Exploring the hidden gems off the beaten path of Rome

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2023
Reading Time: 12 minutes
By: Shaun

Rome is one of the most beautiful and popular cities in the world, with a rich history and culture that span over two millennia. It’s a place where you can admire some of the most iconic landmarks of humanity, such as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and the Trevi Fountain.

But Rome is also a city that has many hidden gems, secret spots, and off-the-beaten-path attractions that most tourists never see. These are places that reveal a different side of Rome, a more authentic, quirky, or surprising one. They are places can make your trip to Rome even more memorable and rewarding even if you are visiting for the first time.

Why visit Rome’s hidden gems?

There are many reasons why you should visit Rome’s hidden gems, besides avoiding the crowds and lines that often plague the main attractions.

• You can discover some amazing artworks, architecture, and history that are not widely known or appreciated.
• You can get a deeper insight into Rome’s culture, identity, and spirit.
• You can have a more personal and intimate experience of Rome, away from the noise and chaos of the city.
• You can feel like a local, or at least like a savvy traveller who knows how to find Rome’s best-kept secrets.

How to find Rome’s hidden gems?

Finding Rome’s hidden gems is not always easy, but it’s definitely worth it. Here are some tips on how to find them:

• Do some research before you go. Read blogs (that is why you are here, right?), articles, guides, or books that feature some of Rome’s lesser-known attractions. You can also use Google Maps or other apps to locate them on a map.
• Ask locals for recommendations. They might know some places that are not in any guidebook or website. You can also join a walking tour or a food tour with a local guide who can show you some hidden spots along the way.
• Be curious and adventurous. Sometimes you can stumble upon a hidden gem by chance, just by wandering around the city and exploring its streets and alleys. Look for signs, plaques, doors, or windows that might lead you to something interesting.

Which are some examples of hidden gems in Rome?

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj | Image by Anthony Majanlahti on Flickr

Palazzo Doria Pamphilj is one of Rome’s most stunning private art collections, housed in a magnificent 17th-century palace. It belongs to the Doria Pamphilj family, one of the oldest and most noble families in Italy, who still live in part of the palace.

The collection includes paintings by masters such as Caravaggio, Raphael, Titian, Velazquez, Bernini, and many others. You can admire them in lavishly decorated rooms that showcase the splendour and elegance of the Roman aristocracy.

The Gallery of Mirrors and the Throne Room

Two of the most impressive rooms in Palazzo Doria Pamphilj are the Gallery of Mirrors and the Throne Room.

The Gallery of Mirrors is a long corridor lined with mirrors on both sides, creating the illusion of infinite space. It was inspired by the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles and was designed to impress visitors with its opulence and grandeur.

The Throne Room is where the Doria Pamphilj family received guests and held ceremonies. It features a majestic throne covered with red velvet and gold embroidery, surrounded by portraits of family members and ancestors. It also has a beautiful ceiling fresco depicting Jupiter bestowing honours on the family.

Galleria Sciarra

Galleria Sciarra | Image by L'amande on Wikimedia Commons

Galleria Sciarra is one of Rome’s hidden Art Nouveau masterpieces. It’s located in a courtyard behind an inconspicuous door on Via Marco Minghetti, near Piazza Venezia.

It was built at the end of the 19th century as a commercial arcade by Prince Maffeo Sciarra Colonna di Carbognano. He commissioned Giuseppe Cellini to decorate it with colourful frescoes depicting allegorical scenes of women’s virtues.

The allegorical frescoes of women’s virtues

The frescoes that adorn Galleria Sciarra are stunning examples of Art Nouveau style, with graceful curves, floral motifs, and pastel colours. They represent different aspects of women’s qualities, such as grace, loyalty, wisdom, charity, modesty, courage, etc.

Each fresco has a caption in Italian that explains its meaning. For example:

• “La Grazia è il fiore della bellezza” (Grace is the flower of beauty).
• “La Fedeltà è la gemma dell’amore” (Loyalty is the gem of love).
• “La Sapienza è la luce della mente” (Wisdom is the light of the mind).

Galleria Sciarra is a hidden gem that celebrates women’s empowerment and beauty in a unique way.

The Capuchin Crypt

Capuchin Crypt | Image by Kent Wang on Flickr

The Capuchin Crypt is one of Rome’s most macabre attractions. It’s located under the church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on Via Veneto.

It consists of six small chapels decorated with thousands of human bones belonging to Capuchin monks who died between 1528 and 1870. The bones are arranged in various patterns and designs, creating chandeliers, arches, crosses, skulls, etc.

The message of the Capuchin monks

The Capuchin Crypt is not meant to be a morbid or gruesome display. Rather, it’s intended to convey a message about life and death from a Christian perspective.

The crypt has a sign that reads, “What you are now, we used to be; what we are now, you will be.” It reminds visitors that life is short and transient and that they should focus on their spiritual values rather than their worldly ones.

The crypt also expresses the Capuchin monks’ belief in resurrection and eternal life. They considered their bodies mere vessels that would be reunited with their souls in heaven.

