These are stunning. I'm becoming hooked on your videos. These lesser-known places are some of the most amazing experiences. I would love to be in Rome and have enough time to savor these stunning little gems. Great video. Love your narrative style.
Wow Elyssa, once again you have shown us more hidden gems to visit that we would never know about. Your knowledge just inspires us to return to Rome time and time again. Brilliant video once again, thank you.
Thank you for this mini trip to Rome and these beautiful chapels to learn about and visit with you. You guided us through so well and gave great details for us to look forward to when we go there next in the holy year 2025. Many Thanks!
I had visited and stayed in Rome (up to 3 months at a time) quite a few times as a young tourist ... a very invested/interested one. Enough times that in the 90's I moved there for a few years. Santa Prassede was always a favorite and somewhere I would take visitors. At that time it was always empty other than a few religious locals and was completely free. I loved the quatrafoile ceiling of St Zeno with the glittering gold glass mosaic so much! It truly is a hidden gem albeit across from the equally stunning Santa Maria Maggiore. Thank you for bringing me back 20 years later! Your videos are wonderful. ❤
if it was not for these videos and people like you - many of us would never know the existence and importance of these holy sites. I will be visiting Rome in September and will plan to visit as many as I can! Already booked the 8AM visit to Vatican because of your other video. Thank You.
All the chapels are Exceptionally beautiful ,I thank you for telling us about them , I would definitely visit all of them ,thank you very much for this lovely video which has great information.Bravo
It’s certainly from the heart. I’ve been to Rome numerous times throughout my life so finding out about unique pieces of history certainly adds even more to a city that never seems to stop giving.
I've been to rome a number of times (8 or 9?), and I've not seen ANY that you shared! Thank you, Elyssa. And your hair is fabulous, wind or no wind. I love your channel!
St Zino chapel is my favorite and each time I am in Rome I go to visit and put a coin in the machine and let the light shine on the golden mosaics. As much as I love Baroque churches, the Byzantine mosaic decoration in early Christian churches in Rome has an almost other-worldly atmosphere. Would love to see the Nicholine chapel at the Vatican, which tour do you recommend?
Yes the chapel of St. Zeno is really spectacular and unique in Rome. To see the Niccoline Chapel, you need to take a tour that specifically includes it. I have links in the description for tours you can book with this chapel. None are inexpensive, as it's quite exclusive, but it's oh so worth it in my opinion!
Your knowledge blows me away. We will be moving to Italy permanently next year after having owned a house in Minturno for 8 years. I’ll have plenty of time to follow your suggestions. Love your page.
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to let me know you enjoy my videos. Best wishes on your upcoming move to Italy!
Fabulous, fabulous video. Your camera work really captures the beauty of the frescos. And your explanations are outstanding!!! We have been to Rome 8 times but by watching your videos we always learn more facts about the eternal city. We have visited 3 out of the 5 of these chapels. I would really love to visit Saint Catherine of Siena's chapel. What an interesting story! Could you tell us where it is.? We greatly appreciate all of your videos. Can't get enough of Rome. 😊Wish we were there 😢
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video and found something new to visit for your next trip. The chapel of Saint Catherine of Siena is inside Palazzo Santa Chiara in Piazza Santa Chiara just behind the Pantheon.
Thank you so much! That's very kind of you. I really appreciate your kind words and your letting me know you enjoy my videos and understand the work I put into them!
My husband and I will be in Rome in less than two weeks. I’ve been taking notes of the churches you mention in your videos. Excited to see as many of these treasures as possible.
How wonderful! I hope you have a fabulous visit! I still have not come close to mentioning all the amazing churches there are to see in Rome but you can't go wrong popping into any open church you see as you walk along.
@@Romewise thank you so much! It’s been 20 years since we were in Rome last with two toddlers in tow. We had a great time there with children and are really excited to go back and see it again. Your videos have been insightful and helpful!
@@lisagonzalez2837 Ah when people tell me they haven't been to Rome in 20 years, I say it will be like visiting for the first time. I think you'll find a lot has changed (for better and for worse!) I hope you'll have a wonderful time. Thanks for letting me know you find my videos helpful.
Excellent presentations certainly you deeply know the subject ... the times that I have been in Rome I always remain mesmerized by the infinity of archaeological sites included basillicas and chapels .... I clearly understand that a hole life is insufficient to get a grasp it all .... San Clemente chiesa basillica at Laterano a few blocks from colisseum and its levels of history might deserve a hole presentation, the place is fantastic .... congratulatios e buona fortuna Elyssa !
Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I agree, san Clemente deserves a whole video on its own. I do cover it a little in this video: th-cam.com/video/amDynC-KmXs/w-d-xo.html
I really enjoy your videos, your passion for this amazing city and its history shows through. I have been to Rome several times and cant wait to return again. Watching your videos gives me a small taste while I wait to return! Thank you
I absolutely love all of your videos. Your knowledge and passion for history is so inspiring !! thank you for sharing them with us and can't wait to visit Rome and Florence with my family this summer !! finger crossed I will get lucky with Colosseum undergroud ticket :) by the way, I visited Scala Santa 15 years ago and it was truly a unique and spiritual experience.
