Downtown Ancient Rome
The area around the Roman Forum and Colosseum
OK, ancient ruins are spread all over the city, which is why I call the heart of the ancient city—home to the Roman Forum, Imperial Fori, and the Colosseum—"Downtown Ancient Rome."
It's easy to find because it's still pretty much at the center of town, just south of Piazza Venezia. Back at Piazza Venezia and facing south, go to the right around the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and you'll see a Michelangelo-designed stair ramp leading up behind it to the Campidoglio (Capitoline Hill), Rome's seat of government.
Around the left side of the monument is Via dei Fori Imperiali, a wide boulevard making a beeline from Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum, passing the archaeological zone of the Roman Forum on the right (slung into the low land between the Capitoline and Palatine Hills) and the Imperial Fori on the left.
Antiquity buffs will want to spend a lot of their visit in this vast archaeological zone, but it offers few good hotels and even fewer decent restaurants (most cater to entire tour buses with bad food at high prices).
Sights in Downtown Ancient Rome
Downtown Ancient Rome: The Roman Forum (Foro Romano), Palatine Hill, temple of the Vestal Virgins, Roman Senate, and Triumphal Arches of Titus and Septimius Severus
Rome's Colosseo still ranks as the world's most famous sports arena, site of gladiator combat and the wholesale slaughter of wild beasts to amuse the public
The birthplace of palaces is the Palatine Hill above the Roman Forum
A few blocks from the Colosseum is the best place in Rome to see the layer-cake effect of its history in action: church piled atop church piled atop pagan temple
These museums atop Rome's Campidoglio connected by the Tabularium house iconic ancient statues (she-wolf, colossal statue of Constantine, Lo Spinario, Dying Gaul, etc.) and great art by Caravaggio, Titian, and Rubens
It's a shame that so many who stop to see the Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth) on the porch don't take the time to go inside the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin itself
The Fori Imperiali represent Rome's first major urban expansion of public areas beyond the Forum—most importantly the Forum of Caesar, Forum of Augustus, and Forum of Trajan
The world's first multi-level shopping mall gives unparalleled insight into the daily life of Ancient Rome
The Domus Aurea—Nero's personal pleasure palace across from the Colosseum—offers a rare glimpse into the privileged world of a Roman emperor
The Terme di Caracalla is vast ancient baths complex and spectacular setting for opera under the stars
The Capitoline Museums, a Michelangelo-designed piazza, and killer views atop Rome's Campidoglio
Mussolini's grand Via dei Fori Imperiali, central Rome's would-be grand Archaeological Park
This triumphal arch celebrates the battle that made Christianity the religion of Rome
A secret panorama over the Roman Forum from the back of the Capitoline Hill
Universally known as "The Wedding Cake" or "The Giant Typewriter," the Victory Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II at the very center of Rome is the hideously ugly monument you gotta love anyway
The Forum of Trajan's is home to Trajan's Column, a massive carved marble comic strip of the emperors accomplishments
The greatest racing arena in ancient Rome is now a grassy jogging oval and outdoor concert venue
A hidden Aventine rose garden overlooking the Circus Maximus
The sad story of the Santo Bambino at the Capitoline church
Fraternal twin temples and the world's first sewer on lovely little "Cow Forum" by the Mouth of Truth
Marcellus's Theater was the Colosseum 1.0, the original Roman amphitheater
Michelangelo's famous Moses statue on tomb of Pope Julius II—plus the chains that bound St. Peter—at the chruch of "St. Peter in Chains"
Lodgings in Downtown Ancient Rome
Dining in Downtown Ancient Rome
Useful Italian for rail travel
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
| Where is? | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
| ...train station | la ferroviaria [or] la stazione | lah fair-o-vee-YAR-ree-yah [or] lah stat-zee-YO-nay |
| ticket | un biglietto | oon beel-YET-toh |
| first class | prima classe | PREE-mah CLAH-say |
