Rome & Lazio - Italy - page 166

century, the church was given a major revamp in the 12th century, when the seven-storey
bell tower and portico were added and the floor was decorated with Cosmati inlaid
marble.
Opposite the church are two tiny Roman temples dating to the 2nd century BC: the
round Tempio di Ercole Vincitore OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP and the Tempio di Portunus
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , dedicated to the god of rivers and ports, Portunus. Just off the
piazza, the Arco di Giano OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (Arch of Janus) is a four-sided Roman
arch that once covered a crossroads.
POSING CENTURIONS
Outside the Roman Forum and Vittoriano, and possibly also the Colosseum, you might find yourself
been hailed by costumed Roman soldiers offering to pose for a photo. They are not doing this for love
and will expect payment. There's no set rate but coins are sufficient, certainly no more than €5 - and
that's €5 in total, not per person.
TOP OF CHAPTER
1 Centro Storico
The labyrinthine historic centre is the Rome you've come to see - romantic cobbled lanes,
operatic piazzas, Renaissance palazzi , baroque churches. The Pantheon and Piazza
Navona are the stars, but you'll also find a host of monuments, museums and art-rich
churches.