While experts have speculated that Rome may not have been built in a day, you, as a visitor, can gain a fairly comprehensive grasp of what this ancient city has to offer in just one day, one whirlwind twenty-four hour tour. The Italian capital certainly has its history, stretching back over 2500 years and, having long been the undisputed center of western civilization, that history has left it’s mark on all of us.
Perhaps the best place for us to start would be right at the ancient centre of Rome, the Forum Romanum, where the ancient roman civilisation developed and where the most important structures of the city are laid out. The Forum Romanum is not only the economic center of the city but also the political and administrative heart of the mighty Kingdom, Republic and Empire. Even as you walk around the modern city of Rome, it is easy to imagine the bustling marketplaces of the ancient roman world, the shouts of sellers disturbed every now and again by the pompous and self-adoring speeches of pampered and over-privileged philosophers.
Just a fifteen minute walk away lies the Pantheon, built in 27 BC only to be destroyed in the great fire of 80 AD, an unlucky structure. Some 50 years later, however, the emperor Hadrianus had the Pantheon completely rebuilt. The only reason why the Pantheon, originally a heathen temple, was not destroyed by the Christians, once that became the official religion of Rome, was Emperor Phocas wisely presented it as a gift to Pope Bonifatius IV, who turned it into a Catholic church, which it remains to this day.
Be sure to visit the colossal Colosseum which holds 50,000 spectators within its impressive 564 x 468 foot walls, making it the largest amphitheatre ever built within the entire Roman Empire. Partly ruined by earthquakes and stone-robbers over the past two millenia, this amazing piece of ancient architecture remains, nonetheless, a mind-blowing sight, something that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. As you walk within the walls, take a seat, close your eyes and see if you can sense the stench of blood, the roar of the crowd and the caged gladiators awaiting their fates: either glory and the chance to fight another day, or a humiliating and gruesome death. Probably worth mentioning that the Italian tourist board would be most appreciative if you desisted from taking any stones home with you to Iowa or wherever, they’d sort of like some of the Colosseum to still be around in another 2000 years.
Climbing dozens of steps is not a particularly popular hobby among the general populace but, for the most phenomenal view of Rome, you are simply going to have to make your way up the famous Spanish Steps that will take you from Piazza di Spagna all the way up to Tinità dei Monti, a beautiful church, the inspiring sight of which is in itself worth the climb. Take a metro to Spagna and start your ascent, my increasingly aerobically fit friend.
By this stage of your exciting day, you will no doubt have begun to decide whether or not you are a fan of Rome. If you are, then you simply must visit the beautiful and baroque Trevi fountain, which you might well recognise from the famous and acclaimed 1960 movie “La Dolce Vita”. If you wish to observe the ancient tradition, you should throw a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain; according to legend, this will be enough to ensure that fate will bring you back to Rome in the future (of course, if you have decided by this stage that you are resolutely not a fan of Rome and all its many wonders, you should probably just keep your coins safely in your pocket).
Would you like to tread upon the sacred ground upon which the pope himself occassionally strolls? Perhaps you would even like to have a bit of a wander around his official residences? Well, if so, a visit to the famous Vatican City is in order: the smallest independent country in the world, situated right in the middle of the city of Rome. As you enter, you will find yourself on Saint Peter’s Square, which you might recognise from the Urbi et Orbi - the Pope’s annual address and blessing to the faithful - within sight of the famous Saint Peter’s Basilica, and if you look around you might notice the gallery of 140 statues of catholic saints. The Vatican is definitely worth a flying visit, if only so that you can enjoy the experience of hopping quickly back and forth between two countries and, even better, stepping into the Vatican feels like you are stepping into another world.
Another “basilisk you shouldn’t miss” is the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore). Dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, this basilica is one of the seven pilgrim churches and has also temporarily functioned as a palace for the popes.
Now, at this stage, you may well be thinking “Wow, I’ve certainly seen a lot of old stuff today, I don’t think anything could be more ancient that this crumbly old stuff” but, trust me, you ain’t seen nothing yet! A definite must see (and, indeed, a lovely get-away if you are getting fed up with the big city) is the Ostia Antica, Rome’s ancient harbour which has been beautifully preserved. Roaming these streets, it is all too easy to forget what century you are in (or, at least, right up until the point at which an Italian teenager almost bumps into you because he was too preoccupied with his mobile phone to look where he was walking).
You can get to the Ostia by train within about half an hour from the center of Rome, but if you are not in a rush and think you might enjoy a nice, relaxing aquatic morning, you should instead take a boat trip there, a beautiful two hour journey right up the Tiber, the famous river on the banks of which Rome was founded.
To round off your perfect 24 hours in Rome, be sure to check out the famous monument to the Pax Romany of Caesar Augustus, the dauntingly impressive Altar of Augustan Peace, the Ara Pacis Augustae. This celebration of the peace established in the Roman Empire after Augustus’ prowess in battle had calmed and consolidated that sprawling world power, is today protected from the corrosive effects of modern exhaust fumes by a glass cover, but this does not detract from its intricately detailed beauty.
If, by this late stage of the day, you and your fellow travellers find yourselves getting just a bit tired of the wonders of ancient Rome, do not worry, for now it is time to experience the wonder of modern Rome! For a people who have lost a world empire, the Romans certainly don’t seem to be depressed about it and really know how to party. Roman nightlife only starts after the late and leisurely suppers to which they are accustomed. If chic wine bars and cafes (and even chicer customers) appeal to you, you simply must go strut your stuff down at the Piazza Navona and Via della Pace. If you are more into music, get your tuneful ass down to the Campo de Fiori. If your tastes are more inclined towards the warmth and camaraderie of traditional pubs, fear not, plenty of charming Irish pubs are located in the Monti district. After your drink, if you happen to have the necessary energy (or, indeed, if you simply enjoyed a few pints too many in the pubs) you can go dance your little heart out in one of the many nightclubs concentrated in Testaccio and Ostiense.
