Francesca: Oh yes. These catacombs are scattered all around the city, just outside the walls. Just as Hitler built the Autobahn system in anticipation of empire maintenance, the expansion-minded Roman government realized the military and political value of a good road system. In 312, the general Constantine, following a vision that he would triumph under the sign of the cross, beat his rival, Maxentius. A wine shop that grew into a thriving restaurant, Enoteca Corsi is a charming local scene with the family table in back, where the kids do their homework. Put yourself in the mindset of a 17th-century church-goer. Imagine chariots making their hairpin turns around that obelisk. As visitors, it's our challenge to appreciate the grandeur of this incredible city built on the scale of giants. Rome is the birthplace of the Baroque style and Gian Lorenzo Bernini — who lived and worked here in the 17th century — is considered its father. In fact, if you want to envision ancient Rome in its pomposity today, imagine a vast city made of buildings like this. With Rick Steves, Madhur Jaffrey. We're meeting my friend and Roman tour guide, Francesca Caruso, to join in the fun. And we'll meet the locals - and their beloved dogs and sheep - everywhere. Like so many classical statues, this is a 2,000-year-old Roman copy of a 2,500-year-old Greek original. See the Travel Details above for recommendations highlighted in bold, excerpted from Rick's guidebooks. see our FAQ. The adjacent Holy Stairs are a major stop on Rome's pilgrimage trail. For added entertainment during the games, Christians were executed here. Baroque art was propaganda. This is a copy. Part of your Roman experience — regardless of your budget — should be experiencing a fine meal. The senate met here and set the legal standards that still guide Western civilization. The church, originally a poor Carmelite church, was slathered with Baroque richness in the 17th century. This special episode is a sonnet to travel - an introspective love story, set in Europe, that vividly celebrates the rewards of exploring our world and the joy that awaits those who travel. While only a few fragments of that glorious past remain, history seekers find plenty to ignite their imaginations amid the half-broken columns and arches (and my free audio tours help as well). Rome's various triumphal arches — named after the emperors who built them — functioned as public-relations tools. While many tourists consider Palatine Hill just extra credit after the Forum, it offers insight into the greatness of Rome that's well worth the effort. If you were conquered, you were welcome to keep your own gods...as long as you worshipped Caesar, too. Step inside to enjoy the finest look anywhere at the splendor of ancient Rome. While it dates from the first century BC, we still remember her to this day...so apparently the investment paid off. But the notorious Roman traffic is being tamed. Poke around. The 140-foot column is decorated with a spiral relief of 2,500 figures trumpeting the emperor's exploits. Francesca: It's a perfect evening. Rick Steves' Europe Egypt’s Nile, Alexandria, and Luxor. I'm Rick Steves. In 509, they tossed out their king and established the relatively democratic Roman Republic. rick-steves-rome 4/5 Downloaded from happyhounds.pridesource.com on December 11, 2020 by guest second show, Rick Steves' Europe , debuted in September 2000, and has aired episodes through The scene is always lively, with lucky Romeos clutching dates while unlucky suitors clutch beers. (If you're coming straight from Rome, take Metro line A to Giulio Agricola.). Romans emulated the high culture of the Greeks, and when it came to capturing beauty, their forte was making excellent copies of Greek originals. From the rooftop you can size up the dome you're about to climb. Take a moment. If your time's limited, catching a cab can be a good budget tip. His three-headed dog howls triumphantly. Starring: Rick Steves Directed by: Simon Griffith Rick Steves Rome 2020 (Rick Steves Travel Guide) Part of: Rick Steves Travel Guide (32 Books) | by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw | Oct 29, 2019. It's surrounded by a mighty medieval wall that evokes a less-than-peaceful history. Getting one's easy — just a phone call or visit the website, and you get an entry time. Once a cardinal's lavish mansion, today it welcomes the public. For 60 years the pope was holed up here, behind the Vatican walls. Then, after hiking the Appian Way and exploring the catacombs, we track down the best gelato in Rome. I'm Rick Steves. The beauty of the Pantheon and the brilliance of its construction has inspired architects through the ages. Until next time...keep on travelin'. Tu? Today, about 100 Swiss soldiers — clad in their flamboyant Renaissance-style uniforms — still protect the pope, keep the crush of visitors as orderly as possible, and patiently answer tourists' questions. These domestic scenes come with a twist of mythology. Whether you're playing gladiator or simply marveling at the remarkable ancient design and construction, the Colosseum gets a unanimous thumbs-up. By the Middle