| second class | seconda classe | say-CONE-dah CLAH-say |
| one way | solo andata | SO-low ahn-DAHT-tah |
| round trip (return) | andata e ritorno | ahn-DAH-tah ay ree-TOUR-noh |
| Just the supplement | Soltanto il supplemento | soul-TAHN-toh eel sou-play-MEN-toh |
| Just a seat reservation | Soltanto una prenotazione | soal-TAHN-toh oo-nah pray-no-tah-tsee-YOH-nay |
| I have a Eurailpass | Ho il Eurailpass | oh eel YOO-rail-pahs |
| sleeping couchette | una cucetta | oo-nah koo-CHET-tah |
| berth in a sleeping car | un posto nel vagone letto | oon POH-sto nell vah-GOAN-nay LET-toh |
| track | binario | been-AR-ree-yoh |
| train | treno | TRE-no |
| car (carriage) | carozza | ka-RO-tza |
| seat | posto | PO-sto |
| departures | partenze | par-TEN-zay |
| arrivals | arrivi | ah-REE-vee |
| information | informazione | in-for-ma-tzee-OH-nay |
| left luggage | deposito bagagli | day-PO-zee-toh ba-GAHL-yee |
| punch your ticket | timbrare il biglietto | teem-BRA-ray eel beel-YET-toh |
| Is this the right platform for the Rome train? | E questo il binario per il treno à Roma? | ay KWAY-sto eel been-AR-ree-yo pair eel TRE-no ah RO-ma? |
| delayed | in retardo | een ree-TAR-do |
| strike | sciopero | SHO-pair-oh |
| Mon-Sat | Feriali | fair-ee-YAHL-ee |
| Sun & holidays | Festivi | feh-STEE-vee |
| Daily | Giornaliere | joor-nahl-ee-YAIR-eh |
| City / Train station names | ||
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Main station |
| Rome | Roma | Termini |
| Florence | Firenze | Santa Maria Novella |
| Venice | Venezia | Santa Lucia |
| Milan | Milano | Centrale |
| Genoa | Genova | Porta Principe |
| Naples | Napoli | Centrale |
| Leghorn | Livorno | Centrale |
| Turin | Torino | Porta Nuova |
Useful Italian for air travel
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
| Where is... | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
| the airport | l'aeroporto | LAHW-ro-port-oh |
| the airplane | l'aereo | LAIR-reh-oh |
| terminal | terminal | TEAR-me-nahl |
| flight | volo | VOH-lo |
| gate | uscita d'imbarco | oo-SHEE-tah deem-BARK-oh |
| to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
| to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
| straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
| keep going straight | sempre diritto | SEM-pray dee-REE-toh |
| departures | partenze | par-TEN-zay |
| arrivals | arrivi | ah-REE-vee |
| delayed | in ritardo | een ree-TAR-doh |
| on time | in orario | een oh-RAH-ree-yo |
| early | in avanti | een ah-VAHN-tee |
| boarding | imbarco | eem-BARK-o |
| connecting flight | la coincidenza | la ko-een-chee-DEN-za |
| check-in | accettazione | ah-chet-ta-zee-YO-nee |
| immigration | controllo passaporti | cone-TRO-lo pah-sa-POR-tee |
| security check | controllo di sicurezza | kohn-TRO-lo dee see-kur-AY-tzah |
| customs | dogana | do-GA-na |
| shuttle | la navetta | lah na-VET-tah |
| boarding pass | carta d'imbarco | kart-ta deem-BARK-o |
| baggage claim | ritiro bagagli | ree-TEER-oh bah-GA-lyee |
| carry-on luggage | bagaglio à mano | bah-GA-lyo ah MA_no |
| checked luggage | bagalio | bah-GA-lyo |
Useful Italian for car travel
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
| car | automobile | ow-toh-MO-bee-lay |
| scooter/motorboke | un motorino | oon mo-tair-EE-no |
| gas station | stazione di servizio | stah-zee-YO-nay dee sair-VEE-tzee-yo |
| gas | benzina | ben-ZEE-nah |
| diesel | gasolio [or] diesel | gah-ZOH-lee-oh [or] DEE-zell |
| Fill it up, please | al pieno, per favore | ahl pee-YAY-noh, pair fa-VOHR-ray |
| Where is... | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
| ...the highway | l'autostrada | lout-oh-STRA-dah |
| ...the state highway | la statale [written "SS"] | lah sta-TAHL-eh |
| ...the road for Rome | la strada per Roma | lah STRA-dah pair RO-mah |
| to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
| to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
| straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
| keep going straight | sempre diritto | SEM-pray dee-REE-toh |
| to cross | attraversare | ah-tra-vair-SAR-ay |
| toll | pedaggio | peh-DA-jo |
| parking | parcheggio | par-KEH-jo |
| road map | carta stradale | kar-ta stra-DA-lay |
| where can I pay the fine? | dove posso pagare la multa | DOH-veh Po-so pag-GAR-ray la MOOL-tah |