Vicus Caprarius (The Water City)

Vicus Caprarius | Image by Andrea Gennari on Flickr

Vicus Caprarius is an ancient Roman neighbourhood that lies under a modern building on Via del Corso. It was discovered in 1999 during excavations for a cinema complex.

It dates back to the 1st century BC and was part of Campus Martius, an area dedicated to military exercises and public ceremonies. It was later abandoned after a fire in 64 AD.

The remains of a Roman aqueduct and a fountain

Vicus Caprarius is also known as “The Water City” because it contains part of an ancient Roman aqueduct called Aqua Virgo (Virgin Water). This aqueduct was built by Marcus Agrippa in 19 BC to supply water to his baths and fountains.

One of these fountains was the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), which still stands today as one of Rome’s most famous landmarks. You can see where the Trevi Fountain gets its water by visiting Vicus Caprarius.

Centrale Montemartini

Musei Capitolini Centrale Montemartini | Image by Carole Raddato on Wikimedia Commons

Centrale Montemartini is a former power plant turned into a museum. It’s located on Via Ostiense, near the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

It was inaugurated in 1912 as the first public electricity plant in Rome. It was decommissioned in 1963 and later converted into a museum in 1997.

The contrast between ancient sculptures and industrial machinery

Centrale Montemartini is a unique museum that showcases the contrast between ancient and modern, classical and industrial, art and technology.

It displays over 400 ancient Roman sculptures, mosaics, and inscriptions from the collections of the Capitoline Museums. They are arranged among the old turbines, boilers, engines, and pipes of the power plant.

The result is a striking and fascinating juxtaposition of different eras and styles. You can admire the beauty and elegance of marble statues next to the power and functionality of metal machines.

The Aventine Keyhole

Aventine Keyhole | Image by Galen Crout on Wikimedia Commons

The Aventine Keyhole is one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. It’s located on Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta, on top of the Aventine Hill.

It’s a small keyhole on a green door that belongs to the Villa del Priorato di Malta, the headquarters of the Knights of Malta, a Catholic religious order.

A secret view of St. Peter’s Basilica

The Aventine Keyhole offers a secret and stunning view of St. Peter’s Basilica. If you peek through the keyhole, you can see a perfectly framed view of the dome of the basilica, surrounded by trees and flowers.

The view is so precise and symmetrical that it seems like it was designed on purpose. However, it was actually a coincidence, as the keyhole was not meant to be a tourist attraction.

The keyhole is also a symbol of the sovereignty of the Knights of Malta, who have their own flag, stamps, coins, and passports. They are considered a sovereign entity by the Vatican, even though they don’t have any territory.

Quartiere Coppedè

Quartiere Coppedè | Image by Andrea Bertozzi on Wikimedia Commons

Quartiere Coppedè is one of Rome’s most whimsical and enchanting neighbourhoods. It’s located between Via Salaria and Via Nomentana, in the Trieste district.

It was designed by architect Gino Coppedè between 1913 and 1926. He created a complex of buildings that combine different styles and influences, such as Art Nouveau, Baroque, Gothic, Mediaeval, and Renaissance.

The eclectic mix of styles and influences

Quartiere Coppedè is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the imagination. It features colourful facades, ornate balconies, elaborate windows, whimsical sculptures, and surprising details.

You can see references to mythology, fairy tales, history, literature, and art. For example:

• The Fountain of the Frogs (Fontana delle Rane) is inspired by the Beatles’ concert at Shea Stadium in 1965.
• The Palazzo del Ragno (Spider Palace) has a spider web motif on its facade and a spider sculpture on its roof.
• The Villino delle Fate (House of the Fairies) has scenes from Snow White and Cinderella painted on its walls.
• The Arch of Peace (Arco della Pace) has symbols of peace and war from different cultures and religions.

Quartiere Coppedè is a hidden gem that transports you to a fantasy world in the middle of Rome.

The Protestant Cemetery

Protestant Cemetery | Image by Sjaak Kempe on Wikimedia Commons

The Protestant Cemetery (also known as the Non-Catholic Cemetery or the Cemetery of Testaccio) is one of Rome’s most peaceful and poetic places. It’s located near the Pyramid of Cestius, an ancient Roman tomb that dates back to 12 BC.

It was established in 1738 as a burial place for foreigners who were not allowed to be buried in Catholic cemeteries. It’s still in use today and contains over 4,000 graves.

