Rome and surroundings between Antiquity and Renaissance

The Eternal City is an inexhaustible source of wonders, some very famous and others less known. Still others are located just outside its boundaries.

In this article, we move between the center of the Capital and the nearby town of Tivoli, but we also travel through time, between the Classical Age and the Renaissance.

What is the historical importance of the Spanish Steps?

History of the staircase

The monumental staircase of Trinità dei Monti, or Spanish Steps, is one of the most famous and photographed places in the world. The two names derive from the fact that its 136 steps connect Piazza di Spagna, at the bottom, and the church of Trinità dei Monti at the top.

Roman architect Francesco De Sanctis (1693-1740) designed the staircase, which began construction in 1723 and was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII during the jubilee of 1725. The French cardinal Pierre Guérin de Tencin commissioned it, and the work took place thanks to French funding. France had a strong influence on the church of Trinità dei Monti and the surrounding area during those years.

Features and curiosities

We are looking at a masterpiece of Baroque architecture, and like many monuments of that era, the appearance of the staircase is closely tied to distance. In fact, coming from Via dei Condotti, which leads straight from Via del Corso to Piazza di Spagna, the scenic effect appears increasingly spectacular.

The staircase doesn’t present an uninterrupted succession of steps but includes several garden terraces that are often adorned with flowers, especially in spring and summer.

In the upper part, before reaching the church of Trinità dei Monti, you’ll find the Sallustian Obelisk, erected in 1787 by Pope Pius VI.

At the top begins a beautiful walk that, skirting the Villa Borghese park, leads to the Pincio, the area above Piazza del Popolo.

Attractions of the square

At the base of the staircase, in Piazza di Spagna, is the Fountain of the Barcaccia, created between 1626 and 1629 by Pietro Bernini, probably with the help of his son Gian Lorenzo.

Not far away is the Column of the Immaculate Conception, erected in 1857 in front of the Spanish Embassy (which also gives the square its name).

Thanks to its central location and architectural beauty, Piazza di Spagna was—especially between the 18th and 19th centuries—a meeting place for artists and intellectuals.

Near the beginning of the staircase, for example, are the homes where English writers John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley lived.

On the other side is the famous Babingtons tea room, which dates back to 1823.

The Spanish Steps today

Many know the staircase of Trinità dei Monti especially as a venue for high fashion shows.

Every summer, those steps become a magnificent runway where clothes from the most famous fashion houses parade. It’s no coincidence that the last restoration of the staircase—after the one in 1995—was funded by the fashion house Bulgari in 2015-2016.

But even during the Christmas holidays, the staircase offers a magnificent spectacle of lights and colors.

In every season, Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei Monti offer an experience not to be missed, both day and night.

Remember, however, that it’s now forbidden to sit on the steps to eat and drink. This rule became necessary to prevent the staircase from becoming a kind of bivouac, especially at lunch and dinner times.

The area is very easy to reach, thanks to line A of the subway that stops right at Piazza di Spagna.

And if you’re wondering: “Can I visit the Spanish Steps and Trinità dei Monti during a Vespa tour with Sidecar Tour in Rome?”

The answer is obviously yes 😊

Take a look here!

How can I purchase tickets to visit the Domus Aurea?

History of the Domus Aurea

The Domus Aurea was the new residence that Emperor Nero had built after the fire of 64 AD destroyed a large part of Rome.

The name derives from the wealth and splendor that characterized this dwelling.

The building was enormous and stood on the Palatine Hill and the Oppian Hill. Today, the visitable remains are those located on the Oppian Hill.

For many centuries, the Domus Aurea remained buried and unknown, partly because Nero’s successors wanted to erase his memory by stripping his residence of its wealth and decorations.

Renaissance rediscovery

The discovery and recovery occurred during the Renaissance, also thanks to the interest that artists of the time had in the testimonies of ancient art.

Visiting information

Today, the Domus Aurea is part of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, but the Colosseum ticket does not include the visit to the Domus. On the official website, you can purchase tickets for both the educational tour (every 15 minutes, from 9:15 AM to 5:00 PM) and for unguided visits (only from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM).

