Arts and Culture in Rome

The Roman Empire lasted for almost 500 years, but the city of Rome existed before that. Legend has it that the city was named after its co-founder, Romulus, after he killed his brother Remus almost 3,000 years ago. It was the center of the known world at its peak, with an empire stretching from northern Africa and Asia in the east to Britain in the west. Even today, it holds great stature as the home of the Vatican City. Rome has indeed carved out a place for its history, its mythology, and its culture.

St. Peter’s Basilica (Photo by Jimmy Harris)

Time machine

The history buff in Rome cannot find a more distinguished sanctum for ancient history than the Musei Capitolini (Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 – 00186 Rome, +39 06 0608, website), with exhibits going back to the 5^th century B.C. It is known as the oldest national museum in the world, having been founded in the 15^th century. You can see fascinating examples Roman and Greek art, an influence of Hellenization. These include works of Marcus Aurelius and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a sculpture of the city’s founders, and a splendid collection of Renaissance art. Visiting both of its massive buildings is taking a trip back to a time before the Roman Empire and beyond.

Vatican Museums (Photo by Leo-setä)

The Vatican Museums (Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome, +39 06 69884676, website) serve as an excellent follow-up in your journey through Roman history. It is a huge complex consisting of several exhibits and galleries. Some of the most notable ones are the Etruscan Gregorian Museum (featuring collections from 19^th century excavations, as well as Greek and Etruscan art), the Egyptian Gregorian Museum (containing Egyptian statues and mummies), and the Ethnological Missionary Museum (depicting different religious practices in other parts of the world). The Museums offer a more comprehensive approach to any historical journey.

Ancient art, meanwhile, finds a home in the Centrale Montemartini (Via Ostiense 106 00154 Rome, +39 060608, website). Located in the former Montemartini Thermoelectric Centre, the collection consists of ancient Roman culture amidst electric machines last operated in the 1960s. Not only does it provide a peek into the 1930s industrial world, but it also provides a stark contrast to the age of its collection.

Centrale Montemartini (Photo by hirony)

Art noveau

Modern and contemporary art are equally at home in Rome as ancient art is. The Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Roma, or MACRO (Via Reggio Emilia 54, 00198 Rome, +39 06 6710 70400, website) contains some of the best contemporary art by Italian and international artists. The museum consists of a lecture hall, a media and print library, a video resource center, and a bookstore. There are also six exhibition halls, and its permanent collection includes the works originating in the 60s and after. This large complex is an excellent showcase of more recent art, and is a delight to any modern art enthusiast.

Religion in Rome

Rome has been the home of the Vatican City since it was founded in 1929, but for centuries has been the seat of the Pope. Part of a tour of the Vatican Museums should include a visit to the Sistine Chapel (Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome, +39 06 69884676, website). While its exterior is simple, entry into the chapel reveals why it is such an artistic masterpiece. The chapel ceiling was painted by Michelangelo, and its walls and entrance are a breathtaking work of art as well. It is small wonder that the College of Cardinals meet here to elect a new Pope.

Sistine Chapel (Photo by Andreas Solberg)

A more public display of Roman Catholicism can be found at St. Peter’s Basilica (Piazza San Pietro, +39 06 6988 1662). Said to be built above the tomb of the apostle Peter, this majestic structure contains various works of art, including Michelangelo’s classic Pieta. Its construction lasted more than a hundred years, and its dome was an engineering feat at the time. For over 400 years, it has been one of the largest churches ever built. It overlooks the Piazza San Pedro, where people gather regularly to hear the Pope address the crowd.

Music and film tradition

Music lovers will want to visit the Casa del Jazz (Viale di Porta Ardeatina, 55 00153 Rome, +39 06 704731). It is considered the home of the Italian jazz music scene. Of course, its doors are open to any jazz musician, but it mainly caters to Italian musicians. It is a safe haven for jazz musicians of all ages and renown.

Film is one of the more contemporary art forms. Its development in the late 19^th century and its expansion both in Hollywood and around the world has given rise to places like Casa del Cinema (Largo Marcello Mastroianni, Villa Borghese, Rome, +39 06 423601). Named after the Italian cinematic legend Marcello Mastrianni, this tribute to film is nothing less than amazing. It boasts of the highest technology in film presentation. The venue also includes exhibition halls for artwork, a DVD store, and a bookstore especially focused on film and drama. Film buffs of all ages will certainly appreciate it as one of the best in the world.

Tourist options

The Roma Pass (25€, website) is the perfect companion for any tourist visiting Rome for the first time. It provides handy alternatives, being valid for 3 days. Holders are granted access to about 40 museums and monuments. Transportation is not a problem, as the pass also offers access to the public transport system. While the pass does not cover the Vatican, tourists can visit two major museums with it. The Roma Pass Kit includes the pass and transport ticket, a map of Rome, and a list of museums and sites covered by the pass. This is a convenient tool for travelers who look to enjoy the best of what Rome has to offer.

The city has evolved from an ancient empire to one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. Its various cultural and historical sites are sure to give any traveler a whiff of the glory of Rome, and be left with a sense of culture that is distinctly Roman.

Destinations

Musei Capitolini

Address: Piazza del Campidoglio, 1 – 00186 Rome
Tel: +39 06 0608
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; December 24^th and 31^st 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Monday, December 25^th, January 1^st, and May 1^st
Cost: Adults–11€; Children (18 years old and below) and Seniors (over 65 years old)–2€

Vatican Museums

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome
Tel: +39 06 69884676
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with ticket office closing at 4 p.m.
Closed Sunday, January 1^st and 6^th, February 11^th, March 19^th, April 4^th and 5^th, May 1^st, June 29^th, August 14^th and 15^th, November 1^st, and December 8^th, 25^th, and 26^th
Cost: Full ticket 15€; Reduced ticket 8€; Scholastic ticket 4€

Centrale Montemartini

Address: Via Ostiense 106 00154 Rome
Tel: +39 060608
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; December 24^th and 31^st 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Monday, December 25^th, January 1^st, and May 1^st
Cost: Adults—4.50€; Reduced—2€

Museo D’Arte Contemporanea Roma

Address: Via Reggio Emilia 54, 00198 Rome
Tel: +39 06 6710 70400
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; December 24^th and 31^st 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Monday, January 1^st, May 1^st, December 25^th
Cost: 4.50€; Reduced 3€

Sistine Chapel

Address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Rome
Tel: +39 06 69884676

St. Peter’s Basilica

Address: Piazza San Pietro
Tel: +39 06 6988 1662

Casa del Jazz

Address: Viale di Porta Ardeatina, 55 00153 Rome
Tel: +39 06 704731

Casa del Cinema

Address: Largo Marcello Mastroianni, Villa Borghese, Rome
Tel: +39 06 423601

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