68. Rome, Italy. Travel to Rome, Italy. Exploring Rome at Night.
Come with us on a moonlight walk around Rome.
We start this episode on a walking tour we did starting in the beautiful Piazza Navona with its spectacular three fountains. We tell you what the plaza used to be used for – but not for long as the locals from centuries ago didn’t think it was “manly” enough.
Next we wander the streets and pass by the incredible Pantheon with its dome that is the biggest unsupported dome in the world and has 16 imposing columns that are the entrance to the now catholic church.
Of course we go to the Trevi Fountain – which by day is special, but at night – just wow. I throw some coins in the fountain, and we tell you about the coin throwing myths and exactly how much money they collect from the fountain each day – and it’s certainly an eye watering amount of money! I also tell you and Lyle (cos he didn’t know) that there is a social media craze that people are doing as an alternative to coin tossing.
Next on our night tour of Rome is Piazza Venezia which is a huge chaotic roundabout surrounded by historical buildings. One of the major ones is an unpopular enormous building that the locals don’t like and have given it a couple of nicknames – Mussolini’s typewriter is one and the other is the wedding cake. Check out the pictures below and see what you think.
Of course it’s a short walk from the piazza to the Colosseum past Trajan’s column and the Roman forum which are all lit up and are just glowing in the night. Wandering around the colosseum at night time is a memory that you will never forget.
We take you to some other special night time spots including the Spanish Steps and Piazza Spagna and tell you all about the Italian fashion parade that you see walking the streets every night. Boy those Italians have some nice outfits!
Lastly, you will come with us to our favourite little hidden bar right in the heart of Rome – The Highlander. It has so much atmosphere – something happening every night and you can watch any sport that is on live TV and they have some of the friendliest bar staff you will ever meet.
Please enjoy episode 68 all about Rome at night.
SHOW NOTES AND PICTURES BELOW
The best place to start our moonlight walking tour of Rome was at Piazza Navona. The tour we did was called Marvels of Rome Moonlight Walk. You can see the tour by clicking here.
Piazza Navona is stunning with three of the most beautiful fountains in all of Rome. In the centre is the famous Fountain of the Four Rivers. (pictures 2 and 4 above). At the southern end is the Fontana de More with a basin and and four tritons which dates back to 1673.
The third fountain is at the northern end of the plaza and it is a fountain of Neptune from 1574.
There is a wonderful cathedral in the plaza as well - The Church of Saint Agnese. You can visit the church or just admire it from the outside in the plaza.
There are many restaurants the surround the main square of the plaza and the fountains. It is a beautiful square and a great place to enjoy a meal and a glass of wine, especially as the sun sets at the end of the day.
Next on our walk around Rome at night was the Pantheon. What an incredible building this is. It still has the largest unsupported dome in the world. The dome is 43 metres in diameter and height. It is now a Catholic church, but used to be a Roman Temple. The Patheon is the oldest building in the world that is still in use today.
It has 16 Corinthian columns that were built in 126AD.
Even though we had visited the Trevi Fountain during the day, we wanted to go back at night when it was lit up. It was so pretty and very crowded. We managed to find a spot to throw our coins in and make a wish. There is over 3,000 euro every day tossed into the fountain. It is collected twice a week and given to charity. We tell you a story in the podcast of the craze that people are doing instead of throwing coins into the fountain.
Piazza Venezia was next on our stroll around Rome at night. This is a very chaotic roundabout which is surrounded by historic buildings and was the location of the headquarters of the Fascist Government of Mussolini. (picture four above). You can see the main street - Via Del Corso which joins Piazza Venezia with Piazza Popolo. (picture 3 above)
Located on one side of the Piazza Venezia is an imposing building called Monumento a Vittorio Emmanuele II. It is a colossal monument that the locals don’t like and have given it two nicknames. One is Mussolini’s typewriter and the other is the Wedding Cake. Which one do you think fits?
Not far from the Piazza Venezia is Trajan’s column. It commemorates the Roman Emperor Trajan’s victory in the Dacian Wars. The pillar has almost 200 metres of precious white marble and is decorated with the most astonishing reliefs. There is a spiral staircase inside and you can climb to the viewing platform by the 185 steps to the top.
One of our favourite places to start each night in Rome was the Highlander Pub. You can visit their website here Highlander Pub It is a unique, underground bar with a fabulous atmosphere as well as the friendliest bar staff in all of Rome. They have many TV screens that show any live sport you can think of.
The pub is open 11am to 2am 365 days a year. The staff have heaps of great local information to share about where to go and restaurants to visit.
We walked all over Rome, both day and night and would highly recommend you take your time and do the same when you next visit. You will be amazed at every corner you turn. It is truly the Eternal City and definitely one of our favourites in Italy and we hope to return very soon - I threw the coins in the fountain - so that means I will definitely be back. You can listen to our previous episodes on Rome or from all over Italy by clicking the button below, or if you would like to hear all the information and stories from our night time walk around Rome then click the player below.