Our Guide to Unique Buildings in Rome

By Megan Hills

From ancient works to modern standouts, here's the most unique buildings in Rome

Stroll around Rome for the day and you'll be faced with architectural marvel after architectural marvel, with gigantic churches, elaborate fountains and skyscrapers tied together in a harmonious (if not slightly chaotic) network of narrow streets and crowds of people. If you've only got a few days in the city and you're a bit of an architectural buff, it's worth listing down some of the most beautiful buildings in Rome to save on time - check them out below.

Colosseum

Were you even remotely surprised the Colosseum made the list? As one of the biggest architectural marvels in Rome, this gigantic Flavian stadium dates all the way back to 70-80AD and still looks like it's in pretty good nick. While gladiators and wild animals once played out gory scenes on its sands, it now serves as a popular tourist attraction for history buffs and large scale concerts and the occasional religious ceremony is held here nowadays.

Castel St Angelo

This stark fortress on the River Tiber is impossible to miss and has a colourful history with separate lives as a final resting place, battleground and papal residence. Commissioned by Emperor Hadrian to serve as his mausoleum, the cylindrical fortress became a crucial military and papal residence since it happens to be nearby the Vatican City. The iconic angel statue that sits atop it was only added in 590AD after Pope Gregory was visited by a vision of Archangel Michael while the city was entrenched with plague, which he believed hailed the end of the epidemic.

St Peter's Basilica

Arrive at St Peter's Basilica at the right time and you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Pope Francis in one of its upstairs windows, reciting prayers to an attentive crowd below. It's said to be built above the final resting place of Peter the Apostle, one of Jesus' most trusted disciples, and Christians from all over the world travel to pay their respects at one of the holiest sites on earth. For those who aren't so religiously inclined, the Basilica is an unforgettable site with the likes of Michelangelo working on its iconic dome and architects like Donato Bramante, Carlo Moderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini bringing it to life.

MAXXI

Designed by architectural superstar Zaha Hadid, MAXXI houses some of the most seminal works of the 21st century and is itself a work of art. Its gorgeous slick and sloping lines weren't predetermined however as the Ministry of Cultural Heritage actually ran an architectural competition, after which the winners' design would be made a reality and Zaha Hadid secured the prestigious project. As a stark juxtaposition to the city's range of ancient Roman buildings, it's a vision of modern Rome that the emperors of old would hardly have been able to dream of.

Pantheon

Thousands of people flock to the Pantheon every year to see the glory of ancient Roman architecture, with its ivory facade, broad dome and tall imposing columns setting the bar. As a relic of Emperor Hadrian's era, it was commissioned by the ruler and later finished in 126AD to worship a number of Roman gods - though it later became a church, then the tourist attraction it is today.

Church of 2000

If you've just about had enough of traditional churches out in the Vatican City, American architect Richard Meier's modern take on the religious place of worship is a breath of fresh air. As the same man who designed the Ara Pacis museum, the Church of 2000 has the same graphic design sensibility with bisected shapes and walls of glass playing into the structure. Its three gigantic curving shells contrasted with the sharp blocks of the main church hall are a pleasing

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The Ultimate Rome Bucket List: Top 50 things to do in the City

