Not only the Colosseum, the Mouth of Truth and the Vittoriano, there are some secret places in Rome all to discover… Here are some interesting trips to take in the city if you’re tired of seeing the same tourist attractions over and over again.
The hidden window on the Aventine Hill
Get to the basilica of Santa Sabina, one of the most beautiful and ancient basilicas in Rome, and access it through the side entrance. Following the corridor, you will come to a small oval window. From this hole in the wall you can see the orange tree from the convent of Santa Sabina, which apparently was the first to be transplanted to Italy, thanks to the seed transported by St. Dominic from Spain. This tree is considered miraculous because it continues to bear fruit after centuries. Today it is one of the oldest in Europe!
Lapis Diaboli
Also in the basilica of Santa Sabina you can admire “the devil’s stone.” Crossing the threshold, on the left you will see a black stone on a small column. According to the legend about the Lapis Diaboli, Satan threw a stone at St. Dominic to interrupt his prayers. The stone, however, did not hit the saint but broke a sepulchral slab. After being reassembled, the stone showed holes and scratches (demonic?).
The Tower of the Monkey
A few steps from Piazza Navona, at 31 Via dei Pianellari, we find the monkey tower. Why this name? According to legend, a monkey kidnapped an infant from its cradle and carried it to the top of this tower. The terrified parents prayed to the Virgin to save him. In fact, if you notice correctly, there is still a statue of Our Lady at the top with a lamp illuminating it at night.
The hidden clock
Did you know that there is a water clock in the park of Villa Borghese? Yes, in the avenue of the clock you can unearth the creation of the Dominican friar Giovanni Battista Embriaco dating back to 1867, made by the Granaglia brothers. Its operation is peculiar: the hands move thanks to the water inside the two basins. Since 1873 this clock has been located in the Roman park.
The underground ponds
A short distance from the Colosseum, we find underground ponds. It is fascinating to discover such a mysterious place, since even today we still do not know for sure how these pools of water were formed. To visit them, you need to book a visit with Roma Sotterranea.
The labyrinth underground
In the Caffarella Park you can visit the capital’s largest underground labyrinth, where pozzolan was once mined and in more recent years mushrooms were grown. Excursions are organized by the Sotterranei di Roma association with an expert guide.
The Mosque of Rome
Did you know that Rome has the largest Islamic place of worship? It is located in the Parioli neighborhood and can be visited for free. It is a space featuring beautiful modern architecture, a prayer hall and geometric mosaics. Before you go to Viale della Moschea 85, we recommend that you inquire about openings by writing to gtmaktaba@gmail.com.