Tips to enjoy Rome like a local

I’m glad to share with you this very cool post, written by Alberto Statti, a travel blogger who likes original itineraries in Italy and abroad.

Before to introduce you to my top 4 favorite spots in Rome, I would like to describe the city where I live in a few words: Rome, in my personal opinion, is a destination not to be missed, because has an ancient and modern charm at the same time. Furthermore, is a unique place, due to its monuments and, above all, to the people that you meet every day.

So if you would like to enjoy Rome “like a Roman do”, you can have a look at these 4 tips, provided by Wonder Where To Stay, rental holiday apartments experts based in Rome. This itinerary starts from the center and ends in a district off the beaten path.

Visit the Cloister of San Pietro in Vincoli

In Rome there are 2 places called San Pietro in Vincoli: the most important is the church, where is housed the Michelangelo’s statue of Moses, one of the main masterpieces in the world.

Next to the church, a short distance from the Colosseum, there is the former convent building that hosts the Faculty of Engineering.

The Faculty is built around a beautiful Renaissance cloister, attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo, a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture in Rome.

At the center of the courtyard there is an elegant well, carved by Simone Mosca, a sculptor who worked with Michelangelo Buonarroti. For this reason, although the cloister is inside the University buildings, it is worth a visit.

Discover the Alchemical Door

The Magic Door, also known as Alchemical Door, is the only one of five former gates of Villa Palombara that remains and now stands in the middle of Piazza Vittorio, close to Termini railway station.

This monument dates back to 1680 and was built by the marquis Massimiliano Palombara, who was a famous alchemist and he looked for the philosopher’s stone, a legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold.

If you take a stroll to Piazza Vittorio, you’ll see two statues on both sides of the door, representing an Egyptian divinity or semi-divinity, called Bes. Originally, these statues were found near the Quirinal hill, then moved to the Porta Alchemica during the works for the opening of Piazza Vittorio.

I think this is one of the most mysterious monuments in the Eternal City!

Enjoy Little London in Rome

Photo credits: https://treasurerome.wordpress.com/2016/05/27/la-piccola-londra-nel-cuore-di-roma/

How to visit Little London in Rome? This name it refers to a private road, at the corner of Via del Vignola and Via Flaminia, close to Piazza del Popolo.

This street is Via Bernardo Celentano and you’ll be amazed by the small houses with steps leading to the front door, private gardens and British style mail boxes.

The architectural style of these houses dates back to early XX century, when the architect Quadrio Pirani designed these building inspired by the European metropolis, following the urban plan of the mayor Ernesto Nathan.

Now you can walk through Via Celentano and enjoy this haven located near historical center, just “some miles” away from Sloane Street and Belgrave Square in London!

Explore Street Art in Quadraro

Photo credits- Ron English art : https://it.pinterest.com/pin/466404105140865823/

The Quadraro neighborhood is off the standard tourist routes, but I recommend it if you love street art. Here, in fact, a lot of internationally renowned mural artists realized works of art related to the history of Quadraro. This peripheral district is well connected by metro line A (Porta Furba stop) and you can admire works by Gary Baseman, Alice Pasquini, Jim Avignon and Ron English walking along the streets of Quadraro.

Of course I suggest going there on sunny days and, if you want to know more about the realization of the murals, you can book a guided tour organized by MURo (further info available here: muromuseum.blogspot.it/2015/06/muro-tours-in-english.html).

Rome is a city that deserves more than a visit to the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and Navona Square, discover its hidden gems and disclose its secret streets to live an authentic travel experience.