When in Rome, do as the Romans do with our top things to do in and around the city. Time to start planning your Rome Bucket List! The Eternal City is a beautiful place to visit, but what’s on your Rome bucket list? Check out our ultimate list of the top 50 things to do in Rome, courtesy of the team behind the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Card. Roma. #italia A post shared by Tatiana Belisário (@tatibelisario) on May 25, 2017 at 6:09am PDT 1. The Colosseum is an ancient gladiatorial arena and one of the most recognised symbols of Rome. Head back in time and discover the history of this impressive building. 2. Drink an espresso (un caffè) or a caffè macchiato if you want some milk in it. Don’t order a latte though – you’ll just get milk! 3. Take a stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum, which is also visible from the Capitoline Museums. 4. Soak up the atmosphere in one of the restaurants which line one of Rome’s most popular public spaces, Piazza Navona. #rome🇮🇹 #sanpietrobasilica A post shared by Vanessa (@vanessa.vanderput) on May 25, 2017 at 5:36am PDT 5. Spend some time at St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, home to the Sistine Chapel. 6. Cross the river and explore the hip and bohemian area of Trastevere. 7. Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain which has a marble statue of Neptune at its centre. Visit early in the morning or late at night to avoid the tourists. 8. Wander the cobbled streets around the Colosseum and get lost in Centro Storico. 9. Shop in style at the beautiful Galleria Alberto Sordi with stained-glass skylights and mosaic floors. On the neighbouring streets, you’ll find plenty of designer boutiques. Самое главное - правильно мыслить и постоянно это осуществлять в деле, не поддаваться суете и сомнениям: Я выстрою и сделаю то, что другим не под силу, Я буду самым лучшим в мире мужчиной, Идя только вперед, несмотря ни на что, Мною движет настойчивость и редкая смелость, Целеустремленность и жажда к победам. Талант быть устойчивым и умелым, Подходя с решением к любым делам и проблемам. Реализовать все свои идеи, точно по плану, как черным по белому, За это сейчас хочу поблагодарить свою маму, До встречи на следующем жизненном раунде. Наступила ночь, но уже недалеко до финала. P.S Важно ценить своих родителей, ведь это они нам дали жизнь, и теперь все в наших руках. Если бы не моя мама, которая поддержала меня, я не уехал бы за границу получать образование и жизненный опыт. Если бы не одобрение отца, то не ушел бы с работы и не начал заниматься любимым делом. A post shared by Eugene (@eugenephotos) on May 23, 2017 at 3:00pm PDT 10. Marvel at the architecture of the Pantheon, the former temple and best-preserved monument of Imperial Rome. 11. Take a break from ancient and Baroque art, and indulge in some from the modern era. Locals say MAXXI, the Museum of 21st Century Art, is the best place to see modern and contemporary art in Rome. 12. Walk up Gianicolo at dusk for a spectacular panoramic view of Rome. If you’re there at midday, you’ll hear the cannon which has fired every day since the battle of Rome was won there! Read up on our favourite Instagram Spots in Rome for some of the city's best views. 13. Sample the delights of Roman cuisine. Although traditionally simple, the dishes are delicious. Try the fried artichoke starter and pig’s cheek pasta. Find out more in Our Guide to the Top Rome Foods you should try! Koskaan ei tiedä mitä avaimenreiästä näkyy.. 📷:@marielisahan #tb #tirkistelijätRoomassa #paaviastalkkaamassa #forbiddenyard #oispaolluparempiobjektiivi A post shared by Sami Rojo (@sami_rojo) on May 24, 2017 at 4:16pm PDT 14. Find the nondescript door to the Priory of the Knights of Malta on Aventine Hill, just past the orange grove. Look through its keyhole: locals love the perfect view of St Peter’s Basilica. 15. Visit the spectacular Capitoline Museums. Read our Guide to the 10 sculptures you can’t miss. 16. On the second Sunday of every month, explore the antique market on the River Tiber which starts just under the ancient Ponte Milvio Bridge. Soak up the local culture and wander around some of Rome's best street markets. 17. Hire a bike and ride through the Appia Antica Regional Park. Located along one of the oldest and important Roman roads, it’s brimming with ancient ruins. 18. Take a stroll through the city centre and look out onto Galleria Spada. You’ll be amazed by the magic of Borromini’s masterpiece. 19. Relax in the Villa Borghese Park, one of the largest parks in the city centre, and escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Pe ttutta Roma cuant’è llarga e stretta nun poterai trovà ccosa ppiú rrara. È una faccia de pietra che tt’impara chi ha ddetta la bbuscía, chi nnu l’ha ddetta..” (G.G.Belli) A post shared by Rosy&Giusy (@giusyrosy_) on May 12, 2017 at 10:55pm PDT 20. Legend has it the Bocca della Verità or the Mouth of Truth, outside the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, bites off the hand of anyone who is not telling the truth. Try it! Movie-lovers will recognise this city hotspot after seeing it in Audrey Hepburn's "Roman Holiday". 