A walking tour of Rome's churches, Piazza del Popolo and much more!

#rome #romeitaly
Today's walking tour passes through: Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore, Church of Saint James in Augusta, Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Saint Charles, Piazza del Popolo, Villa Borghese and charming streets of the historic center.
Itinerary where everything is free.
On this walking tour I was pleasantly surprised by two extraordinary artistic performances, one in Piazza Navona and the other in Piazza del Popolo. See, listen and enjoy. I loved it.
Date: September, 2023.
Location: Rome, Italy.
--------------- Video chapters:
0:00 Synthesis
0:29 Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
2:29 Villa Borghese
4:16 Piazza del Popolo
6:16 Church of Saint James in Augusta
7:05 Basilica of Saints Ambrose and Saint Charles
8:37 Historic center
10:14 Tiramisu at Two Sizes store
10:36 Artist in Piazza Navona
11:11 Artist in Piazza del Popolo
-------------- Places visited on this tour:
To do this walk of around 7 km it took me around 5 hours to appreciate everything very well and I suggest you take a bottle of water that you can refill at the various sources available.
BASILICA SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE
This is one of the four major basilicas in Rome, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Santa Maria Maggiore). This church is owned by the Vatican, even though it is outside the pope's territory, and is also one of the pilgrimage points in Rome. The current building still preserves the original design from the 5th century AD, also containing mosaics from the beginning of Christianity, as well as works of art by various artists. Entrance, like all other churches in Rome, is free.
VILLA BORGHESE
Rome's Villa Borghese is one of the largest urban parks in Europe. The State acquired the gardens from the Borghese family in 1901 and opened them to the public on July 12, 1903.
What sets Villa Borghese apart from other large parks, such as Hyde Park or Central Park, is the perfect combination between nature and art. In these gardens you can see buildings, sculptures, monuments and fountains by famous artists from different eras.
At the top of these gardens we have the Terrazza del Pincio where we are surprised by the panoramic views of Piazza del Popolo and other parts of the beautiful city of Rome.
PIAZZA DEL POPOLO
Piazza del Popolo is a wide and pleasant “pedestrian area” surrounded by historic buildings in the neoclassical style that prove how Rome was a city that always welcomed architectural innovation. It is currently a suitable place for holding important public events for the city and also the stage for large popular demonstrations.
In the center stands the Flaminio Obelisk, one of the 8 original Egyptian obelisks brought to Rome, after it took control of the territory of Egypt.
Also noteworthy are the Porta del Popolo (main entry point into Rome in ancient times) and the religious temples of the Church of Santa Maria del Popolo with origins in the 11th century, and the twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli or Miracles (17th century).
It is from them that the famous “trident of Rome” departs, formed by Via Ripetta, Via del Corso and Via del Babuino, which led pilgrims to the 3 largest basilicas in Rome: Via Ripetta ends at St. Peter's Basilica, Via del Corso leads to the Lateran Basilica and Via Babuino to the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
ST. JAMES CHURCH IN AUGUSTA
San Giacomo in Augusta or Church of Saint James in Augusta, also called San Giacomo degli Incurabili or Church of Saint James of the Incurables, is a titular church in Rome, located on Via del Corso, approximately three blocks south of Piazza del Popolo .
The church was built in 1339, by Cardinal Giovanni Colonna, but in 1515 it was in a state of abandonment and it was only in 1592 that it began to be rebuilt, now in an oval shape, under the guidance of Francesco da Volterra.
BASILICA OF SAINT AMBROSE AND SAINT CHARLES
This 17th-century basilica, usually just called San Carlo al Corso, is one of the most beautiful basilicas in the world. As soon as I entered I was completely surrendered to its beauty. Furthermore, it is very well maintained.
TWO SIZES
Shop where they simply sell the best tiramisu in Rome. Full stop. Completely unmissable. Any visit to Rome deserves a visit to this space. A small shop, no space to sit. Order and savor. And you fall in love with this tiramisu. Small ones at 2.5 euros, larger ones at 3.5 euros.