Attractions in Gay Rome

The sheer imperial scale of Rome is sure to knock you out. If sightseeing in Rome has one fault, it is simply that there is too much to see. Home to some of the most amazing sights in the world, a trip through the streets of the Italian capital will leave you spellbound.

It’s hard to say what you’ll find most breathtaking about the Eternal City - the arrogant opulence of the Vatican, the timelessness of the Forum, the top speed of a Fiat Bambino, the gory resonance of the Colosseum, trying to cross a major intersection, or the bill for your caffe latte.

Make like the locals and souse your senses in the glut of pleasures the city has to offer, from the grandiose thrill of feeling centuries of turbulent history under your feet to the small but potent intoxication of eating chestnut gelati on a hot day.

The main tourist season starts at Easter and runs until October; peak periods are in spring and autumn, when the tour buses pour in and tourists are herded around like cattle. Numerous outdoor festivals and concerts and the fact that Romans desert the city for the beaches and mountains, which means very light traffic and a less-crowded city centre, makes summer almost worth the heat. If you do visit in summer, try to hit the sights early, take a long lunch and a nap, and then head out again around 18:00 to take advantage of the cooler evening. Be aware some restaurants and shops close for the month of August.

With over two thousand years of history crammed into its ‘Centro Storico’ Rome is full of contrasts – on one hand renowned for its wealth of art and architecture, on the other a thriving modern capital with a unique and vibrant contemporary ambience.

Roman Remains

When it comes to historical attractions it’s probably easiest to start at the very beginning. The heart of the ancient city was the Forum, now located next to the grandiose Via dei Fori Imperiali. The remains are extremely ruinous and can be confusing, but they are worth a visit if only for the stunning views from the top of the neighbouring Palatine Hill.

Next door is the Colosseum, one of the most famous symbols of the city and once the venue for bloodthirsty gladiatorial battles. Another must-see is the Pantheon (Piazza della Rotonda), an imposing Roman temple completed by the Emperor Hadrian in 125 AD and still remarkably well preserved – its dome is a breathtaking marvel of classical engineering.

Art and Museums

Rome also has more than its fair share of museums, the largest and most famous of all being the collection housed in the Vatican City – you’ll find the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s magnificent ceiling here. It’s worth getting here early, both to avoid the massive queues and also to make sure you have enough time to explore the endless galleries, corridors and chapels of this vast treasure house.

There are over 3,500 museums, art galleries and archeological sites in Italy ; some are state-owned and some are privately-owned, so opening hours may differ. Check www.museionline.com for updated information.

Escape The Crowds

If you fancy escaping the crowds for a few hours then search out the more peaceful Galleria Doria Pamphili on the Via del Collegio Romano, a wonderful Renaissance palace filled with an in incredible group of Italian masterpieces. Another undiscovered gem is the Palazzo Spada in Via Capodeferro, with its fascinating ‘trick’ corridor created by 17th Century architect Borromini – from a distance it resembles a grand colonnade but on closer inspection is actually only a few feet deep.

A Spiritual Centre

Rome is the spiritual centre of Catholicism, and every year millions of pilgrims flock to the city’s many historic churches. The vast basilica of St Peter’s includes a fabulous array of elaborately sculpted tombs and altars, but like other parts of the Vatican the sheer quantity of visitors can be rather overwhelming.

On a more intimate scale the French Church, on the Via della Scrofa, is a must for any art lover. The highlight is the small Contarelli Chapel, home to three paintings of St Matthew by renegade artist Caravaggio, infamous for his controversial homoerotic portrayals of androgynous young men and shockingly lifelike representations of holy figures.