Italy. Just the name conjures images of ancient history, incredible art, and food that makes you want to sing. My recent trip to Rome was everything I dreamed of and more. It’s a city that manages to be both grand and surprisingly down-to-earth, a place where history isn’t just in museums, but alive on every street corner. Even with the crowds, especially with the upcoming 2025 Jubilee drawing visitors, there’s always something new to discover, a quiet courtyard or an awe-inspiring monument waiting to be found. If you’re planning a visit in 2026, here are some spots that truly resonated with me.
Fascist Architecture and Modern Workouts
It’s fascinating how places can hold such contrasting histories. The Foro Italico, north of the city center, is a prime example. Originally built as Foro Mussolini during the Fascist era, it’s a striking example of Italian Fascist architecture. Walking through the grounds, you see the ambition a period like that held, with its bold reinterpretations of classical design. The black-and-white mosaics depicting athletes and the repeated word DUCE are powerful reminders of that era.
Many of the sports facilities here are still in use, which adds an interesting layer. The indoor pool, with its propagandistic mosaics, feels like stepping back in time, but it’s also a place where athletes train today. It’s a complex juxtaposition of history and contemporary use that’s hard to ignore.
One of the most memorable parts for me was the Stadio dei Marmi. This track, once surrounded by statues, still boasts dozens of massive marble statues of athletes. Seeing these muscular figures in pristine white Carrara marble, posed in dynamic athletic stances, is quite a sight. The contrast between the imposing Fascist imagery and the fact that locals now come here for their daily workouts creates a sense of almost comic incongruity.
You’ll also find the jagged Mussolini Obelisk here, a stark reminder of its origins. The sheer scale and the enduring presence of these statues, intended to project power and virility, are striking. It’s a place that sparks reflection on the lasting impact of historical periods and how spaces can be reclaimed and reinterpreted by subsequent generations. It felt like a true insight into a less-discussed aspect of Italy’s past.
What is the Foro Italico like today?
Today, the Foro Italico is a functioning sports complex where Romans and visitors alike can enjoy the grounds and facilities. It’s a space that has seen significant historical shifts, from its origins as a monument to Fascism to its current role as a hub for sport and recreation.
It’s remarkable how this site, with its imposing architecture and statuary, now serves a more public and accessible purpose. The ability to walk freely amongst these historical monuments, imagining the past while observing present-day activities, offers a unique perspective on Rome’s layered identity.
Renaissance Beginnings in a Small Temple
When you think of the High Renaissance, names like Michelangelo and Raphael often come to mind. But for me, the architect Donato Bramante is a hero of that era. He was instrumental in channeling the classical Greek and Roman tradition into a new, humanist architectural style. While his grandest project was the initial layout for St. Peter’s Basilica, I discovered a far more intimate and equally profound masterpiece on Janiculum Hill.
Bramante’s Tempietto, or “little temple,” is deceptively small, measuring less than fifteen feet in diameter. Tucked away in a courtyard where tradition says St. Peter was crucified upside down, this structure exudes an extraordinary sense of awe. Its perfect proportions—a simple peristyle of sixteen columns supporting a drum and dome—are mesmerizing.
The genius of the Tempietto lies in its compact form and its immense impact. It’s a building that seems to pack an astonishing amount of grandeur into such a small space. As you walk around its rhythmic colonnade, you can truly feel the dignity and power that architecture can bring to a city. It’s often cited as the most beautiful building in Rome per square meter, and I can see why.
This tiny monument has exerted a massive influence on architecture worldwide. Many monumental domed buildings, including the U.S. Capitol, trace their architectural lineage back to this elegant little structure. Visiting the Tempietto felt like witnessing the starting point of a significant architectural movement, a testament to how monumental ideas can emerge from seemingly modest origins.
Is the Tempietto crowded?
The Tempietto is generally a much less crowded experience than many of Rome’s larger landmarks. Its tucked-away location on Janiculum Hill contributes to a more peaceful visit, allowing for contemplation of its beauty.
Its secluded setting makes it an ideal spot for photography and quiet appreciation, especially compared to the bustling throngs at more central attractions. This makes it a perfect retreat for those seeking a more serene encounter with Renaissance art.
Ancient Art Meets Industrial Power
Venturing away from the well-trodden tourist paths towards the southern and eastern parts of Rome reveals a different side of the city. In the Garbatella neighborhood, a formerly industrial area now dotted with wine bars, I found one of Italy’s most surprising museums: the Centrale Montemartini. This building, once Rome’s first public power plant, was transformed into a museum in 1997.
What makes Centrale Montemartini so unique is its preservation of the building’s industrial past. Unlike other power plants converted into museums, here the original boilers and turbines remain, creating a stunning juxtaposition with the smooth marble sculptures of ancient Roman art. It feels like a steampunk dreamscape, an unlikely but brilliant fusion of eras.
Imagine a headless statue of Venus standing before a massive 1915 condenser machine, or busts of gods and emperors mingling with old gas meters and valves. It’s a deeply atmospheric setting, a feast for the eyes and a fantastic spot for photos, though it’s far less visited than it deserves to be. I found myself captivated by how the cold stone of antiquity seemed to engage in a dialogue with the raw iron of industry.
This museum offers a dual layer of archaeological discovery. Not only does it showcase Roman antiquities, but it also presents the relics of our own relatively recent industrial age. More than a century after these machines powered Rome’s streetlights, they stand as testaments to a bygone era, just as mysterious and significant as the ancient gods they now accompany.
What kind of art is at Centrale Montemartini?
Centrale Montemartini houses a remarkable collection of ancient Roman art, including sculptures, statues, and busts, set against the backdrop of the museum’s original industrial machinery.