Another wonderful video, thanks so much! Basilica di Santa Prassede is my absolute favorite for the Byzantine art in Rome. And thanks for the San Silvestro chapel - I had no idea about it, and will definitely visit it on my next trip to Italy. Please keep up the fantastic work! :)
Thank you so much! I'm glad you knew about Santa Prassede - you might always want to visit the church of her sister, Santa Pudentia. The mosaics in the apse are some of the oldest Christian mosaics in Rome. I hope you'll get to visit the chapel of San Silvestro on your next trip! Thank you again for your kind comments!
@@Romewise I love that little church and its late Roman mosaic in the apse. What I don't love is when a beautiful Romanesque church is reshaped as a Baroque one. And there are so many such churches in Rome...
Amazing. I visited Rome 5 times and some of these chapels (the one in the prassedere and outside the Quatro Coronati) are among my favorites. Darn it, the secret is out! But this was educational for me as well, I didn't know about the chapel in the theatre or at the scala samcti. More things to see the next time I visit! Thanks for the tips
Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad to have shared something new for you and hope you'll get to see these amazing chapels on your next visit to Rome! (But sorry to have let out the secret :D )
Thank you for your kind comments! I am not a tour guide so don't offer tours, although we do help arrange tours with licensed guides. I work full time on my websites, www.romewise.com and www.florencewise.com, and on my TH-cam videos. I'm glad you find them interesting!
Haven’t seen all your videos, but this is definitely my favorite so far, since I am a Roman Catholic, this is really something special and the only one I’ve come across about this set of chapels combined! What inspired you? I will be visiting with my wife and a family priest friend in late August and 1st week of September. Is you are free, we would love to meet you! Thank you so much!
Wow, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video. I've lived in Rome for more than 20 years and I love it all - the food, the art, the history. On my website and TH-cam channel I try to share things that I hope will be helpful in part because I like to help but also because I know that's what people usually want to see. But sometimes I can't help but share things I am passionate about, even if they are less popular than my "how to" videos. This is my favorite kind of information to research and share, and it makes me so happy to know that you appreciated and enjoyed it. You might be interested in another video I did that I spent a lot of time researching and filming, all about the Last Supper paintings, called "canacoli", in Florence: th-cam.com/video/tO-TsqpvL7w/w-d-xo.html
Your video reminds me how much I love medieval and early Christian art. I studied it extensively in college art history, but truly learned to appreciate it during my first visit to Rome 20 years ago. I'll be in Rome again for 4 days in the fall, in between a group tour of Tuscany and one of Sicily. On this trip I'd like to focus on them, and not Renaissance art. Do you have any further suggestions besides these chapels, for medieval. I love the mosaics too! I don't think I saw any last time. Thank you.
Thank you so much! Yes, I love medieval art, too. And Rome is full of it! Besides these chapels, if you get a chance to see the Aula Gottica of Santi Quattro, it will be one of the most astounding places you'll ever see, in my opinion. www.aulagoticasantiquattrocoronati.it/info-e-prenotazioni/ In the Pinacoteca of the Vatican museums, you will find plenty of medieval art. Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is the only true Gothic church in Rome, and while much of the art inside is from the Renaissance and Baroque, the architecture alone makes it worth visiting. I didn't include it because it was not open when I shot this video, but if you can visit the Cappella Bessarione in the Basilica of Santi Apostoli, I think you will love it. If it's open again, it's only open Friday and Saturday mornings from 8:30 - 11:30 Inside the Roman Forum, you can visit one of the best-preserved early Christian churches, Santa Maria Antiqua. You need a SUPER ticket or Full Experience ticket. Check out the basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The church is amazing but the Byzantine apse is worth the visit alone. Head to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, and visit the convent next door to see the Cavallini Last Judgement. It's stunning! And while it's a little out of the way, you should NOT miss visiting the Opus Sectile in the Museo delle Civiltà in EUR. If you love medieval and you love mosaics, this is a must-see. www.museodellecivilta.it/lopus-sectile-di-porta-marina/ Hope that helps!
Just wonderful. I will be in Rome in November this year and hope to visit Santa Prassede, Quattro Coronati, San Clemente, Santa Maria Maggiore if I have time (i am participating in a conference to be held near St Trinita dei Monti)
A wonderful video. I will certinaly be making use of your guidance on my next trip to Rome. And by the way, Saint Catherine of Siena is still one of Italy's patron saints.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am grateful to you for letting me know you enjoy my video and hope you will visit some of these chapels on your next visit to Rome!
I visited the sacred steps and climbed up on my knees ,I felt blessed I made it to the top as Jesus did. I still get emotional when I see this stunning place
Thanks so much! I am not sure what you are asking. On this video, 4 of the chapels are either free or cost under 5€ to visit, and only one costs a lot to visit. If you are visiting the Sistine Chapel, you will need tickets to the Vatican and this can vary in cost. With 100 Euros, you can visit at least the Sistine Chapel and 4 of the five I show on this video (but not the Niccoline Chapel). Many churches have beautiful chapels you can visit for free.
Many years ago, I climbed up the "Scala Sancta," on my knees. The indentations on the marble for centuries of pilgrims, can be clearly felt. Plus the marble is hard and painful to climb on the knees.
It's a very special thing to do. I was able to climb them when they took the wood off a few years ago, but the wood is back. That's great that you were able to experience them with the original marble.
