The circus remained in use until 549.The Circus still occasionally entertains the Romans, it is often used for live concerts and meetings.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Cosmedin
The famous 'Bocca della Verita' is in the portico of the church. The Bocca della Verita (the mouth of truth) is a great stone mask with a gaping mouth.Legend has it that anyone who lies while their hand is in its mouth will have it bitten off.
Across the road are two well preserved Roman temples to Ercole and Portuno.
Pacro degli Aranchi (Parco Savello)
This small park is lined with orange trees and offers a magnificent panoramic view over the Tiber river and Rome.
The church dates from the 10th century. Cosmati marble work from the 13th century decorate the main floor. In the portico are some interesting examples of how imperial-era marble was recycled.
A look through the keyhole in the great door to the priory of the Knights of Malta offers a charming surprise.
Built in travertine marble about 18 BC -12 BC as a tomb for the
magistrate Gaius Cestius Epulo. It was incorporated into the Aurelian
walls when these were erected between 271 and 275. The city-wall
gate Porta San Paolo next to the Pyramid is also very beauitiful and
houses a small museum.
Shelly wrote of this cemetery "it might make one in love with death to think that one should be buried in so sweet a place". John Keats, Percy & Mary Shelly and Goethe are buried here, and the shady cemetery offers timeless views of the Pyramid and Aurelian wall. (see protestantcemetry.it)
Construction of these walls was started by Emperor Aurelian in 271 and completed by his successor Probus in 275. It stretches 19 km around the city with 18 main gates and 383 towers. In the 4th century Emperor Maxentius raised the wall to almost double its height. Most of the wall survives to this day.
The beautiful doorway (1205) is by Giacomo, father of Cosma, the founder of the famous marble inlay makers.
The floor is covered by some 1st century A.D. Roman black-and-white mosaics. The apse is decorated with a big mannerist painting of the 16th century.
The Baths of Caracalla were Roman public baths built between AD 212 and 216 and were used for 300 years until the Goth invaders cut the aqueduct and thus water supplies. The huge complex covered 13 hectares and could accommodate up to 1600 bathers , who could enjoy richly decorated steam rooms, swimming pools, gymnasiums, libraries, shops and gardens.
Open Tue - Sun between 9.00-one hour before sunset (Monday from 9 am to 2 pm). Admission
€ 6,00 valid 7 days for 3 sites: Terme di Caracalla, Villa dei Quintili, Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella. Call-06 39967700 or visit www.pierreci.it for up to date information.
From the broad stairway you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Palatine.
The portico dates from the 12th century and is embellished by columns of Roman origin. The altar is built over a bath, which holds the remains of the two martyrs. The apse is frescoed with Christ in Glory (1588) by Cristoforo Roncalli. Excavations beneath this church have revealed Roman houses of the first and second centuries used as places of Christian worship.
The bell tower is typical of many medieval churches in Rome. The tower is decorated with ceramic dishes from Spain (at the time under the Moors) and is decorated with inscriptions dedicated to Allah.
The aqueduct was built by Emperor Claudius in 52 AD and supplied water to the Palatine hill. The aqueduct entered the city from Porta Maggiore, and its arches can can be seen at many points, woven into the city's fabric, as it passes San Giovanni and over Via Clivo Scauro and Via San Gregorio onto the Palatine.