Rome's top three museums for art and history

A visit to Rome is rich in culture, history and tradition. Any visitor will fall in love with the city and be overwhelmed by the deep running traditions and heritage of the Roman people. There’s no better place to experience this than by visiting the wealth of museums within Rome, accessible with your Roma Pass and OMNIA Card. Both cultural and historical, there are museums that exhibit the city’s artistic and social past. We thought we’d look at top three and share with you why they are must-sees: Vatican Museums Arguably the most famous museums in Rome, the Vatican Museums are a cultural pilgrimage as much as a religious one. Set in the Vatican City they are home to some of the most priceless art and sculptures in the world. This vast set of interconnecting museums measure over 9 miles, so you’re best to dedicate a good half day to exploring the departments and salas at leisure. Some of the highlights of the museum include the Papal Throne, the Sistine Chapel, and various galleries displaying ancient statues, busts, maps and tapestries. Its 1,400 rooms are brimming with art dating back from Ancient Egypt to the 20th century. So there’s something for everyone. Obviously there’s a deep spiritual undercurrent and theme behind all the works collected and on display in the Vatican Museums so visitors can learn about the Papal history and Roman Catholic influence over art works through the ages. Some of the artists featured in this renowned museum are Michelangelo – who’s Last Judgement can’t be missed – Raphael and Bernini, among others. National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo This fortified castle, and mausoleum, is one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks and sits impressively on the northern bank of the River Tiber. The National Museum of Castel Sant’Angelo is a must-visit for anyone interested in history and is otherwise known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. Interlinked with the Vatican – there’s a secret passage underground that links the two together once used for papal refuge – the museum of Castel Sant’Angelo is home to Papal apartments of the (infamous) Borgia Pope Alexander VI and display the lavish decorations and furniture collected by these heads of the Church. Visitors can also admire the Hall of Urns where it’s believed the ashes of Hadrian are kept, symbolically, right in the centre of the stronghold. Capitoline Museums Rome’s Capitoline Museums are some of the best collections of ancient Roman art and archaeology. Originally built as the ‘people’s museum’ it’s also believed to be the first museum in Rome – and the world’s oldest national museums – founded in 1471 by Pope Sixtus IV. One of the many highlights of the collection is Rome’s national symbol, the She Wolf and Romulus and Remus. The collections also contain ancient sculptures, statues, sarcophagi, mosaics and ruins of ancient dwellings from the Roman Forum. Set within three buildings, there is so much to be discovered about Rome’s rich history and culture – as well as Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek cultures. The Capitoline Museums give visitors a unique insight into Rome’s important history and you won’t be disappointed! With the Roma Pass you can get free entry into the Capitoline Museums and the Museum of Rome for free and many other historic sites like the Coliseum and the Roman Forum & Palatine Hill at a discounted price.

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Celebrate the Roma Europa Festival this November

Rome is synonymous with ancient monuments, sculptures and exquisite art of the Empire; so for a city that’s steeped in such archaic cultural history, competing with any other form of cultural expression, let alone contemporary, is hard to imagine. Rivalling the art of its heyday, the contemporary scene has exploded in Rome and is celebrated with the annual Roma Europa Festival, which runs from 25th September to the 24th November this year. Displaying exhibitions ranging from digital to dance, theatre and photography, the festival promises new visions and innovative approaches to aesthetic expression. Set in the contemporary space of the Telecoms Italia factory, it couldn’t have a more apt location to help shape and structure the ideologies of the festival within its contemporary, glass structure. NB: don’t be put off by the residential street view – it’s what is inside that counts! Having teamed up with patrons and various ministries of culture within Europe, it is a heavily invested event within the contemporary art world and takes pride on its innovation and value as a creative crossroads. So much so that Wall Street Journal even ranked it as one of the top four best festivals in Europe (2006). Since its conception in 1986, the festival has attracted hoards of culture vultures from around the world; from veterans of artistic thought to new, young fresh minds. Now, heralded as one of Italy’s best festivals, it is a must-do for anyone looking to open their minds and challenge the boundaries of high, mass and popular culture while visiting the capital. Location: Ostiense area OPIFICIO TELECOM ITALIA Via dei Magazzini Generali 20/A 00154 Roma tel +39 06 45553000 / +39 06 45553050
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The Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome

