Free Rome Attractions

The reputation of this church rests largely on a trio of paintings by the master Caravaggio, depicting the life of St Matthew. They attract a large number of visitors due to the excellent use of light and shade. Although admission to the church is free, dropping a coin into the special box will cause the paintings to be illuminated.

San Luigi dei Francesi was built as the National Church of France in Rome between 1518-89. This is evident from the exterior statues which portray Charlemagne, St Louis and St Jeanne of Valois among other French heroes. The interior is also richly decorated with a superb ceiling by Domenichino and there is an ornate Merklin organ.

The church was built by Domenico Fontana, and Catherine de Medici stepped in to ensure its completion after Rome was sacked in 1527. The site had been owned by the monks of the Abbey of Farfa, who escaped to Rome after their abbey was burned by the Saracens in 898.

One of the most iconic buildings in the world, this impressive structure has been standing for almost two thousand years. The name means “Temple dedicated to all the gods” but since the 7th century it has been used as a Roman Catholic church. After entering through the vast pillars at the front, you can take in the magnificent dome with its hole at the top, which lets in natural light. Known as the oculus, any rain that falls through is dealt with by the drainage system in the floor.

Although the inscription on the front states that it was built by Marcus Agrippa, the current form of the temple was constructed by Hadrian, who retained the facade after the rest of the building was destroyed. It is actually the third incarnation of the Pantheon after the first two were gutted by fire.

The building has been used as a tomb since the Renaissance period, and houses the remains of the painter Raphael among many others. It is still in use as a church today.

This church was built in the 5th century to contain the chains which bound St Peter, both those from Jerusalem when he was held by Herod and the Roman ones when he was imprisoned by Nero. The chains are thought to have fused together miraculously. While these are a moving sight, another huge draw for the church is a masterpiece by Michelangelo, the statue of Moses which adorns the incomplete tomb of Pope Julius II. This well-loved statue portrays Moses with horns, intended to imply that his face shone with the radiance of the Lord; the Hebrew words for “beams of light” and “horns” are very similar.

The basilica contains several other interesting artworks including the ceiling fresco by Parodi depicting the fusing of the chains, dating from 1706. There is a stunning mosaic of St Sebastian from the seventh century, and the highly unusual and ornate tomb to Cardinal Aldobrandini, featuring the motif of the Grim Reaper.

No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to this brilliantly elaborate fountain, with its statues and tumbling water pouring into a pool full of coins. The story goes that if you throw in a coin, you are sure to return to Rome.

The fountain occupies a surprisingly small space at the junction of three alleys. It was completed in 1762, after over a hundred years of designs and plans to replace the earlier fountain, a project that was initiated by Pope Urban VIII in 1629. Oceanus, the god of water, stands at the centre of the fountain, flanked by the goddesses Abundance and Salubrity.

It is a highly popular spot to sit and watch the world go by, and is also well worth visiting at night when the fountain is beautifully lit. Behind the fountain is the Palazzo Poli, which has Oceanus standing in its central arch.

The most famous church in Rome and the centre of the Vatican (link), St Peter’s Basilica stands in the vast Piazza San Pietro (link). It is one of the most important Catholic sites in the world and it is from here that the Pope delivers sermons to huge crowds in the Piazza.

The basilica is reputed to contain the remains of St Peter, the first Pope, below its altar. The tomb was excavated in the 20th century. The present church was built between 1506-1626, replacing the earlier 4th century basilica. Among those involved in the new church’s design were Michelangelo and Donato Bramante. The famous dome is an iconic image of Rome’s skyline. For a small fee, you can ascend the dome for breathtaking views across the city.

The basilica itself is built to enormous proportions, and there are a large number of chapels inside dedicated to various saints. The interior is fabulously decorated with marble, gold leaf, reliefs and sculpture.

Rome has a splendid array of squares or piazzas with wonderful architecture, fountains, and many other features. Undoubtedly the most famous of these is the Piazza San Pietro (St Peter’s Square) in the Vatican (link), in front of St Peter’s Basilica (link), which is packed to capacity during Papal addresses. At the centre of the square is a 4400-year-old Egyptian obelisk standing 25.5 metres tall.

There is also the Piazza di Spagna from which you can ascend the Spanish Steps (link). The Piazza del Campidoglio sits atop Capitoline Hill and is the seat of the Italian government and the Capitoline Museums (link). Here you will also find the statue of the she-wolf nursing the twins Romulus and Remus who founded Rome.

Piazza Venezia is the home of magnificent palaces such as Palazzo Venezia and Palazzo Bonaparte (home of Napoleon’s mother), as well as the imposing monument of Victor Emanuel II.

The directions below refer to Piazza San Pietro.