Unveiling Rome’s hidden gems is akin to embarking on a thrilling treasure hunt through time. From forgotten catacombs echoing whispers of history to semi-secret gardens and even a staggering pyramid in the heart of the city, these oft-overlooked wonders promise extra excitement to any holiday in Rome. Embrace a sense of adventure as you wander through labyrinthine alleyways, charming trattorias tucked away from the tourist gaze or stumble upon an underground crypt that guards secrets of the past. An extraordinary escapade awaits those willing to embrace Rome’s concealed marvels – here’s where to start:
1. Enjoy a part of the Vatican that few people do
The Vatican’s classical statues, papal art and fresco masterpieces are spectacular – that is well-known. But such celebrity means it’s impossible to get a moment’s peace even if you speed through the front door at opening time like a rocket. For a better chance of solitude, visit the Gardens of the Vatican City, a private world of grottoes, groomed gardens and box hedges tucked away behind the palace’s imposing walls. Among the green glory, you’ll find quirky fountains, stately sculptures and an artsy artificial grotto that’s devoted to Our Lady of Lourdes. Don’t forget the olive tree gifted by none other than the government of Israel, a symbol of peace that brings a little extra zen to this garden. Most people don’t know they’re open to the public but often in Rome, the hardest places to get to are the most rewarding. Make sure to book your tickets a few weeks in advance online.
2. Take a macabre trip beneath the city
Rome’s history doesn’t just sit above ground; there’s plenty under the surface too. Rome’s ancient catacombs are a fascinating and uncommon peek into the city’s spiritual history. There are at least 60 hallowed burial grounds around the city and a fair few are adorned with hauntingly beautiful frescoes and tombs. These Roman catacombs are mostly known for Christian burials, but some have been known to feature Jewish and other Pagan burials too. Very few catacombs are actually open to the public, but of these, the Catacomb of Callixtus is the most popular. It’s right along the Appian Way, one of Rome’s earliest and most strategically important roads. Inside, you’ll see the Crypt of the Popes, the former resting place of several popes from the second to the fourth century. While self-guided tours are possible (tickets start from €7 and can be purchased online), you won’t get to see as much as you would on a guided walking tour. Tip: Book a tour that covers both the Appian Way and this catacomb to make the most of your day.
For something a little more thought-provoking, grab a ticket to the Capuchin Crypt (Museo e Cripta dei Cappuccini). It’s beneath the Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini on Via Vittorio Veneto, one of Rome’s most famous and elegant streets. Inside, you’ll find the remains of more than 3,700 Capuchin monks with their bones meticulously arranged into intricate patterns and artful displays. The ambience is sombre but this hidden gem in Rome offers rare insight into the Capuchin order’s religious practices. It’s truly an invitation to contemplate life, death and the spiritual journey. You’ll need to apply for a photography permit before booking tickets if you want to take your own pictures. Admission costs €80 (S$119) for guided tours in English and must be booked two weeks in advance. You’re also required to wear clothes that cover your knees to enter the museum.
3. Ditch the Roman Forum for Ostia Antica
Pompeii without the pomp, the preserved port city of Ostia Antica is only a 45-minute journey from Rome. Few visitors bother to give this former Roman city the attention it deserves, but there are stunning ruins to be found here if you prefer to skip the crowds at Pompeii. Start on the main avenue of Decumanus Maximus to see houses, shops and buildings that date back to 4th century BC before soaking up the traders’ forum, amphitheatre and mosaics at the Baths of Neptune. All of these have been preserved by thousands of years of mud and silt, and Ostia Antica springs to life before your eyes. Its gorgeous mosaics and frescoes are remarkably well-preserved, and in the taverna, you can still clearly make out paintings above the fireplace. A short distance away, the pretty beaches and thriving nightlife of present-day Ostia await after your journey to the past.
4. Be treated like one of the family at Villa Spalletti Trivelli
There is little fanfare outside this 12-room boutique hotel along Via Piacenza, but push the gold-plated buzzer and you’ll be ushered into Villa Spalleti Trivelli’s secret world in seconds. The former home of one of Rome’s oldest aristocratic families, this opulent property has corridors teeming with historical maps, tapestries and polished vases. The magnificent wood-panelled library and its rare book collection has even earned recognition from Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism. The price is in keeping with the riches on display but in a city with such weighty history on its shoulders, staying at a big chain hotel simply won’t cut it.
5. Eat cacio e pepe at a Lazio farmer’s co-op
Simplicity is what la cucina Romana (the Roman kitchen) is all about. Its most celebrated dish, cacio e pepe (spaghetti with cracked black pepper and pecorino Romano cheese), is a light, uncomplicated affair. To enjoy it as the Romans do, take a table at VyNIQUE Enoteca Regionale del Lazio on Via Frattina (Via Frattina 94), a bistro and wine bar that showcases the region’s highest-quality produce. Inside, shelves are packed with artisan oils, wine, spirits and hand-rolled pasta while office workers snack on an array of desserts at the counter. Within the restaurant proper, business is done over homemade beetroot tagliatelle, catch-of-the-day fish fillets with Sicilian eggplant caponata and tiramisu. Understandably, it has delighted Romans in the know for several years. Just don’t tell anyone else.
6. Marvel at Rome’s unknown pyramid
Not many people – even the city’s legions of taxi drivers and Vespa riders – know that the Italian capital has a 2,000-year-old pyramid. It is hemmed in on an intersection of a busy traffic junction near Porta San Paolo, within the vibrant Ostiense quarter. Amid the rush past fountains, obelisks and columns, missing this pyramid is part of the daily grind. Still, it’s possible to tunnel under the 36-metre-high Pyramid of Cestius, the city’s only surviving Egyptian-style tomb, to see its frescoed burial chambers. It’s certainly one of Rome’s most unusual experiences. Afterwards, you’ll feel like a smug Indiana Jones or Lara Croft. It’s currently closed, so keep an eye out for reopening dates!
To learn more about Singapore Airlines’ flights to Rome, visit the official website.
This article was written by Mike MacEacheran and originally published by Singapore Press Holdings. It was updated in August 2023 by Hazel Vincent De Paul.