What else were you going to eat in Italy? Here's the best pasta restaurants in Rome Nothing compares to a steaming dish of home-cooked Italian pasta and luckily, there's a number of fantastic places to order some in Rome. The city's full of options (and recipes), for every creamy carbonara at a family trattoria, there's a sea urchin pasta across the way at a modern bistro. Check out some of the best pasta restaurants in Rome below. Uma legítima pasta a carbonara italiana, al dente e queijo pecorino. A post shared by Oslec (@borgescelso10) on Jan 31, 2017 at 2:14pm PST Da Danilo Nothing beats homemade food and the adage follows in Italy. Da Danilo, a trattoria owned by a mother-son duo, whip up some of the best pasta in the capital and as such are always in high demand. Specialising in carbonara, Rome's signature dish, as well as other simple comforts like cacio e pepe, Da Danilo's a perfect place for authentic classics. Via Petrarca, 13, 00185 Roma, Italy http://www.trattoriadadanilo.com When in Roma.... My home away from home @fabianaf1979 A post shared by Anthony D'Anna (@anthdanna) on Mar 31, 2017 at 2:07pm PDT Armando al Pantheon After roaming the iconic Pantheon, head over to the nearby Armando al Pantheon for a meal that will really hit the spot. Despite being surrounded by subpar tourist trap restaurants, the food is next level with favourites including the spicy and garlicky Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peproncino as well Spaghetti alla Gricia, a hearty dish comprising of Pecorino Romano cheese, guanciale and black pepper. Salita dei Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma, Italy http://armandoalpantheon.it Do as the Italian's do, Pasta! . . . #traveldiaries #italy #wheninrome #pasta #carbsfordays #cheeseforlife #mixology #classiccocktails #cleaneating #personalchef #mixologist #todiefor #chefglass #restauranteur #wanderlust #nomad #bourbon #ginlover #scotch #wineconnoisseur #anytime #vinovinovino #travel #coffee #fuelforhours #cigaraficionado #lahéfa A post shared by 🔸Alka Chain🔸 (@eljefeatvintage) on May 6, 2017 at 6:35pm PDT Roscioli Whether you're tucking into peppery Cacio e Pepe or buttery Rigatoni Burro e Parmigiano, Roscioli is a pasta restaurant that always delights. These chefs know and prioritise quality ingredients, as in a previous life Roscioli was once a fine foods boutique, and elevate their dishes beyond the norm. They've also got a killer wine list if you're looking for something to wash it all down with. Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22, 00186 Roma, Italy http://www.salumeriaroscioli.com/restaurant Grandissimo spaghetto con le vongole del lago di Caprolace. #lagodicaprolace #solouva #arcariedanesi #roma #ilsanlorenzo A post shared by Giovanni Arcari (@giovanniarcari) on Mar 22, 2017 at 7:04am PDT Il Sanlorenzo There's a time and place for cheesy pasta and a meal at Il Sanlorenzo isn't it. Specialising in seafood pastas, Il Sanlorenzo is a welcome change from the carbonaras of the city. The menu tends to change depending on the season and what seafood is freshest, but you can expect to see razor clams, octopi, prawns and sea urchin topping their pastas. Via dei Chiavari, 4/5, 00186 Roma, Italy http://www.ilsanlorenzo.it Lasagne A post shared by Jason Lander (@jwlander) on Aug 1, 2016 at 1:43pm PDT La Tavernaccia da Bruno This family-run trattoria is located on the outskirts of the effortlessly hipster Trastevere neighbourhood and serves up quality Roman pasta classics, as well as a handful from Umbria where the owner hails from. The standout dish here is the lasagna, made with layers and layers of freshly made pasta and bechamel sauce baked in their wood-fired oven. Via Giovanni da Castel Bolognese, 63, 00153 Roma, Italy http://www.latavernacciaroma.com Tradizioni Romane🍴🍝 Cacio e Pepe way of life! #Italy🇮🇹 . . . . . . . . #lunch #eat #tasty #good #picoftheday #bestoftheday #igersoftheday #igaddict #like4like #followme #photo #photooftheday #beautiful #amazing #tagsforlike #food #foodporn #tradition #italy #rome #cook #togheter #happy #girl #love #life #pasta A post shared by Martina Evangelista (@martinavng) on May 8, 2017 at 5:56am PDT Osteria Bonelli While it's not the fanciest joint on the list, Osteria Bonelli's hearty pasta recipes give any restaurant a run for their money and they're also luckily a fraction of the price. With seasonal dishes as well as the classics, the osteria's recipes attract a diverse crowd of locals and tourists. If you're feeling up to it, they also have a few quinto quarto - or offal - dishes worth the culinary adventure. Viale dell'Acquedotto Alessandrino, 172/174, 00176 Roma, Italy https://www.facebook.com/Osteria-Bonelli-427233444051834
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St Peter's Basilica in the evening.
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10 Must-See Highlights of the Vatican Museum