Thank you for your video! Always very informative. Just wondering, in this video at 3:02, there is a dog off leash in the background. Do people have to leash their dogs in Italy? Is it common to see stray dogs on the streets? thank you
Thanks for watching! Yes we have leash laws here in Rome. Most people abide by them but on occasion, especially if a dog owner has a well-behaved dog and is in what might feel like a safe space, like in this video, they might let the dog off leash. In this case, the owner was just off camera, and the dog was just nosing around quietly. There was no traffic and there were no other dogs around, so I presume the dog's owner thought it would be ok. No, we almost never see stray dogs on the streets in Rome. I've never once seen a stray dog in Rome.
I made it to the Sancta Sanctorum but couldn't go inside-mass was being held I think. The Basilica di S Prassade was closed and the Maria Maggiore was having a service-grrr. Next trip they are penned in. Thanks for this video and I love your hair.
Yes, the Basilica of Santa Prassede has limited hours, or at least, they are closed daily from 12-4pm. And yes, you definitely have to time these so you don't show up during mass. It can take some patience! Thanks so much for your kind compliments!
I visited all of these chapels in Rome. such jewels hidden away. There also smaller churches that people never see. When you go,,,,,GO AND EXPLORE---ENJOY, TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS!!!
That's great! They are so easy to overlook but also easy to find if you know where to look. And yes, Rome is full of small churches and chapels at every turn, so it pays to pop in and see what's there when you see a church door open!
Elyssa, what is the address of the theater that houses the chapel of St. Caterina da Siena? Is the chapel the same as her room to the left of a hotel at Piazza Chiara?
I would suggest going to Santa Maria Maggiore. The ambiance is so beautiful and the singing so lovely that it moves many people to tears. You might also want to try the all Latin mass at Chiesa della Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini. That's a favorite of my friend Mountain Butorac, aka www.youtube.com/@TheCatholicTraveler. maps.app.goo.gl/25vH5HcLRzDPun9j8
Hmmm, I'm not sure they are unpredictable. They all have regular opening hours and most are stated on their respective websites. Many of them are closed at lunchtime as can be typical of smaller churches in Italy.
@@Romewise Have tried for 50 years without success to get into Santa Bibiana. Posted times often refer to liturgical services in the interesting out of the way places, and artistic touring is forbidden - in my experience.
Yes I know what you mean. Some churches have REALLY limited hours and often, when they are open, it's only for mass so it's hard to visit. I have never been inside Santa Bibiana either, due to their limited hours. I got to see Bernini's sculpture only when it was part of a special exhibit at the Galleria Borghese. The other day, I went into San Pantaleo, a church I'd never seen open, only because I happened to be there during their opening hours of 7-8am!! @@ransomcoates546
Why didn’t you mention tha chapel of st (somebody) in chains where michaelangelo’s statue of Moses is. We stumbled on it when we were walking to Trevino fountain. It was amazing!!!!
Yes, I love the church San Pietro in Vincoli - Saint Peter in Chains. I cover it in this video: th-cam.com/video/hZRwovTCfhI/w-d-xo.html I didn't include it here because I was sharing chapels (Saint Peter's chains are in a open area under the altar, not inside a chapel), and specifically hidden chapels that you have to know to look for. But I agree that the church of Saint Peter in Chains is a very special church!
Just Shell shocked! Went to the Vatican museum site to check on NICHOLAS five Chapel. I definitely wanna Fra Angelico’ stunning work and it seems to say that the visit cost $1000 for a freaking private towards with a chapel!!! You got to be kidding, can you please advise as to how to see the N5 chapel? You said in your video a little bit expensive? Must be something else I’m less. I’m living on the wrong planet. Thanks for your help. I’m leaving in two weeks.
Yes, I know what you mean. It can be really expensive. Also I think it's become more expsnsive since I saw it. The thing is it's very exclusive and it's a small space. Also, the Vatican charges a lot to allow visitors to see it, so that's where the initial cost comes in. I suggest booking a small group / semi-private tour like this: livtours.com/tours/deluxe-private-vatican-tour-with-secret-rooms?af_code=7QLR30Q This tour is 1299 for minimum 2 people (which is already 650€ per person if you are 2.) If you add a 3rd person, it's 1428€ which now brings the total to less than 500€ per person. Does that help?? Believe me, I agree this is expensive. I'm just trying to help you find the LEAST expensive way to see it.
Sorry, questa volta il mio essere romano esce fuori: dire che la Cappella Sistina è una delle più belle a Roma mi sembra, onestamente un understatement (così dite voi ... giusto?), ora è ovvio che io non ho potuto vedere tutti i capolavori realizzati dall'uomo in giro per il mondo (che immagino saranno migliaia), però è indubbio che l'effetto che ti provoca (anche a me che non sono credente) va un po' oltre la "semplice" bellezza, è difficile da descrivere a parole. Come sempre comunque apprezzo molto i tuoi video.