Ages, the catacombs were abandoned and forgotten. The museum's collection tells the empire's story through art: Caesar Augustus was the nephew of Julius Caesar and the first great emperor of the Pax Romana. So they buried their dead in mass underground necropoli — or catacombs — dug beneath the property of the few fellow Christians who did own land. And these rooms celebrate pre-Christian philosophy. For over 200 years romantics have gathered here to enjoy a little dolce vita with their sightseeing. Piazza di Spagna, with the very popular Spanish Steps, is named for the Spanish embassy to the Vatican, which has been here for 300 years. In fact for centuries, the pope was called the "King Pope." Rick: Dieci. Rome's thriving economy was fueled by plunder and slaves won in distant wars. Francesca: Bene, grazie. As you gaze at the same statues that the Romans swooned over, the history of Rome comes alive — from Julius Caesar's murder to Caligula's incest to Vespasian's Colosseum to the coming of Christianity. With history, art, and people perpetually partying under the stars, it's no wonder people come here in droves for the promise that a coin tossed over the shoulder will assure their return to this Eternal City. The market thrives in the morning. The scale of this monument is over-the-top: 200 feet high, 500 feet wide. But we'll learn about these ancient wonders in another episode. While this oblong square got its shape from a long‑gone ancient stadium, today, the games are limited to browsing and flirting around its famous Bernini fountain. I'm in Rome, and this is the ancient Appian Way — Europe's first super-highway. The first half was the Republic — ruled by elected senators; the last half was the Empire — ruled by unelected emperors. The Appian Way — Rome's gateway to the East — is fun to explore on a rented bike. Michelangelo's Pietà is adored by pilgrims and tourists alike. Perched on top of Capitoline Hill, the museum's two buildings (Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Nuovo) are connected by an underground passage that leads to the Tabularium and panoramic views of the Roman Forum. Colosseo — that's our stop. And at the same time, it provides a venerable backdrop for al fresco diners. Some sights require paid admission, including Rome's zoo, the National Gallery of Modern Art (which holds 19th-century art), and the Etruscan Museum. Though large, it's designed like a saucer, a little higher around the edges, so that even when full of crowds (as it often is), it allows those on the periphery to see above the throngs. This church houses Bernini's best-known statue, the swooning St. Teresa in Ecstasy. Later, Christian pilgrims passed through on their way to the Vatican, and a thriving market developed. Bernini captures the feeling Theresa described when the angel pierced her heart with a heavenly arrow: She said, "The pain was so sharp that I cried aloud. In typical Baroque style, Bernini captures the instant when, just as Apollo's about to catch Daphne, her fingers turn to leaves, her toes sprout roots…and Apollo's in for one rude surprise. While pricey, it's fun, once in a while at least, to enjoy a full-blown fine dinner on the road. Here, on the battlefield, he grants clemency to vanquished barbarian leaders. The first episode in this three-part mini-series distills Rick Steves' 30 years of travel experience into 30 minutes of practical advice on how to have a fun, affordable, and culturally broadening trip to Europe. She brought home wagonloads of relics including these stairs — believed to be from the palace of Pontius Pilate. That may sound silly, but every year I go through the ritual…and it works! Surrounded by nervous senators, this child emperor is no picture of confidence. The story of ancient Rome can be overwhelming. Then we'll go offbeat to bike the Appian Way and be inspired by Roman engineering. For a taste of the countryside around Rome and more wonders of Roman engineering, take the four-mile trip from the Colosseum out past the wall to a stretch of the ancient Appian Way, where the original pavement stones are lined by several interesting sights. It can be exhausting, so plan your visit carefully, focusing on a few themes. This plush museum, filling a cardinal's mansion in the park, was recently restored and offers one of Europe's most sumptuous art experiences. See, he's working — he's thinking. But the pope held out. The portico, with its stately pediment, has symbolized Roman greatness ever since antiquity. In fact, in the sixth century, the barbarians did just that. From $1.99 $ 1. Today in Rome, the visitor's struggle is more likely out on the street — with modern traffic. It's sweat-free, and it's the quickest way from point to point. For the greatest look at the splendor of Rome, antiquity's best-preserved interior is a must. Playful fountains decorate squares. As just about anything important that happened in ancient Rome happened here, it's arguably the most important piece of real estate in Western civilization. Terms of Service | Privacy, Rome, Italy: Spanish Steps and Campo de' Fiori. By pulling emotional strings, it convinced people