Rome’s Top 10 : Hidden Rome

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  1. Capuchin Crypt

    If
    you like a good haunted house, this is your first stop. The bones of
    thousands of deceased monks have been used to decorate every conceivable
    surface in the most ghoulish designs. Those corpses that weren’t taken
    to bits have been hung on walls, decked out in cowled robes .

  2. Museo della Casina delle Civette

    One
    of the restored buildings in Villa Torlonia, Mussolini’s abode as prime
    minister, this Art Nouveau cottage displays ceramic and stained-glass
    decorations, including owl motifs, which gives it its name, “The Little
    House of the Owls.” The setting is now a public park.

    • Via Nomentana 70

    • Open Apr–Sep: 9am–7pm daily; Mar, Oct: 9am–5:30pm daily; Nov–Feb: 9am–4:30pm daily (museum)

    • 060608

    • Adm

  3. Museo Nazionale delle Paste Alimentari

    The
    National Museum of Pasta proudly proves that pasta was invented in
    Italy in the 12th century. Discover how pasta is made from durum wheat,
    which processes are used to create pastasciutta (dried pasta), and how eating it al dente (chewy) makes it easier to digest.

  4. Museo delle Anime del Purgatorio

    The
    Gothic Sacro Cuore del Suffragio church is host to a truly spooky
    display. A glass case preserves various types of physical “evidence”
    (mostly handprints
    burned on to surfaces) of visitations from dead souls, waiting in
    Purgatory to move up into Heaven.

    • Lungotevere Prati 12

    • Open 7–11am, 4:30–7pm daily

    • Free

  5. Pyramid of Caius Cestius

    Following
    the Egyptian fashion, many ancient Romans used to build their tombs as
    pyramids, but this is the only survivor. It was made to form part of the
    defensive wall around the city .




  6. Cat Sanctuary at Largo Argentina

    Dr
    Silvia Viviani is the guiding genius of this loving undertaking, but
    what makes it work is the volunteers’ enthusiasm. Tourists are welcome
    to visit the veterinary clinic, and are also encouraged to adopt one of
    the cats. The sanctuary has a “no-kill” policy.

    • Largo di Torre Argentina (southwest corner of square)

    • Open noon– 6pm daily

    • Donation

  7. Palazzo Zuccari

    Noted
    for its door and window frames shaped into screaming mouths of
    grotesque ogres, this bit of 16th-century Mannerist fantasia was the
    atelier of the painters Taddeo and Federico Zuccari.

    • Via Gregoriana 28

    • Closed to public




    Doorway, Palazzo Zuccari

  8. Museo Barracco

    This
    select collection traces the development of sculptural art in the
    ancient world. Assyrian and Egyptian works are highlighted, along with
    Etruscan, Roman and paleo-Christian art. Its original Greek sculpture is
    second only to the Vatican’s.

  9. Museo della Civiltà Romana

    A
    Fascist Art Deco Temple of Karnak is home to this fascinating museum.
    The most striking exhibit is a 1:250 scale model of what Rome looked
    like in the 4th century. Other items include models of ancient furniture
    and musical instruments.

    • Piazza Giovanni Agnelli

    • Metro EUR Fermi

    • Open 9am–2pm Tue–Sat, 9am–1:30pm Sun

    • Adm

    • DA




  10. Museo delle Mura

    Porta San Sebastiano is the most impressive gate surviving in the Aurelian Wall .
    It now houses a museum containing prints and models illustrating the
    wall’s history. Take a short walk along the restored parapets, which
    provide great views, especially along the Via Appia.

    • Via di Porta San Sebastiano 18

    • Bus 118, 218


    • Open 9am–2pm Tue–Sun

    • Adm