A Guide to Christmas in Rome

By Go City Expert

Christmas in Rome is an amazing experience and there are a vast array of different things to do. We made a guide to get you started on what you could do over the festive period:

See the Pope Over Christmas you have a lot of opportunities. If you can get tickets midnight mass is magical but if not ‘Urbi et Orbi’ on Christmas day is another opportunity, and you don’t need tickets!
Visit a Christmas market There are markets all over Rome during December and early January. The most famous is the market in Piazza Navona which is always bustling and is lit up with lights.
Go ice skating Here’s an ice skating rink in the shadow of Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo which is perfect for getting in the Christmas spirit. You can also ice skate at the Auditorium which also houses a Christmas fair and lots of concerts.
Discover the tradition of nativity scenes Rome boasts a museum of over 3000 nativity scenes and also a pop-up exhibition over Christmas of a further 200 scenes imagined by artists from around the world.
Appreciate the Christmas lights Wander the streets of Rome and see it from a new perspective. The city comes alive over the festive period with lights lining the roads.
Go to a bakery The bakeries fill up with delicious holiday treats like panettone and torrone that aren’t sold in the other months. You won’t regret it!

Go City Expert

Rome Travel Expert

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The Life of Gladiators in Rome

Roman gladiators are some of the most iconic characters in history and they have defined how we think of entertainment in ancient Rome. Their portrayal in films and through stories have turned them into archetypal legends who faced death on a daily basis – certainly something not to be taken lightly. The expectations of gladiators are incomparable to anything we see or do today, making their lives even more fascinating and yet inconceivable. We tend to associate gladiators with an image of blood, gore and brutality but we wanted to give them a bit more credit and explore the real history behind these characters to learn about what ‘being a gladiator’ was really like. The term gladiator is derived from the Latin gladiatores in reference to their weapon the gladius – short sword. Many historians believe the tradition of gladiator fighting dates back to the Etruscans who hosted the contests as part of religious rites of death. However, it’s been disputed that the contests were also to commemorate the deaths of distinguished aristocrats and wealthy nobles, forcing condemned prisoners to fight, with the act of combat and bravery representing to the virtues of those who had died. The sport of gladiator fighting ran for over 650 years – a proof of its popularity! Spanning throughout the Roman Empire it was a fixture in the Roman entertainment calendar from 105 BC to 404 AD and the games mainly remained unchanged bar a few small rules. Early on, most gladiators were condemned prisoners and slaves, who were sacrificed by their Emperors. Later, when the Coliseum opened in 80 AD, being a gladiator proved a lucrative career move and thanks to this change in trend, gladiator schools were set up to train these volunteer fighters, enticing free men with the hope of winning a stake of the prize money and ultimately, glory. These new fighters included retired soldiers, warriors and desperate men looking to make a living. Some were even knights and nobles who wanted to prove their pedigree and show off their fighting skills. Rome had three notable training schools, Capua being one of them for the calibre of gladiators it produced. Agents would scout for potential gladiators to try and persuade them to come and fight for their honour. These gladiator schools offered both safety and captivity, comparable to a prison with its gruelling schedule, yet offering the comfort and security of three hearty meals a day and the best possible medical attention. Although these men were free men, they had to live in shackles and were not allowed to speak at mealtimes but they were allowed to keep any rewards and money if they won a fight. Their diets consisted of protein and carbohydrates like barley porridge and cereals – with no option of wine, water only. Although the gladiators were fighting fit, most of them were a little on the round side as it was preferable to have some extra padding around the midsection to protect them from any serious damage from superficial wounds. Gladiators were an expensive investment for those who ran the gladiator schools, so it was preferable that the fighters did not die on the field – meaning they had to be strong enough to last more than one fight. Contrary to popular belief, not many gladiators actually fought to the death. Some historians say 1 in 5 died in battle, others 1 in 10, yet most only lived to their mid-twenties which compared to today’s average is shocking! However, it was also common place at fights held at the Coliseum for the Emperor to have the final say as to whether the combatants lived or died – often invoking the opinions of the audience to help decide on the matter. So whether you fought well or not, your fate could lie ultimately in the hands of your ruler. When we think of gladiators in ancient Rome we tend to stereotype and think of men; warriors or slaves. But interestingly female slaves were also forced into the pit to fight alongside their male counterparts, or as Emperor Domitian preferred, to face them against dwarves for his particular entertainment. Women fought in gladiator fights for 200 years until Emperor Septimius Severus banned their participation from these blood thirsty games. The brave, strong gladiators not only had their strength to bring into the pit but also their swords. The type of armour and weapons they fought with depended on their social ranking as a gladiator. There were four main classes of gladiator: the Samnite, Thracian, Myrmillo and Retiarius. The Samnites were equipped with a short sword (gladius), rectangular shield (scutum), a graeve (ocrea) and a helmet. The Thracians fought with a curved short sword (sica) and a very small square or round shield (parma). The Myrmillo gladiators were nicknamed ‘fishmen’ as they wore a fish-shaped crest on their helmets and also carried a short sword and shield, like the Samnites, but their armour consisted only of padding on arm and leg. Finally, the Retiarius were the most exposed of all, with no helmet or armour other than a padded shoulder piece, and whose defence included a weighted net used to entangle the opponent and a trident. Although gladiators may have seemed well equipped, the strength and courage it must have taken to step into battle and face death on a regular occurrence is unfathomable. We can be grateful that this brutal form of entertainment came to an end in 404 AD thanks to the Emperor Honorius who closed down the gladiator schools, years before. Who knows when this diversion might have ended had he not have stepped in and called it a day? Learning that the majority of gladiators weren’t actually slaves, but free men who had volunteered for a slice of glory and winnings, makes gladiator fighting seem all the more bizarre and barbaric; opting into a blood battle over traditional forms of trade and commerce. However, it doesn’t take away from the pedestal on which we will always place them – venerating those who survived as heroes and legends of their time. But in the context of the 21st century, I think it’s safe to say that this is one sporting game we’re glad hasn’t come around again!