Photos and video (no flash) are permitted in most churches in Rome and other parts of Italy. When they are not permitted, there are a variety of reasons. I think the main place that people want to take photos but are not allowed to is the Sistine Chapel. People will tell you all kinds of reasons for this including that it ruins the frescoes, that it's a holy place, that there is a copyright, that the Vatican wants you to buy their books and postcards. I believe the reason is none of the above. I believe the reason is crowd control. Given the huge crowds that now visit the Sistine Chapel daily, if people could take pictures, they would never leave and you'd wind up with a massive bottle neck and fire hazard. I've been allowed to take photos there on numerous occasions when it was not crowded, such as during the Key Master tour (although this is not a guarantee - it depends on the tour guide and the guards). Other churches, like Santo Spirito in Florence, may not allow photos so as not to disturb worshippers, or for other reasons. The bottom line is that you can in most places but where it's not permitted, I simply follow the rules and move on.
It's right next door to the Archbasilica of Saint John in Lateran. It's at the metro stop San Giovanni. You can learn more here: www.romewise.com/scala-sancta.html www.romewise.com/st-john-lateran.html
enjoyed the video., and your knowledge. Why do these videos concentrate so much on your face and not on the Church? No offence to your face but I would have liked to see more of the Church.
Thank you. I am always trying to improve my videos and I hope you'll find that the newer they are, there is more b-roll. Sorry if I didn't share enough of these chapels. I thought I had but perhaps I need to do better.
Not only are the places amazing but your knowledge and history that you talk about is even more amazing.
Thank you for your kind comments!
100% agree!!!!!
These are stunning. I'm becoming hooked on your videos. These lesser-known places are some of the most amazing experiences. I would love to be in Rome and have enough time to savor these stunning little gems. Great video. Love your narrative style.
Awesome, thank you! I really appreciate your kind comments and am so glad you enjoy my videos!
Wow Elyssa, once again you have shown us more hidden gems to visit that we would never know about. Your knowledge just inspires us to return to Rome time and time again. Brilliant video once again, thank you.
Thank you as always for your kind comments and support! I'm so grateful to you for letting me know you enjoy my content!
Thank you for this mini trip to Rome and these beautiful chapels to learn about and visit with you. You guided us through so well and gave great details for us to look forward to when we go there next in the holy year 2025. Many Thanks!
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video. Have a wonderful visit next year!
I had visited and stayed in Rome (up to 3 months at a time) quite a few times as a young tourist ... a very invested/interested one. Enough times that in the 90's I moved there for a few years. Santa Prassede was always a favorite and somewhere I would take visitors. At that time it was always empty other than a few religious locals and was completely free. I loved the quatrafoile ceiling of St Zeno with the glittering gold glass mosaic so much! It truly is a hidden gem albeit across from the equally stunning Santa Maria Maggiore. Thank you for bringing me back 20 years later! Your videos are wonderful. ❤
Thank you for sharing your experiences. I'm glad you enjoy my videos and that they bring back some memories for you!
I’m returning to Rome after 7 years this December. I’ve walked by most of these a dozen or more times. Looking forward to seeing them!
That will be a beautiful time to be in Rome! Hope you get to visit some of these!
if it was not for these videos and people like you - many of us would never know the existence and importance of these holy sites.
I will be visiting Rome in September and will plan to visit as many as I can!
Already booked the 8AM visit to Vatican because of your other video.
Thank You.
How lovely! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video and found it inspiring for your upcoming September visit to Rome. I hope you have a wonderful time!
My daughter and I are traveling to Rome for the first time next week and are going to try to visit them all! Thank you for sharing…
Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed this video and are using it for your trip planning. I hope you and your daughter will get to see them all!
All the chapels are Exceptionally beautiful ,I thank you for telling us about them , I would definitely visit all of them ,thank you very much for this lovely video which has great information.Bravo
Thank you so much for watching!
Your content is pure GOLD !!!
Wow what a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much!!
It’s certainly from the heart. I’ve been to Rome numerous times throughout my life so finding out about unique pieces of history certainly adds even more to a city that never seems to stop giving.
@@maydanlex I love sharing the beauty of Rome, especially when people love Rome as much as you do!
I visited the St. Zeno Chapel on my first trip to Rome back in 2008. My travel partner read about it and said it was not to be missed. She was right.
It is such a special place and I am always gobsmacked every time I see it!
I've been to rome a number of times (8 or 9?), and I've not seen ANY that you shared! Thank you, Elyssa. And your hair is fabulous, wind or no wind. I love your channel!
Oh that's great! I'm glad I could share something about Rome that is new for you! And thanks so much for the kind compliments!
I’ll be in Rome in June. Thank you for help me find the most wonderful places! ❤
Thanks so much for watching!
You may want to see this video on my channel about visiting Rome in June:
studio.th-cam.com/users/videoLCLU1MFDr4Y/edit
St Zino chapel is my favorite and each time I am in Rome I go to visit and put a coin in the machine and let the light shine on the golden mosaics. As much as I love Baroque churches, the Byzantine mosaic decoration in early Christian churches in Rome has an almost other-worldly atmosphere. Would love to see the Nicholine chapel at the Vatican, which tour do you recommend?
Yes the chapel of St. Zeno is really spectacular and unique in Rome. To see the Niccoline Chapel, you need to take a tour that specifically includes it. I have links in the description for tours you can book with this chapel. None are inexpensive, as it's quite exclusive, but it's oh so worth it in my opinion!