The graves of famous poets and artists

The Protestant Cemetery is famous for being the final resting place of some renowned poets and artists who lived or died in Rome. Some of the most notable are:

• John Keats (1795–1821), an English Romantic poet who died of tuberculosis at age 25. The grave has no name, only an epitaph that reads: “Here lies one whose name was writ in water.”
• Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792–1822), another English Romantic poet who was a friend of Keats He drowned in a boating accident at age 29. His grave has a quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest: “Nothing of him that doth fade / But doth suffer a sea-change / Into something rich and strange.”
• Joseph Severn (1793–1879), an English painter who accompanied Keats to Rome and nursed him until his death He was also buried next to him.
• Antonio Gramsci (1891–1937), an Italian Marxist philosopher and politician who was imprisoned by Mussolini’s regime He died shortly after his release due to poor health. His grave has a simple inscription: “Antonio Gramsci 1891–1937.”
• William Wetmore Story (1819–1895), an American sculptor who created the Angel of Grief statue for his wife’s grave. He died a year later and was buried next to her.
• Gregory Corso (1930–2001), an American Beat poet who chose to be buried near his idols Keats and Shelley. His grave has a self-written epitaph that reads: “Spirit / is Life / It flows thru / the death of me / endlessly / like a river / unafraid / of becoming / the sea.”

The Protestant Cemetery is a hidden gem that offers a serene and inspiring atmosphere in the heart of Rome.

San Pietro in Vincoli

Interior of San Pietro in Vincoli | Image by Livioandronico2013 on Wikimedia Commons

San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains) is a church that houses one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces: Moses. It’s located on Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, near the Colosseum.

It was built in the 5th century to preserve two chains that were believed to have bound St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem and Rome. According to legend, when Pope Leo I compared the two chains, they miraculously fused together.

Michelangelo’s Moses

Michelangelo’s Moses is one of his most impressive sculptures. It was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1505 as part of his tomb project. However, due to various delays and interruptions, Michelangelo only completed Moses and two other statues for the tomb, which was eventually placed in San Pietro in Vincoli in 1545.

Moses depicts the biblical figure holding the tablets of the Ten Commandments after descending from Mount Sinai. He has a powerful expression and posture, as well as horns on his head. The horns are based on a mistranslation of the Hebrew word for “rays of light” that described Moses’ face after speaking with God.

Moses is one of Michelangelo’s most realistic and expressive sculptures, showing his genius and skill as an artist.

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi

Interior of San Luigi dei Francesi | Image by NikonZ7II on Wikimedia Commons

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi (St. Louis of the French) is a Baroque treasure with paintings by Caravaggio. It’s located on Via Santa Giovanna d’Arco, near Piazza Navona.

It was built in 1589 as the national church of France in Rome. It’s dedicated to St. Louis IX, the king of France who led two crusades in the 13th century. It also contains relics of other French saints, such as St. Denis and St. Clotilde.

The three scenes from the life of St. Matthew

The Church of San Luigi dei Francesi is famous for hosting three paintings by Caravaggio, one of Italy’s most influential painters. They are located in the Contarelli Chapel, which was commissioned by Cardinal Matteo Contarelli to honor St. Matthew, his namesake patron saint.

The paintings depict three scenes from St. Matthew’s life: his calling by Jesus, his writing of his gospel, and his martyrdom by an Ethiopian king.

The paintings are remarkable for their dramatic use of light and shadow, their realistic portrayal of people and emotions, and their innovative perspective and composition.

They are considered some of Caravaggio’s finest works and some of Rome’s hidden gems.

Conclusion

Rome is a city that never ceases to amaze and delight its visitors with its beauty, history, culture, and art. But beyond its famous attractions, there are many hidden gems that await discovery by those who seek them out.

These hidden gems offer a different perspective on Rome, a more authentic, quirky, or surprising one. They are places that can enrich your trip to Rome and make it even more memorable and rewarding.

So next time you visit Rome, don’t miss these off-the-beaten-path attractions that will make you fall in love with Rome even more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get to these hidden gems in Rome?

You can get to most of these hidden gems by public transportation, such as buses or metro trains. You can also walk or bike around Rome, as it's not very big. You can also join guided tours or rent audio guides that will take you to some of these places.

When is the best time to visit these hidden gems in Rome?

The best time to visit these hidden gems is during weekdays or off-season months, when there are fewer tourists and crowds. You can also check the opening hours and days of each place, as some of them might be closed on certain days or times.

How much does it cost to visit these hidden gems in Rome?

The cost of visiting these hidden gems varies depending on the place. Some of them are free, such as the Aventine Keyhole, the Protestant Cemetery, and the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi. Some of them have a small entrance fee, such as Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, the Capuchin Crypt, Vicus Caprarius, and Centrale Montemartini. Some of them have a suggested donation, such as San Pietro in Vincoli and Quartiere Coppedè. You can also buy a combined ticket or a Roma Pass that will give you access to multiple attractions at a discounted price.

How long does it take to visit these hidden gems in Rome?

The time it takes to visit these hidden gems depends on your interest and pace. You can spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour or more at each place. You can also combine several places in one day or spread them out over several days. You can use this article as a guide to plan your itinerary and make the most of your time in Rome.

What are some other hidden gems in Rome that are not mentioned in this article?

There are many other hidden gems in Rome that are not mentioned in this article, like the Appian Way, the Domus Aurea, Palazzo Barberini, the Basilica of San Clemente, and last but not least, the Borghese Gallery.