Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(entrances Via del Teatro di Marcello 44 & Via Portico d'Ottavia 29; 9am-7pm summer, 9am-6pm
winter; Via del Teatro di Marcello)
Rising like a mini-Colosseum, the Teatro di Mar-
cello (Theatre of Marcellus) is the star of this dusty archaeological area. The 20,000-seat
theatre was planned by Julius Caesar and completed in 11 BC by Augustus who named it
after a favourite nephew, Marcellus. In the 16th century, a
palazzo
, which now contains
several exclusive apartments, was built on top of the original structure.
Beyond the theatre, the Portico d'Ottavia is the oldest
quadriporto
(four-sided porch) in
Rome. The dilapidated columns and fragmented pediment once formed part of a vast rect-
angular portico, supported by 300 columns. From the Middle Ages until the late 19th cen-
tury, the portico housed Rome's fish market.
ROME'S OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
Aptly for such a theatrical city, Rome contains some magical visual tricks:
Via Capo di Ferro 13; adult/reduced €5/2.50; 8.30am-7.30pm Tue-Sun; Corso Vittorio
Emanuele II) This grand mannerist
palazzo
is home to a celebrated illusion known as Borromini's
Prospettiva
(Perspective). What appears to be a 25m-long corridor lined with columns leading to a
hedge and life-sized statue is, in fact, only 10m long. The sculpture, which was a later addition, is ac-
tually hip-height and the columns diminish in size not because of distance but because they actually
get shorter. And look closer at that perfect-looking hedge - Borromini didn't trust the gardeners to clip
a real hedge precisely enough so he made one of stone.
7.30am-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-7pm Sun; Via del Corso) The star at this Jesuit church is Andrea
Pozzo's trompe l'œil ceiling fresco depicting St Ignatius Loyola being welcomed into paradise by
Christ and the Madonna. For the best views, stand on the small yellow spot and look up at the ceiling,
which, despite appearances, is quite flat.
Isola Tiberina
(Tiber Island)
One of the world's smallest inhabited islands, the Isola Tiberina has been as-
sociated with healing since the 3rd century BC, when the Romans built a temple to Aescu-
lapius, god of healing, here. These days patients make for the Ospedale Fatebenefratelli
NEIGHBOURHOOD
