Just a short stroll west of the mighty Colosseum stands one of Rome’s most remarkable monuments—the Arch of Constantine. This grand triumphal arch, remarkably well-preserved through the centuries, was erected soon after the year 315 AD to celebrate a pivotal event in Roman history: Emperor Constantine’s victory over his rival Maxentius at the famous Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. The triumph marked not just a military win, but also the rise of Constantine as Rome’s first Christian emperor, forever altering the course of the Roman Empire.
The Arch of Constantine draws clear inspiration from earlier monuments, especially the Arch of Septimius Severus located nearby in the Roman Forum. Its structure features three soaring arches—a design that echoes its predecessor and adds a sense of balance and grandeur to the monument. Yet, what truly sets the Arch of Constantine apart is the story told through its stones and sculptures.
Walking around the arch, you’ll notice an intriguing patchwork of styles and motifs. The monument is adorned with reliefs and decorative elements that were originally part of older imperial monuments built under emperors Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius. Ancient Roman builders were masters of “spolia”—reusing prized materials from previous structures—and the Arch of Constantine is a showcase of this practice. Each borrowed piece adds layers of history and symbolism, connecting Constantine’s reign to Rome’s illustrious imperial past.
Although the arch dazzles with its rich decoration and historic gravitas, a closer look reveals a subtle shift in craftsmanship. Many art historians point out that the quality of the sculptures on the Arch of Constantine reflects the gradual decline of classical Roman art during the third century AD. The finely detailed figures of earlier ages give way to simpler, more rigid forms. This evolution in style not only marks a transformation within the empire, but also foreshadows the dawn of a new artistic era in Europe.
Standing at the Arch of Constantine, you feel the weight of history pressing in from every angle—a monument that not only marks a victory, but also captures the changing spirit of Rome itself.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arch_of_Constantine
A 19th-century addition to the square, made to balance the Fontana del Moro.
Built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, this vast structure may appear to be solid white marble but actually contains many rooms inside. There are two permanent museums, one on Italian Reunification and one on emigration from Italy, as well as other spaces that host rotating exhibitions. A walk through the Flag Room leads to the tomb of the unknown soldier. Good views from half-way up but you can also pay €10 (€2 concessions) and take a lift all the way to the top.
The palace was built by the architect Baldassare Peruzzi on behalf of the Massimo family. The former palace was destroyed during the pillage of Rome in 1527. The Massimo family can be traced back to Quintus Fabius Maximus who defeated Hannibal in the 3rd century BC. The building is open to the public on March 16, only in order to commemorate the miraculous reanimation of Paolo Massimo by St. Philip Neri in 1538.
Regular shows plus an excellent astronomical museum.
A pleasant fountain in an out-of-the-way square. It was originally meant to have four dolphins rather than turtles, but the dolphins proved to be too large for the water pressure, so the turtles were added as an afterthought.
This is not the real name of the church on the corner by the main entrance to San Callisto but it is universally known by this name. By legend it is located on the spot where Saint Peter had a vision of the risen Christ while fleeing persecution in Rome. According to the tradition, Peter asked Jesus, Domine, quo vadis? “Lord, where are you going?” The current church is from 1637. Inside is a copy of a stone said to contain the imprints of the feet of Jesus; the original is maintained in San Sebastiano, further along the Appian Way
The building is in one of the most hidden corners of the city center among Piazza Navona and Castel Sant'Angelo. It served as residence for the Orsini family. Nowadays it is private property and one can only glance at the courtyard and the amazing fountain inside, erected in 1618 by architect Antonio Casoni. However, the brief moment is worth it.
A medieval church dating from the 6th century and home to the Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth). The Bocca della Verità at the entrance to the church is thought to be a 1st-century manhole cover. It is believed that if you put your hand in the mouth and tell a lie, the hand will be bitten off. Queues for the privilege of risking this can get rather long. Don't ignore the church, which is a gem, and has a separate entrance. Its mosaic floor in the Cosmatesque style is more rustic and less intricate than some others (Santa Maria in Trastevere, for example), but its simplicity gives it a solidity not found in the more ornate styles. S.M. in Cosmedin has a fine medieval choir enclosure and the tallest medieval belfry in Rome.
Known properly as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this most famous of Roman landmarks takes its name from the giant statue of the emperor Nero that once stood near this location. The amphitheatre was capable of seating 50,000 spectators for animal fights and gladiatorial combats. It was a project started by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 and completed by his son Domitian sometime in the 80s. The Colosseum when completed measured 48 m high, 188 m in length, and 156 m in width. The wooden arena floor was 86 m by 54 m, and covered by sand.;Expect a long queue and an even longer wait. You can skip the queue if you decide to take a tour, but if you don't want a tour, you can STILL skip the queue. If you walk to the entrance for the Roman Forum, you can buy tickets there which allow you to bypass the queues. You can also buy tickets online. There are lots of people offering tours in English just outside the entrance to the Colosseum. Inside you can take a tour (English, Spanish, or German) every 30 minutes or so for an additional fee. The tours are given by knowledgeable archeologists, but they don't take you to any areas you couldn't visit on your own.
A 1st-century tomb surrounded by two farmhouses from the Middle Ages, one of which used to be a cheese store. Rather hidden behind a high wall, the tomb is rarely open to the public. You might be lucky on a Sunday: on the third Sunday of every month there is a guided tour at 11:00.