Rome Walking Tour and Historical Notes

I enjoyed the walking tour so much I thought I’d share my favourite highlights from when we started at the Piazza del Popolo (People’s Square).

Rome’s white marble was sourced out of area. Carrara marble, a prized white marble known for its quality and beauty, comes from quarries in the Massa Carrara region in Tuscany, Italy. This region is around 200km from Rome. The Pantheon and many other Roman structures used Carrara marble.

A few notable names: Fra Filippo Brunelleschi (1377-1446): An Italian architect and engineer from Florence. While he didn’t work directly in Rome, his revolutionary dome for the Florence Cathedral (completed 1436) significantly influenced Renaissance architecture and likely inspired later architects like Michelangelo and Bernini.
Bernini featured heavily in the history of Rome’s architecture and design. There were 2 sculptures that the Pope at that time didn’t like.

Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Pope Alexander VII

The entrance to the Piazza del Popolo features 2 statues – St. Peter holding keys to heaven and St. Paul with a sword which is how he died. The shield with the six balls is the entire coat of arms of the Medici family. The shield is from Pope Pius 4th Maximus, there’s 6 balls which is a recurring theme plus the family crest.

Alexander VII as new Pope called in a new architect: Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Sweden queen Christine lots of culture wanted to leave to live to Rome lifted up on chair 1655. The Santa Maria del Popolo is the name of the church.

“Nasty” Nero was the awful emperor who stabbed his mother, poisoned his sister and set Rome on fire. He committed suicide didn’t get a burial .. his ashes allegedly spawned a big nest of crows he’s that bad.

Chapel Raphael painting on left, 811 French invasion by Napoleon, Biggest square of Rome with the Goddess Rom she wolf feeding the 2 boys who were cast into the river to float downstream.

Il Pini Park built by the family museum or Borgessa family more by Raphael and Bernini. As a very popular tourist attraction so buy early!

Neptune trident half men half fish at his side – God of the sea. Others depict 6 hills and an 8 point star Christian cross.

Sphinxes:

Flanking the main entrance stairs are two Egyptian sphinxes made of grey granite. These sphinxes are believed to be ancient artifacts, possibly dating back to the first millennium BC, and add a touch of mystery and intrigue to the church’s entryway.

Obelisk:

Directly facing the church across the Piazza del Popolo stands a towering Egyptian obelisk made of red granite. While not technically part of the church architecture, it forms a significant visual link and creates a dramatic entrance point. Obelisks were often used by the Romans to commemorate victories or emperors.

Egyptian obelisk. Augustus Mark Anthony /Cleopatra and he bought it over after winning the war over Egypt as his spoils. He stole 13 in all this is the biggest in Rome. Erected in the 1st century BC and 4,000 years old (been in Rome 2,000 years)

There’s even the Pharo on the hieroglyphics at the base still.

2 churches twins where Rainildi started and Bernini finished it. 3 streets leading out from the square is referred to as the trident neighbourhood. There used to be horse races held here, however when a child got killed the Queen banned it.

2 roads go to the Spanish steps and the 3rd to the Trevi Fountain.

3 villa de repetir. Richard Mayor in the 1990s new building. Tomb first Roman empire red Augustus which was the highest building in Rome at the time, 29 before Christ. All white covered in marble and the last guy who used it was Mussolini in the 1930s before being renovated currently to be complete by 2020.

Augustus wife 2 years so killed sons so Tiberius everyone buried here. Agrippa buried here when the Panthenon was  built.

There are 2 replicas of the Panthenon both 10m smaller in respect of the architect. They are also different as half buried. The Tiber river floods and the whole city was buried. Work in the Middle Ages started to rebuild on top of old ruins. In 2017 modern day Metro tunnelling is always halted because they keep finding something of historical reference!

Whole block palace Borgesso family 1500 shields are covers up the balls but eagles are still there like the park. Now property of state politicians use it for meetings and a private nightclub for inside employees. Very private. The Spanish steps are round the corner.

Highlander Bar – Original pole still exposed. The foundations of building original spaces from 2,000 years ago hence ventilations of rooms underneath .

Pantheon general of Augustus Agrippa

Genius 24 bc back from a battle with Germany he won and build a tomb and  temple for the gods who have him victory. All bronze gods which were melted and used in the Vatican and around churches. Roof covered in brass and Marcus Agrippa inscribed.

Nero and the fire destroyed the building. Hadrian rebuilt it left the Grippa inscription as humble honour.

The Panthenon has 8 Niches inside – starting from the right, the first is the Italian king, the second is the 2nd king (the 3rd his wife)

Rahael died of syphilis when he was 39 he’s the 4th statue. Sounds like a party animal.

Biggest cement concrete circle in the world at 5,000 tonnes. The foundation is on show under the exterior walls which are a metre and a half thick. The roof diameter hole is 43.30 meters or 142ft and also served as a calendar and clock with the sun (When it wasn’t raining) The Oculus – eye of the Gods.

Same top to bottom – Heights and width as the perfect sphere calculated to exact centre. Michaelangelo built the basilica 1m less bit exact as a sign of respect and in Florence theirs is 2m less so 3 in the world. The floor is made of marble. The Bronze is from when it was built the first time. To keep the ceiling stable and light it’s constructed of cement mixed with volcanic rock.

Piazza Na Bona

Agona means games 85 after Christ, it used to be for games and seats, 30k spectators. Then the Panthe family bought the square, unfortunately went bankrupt and sold the house to Brazil now the Brazilian Embassy.

The shield is the Pigeon on the top of the big family church

Bernini and another top artists were huge rivals enemies – he did the church. Bernino won the contest with marble for the fountains of the 4 rivers

Built in 1650 there were only 4 continents considered at that time, here are the rivers:

Nile – Africa

Asia – Ganges 

Europe – Danube 

South America – Amazon

Fountain restored by Bernini and the other side is Neptune fighting with octopus. When we went in early October 2017 it had just been cleaned and opened the day we did the walk.

We also walked past the Sports stadium first ever – track and field etc.

Holy Hear every 25 years to the Vatican pope opens the doors close the next 25 years last 2016 and the next will be 2025. The first was in 1300s in the holy year start at the holy street at the square.

Castelle st Angel (Castle Of angel_ here lies Hadrians tomb. On the bridge there are 12 sculptures 2 are Peter & Paul and Bernini built the 10 angels each angel holds one passion of Christ in memory of the last hours of Christ.

Dome filled with pine trees white marble roof then bought the Vatican now there is a secret passage from one to the other. Apartments on top of castle for the pope should he need it also used as a prison.

Established as an independent sovereign state with the signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 by Benito Mussolini, Vatican City is indeed unique in its governance, with citizenship primarily linked to roles within the Church. Its influence and the iconic silhouette of St. Peter’s Basilica can be recognised from miles away, standing as a testament to its religious and cultural significance.

Vatican City is the smallest city in the world and is the jewel of the Catholic Church. It’s crowned by the St. Peter’s Basilica, which features a dome designed by Michelangelo. This dome rises to a height of approximately 136 meters (or about 448 feet), making it one of the tallest in the world.

Within Vatican City, there’s a storied history, including the legend where Pope Gregory I, during the plague of 590, purportedly had a vision of an angel on the Mausoleum of Hadrian, signaling the end of the epidemic.

The ascent to the dome’s cupola involves climbing roughly 551 steps, offering visitors a panoramic view of Rome.

Please feel free to email me with any factual corrections – I was taking notes on my phone as we were walking around Rome. Our guide from RomeFreeWalkingTour was Lucio an architect with 5 years’ experience and it took 2.5 hours – worth it!

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