The Top 10 Spots for the Best Coffee in Rome

Discover the comprehensive caffeine guide to the best coffee in Rome Forget Starbucks and Costa, you’re in Italy now. Discover what a real coffee is meant to taste like in Rome, where more often than not you’ll spot locals sipping espressos as the warm days roll on by. From legendary haunts to sleek modern hangouts, there’s a cafe and coffee shop for everybody in the capital to sate your caffeine cravings. View this post on Instagram espresso ☕️ #한모금먹었는데말도안대게맛있 A post shared by 주은경 (@5_13.c) on Aug 23, 2018 at 6:23am PDT Sant’Eustachio il Caffe Located just a stone’s throw from the Pantheon, the coffee is so good at this cafe that even locals will brave the tourist crowd for a pick-me-up. These purveyors of coffee have been grinding beans and whipping up macchiatos since 1938 and go by the motto, ‘Life is too short for bad coffee’ - a saying we can definitely get behind. Easily spotted by its bright yellow cups and the packed tables spilling out onto the street beside the entrance, those worried about the price of coffee in Italy can save a few cents by opting to stand at the indoor bar. View this post on Instagram black as hell strong as death and sweet as love cr. Turkish proverb #กาแฟเปิดกระโปรง #roma #romanholiday #makhanundha #crewlife #signaturecoffee #foodphotography #guy #asianmen #travelgram #romegallery #italystory A post shared by Marc Ch (@marcdebest) on Sep 6, 2018 at 1:19pm PDT Caffe Tazza d’Oro Step into another world at Tazza d’Oro, a cafe that still thrives with an old-world energy and serves a mean espresso. The entire establishment looks as though it never aged out of the 1940s and that adds to its charm, with a lovingly crafted sculptural trim running the length of the store and marble columns throwing back to Rome’s classical architecture. For a real sweet treat, grab a Granita di Caffe con Panna - frozen espresso finished off with a generous helping of whipped cream. View this post on Instagram No fancy latte art. Just a straight up single shot of Italian espresso with some dark chocolate 🇮🇹 #mandatorycoffeepost #italiancafe #espressoneat #caffeineoverload A post shared by Rida Saban (@ridasaban) on Jul 26, 2018 at 11:26am PDT Sciascia Caffe They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but legendary establishment Sciascia Caffe is out to prove everyone wrong. Beloved by the likes of Lonely Planet, AFAR and locals, it’s widely regarded as the best coffee in Rome and a must-visit for those serious about their beans. One of their signature offerings is the Espresso Chocolate, which combines luxurious dark chocolate with the best espresso in the capital. View this post on Instagram Idem. A post shared by Sofia Orifici (@itssofiaorifici) on Jun 30, 2018 at 4:15am PDT Necci Dal 1924 This charming cafe in the picturesque Pigneto district is where you’ll be able to rub elbows with Rome’s cool kids, many of whom start the day off right here with a freshly baked pastry and a frothy cappuccino. While it may have started off as a gelateria and becomes a bustling restaurant later in the day, it’s a gorgeous place to unwind on one of your lazier days - especially if you can get a spot on its unbeatable terrace. View this post on Instagram 💗☕️💗 A post shared by @ colleenshosler on May 30, 2016 at 7:17am PDT l’Arte del caffe Er Barretto If you’re more about style than substance, Er Barretto serves up a decent cup - but the real draw is its adorable customised cappuccino art. Their barristas go the extra mile and are masters with a coffee cup, whipping up floral, typography and animal designs in a matter of seconds that’ll have you sorted for the perfect Instagram. Located in Monti, it’s