Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
06 8024 1281;
www.auditorium.com
; Viale Pietro de Coubertin 10; guided tours adult/reduced €9/7;
11am-8pm Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm Sat & Sun; shuttle bus M from Stazione Termini after 5pm, Viale Tiziano)
The hub of Rome's thriving cultural scene, the Auditorium is the capital's premier concert
complex and one of Europe's most popular arts centres, hosting a year-round calendar of
events. Designed by superstar architect Renzo Piano and inaugurated in 2002, it's a truly
audacious work of architecture consisting of three grey pod-like concert halls set round a
3000-seat amphitheatre.
Guided tours (minimum of 10 people) cover the concert halls, amphitheatre (known as
the
cavea
) and enormous foyer area, which is itself home to a small archaeology museum
and stages temporary exhibitions. Tours depart hourly between 11.30am and 4.30pm
Saturday and Sunday, and by arrangement from Monday to Friday.
MUSEO NAZIONALE DELLE
ARTI DEL XXI SECOLO (MAXXI)
ART GALLERY
( 06 3996 7350;
www.fondazionemaxxi.it
; Via Guido Reni 4A; adult/reduced €11/8; 11am-7pm Tue-Fri &
Sun, to 10pm Sat; Viale Tiziano)
More than the exhibitions, the real highlight of Rome's flag-
ship contemporary art gallery is Zaha Hadid's stunning building , universally hailed as a
triumph of modern architecture. Housed in a former barracks, it's impressive inside and
out. The multilayered geometric facade faces onto a landscaped courtyard and gives on to
a cavernous light-filled interior full of snaking walkways, suspended staircases, glass, ce-
ment and steel.
There's no set route between the exhibition spaces but it's fascinating to follow the
sweeping ramps as they curve around the walls. The gallery has a small permanent collec-
tion but more interesting are the temporary exhibitions and installations - check the web-
site for details.
PONTE MILVIO
( Ponte Milvio)
A pretty pedestrian footbridge, Ponte Milvio is best known as the site of
the ancient Battle of the Milvian Bridge. It was first built in 109 BC to carry Via Flaminia
over the Tiber and survived intact until 1849, when Garibaldi's troops blew it up to stop
advancing French soldiers. Pope Pius IX had it rebuilt a year later.
On the northern end of the bridge, the tower
Torretta Valadier
is sometimes used to stage
art exhibitions.
BRIDGE
FORO ITALICO
SPORTS CENTRE