@@Romewise will do next time I’m there! This morning I used the espresso set I bought from Sant’Eustachio and pretend I’m in Rome…
@@LL-ye5tz Having Sant'Eustachio espresso is definitely a great reminder of Rome!
You never cease to amaze me with the many facets of Rome that you present! Thanks for yet another fabulous video 💕
Wow, thank you! I appreciate you letting me know you enjoy my content, and thanks so much for your kind comments!
Stunning! Brilliantly researched and beautifully produced and presented. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm so glad you enjoyed the video!
I most likely will not be able to see them in person, so thank you so much for sharing them and documenting and preserving them for history sake.
I'm glad you found the video enjoyable!
A fantastic treasure trove.Thanks for all your research and knowledge.
Thanks for the beautiful video 😍🥰
Thanks for watching!
Your knowledge blows me away. We will be moving to Italy permanently next year after having owned a house in Minturno for 8 years. I’ll have plenty of time to follow your suggestions. Love your page.
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I'm very grateful to you for taking the time to let me know you enjoy my videos.
Best wishes on your upcoming move to Italy!
Fabulous, fabulous video. Your camera work really captures the beauty of the frescos. And your explanations are outstanding!!! We have been to Rome 8 times but by watching your videos we always learn more facts about the eternal city. We have visited 3 out of the 5 of these chapels. I would really love to visit Saint Catherine of Siena's chapel. What an interesting story! Could you tell us where it is.? We greatly appreciate all of your videos. Can't get enough of Rome. 😊Wish we were there 😢
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I'm really glad you enjoyed the video and found something new to visit for your next trip.
The chapel of Saint Catherine of Siena is inside Palazzo Santa Chiara in Piazza Santa Chiara just behind the Pantheon.
Your background knowledge is astounding!Thank you.
Thanks so much!
Thank you 🙏🏾 I watched the video with my wife! She’s so excited to see them as well!!!
Thanks so much for letting me know you enjoyed my video! I hope you'll get to visit all these chapels!
A compliment for you: your videos are always so well researched and beautifully narrated. Congrats for your fine work!
Thank you so much! That's very kind of you. I really appreciate your kind words and your letting me know you enjoy my videos and understand the work I put into them!
8:35 brought me to tears
Thank you for your videos!
🙏🏼☦
I'm so glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you for sharing your experience!
St Zeno was my fav. Thank you so much for sharing these
Glad you enjoyed the video and the chapels! Thanks for watching!
Thank you Elyssa, such a beautiful video ❤
Glad you liked it!
An absolute gem of a video. Thanks.
Thank you so much!
Elyssa, thank you for your really appreciated videos. I love off the beaten track places.
Thanks so much for watching! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
Amazing video! More of these underrated chapels videos, please ^_^
Thanks so much! I'm happy to share more of this type of content - stay tuned!
Thanks so much Elyssa, that was so interesting and I hadn't heard of these chapels. Brilliant! kx
Thank you! I'm so glad you found it interesting!
One of your best, Elyssa.
Thank you so much! I actually put a lot of work into this one and I am glad it shows! I appreciate your kind comments.
My husband and I will be in Rome in less than two weeks. I’ve been taking notes of the churches you mention in your videos. Excited to see as many of these treasures as possible.
How wonderful! I hope you have a fabulous visit! I still have not come close to mentioning all the amazing churches there are to see in Rome but you can't go wrong popping into any open church you see as you walk along.
@@Romewise thank you so much! It’s been 20 years since we were in Rome last with two toddlers in tow. We had a great time there with children and are really excited to go back and see it again. Your videos have been insightful and helpful!
@@lisagonzalez2837 Ah when people tell me they haven't been to Rome in 20 years, I say it will be like visiting for the first time. I think you'll find a lot has changed (for better and for worse!) I hope you'll have a wonderful time. Thanks for letting me know you find my videos helpful.
Visited four about a dozen years ago. Splendid! Need to return soon!
Glad you enjoyed the video! I hope you'll get to come back soon!
Salam dari BALI Indonesia God bless
Thank you Elyssa! Great information.
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent presentations certainly you deeply know the subject ... the times that I have been in Rome I always remain mesmerized by the infinity of archaeological sites included basillicas and chapels .... I clearly understand that a hole life is insufficient to get a grasp it all .... San Clemente chiesa basillica at Laterano a few blocks from colisseum and its levels of history might deserve a hole presentation, the place is fantastic .... congratulatios e buona fortuna Elyssa !
Thank you for your kind comments. Yes, I agree, san Clemente deserves a whole video on its own. I do cover it a little in this video:
th-cam.com/video/amDynC-KmXs/w-d-xo.html
Great video, planning to visit soon. Thanks 🙏
Thanks so much! Have a wonderful visit to Rome!
Thank you for your wonderful videos. We are traveling to Rome next week and with your insight we will make the most of our trip.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you find my videos helpful!
Always such good info. By the way, your hair looks really nice! 😀
Thanks so much for your lovely comments! I'm so glad you like the video - and thanks for telling me you like my hair too! :)
I really enjoy your videos, your passion for this amazing city and its history shows through. I have been to Rome several times and cant wait to return again. Watching your videos gives me a small taste while I wait to return! Thank you
Thanks for watching! I'm so glad you enjoy them!