21. Fancy a cocktail with an Italian twist? Visit Barattolo and sample one of the famous tiramisù cocktails served in a jar. 22. For jazz music lovers, visit the Casa del Jazz (House of Jazz) and watch famous and lesser-known Italian and international jazz musicians. 23. There are more than 60 catacombs in Rome. Venture underground and join a guided tour and learn about the rites and customs of the early Church years. 24. Make time in the early evening for an aperitivo. Most bars offer some snacks to accompany your drink, check out some of our favourites around the city! What else? #rome #bestplace #villatorlonia #nowords #architecture #skyline #thebigbeauty A post shared by Giulia Zambon 🐾 (@giulia__zambon) on May 23, 2017 at 11:26am PDT 25. On the Rome bucket list of history-buffs, the underground bunker in which Mussolini and his family lived during the Second World War is hidden under Villa Torlonia. 26. For music concerts, exhibitions, plays and festivals, visit Rome’s greatest concert hall, the Auditorium Parco della Musica. 27. Bioparco, Rome’s Zoo, is home to a wide variety of animals. It’s great for kids of all ages. 28. Take a tip from locals and visit the Palazzo delle Esposizioni. It has some of the best exhibitions in the city and sometimes hosts cinema evenings. 29. Visit a traditional tavern (fraschetta) for good local wine and food that’s budget-friendly. Nel blu dipinto di bbbblu ☀️ A post shared by martina vivani (@livinginthegardenofevil) on May 24, 2017 at 2:45am PDT 30. Watch the world go by on Piazza del Popolo where there’s always something going on. 31. If you’re in Rome in the summer, take in the magic of the open-air theatre in the Villa Borghese Park . 32. Enjoy a relaxing break in the Terme di Trastevere This spa evokes the beauty rituals of ancient Rome and you can unwind in a bath of wine, citrus fruits and herbs, or donkey milk, just as Cleopatra did! 33. Want to escape the tourists? Visit the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane. The Trappist monks who live here recently began making and selling their own beer. 34. Check out the work by artists around the world displayed across the fronts of the buildings in the Tor Marancia district, as part of a regeneration project. Rim :) #roma #rome #rim #vatikan #vaticancity #basilicadisanpietro #stpeterschurch #stpeterscathedral #pontesantangelo #tiber #rivertiber #vatican #sky #italia #italy #europe A post shared by Dragan Gulic (@dragangulic) on May 24, 2017 at 11:27pm PDT 35. Stroll along the river banks or take a scenic cruise along the River Tiber which runs through the heart of Rome. 36. The little Borgo Pio neighbourhood just behind the Vatican is amazingly quiet. The streets in this traditional area are lined with trattorias and bars. Keep your eyes open for the small fountain in the middle of Piazza del Catalone. 37. In Rome for a romantic trip? Visit the romantic Roseto Comunale near the Circo Massimo at the foot of the Palatine Hill where over 1000 varieties of roses grow. 38. Love pop surrealism? The Dorothy Circus Gallery is for you! This was the first art gallery in Rome to specialise in the genre. 39. A secret top tip: the Centrale Montemartini displays classical sculptures in the middle of an old power plant. It’s a combination that works surprisingly well! Favorite gelato in Rome 🍦😋 A post shared by teresa (@teresaliao) on May 25, 2017 at 7:47am PDT 40. Visit the city’s best gelateria, Giolitti, which is near to the Pantheon. 41. Are you a film lover? Join a guided tour and wander around film sets and studios at Cinecittà. Or create your own tour with our Movie-Lovers' Guide to Rome. 42. Want to know what life was like in ancient Rome? Enrol in Gladiator School and you’ll see for yourself! 43. Take a Vespa Tour by night and recreate your own Roman holiday scene! 44. Apparently the best chocolate in Rome, the chocolate factory at SAID is nestled in the San Lorenzo district. Ochutnaj Rím - najlepší spôsob ako spoznať krajinu, mesto, kultúru, život je jednoznačne prostredníctvom jedla 😇 #musttry #niecoakopizza #baklazanvovnutri #parmezannavrchu A post shared by Eduarda Krázelová (@eda_lumturi) on May 16, 2017 at 2:28am PDT 45. Take a food tour with an expert local guide and titillate your tastebuds. Don't forget to sample some of the most delicious hand-held goodies with our guide to Rome's best Street Food! 46. A short 15-minute drive out of Rome, Monte Mario is Rome’s highest peak and offers stunning views of the city, particularly in the evening. 47. Indulge in a ballet or opera at the Teatro dell’Opera and follow it with a hearty bowl of pasta at one of the nearby restaurants. 48. The legendary tomb of Remus, the Pyramid of Cestius, is the only pyramid in Europe. 49. People-watch on the Spanish steps leading up from Piazza di Spagna to the Trinità dei Monti church. 50. Fanatical about pasta? Visit the National Pasta Museum on the Via Flaminia and be sure to check out our Guide to the Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome! Did we miss out something? What's on your Rome Bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
Megan Hills
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The Roman Explorer

