San Francesco a Ripa is a church named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, who once stayed in the surrounding area. The church holds a special place in local history because of this connection to the beloved saint.
Within the Paluzzi-Albertoni chapel, visitors can find one of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s most celebrated sculptures: the statue of the Blessed Ludovica Albertoni. This artwork is admired for its detailed craftsmanship and emotional depth, drawing the attention of art lovers from around the world.
In front of the church stands a column with a story of its own. This ancient column was brought from the ruins of Veii, an old Etruscan city north of Rome. Its presence adds a historical layer, linking San Francesco a Ripa to Rome’s ancient past.
Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francesco_a_Ripa
Next door to Santa Croce. A collection of around 3000 pieces, although only a third of these are displayed.
More modern than most Roman churches: it was not started until 1873. This is Rome’s Episcopalian church. Some very interesting artwork, particularly the mosaics by Edward Burne-Jones of the Pre-Raphaelite school.
Built after 1631, the crypt of the church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of 3700 dead friars. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and striking decorations.
Minor basilica in 17th-century baroque style with good art inside. In a smaller Italian city, this might be a prime attraction, but in Rome, with its abundance of great churches, this is merely a pleasant church of secondary interest to visit if you are in the area.
If it is sunny, you'll catch a few young people and older gentlemen sitting at the base of a statue in the middle of the open space. The statue is a brooding, hooded Giordano Bruno—an excommunicated Dominican monk and one of the earliest cosmologists who held the idea of an infinite universe. He was burnt at the stake for heresy on this spot on 17 February 1600. The piazza is used as a marketplace during the day, and party central for college students and tourists at night. When the sky gets dark and the street lamps go on, the Campo de' Fiori fills with people and lovers wander arm in arm in the crowd. Over the buzzing of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter you may hear a young vocalist belt out O Sole Mio at the top of his lungs as change plunks into his accordion case.
Contains the tomb of Pope Hadrian IV, the last non-Italian pope before Pope John Paul I.
This small museum records the liberation of Rome from German occupation during the Second World War. During the occupation the building was used as a prison. Stair lifts and chair lifts available for wheelchair users (call ahead).
This is not, contrary to popular belief, one of the original seven hills that Rome was founded on. It is the second highest after Monte Mario, though, and offers incredible panoramic views of the city as long as the authorities remember to prune the trees on the hillside (if they are too tall you can walk a few meters down the hill for views that are just as good). On the other side of the piazza there is also a nice view of the dome of St. Peter's. The Piazza and the street leading up the hill are dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi who led Italian troops against the French here in 1849. There are also several commemorative statues.
This is an important place of pilgrimage for Catholics because of the supposedly miraculous powers of an image of the Virgin Mary. The first miracle was in 1740 when a traveller being attacked by a pack of dogs called out to the Virgin’s image for rescue and the dogs calmed down. The image was moved to Rome in the Second World War and is credited with saving the city from destruction, as a result of which Romans vowed to construct this new sanctuary.
Rome's museum of contemporary art, housed in a former industrial complex. Rotating exhibitions, each one usually lasting about 4 months. The MACRO Testaccio exhibition space is located in Aventino-Testaccio.
Beautiful park, the 2nd largest in Rome (after Villa Doria Pamphili) at 450 acres/182 hectares. Hosts concerts on summer evenings. former summer residence of Italian monarchs. Also known for it's bunker.