to obey. The best entrance is at the head of Via Veneto. Monuments like Trajan's Column boosted imperial egos. It's a story of colossal achievement and monumental failure. Very straight — as Roman engineers were fond of designing — it stretched 400 miles to Naples and then on to Brindisi, from where Roman ships sailed to Greece and Egypt. In RICK STEVES ROME, Rick traces the rise and fall of classical Rome, meanders through the heart of Bernini's Baroque Rome and makes a pilgrimage to the Vatican. Simple, tasty cucina casalinga — that's home-cooking Roman style. For 250 years Christians worshipped quietly at his tomb. The "square" itself is actually elliptical, 660 by 500 feet (roughly the same dimensions as the Colosseum). The Via Sacra, or "Sacred Way," was the main street of ancient Rome. This classical scene — while plenty fleshy — comes with a church-pleasing moral: Chasing earthly pleasures leads only to frustration. We'll eat really well, and go local after dark, lacing together the Eternal City's most romantic night spots. The Trevi Fountain's close by. After dark, Rome takes on yet another personality. Romans filled and emptied the Colosseum's 50,000 seats as quickly and efficiently as we do our super‑stadiums today. Church attendance boomed, and Emperor Constantine built the first great Christian church right here — San Giovanni in Laterano...St. John's. Others then carved out niches nearby to bury their loved ones close to these early Christian heroes. Downtown Rome's main street, the Via del Corso, is pedestrianized, and strollers just love it. They decorated their no‑nonsense mega‑structure with all three Greek orders of columns — Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Here, a boy quietly pulls a thorn from his foot. Bernini's altar work and twisting, towering canopy are brilliant. Throughout the ages, people mined once-glorious buildings as quarries. (And, if you're visiting the Colosseum or Forum, you've got a ticket whether you like it or not.). This sprawling park has long offered people here a place to relax, unwind, and let the kids run wild. Many of the first Christians buried here were later recognized as martyrs and saints. These frescoes — a rare surviving example of Roman painting — bring color to our image of daily life back then. Woman: Prego. Vatican City may be the world's smallest independent country, with just a thousand inhabitants, but it's the spiritual capital of hundreds of millions of Roman Catholics. Exploring Rome on foot, you alternate between peaceful back lanes and busy arterials. These ingenious aqueducts carried a steady stream from distant mountains into the city. Judging by their elegant togas, these brothers were from a fine family. On weekend nights, when the Campo is packed with beer-drinking kids, the medieval square is transformed into one vast Roman street party. Peter's friends buried him in a nearby graveyard on what pagan Romans called the Vatican Hill. This is one of Europe's top three or four houses of art. In this hour-long travel special, Rick Steves explores the 'Eternal City' of Rome, a grand and ancient metropolis rich with exquisite art, vibrant culture and centuries of history. In 1506, the pope imported mercenaries from Switzerland, who were known for their loyalty and courage. While you could be killed for being a Christian, you were not killed for NOT being one. This mosaic hung in Emperor Hadrian's villa. For many, the evening stroll leads to a nice dinner out. Rick: Trevi Fountain! This time we're in a city that for centuries has been a magnet for world travelers. Learn about Rick Steves' small-group tours with more than 40 great itineraries for 2021! And what better doors for this first grand church than those which once hung in ancient Rome's Senate House. (Today, St. Peter is on top.) Season 7 episode 1, Steves says: "In the year 300 you could be killed for being a Christian; in the year 400 you could be killed for not being one." You just go outside, meet your friends, have a gelato, an aperitivo, and just enjoy the city. Apollo — happily wounded by Cupid's arrow — chases Daphne, who's saved by turning into a tree. Rick Steves' Europe. Rome took Greek culture and wrote it in capital letters. Rick: Check out who's with who, who's wearing what. Each room has a masterpiece at its center — like this intriguing look at Napoleon's sister, Pauline, by Canova. The Vatican City is embedded in the city of Rome. It protected the city until Italy was united in 1870. Buried under silt, it was abandoned and forgotten until the 16th century, when various parts were discovered and excavated. ©2020 Rick Steves' Europe, Inc. | Of course, there's much more as we've just scratched the surface of this vast collection. For 1,700 years pilgrims — believing Jesus climbed these stairs on the day he was condemned — have scaled the Scala Santa on their knees. [€9.20] And, if you know where to look, important Baroque treasures hide out. Twelve hundred years later, the original St. Peter's was replaced by this most glorious church in Christendom. In fact, in the third century, 16 emperors were assassinated in a 50-year period. It