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Free booking and cancellationFree payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
Rome’s Greatest Sights
Hi! My name is Samuel and I was born in Rome. I’m half American (my American father is an art historian) and I study art history at university. Having grown up in Rome with a passion for its art and monuments, I can show you the very best places.
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Tour description
The tour covers places that cannot be missed on a trip to Rome!
We’ll start in San Pietro in Vincoli on the Oppian Hill and look at Michelangelo’s monument for Pope Julius II and its celebrated Moses (as well as Rachel & Leah, the last statues Michelangelo finished).
From there we’ll do a 5 minute walk to the Colosseum (explained from the outside) and continue along the Imperial Fora (Nerva, Augustus, Julius Caesar, Trajan). This was Michelangelo’s neighbourhood!
We’ll go into the Capitoline Square which he designed for Paul III Farnese. Then we’ll cross Piazza Venezia, past the papal palace built for Paul II in the 1400s (beneath whose balcony the famous Carnival races finished, although many remember it for Mussolini’s speeches) and walk over to the Trevi Fountain, an 18th Century masterpiece, and one of several monumental papal fountains.
After this we’ll go to the Spanish Steps—designed by an Italian architect for a French patron but named for its proximity to the Spanish Embassy.
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Highlights
What will we visit on this tour?
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View on mapMeeting point:Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a,...Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4/a, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
I will be in front of the steps on the right side of the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, near the ramp.
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1Free admissionSan Pietro in vincoli
-A 5th century basilica with spolia: ancient columns with Doric capitals, restored in 15th century by Sixtus IV della Rovere -The relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter in Jerusalem, a gift from Empress Eudoxia, wife of Theodosius III, to Pope Leo I. -The monumental tomb of Julius II della Rovere designed by Michelangelo. Moses the Lawgiver. Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob, symbols of the Active and Contemplative Lives in Dante.
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2Outside visitColosseum
-The site of the Golden House of Nero -The gift of Vespasian, finished by Titus and Domitian, paid with spoils of Jewish conquest Gladiatorial combats -The famous facade: Etruscan arch and Greek post-and-lintel -A sacred site for Catholic Church: martyrs and the Way of the Cross on Good Friday
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3Outside visitCapitoline Hill
-The center of Ancient Rome -The seat of municipal government since the 12th century -Paul III Farnese decides to renew in 16th century following the visit of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V: chooses Michelangelo to carry out the task -The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius (original in museum): from the Lateran to here -The genius of Michelangelo: trapezoidal area, oval of design of pavement, focus on the palace of the senate. The influence of the architecture (Colossal Order).
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4Outside visitFontana di Trevi
-Papal fountains in the Renaissance and Baroque -Clement XII Corsini has a competition: Nicola Salvi the winner -The program of the fountain: the inscriptions, the statues, and the reliefs -Coins and movies
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5Outside visitSpanish Steps
The Spanish Steps -An Italian architect, a French patron, but named for the proximity to the Spanish Embassy -The Barcaccia fountain by Gian Lorenzo & Pietro Bernini -The house where Keats died
How much does this tour cost?
Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).
Tour opinions
Alisse
07 Dec 2023
Verified booking
Travelled alone -
Dec 2023
I took this tour on my final day in Rome and although I’d already seen all the sights we visited, it was like seeing them again for the first time with all the information Samuel gave us! He was very knowledgeable about all aspects of the city’s history and made time for questions and photographs at every stop. Would definitely recommend this to anybody interested in seeing Rome.
Enat
06 Dec 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
Dec 2023
The tour with Samuel was very interesting. He demonstrated great knowledge and all in a pleasant manner. Thank you😊
Dubravka
04 Dec 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
Nov 2023
Samuel proved to be an excellent guide.
Full of knowledge and positive energy that he shared with us. Fluent English, great sense of humor, highly recommended.
Sarah
26 Nov 2023
Verified booking
Travelled in couple -
Nov 2023
Amazing tour experience overall! Highly recommend to everyone, whether visiting Rome for the first or tenth time. Very engaging guide and great information!
Talal
25 Nov 2023
Verified booking
Travelled alone -
Nov 2023
Samuel is an excellent source of historical information with an easy going welcoming attitude, he has a knowledgeable engaging and artistic description style in his tour that turns it into a unique experience; hopefully he will add more tours to his profile.
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Who is this tour for?
Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Accepts reservations up to 100 people.
Pets
Not suitable for pets.
What should you know?
Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Only cash payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
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Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
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