a small detour from sites such as the Roman Forum, Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. View this post on Instagram Buon Giorno !!! #tornatoinitalia #estate #macchiato 🇮🇹 A post shared by ernesto (@ticomadero) on Aug 25, 2018 at 3:44am PDT Caffe Ciampini There’s a reason why many of Rome’s most famous creative types made this place their favourite hangout. With gorgeous marble interiors and a blend of beans to die for, this family-run caffe not only makes a fantastic espresso but also offers amazing croissants and homemade cakes if you’re feeling peckish. And if you’re travelling with little ones, they’ll be sorted with a scoop of gelato while you get your fix. View this post on Instagram Phallic symbolism is alive and well in The Eternal City 🍆 A post shared by Ali Inglese (@rightupyour_ali) on Sep 13, 2018 at 7:18am PDT Antico Caffe Greco For one of the oldest coffee shops in Rome, head to Antico Caffe Greco which has been a stalwart on the scene since 1760. This atmospheric cafe has seen the best minds of Rome and modern thinkers pass through its doors and drink deeply from its coffee cups, retaining elements of the old-world with suited waiters and gorgeous Renaissance art lining its walls. (It also serves as a small gallery, with over 300 works on display.) View this post on Instagram Kafe v 🇮🇹 jsme nenechali náhodě a využili tipu od @europeancoffeetrip ☕️ Tahle kavárnička je jen pár metrů od hranic Vatikánu ✔️ #coffeetime #roma . . #dnescestujem #canon_photos #vscocam #vscocze #coffeetour #coffeetravel #italy #holiday A post shared by Skills of Art (@skillsofart) on Jul 30, 2018 at 3:12am PDT Pergamino Caffe This new kid on the block is one of the few shining culinary lights around the Vatican museums, serving both classic Italian coffees and more adventurous choices for those bored of their standard latte. This modern hipster spot serves everything from a stunning cappuccino to a cold brew Nitro for those hot summer days when a steaming cup of coffee just makes you want to melt. View this post on Instagram caffè ☕️ + dolci 🥐 = classic Italian breakfast 🥄🍶 A post shared by Lianna Xiaokui Nakashima | LXN (@liannashima) on Aug 4, 2017 at 2:57pm PDT Cafffe Camerino Do as the locals do and head to Cafffe Camerino, where the most discerning of Italians head for some of the best coffee around. Their cappuccinos have to be tried to be believed, but don’t outrage the Romans - stick to ordering it for breakfast as ordering a frothy, milky coffee anywhere is a no-no after lunch rolls around. Authentic and high quality, there’s a reason so many people return to this spot over and over again for their morning Joe. View this post on Instagram Starting a day with ☕️&☀️ A post shared by Raffaele Morera Palangio (@raffaelemorerapalangio) on Jan 23, 2018 at 12:14pm PST Castroni With several locations scattered throughout the city, the beverages at each Castroni location are top notch at this traditional coffee bar. With beans from Central America, Indonesia and Africa, nothing but the best coffee beans are enough for this popular spot which also hawks other authentic Italian produce: think wine, olive oil, desserts and more. Keep an eye out as you’re wandering around as many branches pop up around tourist hotspots and it’s well worth dipping in for a quick cup before you continue on your travels.

20 Fascinating Facts about the Sistine Chapel

We've collated the most fascinating facts about the Sistine Chapel within the Vatican Museums in Rome to test your trivia. Learn about the painstaking ways the ceiling was painted, and the hidden meanings behind some of the most allegorical figures...

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