Subterranean Rome
In Rome it has been a longtime practice to build new buildings on top of the rubble of old ones. Not many places were actually built underground, but due to this habit, and to earthquakes, numerous fires and frequent flooding of the Tiber river, the original pavement level has risen in some areas even over 25 meters. Palaces, houses and churches were buried like this, but still a lot of them can be visited. The church S. Clemente is a well-known example of a church on top of another, on top of a Roman hose and a Mytras shrine, but its far from the only one. Santa Prisca, Santo Stefano Rotondo are other examples.
One of the most impressive subterranean sites is the Domus Aurea, a whole wing of the palace Nero build after the fire of 64 can still be visited sub terra. After damning Nero’s memory, his successors covered it with the Colloseum and other public buildings. Underneath the St Peter a whole necropolis can be visited through a small passageway in the south exterior wall. It leads to the main street of a miniature city of the dead, fronted by ornate two-story mausoleums of both Christian and pagan origin.
It often quite difficult to organize a plan of guided visits to places beyond the traditional highlights above ground. These organizations may be of service here. Itinera (011-396-275-7323) LU.PA. (011-396-519-3570) Genti e Paesi (011-396-8530-1755) Città Nascosta (011-396-321-6059)
Related Travel Information
Rome - Economy
Consumer consciousness is low and does not exist among the locals, so you are at the mercy of the sellers. Always be very careful that you don't walk away with faulty goods. The is no "return-policy" even if you come back on the day of purchase. You might have to ask for help in most of the stores for any little thing you want to buy as goods are generally kept behind the counter. The street markets are always good, like many other tourist destinations and there are some pretty amazing things on sale a great prices.
For a
Rome – Practical Informations
The water that is continually flowing out of those little fountains found around the streets of Rome is cold, refreshing and absolutely safe to drink. It flows constantly down from the mountain springs on the outskirts of the city and is quite good. These small fountains are called "il nasone" by the Romans as the curved pipe resembles a "big nose." As well as these, the water in the larger, decorative fountains is also safe to drink, unless there is a sign posted "acqua non potabile." Mind you do not bathe in them. If you are caught
About Rome
Roma: the name inverts neatly to form 'amor'. And thats it - people tend either to love or to hate the place and Rome can reward you as no other city can. Rome, the eternal city which exerts the most compelling fascination, has to be visited by the Italy traveler. 29 million pilgrims and tourists went to Rome in the year 2000 alone.
Few cities have such a long and turbulent history as has Rome. No other city has been the focal point of the world for such a long period. The mistress of the Roman Empire, lavished with architectural
Rome - Eating Out
Rome, pasta, wine, pizza. Here is no need to search for restaurants. Everywhere you will find small and cheap but nice trattorie, osterie and ristoranti. Prices, even in the centre, are reasonable and the quality remains of a fair standard. Many nice places are to be found in the Centro Storico, along Via Cavour and around Stazione Termini. Similarly, you can eat cheaply in the Borgo district around the Vatican.
Trastevere is Romes traditional restaurant ghetto touristy now, but still the home of some fine and reasonably priced places. Testaccio is also a popular evening place with good
Rome - Nightlife and Entertainment
Rome has many bars and nightclubs where you can drink, relax, talk or dance until deep in the night. The choice is wide: There are vast glittering palaces with stunning lights and sound systems, innovative alternative to the mainstream spots, rock and jazz places with a large offer of styles performed by a healthy array of local talents.
For further entertainment discover the various theatres, cinemas and concert halls.
For younger travellers, there is a brilliant 'Colluseum Bar Crawl' that starts around 8:30pm upstairs from the Colluseum metro stop. There are usually people handing out flyers around the
