Page 114 - Lonely Planet Europe’s Best Trips (Travel Guide)

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Largo di Torre Argentina
Start in Largo di Torre Argentina, a
busy square easily reached by bus. In its
sunken central area, the Republican-era
STRETCH templesdate to between the 2nd and 4th
centuries BC. On the piazza’s western
YOUR LEGS flank, Teatro Argentina, Rome’s premier
theatre, stands near the spot where
Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC.
ROME The Walk » From the square, head east along
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II to Piazza del Gesù.
Chiesa del Gesù
The landmark Chiesa del Gesù (www.
chiesadelgesu.org; Piazza del Gesù; h7am-
12.30pm & 4-7.45pm, St Ignatius rooms 4-6pm
Start/Finish: Largo di Torre Mon-Sat, 10am-noon Sun) is Rome’s most im-
Argentina portant Jesuit church. Behind its impos-
ing facade is an awe-inspiring baroque
Distance: 1.7km interior. Headline works include the
swirling vault fresco by Il Baciccia and
Duration: Three hours Andrea del Pozzo’s opulent tomb for
Ignatius Loyola, the Jesuits’ founder.
The Walk » Cross Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
and follow Via del Gesù north. Then turn left onto
The best way to explore Rome’s Via Santa Caterina da Siena.
historic centre, much of which is Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra
closed to unauthorised traffic, is Minerva
on foot. Park near Stazione Termini, Trumpeted by Bernini’s much-loved
Elefantino statue, this basilica (www.
then head into the centre by bus. As santamariasopraminerva.it; Piazza della Minerva
you walk you’ll discover picturesque 42; h7.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 7.30am-12.30pm &
3.30-7pm Sat, 8am-12.30pm & 3.30-7pm Sun) is
cobbled lanes, showboating piazzas, Rome’s only Gothic church. However, lit-
basilicas and ancient ruins. tle remains of the original 13th-century
structure and these days the main draw-
card is a minor Michelangelo sculpture
and its colourful, art-rich interior.
The Walk » From the basilica, it’s an easy stroll
up Via della Minerva to Piazza della Rotonda.
Pantheon
A remarkable 2000-year-old temple, now
church, the Pantheon (www.pantheon
roma.com; Piazza della Rotonda; h8.30am-
7.30pm Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm Sun) is the best
Take this walk on Trips preserved of Rome’s ancient monuments.
Built by Hadrian over Marcus Agrippa’s
12 earlier 27 BC temple, it has stood since
around AD 125. t’s an exhilarating

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