I absolutely love all of your videos. Your knowledge and passion for history is so inspiring !! thank you for sharing them with us and can't wait to visit Rome and Florence with my family this summer !! finger crossed I will get lucky with Colosseum undergroud ticket :) by the way, I visited Scala Santa 15 years ago and it was truly a unique and spiritual experience.
Thank you for your very kind comments! I'm so glad you enjoy my videos and the work I put behind them.
Another great video there are 2 beautiful churches in the Piazza del Popolo side by side thst we visited and loved
Thanks so much! Yes those are also two beautiful churches. Most people don't visit them but they are lovely inside.
Another wonderful video, thanks so much! Basilica di Santa Prassede is my absolute favorite for the Byzantine art in Rome. And thanks for the San Silvestro chapel - I had no idea about it, and will definitely visit it on my next trip to Italy.
Please keep up the fantastic work! :)
Thank you so much! I'm glad you knew about Santa Prassede - you might always want to visit the church of her sister, Santa Pudentia. The mosaics in the apse are some of the oldest Christian mosaics in Rome.
I hope you'll get to visit the chapel of San Silvestro on your next trip!
Thank you again for your kind comments!
@@Romewise I love that little church and its late Roman mosaic in the apse.
What I don't love is when a beautiful Romanesque church is reshaped as a Baroque one. And there are so many such churches in Rome...
@@alexmintz7786 I hear you, except in Rome, that is kind of typical - a constant recycling through the ages...
@@Romewise Yes, of course, spolia are everywhere. "Romans were the greatest vandals".
Wonderful. Thank you from New Zealand
Thanks so much for watching and for letting me know you enjoy the video!
Will definitely visit them if we have time. Thank you.
Thanks for watching! I hope you'll come back and let us know if you go!
Amazing. I visited Rome 5 times and some of these chapels (the one in the prassedere and outside the Quatro Coronati) are among my favorites. Darn it, the secret is out! But this was educational for me as well, I didn't know about the chapel in the theatre or at the scala samcti. More things to see the next time I visit! Thanks for the tips
Thanks so much for your comments. I'm glad to have shared something new for you and hope you'll get to see these amazing chapels on your next visit to Rome! (But sorry to have let out the secret :D )
Wonderful video. I was in Rome in 2007 and went up the holy stairs on my knees. I would love to live there but it is expensive.
Thank you! I'm glad you got to go up the Holy Stairs!
Thank you. Beautiful.
Extraordinary! You have such interesting and helpful videos, thank you. Do you offer private tours?
Thank you for your kind comments! I am not a tour guide so don't offer tours, although we do help arrange tours with licensed guides. I work full time on my websites, www.romewise.com and www.florencewise.com, and on my TH-cam videos. I'm glad you find them interesting!
Yes planning on going to Sancta Sanctroum and as many I can fit in our trip in October.
Wonderful! Have a fabulous visit!
Excellent thanks!
trajan forum is amazing and was totally empty when I was there... I need to go back to Rom. I love this city❤
Yes, Trajan's Forum is superb and one of my favorite museums in Rome!
Stunning video 🔝👍
Thank you very much!
Stunning, I was there 7 weeks ago and missed these, oh well guess I'll just have to go back 🎉
As the Romans say, non basta una vita - a lifetime is not enough!
Haven’t seen all your videos, but this is definitely my favorite so far, since I am a Roman Catholic, this is really something special and the only one I’ve come across about this set of chapels combined! What inspired you?
I will be visiting with my wife and a family priest friend in late August and 1st week of September. Is you are free, we would love to meet you! Thank you so much!
Wow, thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed this video. I've lived in Rome for more than 20 years and I love it all - the food, the art, the history.
On my website and TH-cam channel I try to share things that I hope will be helpful in part because I like to help but also because I know that's what people usually want to see.
But sometimes I can't help but share things I am passionate about, even if they are less popular than my "how to" videos. This is my favorite kind of information to research and share, and it makes me so happy to know that you appreciated and enjoyed it.
You might be interested in another video I did that I spent a lot of time researching and filming, all about the Last Supper paintings, called "canacoli", in Florence:
th-cam.com/video/tO-TsqpvL7w/w-d-xo.html
Your video reminds me how much I love medieval and early Christian art. I studied it extensively in college art history, but truly learned to appreciate it during my first visit to Rome 20 years ago. I'll be in Rome again for 4 days in the fall, in between a group tour of Tuscany and one of Sicily. On this trip I'd like to focus on them, and not Renaissance art. Do you have any further suggestions besides these chapels, for medieval. I love the mosaics too! I don't think I saw any last time. Thank you.
Thank you so much! Yes, I love medieval art, too. And Rome is full of it! Besides these chapels, if you get a chance to see the Aula Gottica of Santi Quattro, it will be one of the most astounding places you'll ever see, in my opinion.
www.aulagoticasantiquattrocoronati.it/info-e-prenotazioni/
In the Pinacoteca of the Vatican museums, you will find plenty of medieval art.
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is the only true Gothic church in Rome, and while much of the art inside is from the Renaissance and Baroque, the architecture alone makes it worth visiting.
I didn't include it because it was not open when I shot this video, but if you can visit the Cappella Bessarione in the Basilica of Santi Apostoli, I think you will love it. If it's open again, it's only open Friday and Saturday mornings from 8:30 - 11:30
Inside the Roman Forum, you can visit one of the best-preserved early Christian churches, Santa Maria Antiqua. You need a SUPER ticket or Full Experience ticket.
