Discovering the "hidden treasures" of Rome
Welcome to a fascinating journey through a less frequented Rome, different from the usual famous monuments but rich in wonders to discover. We will take you on a tour to discover extraordinary places, often little known by the Romans themselves, but that contain a thousand-year history and works of art of priceless value. Get ready to immerse yourself in a secret Rome, where ancient basilicas, mysterious mithraeums, imposing mausoleums and Renaissance palaces intertwine to reveal the magnificence of an eternal city that never ceases to amaze.
Contents
The basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri
Located inside the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri is a church of great historical and artistic importance. It was designed by Michelangelo in the 16th century, commissioned by Pope Pius IV to transform a part of the large Roman thermal complex of the 4th century into a Christian church.
Michelangelo managed to integrate the elements of the Roman baths into the structure of the basilica. He kept the large central space, known as “aula”, which originally housed the gymnasium of the baths, and created a Latin cross plan with a majestic central nave and side chapels. The interior is characterized by a large dome that rises above the main altar. The frescoes and decorations were made by important artists of the time, such as Domenico Passignano, Baciccio and Giuseppe Cesari.
The basilica is famous for hosting the tomb of the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei. His burial here was an act of reconciliation of the Catholic Church towards the famous astronomer, after the condemnation of the Inquisition.
One of the points of interest inside the basilica is the solar meridian, a scientific work that marks the hours and seasons. It was designed by Francesco Bianchini in the 18th century and is based on sunlight filtering through a hole in the vault providing a visual demonstration of the movement of the sun.
The Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri offers a singular combination of architecture, art, history and science. Its design by Michelangelo, the solar meridian and the presence of Galileo’s tomb make it a place of great interest for visitors who want to explore Rome’s rich heritage.
The Mithraeum of the Basilica of San Clemente
The Basilica of San Clemente in the Celio district, near the Colosseum, preserves inside it several levels of history: the current basilica, dating back to the 12th century, the early Christian basilica of the 4th century, and an underground archaeological complex that includes a pagan temple of the 1st century, a Roman house of the 2nd century and a Mithraeum of the 3rd century. A journey through time through the different epochs and religions that have marked the history of Rome.
The Mithraeum of San Clemente was discovered by chance in 1867 during renovation works of the basilica and subsequently restored and opened to the public.
Composed of several underground rooms, symbolically associated with Mithraic mythology, which include an entrance hall (antro), a main hall (teatrino) with a central altar and small niches that contained the statues of the gods. There are also side rooms (speculae) and a pit that represents the Mithraic river.
The walls of the Mithraeum are decorated with frescoes depicting mythological scenes, including the myth of the birth of Mithras from the rock (tauroctony), the hunt for the sacred bull and the banquet of the gods. The Mithraeum of San Clemente represents a secret place of worship where the faithful gathered to practice their rituals, which included sacred banquets, purification ceremonies and initiations
Mithraism was one of the most widespread initiation religions in the Roman Empire between the 1st and 4th centuries AD. Reserved for a restricted circle of adepts, its influence extended to all social classes, including soldiers, officials and merchants. The discovery of the Mithraeum of San Clemente has greatly contributed to the understanding of this ancient religion and its diffusion in ancient Rome.
The Mithraeum of the Basilica of San Clemente represents an important historical and archaeological testimony of the cult of Mithras in ancient Rome. Its visit offers the opportunity to immerse oneself in an ancient underground temple and to discover the symbolic and ritual aspects of this mysterious religion.
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Popolo
The Church of Santa Maria del Popolo in Rome is one of the most fascinating and rich in artworks of the city. Besides its artistic beauties, the church is also associated with legends and mysterious stories that make it even more intriguing.
Inside the church there is the famous Cerasi Chapel, which houses two important paintings by Caravaggio: “The Conversion of St. Paul” and “The Crucifixion of St. Peter”. These works are considered masterpieces of baroque art and are among the main attractions of the church.
The Chigi Chapel is decorated with frescoes by Raphael Sanzio and his pupils, among which “The Prophecy of Isaiah” and “The Delphic Sibyl”. These frescoes are extraordinary examples of the Italian Renaissance and represent an important testimony of the art of the period.