Typical road signs / terms » more
| English (anglais) | French (français) |
| Stop | Stop |
| Exit | Uscita |
| Staffic light | Semaforo |
| One-way | Senso unico |
| Dead-end | Strada senza uscita |
| Parking prohibited | No parcheggio or parcheggio proibito |
| Pedestrian zone | Area pedonale |
| Limited Traffic Zone (you pay to drive in) | ZTL or Zona Traffico Limitato |
Basic phrases in Italian
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | pro-nun-see-YAY-shun |
| thank you | grazie | GRAT-tzee-yay |
| please | per favore | pair fa-VOHR-ray |
| yes | si | see |
| no | no | no |
| Do you speak English? | Parla Inglese? | PAR-la een-GLAY-zay |
| I don't understand | Non capisco | non ka-PEESK-koh |
| I'm sorry | Mi dispiace | mee dees-pee-YAT-chay |
| How much is it? | Quanto costa? | KWAN-toh COST-ah |
| That's too much | É troppo | ay TROH-po |
| Good day | Buon giorno | bwohn JOUR-noh |
| Good evening | Buona sera | BWOH-nah SAIR-rah |
| Good night | Buona notte | BWOH-nah NOTE-tay |
| Goodbye | Arrivederci | ah-ree-vah-DAIR-chee |
| Excuse me (to get attention) | Scusi | SKOO-zee |
| Excuse me (to get past someone) | Permesso | pair-MEH-so |
| Where is? | Dov'é | doh-VAY |
| ...the bathroom | il bagno | eel BHAN-yoh |
| ...train station | la ferroviaria | lah fair-o-vee-YAR-ree-yah |
| to the right | à destra | ah DEH-strah |
| to the left | à sinistra | ah see-NEEST-trah |
| straight ahead | avanti [or] diritto | ah-VAHN-tee [or] dee-REE-toh |
| information | informazione | in-for-ma-tzee-OH-nay |
Days, months, and other calendar items in Italian
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
| When is it open? | Quando é aperto? | KWAN-doh ay ah-PAIR-toh |
| When does it close? | Quando si chiude? | KWAN-doh see key-YOU-day |
| At what time... | a che ora | a kay O-rah |
| Yesterday | ieri | ee-YAIR-ee |
| Today | oggi | OH-jee |
| Tomorrow | domani | doh-MAHN-nee |
| Day after tomorrow | dopo domani | DOH-poh doh-MAHN-nee |
| a day | un giorno | oon je-YOR-no |
| Monday | Lunedí | loo-nay-DEE |
| Tuesday | Martedí | mar-tay-DEE |
| Wednesday | Mercoledí | mair-coh-lay-DEE |
| Thursday | Giovedí | jo-vay-DEE |
| Friday | Venerdí | ven-nair-DEE |
| Saturday | Sabato | SAH-baa-toh |
| Sunday | Domenica | doh-MEN-nee-ka |
| Mon-Sat | Feriali | fair-ee-YAHL-ee |
| Sun & holidays | Festivi | feh-STEE-vee |
| Daily | Giornaliere | joor-nahl-ee-YAIR-eh |
| a month | una mese | oon-ah MAY-zay |
| January | gennaio | jen-NAI-yo |
| February | febbraio | feh-BRI-yo |
| March | marzo | MAR-tzoh |
| April | aprile | ah-PREEL-ay |
| May | maggio | MAH-jee-oh |
| June | giugno | JEW-nyoh |
| July | luglio | LOO-lyoh |
| August | agosto | ah-GO-sto |
| September | settembre | set-TEM-bray |
| October | ottobre | oh-TOE-bray |
| November | novembre | no-VEM-bray |
| December | dicembre | de-CHEM-bray |
Numbers in Italian
| English (inglese) | Italian (italiano) | Pro-nun-cee-YAY-shun |
| 1 | uno | OO-no |
| 2 | due | DOO-way |
| 3 | tre | tray |
| 4 | quattro | KWAH-troh |
| 5 | cinque | CHEEN-kway |
| 6 | sei | say |
| 7 | sette | SET-tay |
| 8 | otto | OH-toh |
| 9 | nove | NO-vay |
| 10 | dieci | dee-YAY-chee |
| 11 | undici | OON-dee-chee |
| 12 | dodici | DOH-dee-chee |
| 13 | tredici | TRAY-dee-chee |
| 14 | quattordici | kwa-TOR-dee-chee |
| 15 | quindici | KWEEN-dee-chee |
| 16 | sedici | SAY-dee-chee |
| 17 | diciasette | dee-chee-ya-SET-tay |
| 18 | diciotto | dee-CHO-toh |
| 19 | diciannove | dee-chee-ya-NO-vay |
| 20 | venti | VENT-tee |
| 21* | vent'uno* | vent-OO-no |
| 22* | venti due* | VENT-tee DOO-way |
| 23* | venti tre* | VENT-tee TRAY |
| 30 | trenta | TRAYN-tah |
| 40 | quaranta | kwa-RAHN-tah |
| 50 | cinquanta | cheen-KWAN-tah |
| 60 | sessanta | say-SAHN-tah |
| 70 | settanta | seh-TAHN-tah |
| 80 | ottanta | oh-TAHN-tah |
| 90 | novanta | no-VAHN-tah |
| 100 | cento | CHEN-toh |
| 1,000 | mille | MEEL-lay |
| 5,000 | cinque milla | CHEEN-kway MEEL-lah |
| 10,000 | dieci milla | dee-YAY-chee MEEL-lah |
* You can use this formula for all Italian ten-place numbers—so 31 is trent'uno, 32 is trenta due, 33 is trenta tre, etc. Note that—like uno (one), otto (eight) also starts with a vowel—all "-8" numbers are also abbreviated (vent'otto, trent'otto, etc.).