Check out the basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere. The church is amazing but the Byzantine apse is worth the visit alone.
Head to Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, and visit the convent next door to see the Cavallini Last Judgement. It's stunning!
And while it's a little out of the way, you should NOT miss visiting the Opus Sectile in the Museo delle Civiltà in EUR. If you love medieval and you love mosaics, this is a must-see.
www.museodellecivilta.it/lopus-sectile-di-porta-marina/
Hope that helps!
Just wonderful. I will be in Rome in November this year and hope to visit Santa Prassede, Quattro Coronati, San Clemente, Santa Maria Maggiore if I have time (i am participating in a conference to be held near St Trinita dei Monti)
Thanks so much! Have a wonderful visit this fall!
A wonderful video. I will certinaly be making use of your guidance on my next trip to Rome.
And by the way, Saint Catherine of Siena is still one of Italy's patron saints.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am grateful to you for letting me know you enjoy my video and hope you will visit some of these chapels on your next visit to Rome!
I visited the sacred steps and climbed up on my knees ,I felt blessed I made it to the top as Jesus did.
I still get emotional when I see this stunning place
It is a really spiritual and emotional place to visit. I'm glad you were able to do the climb. I'm grateful to have done it as well!
Magnificent, Thank you
Thank you too!
thank you. excellent video. i hope to return to Rome some day.
Thanks so much!
Fantastic. Thanks
Glad you liked it!
Elyssa, I'm so glad that I keep my travel journal on hand when I watch your videos! Is 100 euros consider enough to visit at least 7 chapels?
Thanks so much! I am not sure what you are asking. On this video, 4 of the chapels are either free or cost under 5€ to visit, and only one costs a lot to visit.
If you are visiting the Sistine Chapel, you will need tickets to the Vatican and this can vary in cost. With 100 Euros, you can visit at least the Sistine Chapel and 4 of the five I show on this video (but not the Niccoline Chapel). Many churches have beautiful chapels you can visit for free.
@@Romewise you answered it!! I just wanted to make sure that I had enough “offerings” before stepping inside spiritual temples.
Many years ago, I climbed up the "Scala Sancta," on my knees. The indentations on the marble for centuries of pilgrims, can be clearly felt. Plus the marble is hard and painful to climb on the knees.
It's a very special thing to do. I was able to climb them when they took the wood off a few years ago, but the wood is back. That's great that you were able to experience them with the original marble.
thank you very ohh so much for this.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Hope there is good weather in early June 🌞🌞🌞!
Yes we are all hoping for a bit more sun and a bit less rain!
Amazing.
Great.
Non conoscevo la cappella di Santa Caterina. Anche se sei romano e appassionato di Roma Elyssa ha sempre qualcosa da farti scoprire. Chapeau
Grazie mille! Sei gentilissimo! Sono contenta che ti ho fatto conoscere la cappella di Santa Caterina :)
Thank you for your video! Always very informative. Just wondering, in this video at 3:02, there is a dog off leash in the background. Do people have to leash their dogs in Italy? Is it common to see stray dogs on the streets? thank you
Thanks for watching!
Yes we have leash laws here in Rome. Most people abide by them but on occasion, especially if a dog owner has a well-behaved dog and is in what might feel like a safe space, like in this video, they might let the dog off leash. In this case, the owner was just off camera, and the dog was just nosing around quietly. There was no traffic and there were no other dogs around, so I presume the dog's owner thought it would be ok.
No, we almost never see stray dogs on the streets in Rome. I've never once seen a stray dog in Rome.
I’ve been to two of them!
I made it to the Sancta Sanctorum but couldn't go inside-mass was being held I think. The Basilica di S Prassade was closed and the Maria Maggiore was having a service-grrr. Next trip they are penned in. Thanks for this video and I love your hair.
Yes, the Basilica of Santa Prassede has limited hours, or at least, they are closed daily from 12-4pm. And yes, you definitely have to time these so you don't show up during mass. It can take some patience! Thanks so much for your kind compliments!
These are living church es, one should not complain but take part in the service.
you love your city! ❤
Yes, I do! :)
I visited all of these chapels in Rome. such jewels hidden away. There also smaller churches that people never see. When you go,,,,,GO AND EXPLORE---ENJOY, TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS!!!
That's great! They are so easy to overlook but also easy to find if you know where to look. And yes, Rome is full of small churches and chapels at every turn, so it pays to pop in and see what's there when you see a church door open!
Elyssa, what is the address of the theater that houses the chapel of St. Caterina da Siena? Is the chapel the same as her room to the left of a hotel at Piazza Chiara?
Hi Sandra - yes, that's right. It's in Piazza Santa Chiara.
Elyssa, if you had one Mass to attend in Rome while visiting, where would you go?
I would suggest going to Santa Maria Maggiore. The ambiance is so beautiful and the singing so lovely that it moves many people to tears.
You might also want to try the all Latin mass at Chiesa della Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini. That's a favorite of my friend Mountain Butorac, aka www.youtube.com/@TheCatholicTraveler.
maps.app.goo.gl/25vH5HcLRzDPun9j8
All these places have chaotic and unpredictable opening hours. Maddening.