The Vatican Museum is one of Rome’s most significant buildings – not only for its Papal connotations and rich history but for the extensive collections of art within its walls. Its total worth is estimated at around €15 billion, so you can imagine just how opulent it is. On average walking around the entire Vatican Museum will take a solid four hours if you are aiming to see everything. Did you know it boasts an incredible 9 miles of art? Broken into 24 sections, with museums showcasing ancient art to sculptures, bronze statues and mosaics, not to mention a manicured courtyard, there's so much to see. If it all sounds a bit daunting then we’ve made it easy for you. Follow our top ten highlights for a bite-sized but bountiful visit and be sure to leave knowing you’ve seen the best of The Vatican. 1. Spiral Staircase As soon as you enter the Vatican Museum you will come across the impressive spiral staircase designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1832. Now, as one of the most photographed staircases in the world, Momo’s staircase is famous not only for its home but for the sheer size of it. Otherwise known as the Snail Staircase, it’s made up of two iron engraved stairways forming a double helix – pre-empting the symbol for DNA that would follow years later. 2. The Raphael Rooms The four Raphael Rooms act as a grand entrance to the Vatican where you can’t help but be wowed as soon as you arrive. As the public part of the Papal apartments, they join the museum with the Papal Palace and are famous for their frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael. Overlooking the Belvedere courtyard, the Raphael Rooms boast some of the best of the Renaissance. Explore the four amazing stanze: Sala di Costantino, Stanza di Eliodoro, Stanza della Segnatura and Stanza dell’Incendio del Borgo. There’s nothing ordinary about these rooms... 3. Gregorian Egyptian Museum Founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum now houses ancient artefacts originating from ancient Egypt and taken via Rome and Villa Adriana in Tivoli through the Imperial Age. Occupying nine rooms, this section displays sculptures and statues, clay figurines and bronze objects – among many others! If you are fascinated with ancient Egypt, this is a section not to miss. 4. Vatican Historical Museum and the Portraits of the Popes As one of the most modern museums within the Vatican Museum, founded in 1973, the Historical Museum features a collection of portraits of the Popes from the sixteenth century to today. You can also see the ‘papamobili’ or Pope-mobiles, from the first carts and carriages to the little motorized white ones we have today. With the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Pass, you can visit the Vatican Museum without paying a Roman cent! 💡Find out more 5. Sistine Chapel Consecrated in the late 1400s, the Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited churches in the world and is a stand-alone feature of the Vatican. Not only does Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, the Last Judgement, adorn the ceiling but you can admire Botticelli's long murals which often get overlooked. Marvel at the absolute intricacy of the fresco overhead and take a moment to appreciate this piece de resistance. 6. Papal Throne Admire the red marble papal throne that now stands in the Vatican. Taken from its original home, Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano (the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop in Rome), the red marble is believed to represent royalty. Its other features include mosaics and frescoes, with two engraved lions as armrests and shining mosaic-casting rays of sunlight, lauding whoever sat on the throne. 7. Gallery of Maps The Gallery of Maps is located on the west side of the Belvedere courtyard and, as you’ve guessed, contains a series of painted topographical maps. Commissioned in 1580, it took Ignazio Danzi three years to complete the 40 panels. Doesn’t sound like much? Well, the gallery measures 120m in length, so it’s quite a feat! 8. Sala Rotonda If you like the Pantheon then the Sala Rotonda will not fail to impress. Shaped like the central Roman building, but on a smaller scale, its curved walls are lined with huge statues and the floor is laid with stunning mosaics. Look out for the gilded statue of Hercules and the large marble basin in the middle of the room to catch the rain. 9. Gallery of the Statues You’ve guessed it, the Gallery of the Statues is what it says on the tin. Within the Pio Clementino Museum, the gallery stretches down a long corridor lined with statues down into the Gallery of Busts. Originally, the walls were covered with frescoes of landscapes and cities with romantic cupids in the lunettes. Over time, this room has been used to showcase the marble art instead – equally impressive! 10. Pinacoteca Vaticana  The Pinacoteca Vaticana lived in the Borgia Apartment until 1932 when it moved to its current location. It now houses a range of stunning paintings, from Raphael’s ‘Oddi Altarpiece’ and ‘Transfiguration’ to Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘St. Jerome in the Wilderness’. It’s a must-see for any Renaissance art lover and will end your trip to the Vatican with a bang.  Planning your Rome and Vatican trip? With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. ☀️See all Vatican and Rome attractions ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy the OMNIA Vatican and Rome Pass ✈️
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