Vatican City Things to Do

Located between the Via Appia Nuova and the Via Tuscolana, this is an excellent spot for photographs. The surroundings are dominated by the remains of three aqueducts: the Marcius aqueduct dating back to 140 BCE, the Claudius a... more

This little fountain, somewhat hidden behind the flocks of scooters that surround it, was dubbed Babuino because of the ugliness of the statue that represents a Sileno with his bagpipe. It was erected during the papacy of Grego... more

The fountain was built in Ripetta port in 1704 and called the "navigator's fountain" because of its position close to the port. It was designed by Alessandro Specchi in an oval form decorated with marine motifs: one can easily... more

The Passetto, also known as the Borgo Corridor, is a long and winding passage that connects the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo. It was conceived by Pope Boniface IX and restored by John XXIII who understood the importance of the... more

Domitilla's catacombs are part of a vast funereal complex, a necropolis that contains monuments from the 1st century BC. Santa Petronilla and the martyrs Nereo and Achilleo are buried in this area. The bodies of the two martyrs... more

This tower is an important example of medieval civil architecture. It was built in the 13th Century, although legend has it that it was where Emperor Nero watched the fire of Rome. It was constructed by the powerful Conti di Se... more

Porta San Sebastiano was originally known as Porta Appia but has also had other names in the past. It was built by Aurelian in 275 CE and renovated by various emperors and popes over the centuries. Today it is one of the best o... more

This fountain is quite a curiosity due to its design: a niche containing the head of a deer (the old emblem of the district) among four enormous books, two on the left and two on the right. In two of these books are bookmarks s... more

Alongside the steps of Aracoeli are the remains of this "apartment block" built about 2000 years ago, providing homes for poorer people who lived in difficult conditions. Just the first six floors of the construction can be see... more

Palazzo Ruspoli was the residence of a noble Roman family who acquired it in the second half of the 17th Century and still own it. It was built in the second half of the 16th Century, designed by Bartolomeo Ammannati for a Flor... more