The Altar of St. Catherine is adorned with a sculpture of St. Catherine of Alexandria, made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The sculpture captures the expressiveness and mastery of the baroque artist and represents another precious artwork inside the church.
One of the most famous legends related to the church of Santa Maria del Popolo is that of the curse of Beatrice Cenci. Beatrice Cenci was a young Roman noblewoman who was executed in 1599 for having organized the murder of her tyrannical father. It is said that her ghost still haunts the church and that her face appeared in one of the windows of the Cerasi Chapel.
In the Chigi Chapel, there are some portraits of characters that have never been identified with certainty. It is hypothesized that they are mysterious figures associated with secret stories and intrigues.
It is said that during the construction of the church, the devil appeared to a craftsman and offered his help to quickly complete the structure in exchange for the soul of an innocent person. The craftsman, however, managed to deceive the devil and avoid his evil pact.
These stories and legends contribute to creating an atmosphere of mystery around the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, making it even more fascinating for visitors interested in history, art and intriguing stories.
Church of Santa Prassede
The Church of Santa Prassede, located near the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, was built in the 9th century over a pre-existing Christian structure of the 4th century. It takes its name from Saint Praxedes, a Christian martyr revered for her devotion and charity.
The church has a simple and elegant facade, but it is the interior that surprises with its artistic richness. It has a basilical plan with three naves separated by ancient columns.
The most distinctive feature of Santa Prassede are its splendid Byzantine mosaics. The Chapel of San Zeno, in particular, houses a cycle of 9th-century mosaics that depict scenes from the life of Christ, the saints and the apostles.
The church is famous for housing the alleged column of the flogging of Jesus, which according to tradition was brought to Rome by Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine. The column is an object of great devotion and is displayed to the faithful during Lent.
Inside the church there is the Chapel of the Martyrs, which preserves some relics of saints and Christian martyrs.
The Church of Santa Prassede represents an important example of early Christian and Byzantine art in Rome. Its mosaics, the column of the flogging and the devotion to the Christian martyrs make it an interesting stop for visitors who want to explore the religious and artistic heritage of the city.
Villa Farnesina
The Villa Farnesina, in Trastevere, was built between 1506 and 1510 for the Florentine banker Agostino Chigi. The architect Baldassarre Peruzzi was responsible for the design and construction of the villa. Today the Villa, well preserved, is open to the public as a museum.
The villa is a significant example of Italian Renaissance architecture. It has a square plan with an inner courtyard and an Italian garden.
The walls are adorned with extraordinary frescoes, made by important artists of the time, including Raphael Sanzio, Sebastiano del Piombo and Peruzzi himself. The frescoes depict classical myths, mythological scenes, landscapes and allegorical figures.
One of the highlights of the villa is the Hall of Galatea, completely frescoed by Raphael. His masterpiece, “The Triumph of Galatea”, is one of the most famous works of the Italian Renaissance.
Another remarkable hall is the Hall of Love and Psyche, with frescoes painted by Raphael and his pupils. The scenes narrate the myth of Love and Psyche taken from Apuleius’ Metamorphoses.
The Hall of Perspectives presents illusionistic frescoes that create the illusion of open spaces and architectural perspectives, giving a sense of depth and breadth.
The villa is surrounded by a suggestive Italian garden, characterized by lawns, fountains, hedges and ornamental plants. It is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of Rome.
It is possible to visit the frescoes and admire the original architecture and gardens.
In 2004, the Villa Farnesina was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as an exceptional example of Italian Renaissance art.
The Villa Farnesina represents a hidden treasure of Rome, an ideal place for art and history lovers who want to discover one of the Renaissance pearls of the eternal city.
Conclusions
In this travel report, we explored a less frequented but famous Rome, discovering places of great charm and historical-artistic value. From the majesty of the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri, to the enigma of the Mithraeum of the Basilica of San Clemente, from the beauty of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo, to the imposingness of the Mausoleum of Augustus, to the artistic treasures of the Church of Santa Prassede and the Villa Farnesina, this secret Rome revealed its hidden soul to us. Now it is your turn to explore and let yourself be enchanted by these unique places, immersing yourself in the history and ancient art of an eternal city that continues to amaze and fascinate its visitors.
Tours in Italy by Argiletumtour
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Day Trip to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii – Private car from Rome
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