Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
selling everything from oil and vegetables to flowers, silks and spices. An additional ex-
hibition entry fee may apply.
CARCERE MAMERTINO
HISTORIC SITE
(Mamertine Prison; 06 69 89 61; Clivo Argentario 1; adult €6; 9.30am-7pm summer, to 5pm winter, last admis-
sion 40min before close; Via dei Fori Imperiali)
At the foot of the Campidoglio, the Mamertine
Prison was ancient Rome's maximum-security jail. St Peter did time here and while im-
prisoned supposedly created a miraculous stream of water to baptise his jailers. On the
bare stone walls you can make out early Christian frescoes depicting Jesus and Sts Peter
and Paul. Visits are by guided tour only.
POSING CENTURIONS
Outside the Roman Forum and Il Vittoriano, and possibly also the Colosseum, you might find yourself being
hailed by costumed Roman soldiers offering to pose for a photo with you. 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.
Campidoglio
Rising above the Roman Forum, the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill) was one of the seven
hills on which Rome was founded. At its summit were Rome's two most important
temples: one dedicated to Jupiter Capitolinus (a descendant of Jupiter, the Roman equival-
ent of Zeus) and one to the goddess Juno Moneta (which housed Rome's mint). More than
2000 years on, the hill still wields political clout as seat of Rome's municipal government.
PIAZZA DEL CAMPIDOGLIO
( Piazza Venezia)
Designed by Michelangelo in 1538 and flanked by stately
palazzi
, this
elegant hilltop piazza is one of Rome's most beautiful squares. You can reach it from the
Roman Forum, but the most dramatic approach is via the
Cordonata
, the graceful staircase
that leads up from Piazza d'Ara Coeli.
PIAZZA