The selection includes key pieces from Rome’s civic collection, allowing visitors to explore Roman history and mythology in a truly unique environment. The contrast between the classical sculptures and the industrial setting is a major draw.
A Circular Church with Gruesome Frescoes
Rome is filled with churches, but one near the Colosseum stands out for its unique circular design and its exceptionally graphic fresco cycle. Santo Stefano Rotondo, dating back to the fifth century AD, is Rome’s first circular church and is dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. However, what makes it truly unforgettable is the redecoration it underwent in the late 16th century.
During the Counter-Reformation, church authorities commissioned Niccolò Circignani to create a series of frescoes depicting the intense sufferings of the saints. The palette he used—coral pinks and seafoam greens—might seem cheerful, almost like bridesmaid dresses, but the subject matter is far from it. These depictions are incredibly explicit and, frankly, quite disturbing.
You’ll see scenes of saints enduring horrific tortures: Saint Cecilia submerged in boiling water, Saint Ignatius devored by lions, and Saint Erasmus having molten lead poured into his wounds. The frescoes don’t shy away from flaying, roasting, beheading, and exsanguination. The obscure Saint Artemius is shown being crushed between marble slabs, his eyeballs dislodged. It’s art that certainly challenges the viewer.
This is not the place to visit if you’re seeking inner peace, nor is it a showcase for the most celebrated masterpieces of Italian painting. However, there’s a gripping power in how Santo Stefano Rotondo pushes artistic vision to its limits in the service of religious didacticism. It’s a profound exploration of the tension between spiritual endurance and physical torment, the body and soul.
Can children visit Santo Stefano Rotondo?
While the frescoes are graphic and depict intense scenes of martyrdom, some visitors find that older children can handle them with appropriate context and discussion. It depends entirely on the child’s sensitivity.
The sheer visual impact and historical context might be engaging for some younger visitors. However, it’s advisable to gauge your child’s comfort level before entering, as the imagery is quite intense and detailed.
An Unappreciated Villa Revealing Secrets
While many visitors flock to the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, Rome’s largest archaeological site offers a more peaceful and expansive experience. The Villa dei Quintili, located in the lush fields south of the city, provides a glimpse into the opulent lives of the Roman elite and is still actively revealing its secrets.
This well-preserved complex belonged to two wealthy brothers who were consuls under Emperor Commodus. They built a sprawling estate complete with fountains, banqueting halls, and their own private theater, all adorned with mosaics and equipped with advanced thermal bath technology for the time. The villa’s lavishness was so renowned that Emperor Commodus himself coveted it, leading to the owners’ assassination.
A small museum on-site displays artifacts discovered during excavations, such as statues of gods and commemorative stelae. However, the real magic of Villa dei Quintili lies in exploring its ruins outdoors, amidst the wildflowers. It’s an active archaeological site, and recent discoveries continue to shed new light on its history. For instance, in 2023, researchers found evidence of a winery within the villa complex.
These dedicated chambers for grape pressing and fermentation were situated adjacent to what seems to have been a tasting room, or perhaps even a nightclub. It’s a powerful reminder that in Rome, the past is truly a work in progress, constantly being unearthed and reinterpreted. My visit felt like a journey into a living history, where the land itself continues to share its stories.
What can you see at Villa dei Quintili?
Villa dei Quintili features the extensive ruins of a second-century AD Roman villa complex, including remnants of fountains, halls, a theater, and thermal baths. You can explore the outdoor archaeological site amidst natural landscapes.
The site also includes a small museum displaying artifacts found on location. Its vastness allows for a more relaxed exploration, far from the crowds of central Rome.
More Art and History to Explore
Beyond these specific sites, Rome’s rich artistic and historical landscape offers endless discoveries. I found myself drawn to many places, each offering a unique perspective on the city’s past and present.
The Palazzo Massimo alle Terme is home to an incredible collection of ancient Roman art, including the stunning “Boxer at Rest,” a Hellenistic bronze that is simply breathtaking. For those interested in the more dramatic histories, Nero’s Domus Aurea offers a glimpse into the ambitious, and perhaps notorious, imperial reign, now with a modern and striking steel entrance.
Literature lovers must visit the Keats-Shelley Memorial House, right by the Spanish Steps. It’s a poignant reminder of the Romantic poets, especially John Keats, who spent his final days in this preserved room. Nearby, the Cimitero Acattolico (Non-Catholic Cemetery) is a place of quiet reflection, where Keats is buried beneath an ancient Roman pyramid—his tombstone famously reads “Here Lies One Whose Name Was Writ in Water.”
For a connection to Rome’s ancient Jewish community, the Museo Ebraico di Roma, located beneath the Great Synagogue, provides a deep dive into their history through ancient tombstones and medieval manuscripts. It’s a testament to the enduring presence of this community, dating back to the earliest days of the ancient Ghetto.
If you appreciate cinema, the historic Cinema Troisi in Trastevere, built in 1933, has been beautifully revived and is now a thriving hub for film enthusiasts. For contemporary art, the Istituto Svizzero in Villa Maraini offers a sophisticated venue for exhibitions, boasting spectacular views from its hillside location.
And for those who love seeking out unique bookstores, Libreria Marini in Pigneto is a treasure trove of rare art publications, photography books, and artist zines. It’s a place that truly celebrates the niche and the contemporary, away from the typical tourist trails.
My family and I, even with the kids, found so much to engage with. Michael was fascinated by the historical architecture, and while Lily and Ethan enjoyed the marble statues, they especially loved trying to imagine what life was like in the ancient villas. The city truly offers something for every interest, and every member of the family.
Rome is a city that continues to surprise and inspire. I hope this guide helps you discover its many layers.