Explore Rome #LikeaLocal
Rome is a beautiful city that has everything: history, views, and most importantly: food. Yet it’s easy if to be bummed out in this city if you don’t do it right. There’s just so many of those red city tour buses and people selling you selfie sticks that it can get annoying. First thing’s first: don’t forget to do all the ‘touristy’ things. See the Colosseum. Have a gelato near the Spanish Steps. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain. Once you’ve done all that, check out these things to explore, all recommended by a local.
1. Castel Sant'Angelo - Sant’Angelo Castle
This history of this magnificent mausoleum-turned-fortress-cum-castle is made for movies. It was originally built as a mausoleum for Emperor Hadrian, but in the 14th century, the huge castle is turned into a military fortress that is connected to the Vatican for the Pope. According to the guide, the Pope hid in here during the time where Rome wanted the Pope dead. It houses impressively decorated apartment rooms and at one time also became a prison and a place for execution. Today, you can have beautiful views of the city from the terrace. The castle itself is impressively massive and at night is lit up with golden light. Tickets are $10.50 for Adults and $7 for EU citizens aged 18-24.
2. Quartiere Monti
Another local favorite is the little streets of Quartiere Monti, which is right behind the Colosseum, next to Via Cavour. The streets are quiet and full of vintage shops and nice coffee places - a nice refuge from the packed areas of Rome.
3. Sedia del Diavolo - Devil’s Chair
Meaning “Devil’s Chair” and is now called Piazza Elio Callistio, this place, according to a local, is special because of the stories behind it. The structure was actually the tomb of Elio Callistio a freed slave of Hadrian. So why the nickname? The monument collapsed and was shaped like a throne which could be seen from the countryside. Shepherds and vagabonds used this place as shelter and they used to light fires there at night, which gives a reddish glow which reminded people of the ‘Devil’.
4. Cimitero Acattolico o Cimitero degli Inglesi - Acatholic Cemetry
It might be kind of weird to visit a cemetery, but Rome had many famous people from all around the world and this cemetery is the final resting place of many of these notable figures, including the Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley (PS: their memorial house that used to be their place of residence is right beside the Spanish Steps!), and also Antonio Gramsci, among others. The cemetery is beautiful, filled with marble sculptures. A local tip is to get a guide for this place!
5. Galleria Sciarra
Located not far from the Trevi Fountain, Galleria Sciarra is worth a quick stop. This beautiful Art-Nouveau courtyard was a shopping center, and now you could take a moment to look up and admire the frescos. One word: opulence.
6. Zuccari Palace
This “Monster House” definitely looks unlike any other Roman building that are ornate and decorative. The doors and windows of this house is made to look like a monster with a wide-opened mouth (or us travellers yawning when we barely have enough sleep!). This was once the studio of Zuccari, a famous baroque artist, but now is Bibliotheca Hertziana – Max Planck Institute for Art History that is not open to the public, but that doesn’t mean you can admire its exterior!
Words by Nadia Pritta Wibisono