The Palazzo dei Propilei, meaning "Palace of the Propylaea," forms the entrance to Villa Borghese. The Palazzo dei Propilei was built in the 19th Century on the ruins of ancient Roman structures. It is characterized by its neoclassical architectural style and features two buildings. The buildings are crowned by sculptures of large eagles, who are meant to protect the city. Located just outside the Flaminio station, Palazzo dei Propilei makes for a stunning architectural wonder to admire.
The Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City established the Vatican Observatory for astronomical research and to reach out to the public so as to build a scientific temperament among the laiety or the general public. The Vatican Observatory is perhaps the oldest active astronomical observatory in the world, with its earliest mention going back to 1582 when Pope Gregory XIII oversaw the reformation of the earlier Julian calendar into what has since been called the Gregorian Calendar. The observatory is at the vanguard of scientific research with the thrust being on astronomy with a view to establishing the age of the universe conclusively.
The Pasquino is one of Rome's best-loved statues although its origins are unknown. It was found during the digging of the foundations of Cardinal Carafa's palace. Experts have attempted to identify the figure portrayed, and several hypotheses have been put forth. The most probable is the one suggested by Michelangelo and Bernini, who both believed that it was a portrait of Menelaus dragging the dead body of Patroclus. The name Pasquino has several origins: some thought it to have been that of the owner of an inn in the district, some others that of a tailor who spoke ill of prelates and nobles and others still that of a barber.
Located behind the Catacombe di Domitilla, this is also an old burial site of Christian martyrs. More than three hundred people, mainly Jews, political prisoners, a priest and a fourteen-year-old boy, were brought here and killed. After this massacre, the German troops blew up the tunnel leading to the Chamber of Death in an attempt to destroy all traces of the crime. You can visit this modern catacomb and the Museum of the Resistance. The evocative gate that leads to the site is the work of sculptor and painter Basaldella. The modern sculptures at the site are by Coccia and Basaldella.
If you are in a mood to engage in some serious art watching, Valentina Bonomo Gallery is the place to be. Artists like Carla Accardi, Janis Kounellis, Charlotte Dumas, Matteo Montani, Enzo Cucchi and the likes of renowned artists adorn the walls of this vast space. Art lovers and connoisseurs keep flocking in to admire the innovative and artistic frameworks showcased in the exhibitions held here. The charming ambiance adds to the whole delightful and thought-provoking experience. All in all, a great place to get inspired with the displayed pieces of art.
The Church of Our Lady of the Souls was erected in the 15th Century by Pope Eugenius IV, replacing an old hospice for German, Dutch, and Belgian pilgrims. The church was restored in the 16th Century, on occasion of the Jubilee of 1500, and was renovated again in the 19th Century. It houses several 16th-century paintings and a wide range of architectural elements, such as the Renaissance facade and the Gothic bell tower, attributed to Bramante. Today, the Church of Our Lady of the Souls is the national church and gathering place of the German-speaking community in Rome. The Catholic Mass here is held in German.