RomaPolacchi

A friend who is taking a day trip to Rome recently asked me what he should see. What a tough question-you could spend a day in Rome just getting lost! But if your time is limited there are a few sites that you can easily do in one day and feel as if you have seen a lot. To start, I would visit the Roman Forum . Try to get there when the doors open or just before they close so that you can avoid the crowds. If you have time and you haven't seen it before, pop into the Colosseum . I would also visit the Capitoline Museum . It has recently been remodeled and the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is on view in a spectacular gallery. The basement exhibit, with its fascinating collection of inscriptions, takes you out to the Tabularium to a gorgeous view of the Forum that I think you shouldn't miss. After your morning in Ancient Rome, walk over to Piazza Navona  (walk through the Jewish Ghetto and Campo dei Fiori to get there) for a light lunch and a few glasses of wine at Cul d...

Almost 550 years ago, the great painter Fra Angelico died and left a prolific body of paintings to the Renaissance world. These paintings have since been scattered to the four winds but the Capitoline Museum in Rome has gathered many of them together again for a special exhibition entitled Beato Angelico (The Blessed Angelico). On display will be triptychs, miniatures and even workshop pieces never before seen by the public. The exhibit runs through July 5th, so don't miss your chance to experience this early Renaissance artist's work.

On loan to the Capitoline Museum from the Palazzo Ducale in Mantua is the famous marble sculpture of Apollo . This work of art, probably dating back to the time of Hadrian , will be exhibited in Rome until January 6th of 2009. Don't miss the opportunity to see this intriguing antiquity!

Mussolini may have been a despot, but he did initiate the excavations which uncovered a vast majority of the ancient ruins you see in Rome today-the Forum and Markets of Trajan, the Forum of Augustus (pictured), the Forum of Nerva and the Forum of Caesar. While some might argue that Mussolini's Via dei Fori Imperiali (the road that runs from the Piazza Venezia to the Colosseum ) effectively severed the Imperial Forums in two-not exactly what the Romans intended-his program of excavations did make these amazing ruins accessible to everyone. You ca n learn more about Mussolini's excavation program at the Capitoline Museum until November 23rd. The exhibition, titled "L'invenzione dei Fori Imperiali. Demolizioni e scavi: 1924-1940 (The invention of the Imperial Fora. Demolition and excavations: 1924-1940)" highlights photos, paintings and artifacts from these excavations.

The Capitoline Museum should not be missed. Nor should the cafe atop the museum, which affords the visitor a lovely view of Rome's domes and a welcome break from the madness below. The cafe is situated upon a terrace populated with trees and greenery. You won't ever want to leave this beautiful spot.

Rome is a juxtaposition of the ancient world and the 21st century. Intermingled with ruins and Baroque churches are cell phones, motorini and stilleto heels. Never is the contrast more evident, and more harmonious, than at the Museo Centrale Montemartini . The museum is a former electrictricity plant which now houses an impressive collection of Greek and Roman sculpture. You will fascinated by the contrast of white marble against diesel engines and turbines. The Museo Centrale Montemartini is not to be missed! You can get there by taking the Metro Line B to Piramide. The Museum is located on Via Ostiense, a short walk from the Metro stop. Admission to Centrale Montemartini also pays for admission to the Capitoline Museums within a 7 day period.

The Capitoline Museum , located on the Campidoglio, a piazza designed by Michelangelo and the site of the religious center of ancient Rome, was revonovated in the first years of the 21st century. The recent renovation has revealed the foundations of the Roman temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus and has provided access to one of the most spectacular views of the Roman Forum. The original equestrian bronze statue of the emperor Marcus Aurelius is now housed in its own air-conditioned gallery, which protects the delicate bronze from decomposition-and makes the gallery a welcome spot for the weary summer tourist! A copy of the bronze Marcus Aurelius is on display outside in the center of the piazza. Don't forget to visit the fragments of the colossal statue of the emperor Constantine located in the courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori and the famous Capitoline Wolf, the ubiquitous symbol of Rome. Capitoline Museum