Visits are open only on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, except for the first Sunday of each month. This means that on the three days of opening, there are many people who want to visit the Domus Aurea. It’s therefore advisable to purchase tickets well in advance.

Can I visit the interior of the Pyramid of Cestius?

Origin and history

An “Egyptian” pyramid in Rome? Yes, you heard right. In this case too, as with the Egyptian pyramids, it’s a tomb. Caius Cestius Epulo, a member of an important religious college of ancient Rome, wanted this specific funerary monument.

Why did he specifically want a pyramid? Most likely because, after Egypt became a province of the empire in 31 BC, a taste for exotic Egyptian art and culture spread among the Roman high society.

Location and characteristics

The Pyramid of Cestius, built between 18 and 12 BC by the heirs of Caius Cestius Epulo, is located in the Ostiense area, easily accessible thanks to the dedicated “Piramide” stop on metro line B, the presence of a train station, and the passage of various bus and tram lines.

Inside there is a funerary chamber, but the urn with the deceased’s ashes was probably removed during the Middle Ages.

Visiting possibilities

Unfortunately, the Pyramid of Cestius is not open for public visits. The Special Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape of Rome only organizes extraordinary openings on special events.

Even viewed from the outside, however, it’s an interesting and original monument. And if you decide to go see it, you can take the opportunity to visit the nearby Non-Catholic Cemetery, where illustrious past and recent personalities (artists, writers, politicians…) rest. It’s a truly fascinating place that combines spirituality, art, and nature.

How can I visit Villa d’Este in Tivoli?

A Renaissance gem

Tivoli is a beautiful town about 30 kilometers east of Rome, a place highly appreciated by various personalities of the past. It’s definitely worth planning this detour to visit a true Renaissance jewel.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Villa d’Este was built in the second half of the 16th century at the initiative of Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este.

In addition to the architecture, worthy of the most beautiful aristocratic courts of the time, and the marvelous gardens, one of the Villa’s most famous attractions is its fountains. A complex hydraulic system powers over 500 water features, and every two hours, a spectacular hydraulic organ operates for a few minutes.

How to get there

You can reach Villa d’Este from Rome in various ways. By car, take the “Tivoli” exit from the A24 highway. By bus, take the Cotral line from the Ponte Mammolo metro station, or directly by train, getting off at Tivoli railway station and walking to the Villa, which is a short distance away.

On the official Villa d’Este website, check the opening hours, which vary according to the seasons of the year, and proceed to purchase tickets online.

How do I reach Villa Adriana from Rome?

An imperial residence

Villa Adriana is also located in Tivoli. However, it’s not a Renaissance mansion but an ancient imperial residence. It was commissioned by Hadrian, Roman emperor from 117 to 138 AD.

In ancient times, it was reachable via the Via Tiburtina Valeria or the Via Prenestina, but also by navigating along the Aniene River, an important tributary of the Tiber River.

How to get there today

Today, as with Villa d’Este, there are also several ways to reach Villa Adriana.

By car along the A24 highway, exit at Tivoli and then follow the signs to Villa Adriana.

Arriving by train at Tivoli railway station, you then need to take a bus to reach the Villa, which is located a bit outside the city.

The Cotral line bus, which departs from the Ponte Mammolo Metro B station, arrives right near Villa Adriana.

An important archaeological site

Villa Adriana is one of the most important archaeological sites in Italy. The area over which what remains of the Villa extends today covers more than 120 hectares.

The architectural style is very varied, as Emperor Hadrian wanted to combine in this residence the different cultures he had come into contact with during his travels.

With this article, we wanted to range a bit beyond the boundaries of the city of Rome, to discover further wonders in the footsteps of great personalities of the Renaissance and the Ancient Age.

The guides of Sidecar Tour in Rome are at your disposal not only to take you by Vespa to the most beautiful places in the Eternal City but also to advise you on how to best complete your Roman holiday!