Top 10 Free Things to See in Rome

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Spending for your holiday to Rome is costly especially if considering the air ticket and the entry fees you need to pay for some of the tourist attractions. If you are traveling with your family, some of the attractions may easily break your budget could sustain. However, there are plenty of free things to do in Rome. This include going to the cinema, visiting music venues, and seeing museums which can all be free. You just need to know where to go. Check out the list below for the top 10 free things to see in Rome.

#10: Rome’s Industrial Past

Mattatoio city is in Rome’s Testaccio district. Previously it was Rome’s main slaughterhouse.^[1]THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY OF BLESSED OSCAR ROMERO The complex now has other functions. It has a school of architecture, modern art gallery, organic supermarket and a school of music. In the neighborhood, you can visit weekend farmers’ market, cafes and places where children can play. Adults can spend their time sitting in deckchairs and drinking Italy’s finest wine. However, if you want to visit some exhibitions, it does cost a little bit of money. If you love cheese, check out some cheese tasting trips. In addition, spend some time enjoying concerts organized by students. Lastly, leisurely stroll around the complex and explore some of Rome’s ancient buildings.

#9: St Valentine’s Skull and Basilica Santa Maria

In Blackadder, you can visit many beautiful places including some of the Roman Catholic churches most beautiful churches which hold holy relics. For example, you see the skull of the martyred Saint Valentine.^[2]CULTURE-LED REGENERATION IN ROME: FROM THE FACTORY CITY TO THE KNOWLEDGE CITY The church keeps the skull in a gold box surrounded by fresh bouquets. It is famous attraction and something that you should not miss when in Rome.

Additionally, when visiting holy sites, make sure to visit Santa Maria Maggiore. Pop Liberio constructed this church after seeing the Virgin Mary in his dreams. Mary showed the Pope the exact place where he was to construct the church. The church is, therefore, one of the four Patriarchal Basilicas in Rome.  In 431, Sisto III erected the real Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica, which he dedicated to Mary’s. It is an important chapel and keeps the icon of Mary Populi who is believed to have saved the city from the epidemic in IX century. This sanctuary is open between 9.am to 5 pm in summer.

#8: Mercato Monti

One of the great free things to do in Rome is go window shopping. While it can be expensive to buy the things, it doesn’t cost a penny to look! One of the best places to go to shop is Mercato Monti. It is located near to the Colosseum. It hosts an urban market that opens its doors to the public every weekend. The market started in 2009 and blends both vintage and contemporary fashion. For example, you can buy original silk kimons at Mercato Monti. In addition, you can find everything ranging from handicraft, furniture, retro clothing, silverware and home ware items.^[3]Markets of Rome – Monti market

#7: Sala 1

Sala 1 opened in 1970 and is the city’s oldest gallery. The gallery is located in the Vatican owned ex-basilica donated by Amodei. Visitors can see some of the best contemporary art here.^[4]In Rome, a Force For Contemporary Art In 1993 it hosted exhibitions from South African art. The Gallery has also hosted several projects from Bangladesh and Iraq. Priest Tido Amodei founded the gallery was founded and Mary Angela Schroth is its current director. Sala 1 famously programs dynamic exhibitions that you will not find anywhere else in the city.

#6: Santi Quattro Coronati

Santi Quattro Coronati is one of the top free things to do in Rome. The ancient basilica is a hidden gem where nuns live and pray. It is located in a rural part of central Rome. It opened to the public in 2014. However, in order to guarantee being able to visit, you need to book a space in advance. Famously, the the four saints that were dedicated to the church lived there before they died.^[5]LUISS – The International Development Office Presents Discovering secret places of Rome The four saints were crowned coronati and are said to have refused to sculpt the image of Aesculapius god. Because of their obstinacy, they were martyred. In addition, it is at this place where Emperor Constantine was healed from leprosy after Pope Sylvester prayed for him. The church has lovely mosaic floors dating back to the 13th century.

#5: Museo Hendrik Christian

Museo Hendrik Christian gets its name from the Norwegian-American artist of the same name. Christian moved to Rome before the start of the 20th Century and lived there for 40 years. He was an artist who made plenty of artwork for the Italian government.^[6]James and the Sculptor Andersen had an interest in architecture. His work inspired the development of most cities in the world and can be seen all over Rome and many other cities in Italy. Today, his studio home villa is now the modern day museum. It contains over 200 sculptures, 300 graphic works, 200 paintings. A trip to his studio home will guarantee you these intriguing artwork.

#4: Burcardo Museum

The Burcardo Museum holds an array of artifacts and costumes. Its collection includes much of the history of Italy and theatre.^[7]Welcome to Italy – The Theatre Museum of Burcardo The museum opened to the public in 1932 and features numerous collections including beautiful sculpture and bluster busts that depict actors and writers who lived in the past two centuries. In addition, at the museum, you will get black and white drawings of thespians.

#3: A Visit to Aventine Hills

The Aventine hills were the main district of choice for the ruling class in the Roman times.^[8]10 SECRET PLACES IN ROME, VENICE & FLORENCE It is a classical hill dotted with a number of posh villas. A river port which was the entrance to the city punctuates this area. There are plenty of temples you can visit in the area. Additionally, you can see plenty of  preserved upmarket residential homes in the area. If you like site seeing, it is one of the best free things to do in Rome. The hills give a wonderful sunset picnic view that allows you the rare opportunity to view the Vatican, Knights Garden, and Italy all in one spot. You will also have a chance to view St. Peters in the background.

#2: Janiculum

Even though it is not one of the famous hills in Rome, it is more attractive than any other hill in the area and is one of the best things to do in Rome.^[9]Rome SMART TOURISM GUIDE A tour around the hill gives you a breathtaking panorama of Rome and allows you to hear cannons being fired at noon or at night. It has terraces that form many popular viewpoints. From them you can see many famous sites. For example, you can see Piazzale Garibaldi where the Italian hero engaged the French in a fierce battle in 1849. Additionally, you can see the grandiose Fontana and San Pietro church. In addition, you can see the Renaissance Architect, a tiny masterpiece built in 1508. So if you don’t know what free things to do in Rome, consider visiting Gianacicolo.

#1: Pantheon Temple

One of the best free things to do in Rome is visit the Pantheon. Originally, the Pantheon was a temple to all the gods. The Roman Emperor Augustus built it over 2,000 years ago in 27 AD and it still stands with its glittering bronze doors as a testament to them. However, Hadrian constructed most of what you can see at the place today in 118.^[10]ResearchGate – The Pantheon Later, the Catholic Church converted the Pantheon and used it as the main place to bury the kings of Italy. Additionally, other famous people such as the artist Raphael are buried there as well.

Interestingly, Pope Urban VIII (1623 to 1644) had the bronze from the building’s portico stripped off and melted down so that he could use it for other works in Rome. What remained was an open oculus in the middle of the dome. However, it made the interior to look even more dramatic. In fact, the open oculus is what has kept the building standing and has given it stability.