of various book collections over the centuries have contributed to its importance. Today, the Angelica Library is a place of culture and knowledge, open to all.
Whatever you choose to do, you are sure to find something unique and exciting to explore in Rome.
