The majesty of ruins in Rome from the Baths of Caracalla to Ponte Rotto

The majesty of ruins in Rome from the Baths of Caracalla to Ponte Rotto

Many artists and architects through the centuries, fell under the silent, timeless fascination of Roman ancient ruins; some of them are still amazingly eloquent and allow you to feel the vibration of the spaces they used to be.
A private guided tour will lead you to discover the astonishing remains of the Baths of Caracalla, one of the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, then the massive traces of Circus Maximus, an enormous arena meant for horse races and now hosting premium musical and sportive events. Close by, an ancient church will disclose on e of its treasures: the Mouth of Truth, an iconic graven mask which seems to be able to spot lies...
At the end of it all, surrounded by these stately witnesses of the past, you will enjoy the freshest of Roman delicacies: grattachecca, an ice granita with a wide range of delicious flavors.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 52, 00153 Rome Italy

These public baths, built between 212 and 216 A.D., were the largest ever built in the Roman Empire until the construction of the Baths of Diocletian. Despite of several restorations between the 4th and the 5th century, the baths underwent a period of decay in the medieval age, when they were used as a quarry for building materials and even as a housing site, like many buildings of the Imperial age.
Following the excavations, begun in the 16th century, many of their art treasures were recovered; today, the baths are one of the most visited archaeological sites in Rome and a location for appealing events, like the Opera season in Rome.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Circus Maximus, Via del Circo Massimo, 00186 Rome Italy

Even though this wide area between Aventine and Palatine hills had been probably used for ritual and leisure purposes since the origins of Rome, the first permanent brick structures were built between the 2nd and the 1st century B.C.. Later, it went under periodic restorations by emperors Augustus, Tiber, Nero and Trajan. It mainly hosted horse races and it may have been the largest sports facility ever built, being 620 meters long and 140 metres wide.

Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin, Piazza della Bocca della Verita, 18 00186, Rome Italy

This church, born on a pristine Christian devotion site of the 6th century and enlarged in the 12th century, is one of the most outstanding examples of sacred architecture of that age.
It went through several modifications, such as the construction of the narthex and the bell tower in the 13th century, or the Baroque addictions which were later obliterated by the restorations of late 19th century.
The church is well known for hosting, under the narthex, the so-celled "Bocca della Verità" (Mouth of Truth), popularly said to eat the liars' hands.

Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Forum Boarium, Rome Italy

This wide area, currently surrounding Piazza della Bocca della Verità, was a former bog, quenched by the construction of Cloaca Maxima; it was a major site of commerce and exchange, being close to river Tevere and at the confluence of the itineraries leading from North (Etruria) to South (Campania). Today, the only visible structures left are the temples of Portunus and Hercules Victor.

Pass By: Ponte Rotto, Lungotevere Pierleoni, 00186 Rome Italy

The oldest masonry bridge in Rome was built in 142 B.C., taking the place of a former wooden bridge. After many restorations, collapses and rebuildings, the bridge was ultimately damaged by a major flood in 1598, not being reconstructed anymore. The single visible arch was built in the 16th century, on the original pillars of the 2nd century B.C..