The Gods' eyed view of Rome (Altare della Patria, or Il Vittoriano) Rooftop of Rome - with views of the ruins

in 2012 we stood on the very high, clear-fenced in roof of the “wedding cake”, aka “Altare della Patria” (Altar of the Fatherland) or “Il Vittoriano“, to spy, for the first time, a bird’s eye view of Rome, a city I had only seen before from the vantage point of a mere mortal.

There is something about the view from the top of the layers of ruins, buildings, trees, cars, vespas and people one can’t capture quite like standing where the gods would have been watching in Caesar’s time.

It is really a beautiful experience. And down the elevator, rife with enviable views of the ruins from a closer perspective, is a cafe, selling delicious sandwiches and antipasti, wine and espressos. If you ever find yourself in Rome, it’s an experience you cannot miss.

Visit: in the heart of the historic city center of Rome, next to the Capitoline Museums, near to the Roman Forum, at the iconic Piazza Venezia.

What to see and photograph: Beautiful Renaissance villas and museums and church cupolas surrounding the exciting roundabout of Piazza Venezia, the Fori Imperiali, the Forum of Augustus, the Roman Forum, the Coliseum. the Arch of Titus, the Alban Hills, and many other fantastic spots in a full panorama.

Victor Emmanuel II National Monument (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II)

Take steps up to the elevator to the Panoramic Terrace.

Price: Panoramic lifts:

Adults: € 7 (US$ 8.30).

Youth (aged less than 18) and seniors (aged over 65): € 3.50 (US$ 4.10).

Transport:

Metro station: Colosseo, line B

Bus: 40 (you can take it from Termini station). Other buses: 44, 84, 780, 810.

Schedule:

Monday –Sunday: 9:30 am – 7:30 pm (last admission at 6:45 pm)

25 December and 1 January: closed

Unfortunately stairs are required before you can take the disabled access elevator to the rooftop.

Saint Barbara of the Books / Rome

This small church, also known as Santa Barbara alla Regola, after the district in which it is situated, was founded, in the 11th century, in the ruins of the Theatre of Pompey. (It was in an annex in the gardens of the Theatre of Pompey that Julius Caesar was assassinated).

Saint Barbara of the Books, Rome, Italy. 186 Largo dei Librai

The church is just off Via dei Giubbonari between Campo de’Fiori and Piazza Cairoli.

Located at the edge of the Roman Ghetto, “Jewish Ghetto”, one of the most intact ancient neighborhoods of Rome, and one of the best and easiest places to grab a Mediterranean / Middle Eastern / Kosher mix of delicious lunch, enjoy dessert, strong coffee, or good wines for less, and also walk among Augustan Roman ruins and a real Mediaeval cemetery, with some of the best Middle Ages ruins in Rome. it is a tiny compact area perfect for packing a lot into a couple hours, and it is a short walk from the historic center of Rome and the Capitoline Hill and Trajan’s Column.

This is a small but absolutely stunning church. It’s definitely an off the beaten path one, too.

One minute you are walking through a charming neighborhood, the next moment you turn the corner and are stopped in your tracks by this glorious architecture. It looks surreal – a tiny church stuck between houses and a yogurt gelato shop. It’s worth a stop, a snapshot, and a walk up past the perfect olive trees into the doorway for a look around the interior.