For a capital like Rome, so drenched in history, we want to help you explore the hidden treasures, appreciate its ancient culture and traditions and learn about the best kept secrets. We'll keep you up to date with local insights, festivities and important celebrations to give you some extra topical information and context as you experience the Eternal City. Look out for news, views and tricks of the trade to help you make the most of your trip. Our top spots should help you plan your itineraries and we even might be able to help you decide what to pack. For a city as celebrated as Rome, we’re not short of things to write about. We’ve got all you need as background reading to get you excited for your holiday. From celebrating the arts to the Immaculate Conception, the best Christmas Markets, or even our top 10 hotels; we’ve got all you need to know. Think of it as your personal, go-to guide and soon you’ll be saying veni, vidi, vici.
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A Roman run-up to Christmas

When we think of Christmas evening activities carol singing, mulled wine and German Markets spring to mind. However, you wouldn’t usually associate any of those with Italian culture. So what do the Romans do for a winter’s evening in the run-up to Christmas? Rome is a magical place during the festive period; the strong Catholic beliefs as well as a westernised celebration of the season means the city is engulfed in the lights of church candles, smells of roasting chestnuts and the chatter of bustling shoppers. The Eternal City offers some unique experiences come the colder months, and especially at Christmas time, that are nothing short of bucket-list-worthy. So if you’ve already done your shopping and fancy something a little different, follow our evening itinerary for an insider’s alternative to celebrating in the capital. 1. Admire the views from Pincio Stand at the Pincio in Villa Borghese, the viewpoint at the top of the main steps into the city’s central park, and take in the views of the city at nightfall. As the sun goes down, you can watch the terracotta rooftops of the capital fade away under a warm glow of Christmas lights. To your left you can look all the way up the main shopping street Via del Corso, to the grand Piazza Venezia where the impressive Vittorio Emmanuele II monument stands, and to the west you can see Piazza del Popolo and the Egyptian obelisk of Ramesses. You can even see the great dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica away in the distance. 2. Ice Skating at Castel Sant’angelo Take a walk across the ancient engraved bridges over the river Tiber and hire some skates under Castel Sant’angelo for a spot of atmospheric ice skating. The large round castle was built by the Emperor Hadrian initially as a mausoleum for him and his family but in later years it was used as a fortress and even a prison and today it stands as a museum. Lit up at night, the castle is a spectacular sight – and if you’re lucky, you can catch a show or a figure skating performance on the ice as well. 3. Christmas in Saint Peter’s Stroll along the Lungotevere, the northern bank of the river, under the arch of trees and up to Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter’s Square) to see the tall, illuminated Christmas tree outside the church. Pope John Paul II brought over the northern European tradition from his native homeland when he was pontificated in 1982. If you’re in Rome on Christmas Eve, you can even catch the unveiling of the nativity scene in the square, too. As well as being a picture-perfect opportunity, it gives you another reason to visit the iconic monument in all its glory. 4. Be a local in Trastevere Explore your way through the cobbled streets of Trastevere (which literally translated means across the Tiber) for a warming glass of wine and a slice of oven baked pizza. The area has numerous star-rated options so you won’t be left disappointed – and you’re guaranteed to be served with a smile! If you need to walk off your dinner, brave the winding Via Garibaldi to get to Gianicolo (Janiculum Hill) for breathtaking views across the city. On your way up, look through the gate on the right of the church for a Renaissance masterpiece, The Tempietto, designed by Bramante. 5. Celestial chanting at Sant’Anselmo all’Aventino For something a little different, walk up the Aventine hill to hear some celestial Gregorian chants at the 7.15pm Sunday service at Sant’Anselmo church. This church serves as a monastery and college and is seat to the Abbot Primate of the Order of Saint Benedict (Black Monks). It’s not your usual yuletide carol singing, but a must-do to finish off your trip in spiritual style.
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