Top Rated Attractions in Rome

Santa Maria in Trastevere is one of the oldest and most renowned churches in Rome. A titular minor basilica, it stands on the site where Pope Callixtus I established a house church in the 3rd Century. The church boasts an impressive facade depicting Mary nursing Jesus. The nave and the aisled are separated by granite columns brought from the Baths of Caracalla. Santa Maria in Trastevere is home to several holy relics, such as the head of Saint Apollonia and a part of the Holy Sponge. Its historic architecture, artistic treasures, and central location in the charming Trastevere neighborhood make it a must-visit destination for tourists, pilgrims, and art enthusiasts.

The Galleria Lorcan O'Neill Roma is known for its focus on contemporary art and its commitment to showcasing innovative and cutting-edge works by both emerging and established artists. Paintings, sculptures and even wood carvings by locally established and upcoming artists are exhibited here on a regular basis. It serves as a dynamic space for artistic exploration and discovery, attracting a diverse audience of art enthusiasts, collectors, curators, and critics. If you're interested in contemporary art and visiting art galleries in Rome, Galleria Lorcan O'Neill Roma offers a compelling selection of works.

A wide set of 138 steps begin their ascent from the Piazza di Spagna, leading up to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti where the eponymous church sits. A sterling example of Roman Baroque beauty, the Spanish Steps were built between 1723 and 1725 by architect Francesco de Sanctis after the city received funds from French diplomat Étienne Gueffier. The Spanish Steps are collectively known as the widest stairway in Europe and are recognized as an iconic landmark in Rome's capital, attracting locals and tourists from all occupations. The Fountain of the Old Boat greets the steps at its base, and toward the right, is located the house of English poet John Keats. While the colossal sweep of this historic stairway is enough to invite attention, it appears even more captivating when corners of the steps are intermittently adorned in colored azaleas.

Museo d'arte Contemporanea Roma or MACRO, as it's commonly known, is a modern art museum that offers a permanent collection of some of the most thought-provoking, expressive works in the Italian art scene since the 1960s. The Museum was founded in 1999 by converting old plants of Peroni beer. The new museum building has a large terrace of 2,500 square meters (26,909.78 square feet), parking for 161 cars and various museum services. With its main site here and an annexe, MACRO Future, in what used to be a slaughterhouse, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Rome attracts locals and tourists with its fecundity of imagination and the modern nature of the designs.

The Chiesa di Santa Cecilia, known for its valuable works of art, is one of the most noteworthy churches among Rome's medieval churches. The statue of Saint Cecilia is placed under the main altar over the saint's grave and is the artistic work of Maderno. The sculptor depicted Cecilia in the same way in which her body was found during the excavations of 1599, with a long cut in her neck, which caused her death after three days of agony and after having undergone martyrdom by suffocation from boiling vapors. The altar is of great architectural importance because of the Gothic canopy by Arnolfo di Cambio that shrouds it. The altar also holds the Decollazione della Santa, a work by Reni. You can enter the cloisters through the aisle on the left-hand side; they are worth visiting.

The Victor Emmanuel II National Monument was built between 1885 and 1935 as a monument honoring Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. Situated between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill, it was completed under commission to Giuseppe Sacconi. At the center of the monument stands a colossal equestrian statue of King Victor Emmanuel II, flanked by allegorical figures. The monument's panoramic terrace, accessible via a grand staircase or elevator, offers breathtaking views of Rome's iconic landmarks. Inside the monument, visitors can explore the Museo Centrale del Risorgimento, which houses an impressive collection of artifacts, documents, and artworks related to Italy's struggle for independence and unification.