Unique and Unusual Places to Visit in Rome

The fascinating city of Rome, also known as the “Eternal City,” is home to a plethora of stunningly artistic and historic marvels. This wondrous capital of Italy invites tourists from all over the world to visit some of its renowned attractions, such as the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Pantheon. While these are certainly counted as the must-visit sites in Rome, numerous other spectacular attractions within the city are often overlooked.

Here are some of the lesser-known incredible attractions that should not be missed while touring this beautiful city.

Quartiere Coppedè

This whimsical and fairytale-esque neighborhood was built in the early 1900s by Florentine architect, Gino Coppedè. Quartiere Coppedè is a rather small district comprising around 40 buildings, each boasting a dramatic and bizarre mix of Art Nouveau architecture with hints of Greek, medieval, Gothic and Roman Baroque styles. The fascinating arched entrance to this district is adorned with an intricately designed iron chandelier, and the walls of each structure are decorated with external mosaics, frescoes and carvings. While there isn’t much to do in this district, tourists can simply explore the area and marvel at its unique beauty.

The Crypts of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini

The Capuchin crypt is a unique heritage site situated beneath the church of ‘Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins,’ and it is often referred to as the “Bone Chapel of Rome”. In 1631, after the Capuchin friars moved into the newly commissioned church, their Cardinal ordered them to retrieve the remains of the deceased Capuchin members and place them within the Church’s crypts. The bones of the Capuchin friars were then used to create religiously significant designs throughout the crypts. Today, the crypts are adorned with the remains of nearly 4000 Capuchin members and serve as a reminder of human mortality.

The Appian Way

The Appian Way, also known as Via Appia, was constructed as a military road in 312 BC by Roman censor, Appius Claudius Caecus. This marvelous, 2300-year-old, cobblestone street is considered to be one of the longest and oldest roads in Rome. The historic path is surrounded by grassy fields and lush green trees, as well as numerous ruins of ancient Roman structures. There are also several tombs situated just off the road, as well as a few catacombs beneath certain parts of the road. Tourists looking to learn more about ancient Rome can join guided tours to take a stroll along this stunning road.

Baths of Caracalla

The Baths of Caracalla were built in the 3rd century under the direction of Emperor Caracalla. Today, this vast archaeological site is considered to be one of the oldest and most stunning examples of ancient Roman bath complexes. In the olden days, these bathhouses were used by Romans as a place to relax, unwind, exercise and socialize. This particular thermal complex was one of the largest of its kind and comprised several hot and cold swimming pools, saunas, libraries, gardens and exercise areas. The complex was also decorated with gorgeous floor mosaics, sculptures and frescoes, most of which are still being excavated by archaeologists.

Overall, the magnificent city of Rome is a treasure trove of numerous exquisite hidden gems. Tourists can keep exploring the city to find other unusual and intriguing attractions like St. Valentine's Skull in Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin or the Tomb of the Julii in the Vatican Necropolis.

Author Name Shanice Pinto