takes four tourists to hug one. The Rome restaurants from his videos were Osteria dal 1931 and Trattoria a Morgana; Rick Steves dined at Enoteca Corsi and Ristorante il Gabriello. S11 Ep1106 | 26m 15s From the start, Romans were expert builders and they had a knack for effective government. We'll take it slowly, starting where the city did — in the Forum — and try to bring to life all this ancient rubble. In Rome you simply round up whatever's on the meter. The Pantheon survived so well because it's been in continuous use for over 2,000 years. — you're there. After the fall of Rome in the fifth century, the city of Rome eventually came under control of the pope. I like to begin near the Tomb of Cecilia Metella, at the far (southern) end of the key sights, and work northward (mostly downhill) toward central Rome. Rome: Baroque Brilliance #702. Further along the Appian Way is Rome's Aqueduct Park, offeringa chance to see how the ancient city got its water. Important squares are still marked by towering columns. The king's moustache forms an arc five feet long, and a person could sit within the horse's hoof. Stand under the Pantheon's solemn dome to gain a new appreciation for the sophistication of these ancient people. Iran's rich history goes back millennia, to the days when Persepolis was home to "the king of kings." Rome grew for 500 years, peaked for 200 years, and fell for 300 years. I just left Italy. The four miles of displays in this immense museum complex — from ancient statues to Christian frescoes to modern paintings — culminate in the Raphael Rooms and Michelangelo's glorious Sistine Chapel. Persephone's entire body seems to scream for help as Pluto drags his catch into the underworld. But at the same time I experienced such delight that I wished it would last forever.". see our FAQ. It looms high above our 21st century, as if aching to tell its story — 2,000 years of Roman history. Medieval Romans built with scavenged fragments of once-grand buildings. Reliefs decorating the various arches show how war and expansion were the business of state. This, like the other great statues of antiquity, is now safely out of the elements. Regardless of your sightseeing agenda, getting out early lets you enjoy some of the world's great public spaces while they're just waking up. This sprawling, evocative park is a favorite these days with Roman joggers, picnickers, and anyone looking for a break from the big city. Take a moment to imagine the place in action. Then we'll head out on a bike ride along the ancient Appian Way and take in nearby marvels of Roman engineering. As everywhere, eat with the season. This season features the Austrian, Italian, Swiss, and French Alps, two episodes on Egypt, and one on Ethiopia. Its dimensions are classic — based on a perfect circle, as wide as it is tall: 140 feet. Admiring the artifacts of Rome's elite, from exquisite jewelry to this delicate golden hairnet, we can only marvel at "lifestyles of the rich and Roman.". This second of three shows on Rome reveals a city busy with life and bursting with Baroque. The Vatican Museums can be extremely crowded, with waits of up to two hours just to buy tickets. It served the needs of the divine monarchs and of the Church. Once again, this art carried a message. Tombs of ancient big shots lined the Appian Way like billboards. The art of imperial Rome almost always carried a message. Romans liked to think of themselves as somehow living parallel with the gods. Peruse the photos of their famous visitors — everyone from Muammar Gaddafi and Prince Charles to Bill Clinton are pictured with the late Signore Fortunato, who started this restaurant in 1975 and was a master of simple edible elegance. Reservations are mandatory and easy to get in English by booking online or calling +39-06-32810 (press 2 for English). 4.9 out of 5 stars 43. Then we play a little cricket, hike Hadrian's Wall, and are dazzled by Durham's Norman cathedral. Hi, I'm Rick Steves, back with more of the best of Europe. There's too much life in the streets to go home yet. Woman: I'm doing well! The purpose: more PR...telling the story of yet another military victory. Marvel at the splendor. And this one puts you curbside at a victory parade with the emperor — the Eisenhower of his day — on a chariot, Winged Victory on his shoulder, and trumpets proclaiming his glory. (Having unlimited slave power didn't hurt.) We'll marvel at the biggies — the Colosseum…the Pantheon…the empire's powerful art. Join Rick as he experiences the local culture, cuisine, and fun along with some powerful lessons that only travel can teach. But we're not done yet. Bernini's David is textbook Baroque. Built by Constantine, the first Christian emperor, this was Rome's most important church through medieval times. Everyone else...barbarian. Block by block, they carted away most of this temple, and then incorporated what was still standing — like these columns — into a modern building. GBH 2. It has stood for centuries as a symbol of a truly cosmopolitan civilization. With its million people, Rome needed lots of water. 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