Hmmm, I'm not sure they are unpredictable. They all have regular opening hours and most are stated on their respective websites. Many of them are closed at lunchtime as can be typical of smaller churches in Italy.
@@Romewise Have tried for 50 years without success to get into Santa Bibiana. Posted times often refer to liturgical services in the interesting out of the way places, and artistic touring is forbidden - in my experience.
Yes I know what you mean. Some churches have REALLY limited hours and often, when they are open, it's only for mass so it's hard to visit. I have never been inside Santa Bibiana either, due to their limited hours. I got to see Bernini's sculpture only when it was part of a special exhibit at the Galleria Borghese.
The other day, I went into San Pantaleo, a church I'd never seen open, only because I happened to be there during their opening hours of 7-8am!! @@ransomcoates546
Elyssa, is the Sancto Santorum near St. John Laterno?
Yes, it's just across the street from the front of the Basilica of Saint John in Lateran.
❤
Sancta Flavia Julia Helena Augusta, ora pro nobis 🙏
✝️🛐🛐🛐
Why didn’t you mention tha chapel of st (somebody) in chains where michaelangelo’s statue of Moses is. We stumbled on it when we were walking to Trevino fountain. It was amazing!!!!
Yes, I love the church San Pietro in Vincoli - Saint Peter in Chains. I cover it in this video:
th-cam.com/video/hZRwovTCfhI/w-d-xo.html
I didn't include it here because I was sharing chapels (Saint Peter's chains are in a open area under the altar, not inside a chapel), and specifically hidden chapels that you have to know to look for.
But I agree that the church of Saint Peter in Chains is a very special church!
ricordo un po la peguiera
AVEMARIA
Just Shell shocked! Went to the Vatican museum site to check on NICHOLAS five Chapel. I definitely wanna Fra Angelico’ stunning work and it seems to say that the visit cost $1000 for a freaking private towards with a chapel!!! You got to be kidding, can you please advise as to how to see the N5 chapel? You said in your video a little bit expensive? Must be something else I’m less. I’m living on the wrong planet. Thanks for your help. I’m leaving in two weeks.
Yes, I know what you mean. It can be really expensive. Also I think it's become more expsnsive since I saw it.
The thing is it's very exclusive and it's a small space. Also, the Vatican charges a lot to allow visitors to see it, so that's where the initial cost comes in.
I suggest booking a small group / semi-private tour like this:
livtours.com/tours/deluxe-private-vatican-tour-with-secret-rooms?af_code=7QLR30Q
This tour is 1299 for minimum 2 people (which is already 650€ per person if you are 2.) If you add a 3rd person, it's 1428€ which now brings the total to less than 500€ per person. Does that help?? Believe me, I agree this is expensive. I'm just trying to help you find the LEAST expensive way to see it.
Sorry, questa volta il mio essere romano esce fuori: dire che la Cappella Sistina è una delle più belle a Roma mi sembra, onestamente un understatement (così dite voi ... giusto?), ora è ovvio che io non ho potuto vedere tutti i capolavori realizzati dall'uomo in giro per il mondo (che immagino saranno migliaia), però è indubbio che l'effetto che ti provoca (anche a me che non sono credente) va un po' oltre la "semplice" bellezza, è difficile da descrivere a parole.
Come sempre comunque apprezzo molto i tuoi video.
Sono d'accordissimo con te - la Cappella Sistina mi stupisce sempre! Grazie come sempre per guardare i miei video e per i commenti!
Why are photos not allowed in some basilicas?
Photos and video (no flash) are permitted in most churches in Rome and other parts of Italy. When they are not permitted, there are a variety of reasons.
I think the main place that people want to take photos but are not allowed to is the Sistine Chapel. People will tell you all kinds of reasons for this including that it ruins the frescoes, that it's a holy place, that there is a copyright, that the Vatican wants you to buy their books and postcards.
I believe the reason is none of the above. I believe the reason is crowd control. Given the huge crowds that now visit the Sistine Chapel daily, if people could take pictures, they would never leave and you'd wind up with a massive bottle neck and fire hazard. I've been allowed to take photos there on numerous occasions when it was not crowded, such as during the Key Master tour (although this is not a guarantee - it depends on the tour guide and the guards).
Other churches, like Santo Spirito in Florence, may not allow photos so as not to disturb worshippers, or for other reasons. The bottom line is that you can in most places but where it's not permitted, I simply follow the rules and move on.
Where is the Scala Sancta ?
It's right next door to the Archbasilica of Saint John in Lateran. It's at the metro stop San Giovanni. You can learn more here:
www.romewise.com/scala-sancta.html
www.romewise.com/st-john-lateran.html
enjoyed the video., and your knowledge. Why do these videos concentrate so much on your face and not on the Church? No offence to your face but I would have liked to see more of the Church.
Thank you. I am always trying to improve my videos and I hope you'll find that the newer they are, there is more b-roll. Sorry if I didn't share enough of these chapels. I thought I had but perhaps I need to do better.
foundling wheel.---You have taught me my word for the day. I did not know that. Thanks!
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed the video and that phrase! It's a strange arcane thing to know but useful when visiting churches in Italy!
Fabulous. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!