Hidden gems of rome: a guide to exploring the city’s secret places

rome is a city rich in history and culture, with a unique artistic and architectural heritage. however, many tourists only focus on the most famous places, neglecting the exploration of the city’s hidden gems. in this guide, we will show you some of the most interesting and lesser-known secret places to see in rome.

casina delle civette

located in the park of villa torlonia, the casina delle civette is a small liberty-style villa characterized by a facade decorated with stained glass windows and mosaics. the villa was built in 1883 as a summer residence for the banker giovanni torlonia and housed a large collection of works of art. today, the casina delle civette is open to the public as a museum and offers a unique opportunity to admire the late 1800s architecture and liberty art.

centrale montemartini

the centrale montemartini is an old power plant transformed into a modern art museum. the museum houses a collection of sculptures and ancient works of art, including roman and greek statues, which were found during rome’s archaeological excavations. the uniqueness of this museum is its location, where ancient works of art are displayed alongside industrial machinery and vintage generators.

galleria sciarra

the galleria sciarra is a historic building located in the heart of rome, along the corso. the palace, built in 1888, is famous for its liberty-style decoration and its impressive marble staircase. the gallery is open to the public only on special occasions, but it’s worth visiting it to admire its architecture and panoramic view of the city.

antica farmacia di santa maria della scala

this pharmacy, located inside the homonymous hospital, is a hidden treasure in rome. the pharmacy was founded in 1612, and inside you can still see the original furnishings and medicines of the era, including medicinal herbs, spices, and alchemy. the pharmacy is open to the public only on special occasions, but it offers a unique opportunity to discover the history of medicine and pharmacology in rome.

anamorphosis of the convent of trinità dei monti

anamorphosis is an optical art that consists of projecting a distorted image onto a curved surface. in the convent of trinità dei monti, located at the top of the famous spanish steps, there is an anamorphosis of the holy face of christ. the anamorphosis is visible only from a specific point on the staircase and offers a unique visual experience.

pincio water clock

this clock is another hidden curiosity in rome, located in piazza del popolo. the water clock, built in 1867, is powered by a hydraulic system and shows the time through a series of figures that move based on the water flowing. the clock was restored in 2018 and is now possible to admire it in function.

alchemical door of piazza vittorio

the alchemical door is a hidden art piece located in piazza vittorio. the door, created by artist graziano cecchini, is decorated with alchemical symbols and represents the transformation of matter. the door is open only on special occasions, but it’s worth looking for it to admire its art and symbolism.

villa torlonia bunker

the villa torlonia bunker is another hidden curiosity in rome. built during world war ii, the bunker was used as an air-raid shelter by the torlonia family. today the bunker is open to the public as a museum and offers a unique opportunity to discover the history of war and everyday life in rome during the conflict.

conclusion

these are just some of the hidden gems of rome that are worth visiting to discover another side of the eternal city. rome is full of surprises and lesser-known places that offer a unique and unforgettable experience. we recommend booking a luxury apartment through our website to have the opportunity to comfortably explore these secret places and discover the hidden treasures of the eternal city.