Rome Walking Tour Basillica of San Pietro

Tour Description

We will begin by the statue of Marcus Aurelius in Capitol Square. This square is another Michelangelo masterpiece, and is bordered by the Capitoline Museums which are the oldest in the world. After admiring the architecture of this museum, we will walk down the "cordonata" which leads to Piazza Venenzia where the Victor Emmanuel Monument is located. This monument is nicknamed the wedding cake or typewriter, as you will see it is not the most beautiful building in Rome, but the views from the top are well worth it. This marble monument was built as a tribute to the first King of Italy as a united country, Victor Emmanuel II. Also located here is Trajan's column where Michelangelo had his own studio. This column stands over 30 meters high and was built to represent events in both Dacian wars with tremendous accuracy and detail.

Next, we will go along the Via Del Fori Imperial. This straight road in the center of the city leads to the Colosseum and was built during the reign of Benito Mussolini. Walking down Via Cavour will give you a real taste of the city or alternatively along Via Madonna Dei Monti which is a Cardinalatial church.

A flight of stairs leads us to the Basicilica of San Pietro in Vincoli with the relics of Peter's Chains and also the tomb of Julius II and the statue of Moses.

Nearby is Moses' café where we will rest. Then we will retrace our steps to the basilica of St. Maria Maggiore. This church is dedicated to the virgin mother Mary and was fully restored and renovated in the 18th century but was originally founded in the 4th century. Within the Santa Maria Maggiore is the tomb of Bernini. This stop alone is worth taking the tour.