67. Rome, Italy. Travel to Rome to see the highlights of Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps. Walk the streets of Rome and explore the Borghese Gardens.
In today’s episode you will be coming along with us as we share one of our favourite things to do in a new city.
We do this every where go – and today’s the day you do it with us.
So what is it – well we like to walk out our front door and say – “which way – right or left” and then just go and see what we find.
We went left and walked along Via Corso – the main road that used to be a horse racing track.
Listen as we come across the gigantic piazza Popolo with it’s the three basilicas, an Egyptian obelisk, three fountains and the impressive original city gates.
From there we take you up a marble staircase that leads up to the highest point in Rome – the Pincian Hill which has amazing views of the city. Apparently Rome has 1,000 churches and you can see a lot of the domes from this vantage point.
Of course that wasn’t all there was on this hill. Come with us as we wander around the stunning, enormous Borghese gardens – you know I love gardens – You will hear about the lakes with islands in the middle that you can row around to see the temples. Hear about all the galleries with more stunning centuries old art and then Lyle tells you about the original water clock – yep water clock.
From there we will take you down the most stunning street in Rome – just like a movie set – Via Vittoria Veneto all the way down to the famous fountain – no not the Trevi Fountain yet, but a fountain designed by Bernini of Tritan spurting a jet of water into the air through a shell and being held up by four dolphins in Piazza Barberini.
Next on our journey was another amazing Piazza – Quirinale which is the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic
Of course our day wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t visit the Trevi Fountain – and it was as beautiful as you can imagine. 26 metres high and 49 metres wide.
Stay listening to the end to hear about the last place we went on our walking loop around Rome – which in involves Spain, France and Tom Cruise.
Please enjoy episode 67.
show notes and pictures below
Streets of Rome
One of the main streets in Rome is called Via Del Curso. It runs a kilometre and a half from Piazza Popolo to Piazza Venezia. Shops, restaurants and galleries line the streets. You will also see six churches, the residence of the serving Italian Prime Minister and Piazza Colonna with the ancient column of Marcus Aurelius.
From the 15th century the road was a race track during the Roman Carnival for the annual running of riderless horses called the Corsa Dei Barberi.
Piazza Del Popolo
This is the People’s Square and is 17,000 square metres. It a large elliptical space with several interesting churches, an impressive obelisk, three fountains and the old stunning city gates. It was a place for public executions up till 1826.
Behind the obelisk are the twin churches of Santa Maria Del Miracoli and Santa Maria Il Montesanto.
Borghese Gardens
The gardens are accessed by a sweeping marble staircase. They sit on the Pincian Hill which is the highest point in Rome. You have panoramic views of the Roman skyline with its 1000 churches.
The gardens are the most beautiful in Rome and cover an area of 80 hectares. There are a number of impressive water fountains, a lake with temples and lovely shady statue lined pathways.
In the gardens there is a zoo, a Globe Theatre to watch opera and an outdoor movie theatre at Casa Del Cinema.
There are also many children’s play areas, a library and bookshop. One of the main attractions is the Temple of Asclepius which is on an island in the middle of the lake.
The Borghese Gallery houses an impressive collection of Baroque, Renaissance and Roman art.
One of the most unusual things you will see is the Water Clock which was the first in the world, built in 1873 and runs 24/7.
Via Vittorio Veneto
This is one of the most beautiful streets in Rome. It was built in 1880’s during a real estate boom. In the 1950’s and 60’s it acquired international fame as the centre of La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) when its bars and restaurants attracted Hollywood stars.
Some of Rome’s most renowned cafes and 5 star hotels like Cafe de Paris, Harry’s Bar and the Western Excelsior Rome are located in Via Vittorio Veneto.
Piazza Barberini
The piazza was built in 1625 and is located at the end of Via Vittorio Veneto. In the centre of the piazza stands the Fountain of Tritan sculptured in 1643 by Bernini. It is famous for the jet of water that comes out of the shell that Tritan is holding. Tritan is held up by four dolphins.
Piazza Quirinale
This is where the Quirinale Palace is located. It is an historic building that is currently the official residence of the President of the Italian Republic.
Also in the Piazza is the impressive fountain Dei Dioscuri. It is of twin half-brothers and prancing horses. These figures are over five metres high and along with an obelisk, they sit on a massive granite basin, which was once a cattle trough in the Roman Forum.
Trevi Fountain
Of course, no walk around Rome would be complete without visiting the Trevi Fountain - the most famous fountain in the world. It is absolutely stunning. It is 26 metres high and 49 metres wide. At its centre is Pietro Bracci’s statue of Oceanus who stands atop a chariot pulled by sea horses and is accompanied by tritons.
The Trevi Fountain is one of the oldest water sources in Rome dating back to Ancient Rome, since the construction of the Aqua Virgo Aqueduct in 19BC. That provided water to the Roman baths and the fountains of central Rome.
Spanish Steps
The Spanish Steps are in the Piazza Spagna. It is one of the most famous squares in Rome and as well as the famous stairs there is an authentic Egyptian obelisk and a beautiful fountain by Bernini.
The Spanish Steps were built between 1723 and 1726. There are 135 steps and three different terraces.
Standing at the top of the steps is the 16th century Trinita Dei Monti Church, which was built using French funds, having been commissioned by King Louis XII.
There is so much to see around every corner in Rome. We found so much to look and at enjoy on our walking loop around the city. Rome is a spectacular city and it should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit at least once in your life time.
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