Piazza Venezia and Altare della Patria
The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) is a massive white marble monument on Piazza Venezia, built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. Free to enter.
Viewpoint in Rome
Aventine Keyhole
The Aventine Keyhole is a small bronze keyhole in the door of the Priory of the Knights of Malta on the Aventine Hill. Free. Peering through the keyhole reveals a perfectly framed view of St Peter’s dome at the end of a hedge-lined tunnel. The short queue moves quickly. The Orange Garden (Giardino degli Aranci) next door is also free and offers an open panorama across the Tiber to Trastevere and St Peter’s. Budget travelers combine both for one of the most quietly perfect free experiences in Rome.
Practical
Before you go
- Address
- Aventine Hill, 00153 Rome
- Good to know
Nearby
More in Rome
Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
Appian Way
The Appian Way (Via Appia Antica) is the ancient Roman road leading south from the city, lined with ruins, tombs, catacombs, and cypress trees. Free to walk.
Campo de' Fiori
Campo de' Fiori is a lively square in the historic center that hosts a daily morning market selling fruit, vegetables, flowers, spices, and street food. Free to browse.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Castel Sant'Angelo is a cylindrical fortress on the Tiber, originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum. Entry is paid at a modest price.
Catacombs of San Callisto
The Catacombs of San Callisto on the Appian Way are the largest and most important Christian catacombs in Rome, stretching 20 kilometers underground on four levels with the remains of half a million early Christians. Entry is paid (guided tours only).
Colosseum
The Colosseum is the defining ruin of the Roman Empire, a 50,000-seat amphitheater built for gladiatorial combat and public spectacles. Entry is paid, with a combo ticket that includes the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
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