Choose from 645 Fun Things to Do in Italy
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Palazzo Mirto
The Palazzo Mirto in the historic Kalsa district of Palermo is one of the only aristocratic homes from the 17th century that is not only intact but also open to the public.
In the late 18th century, the Palazzo Mirto was built on what was once the foundation of a building dating from the 13th century. The palace was built for a wealthy family as their residence, which is exactly what it was until 1982. At that point, the family that lived there - the Lanza Filangieri family, princes of the nearby town of Mirto - gave the palace to the government of Sicily.
Today, the Palazzo Mirto is kept in the fashion of an 18th or 19th century aristocrat’s home. Many of the palace’s rooms are decorated with furniture and artwork that was originally owned by the Lanza Filangieri family, so in some cases these pieces have occupied the Palazzo Mirto for centuries.
In the late 18th century, the Palazzo Mirto was built on what was once the foundation of a building dating from the 13th century. The palace was built for a wealthy family as their residence, which is exactly what it was until 1982. At that point, the family that lived there - the Lanza Filangieri family, princes of the nearby town of Mirto - gave the palace to the government of Sicily.
Today, the Palazzo Mirto is kept in the fashion of an 18th or 19th century aristocrat’s home. Many of the palace’s rooms are decorated with furniture and artwork that was originally owned by the Lanza Filangieri family, so in some cases these pieces have occupied the Palazzo Mirto for centuries.
Practical Info
There are several stories and rooms to explore, including a smoking room with a leather floor, Murano glass chandeliers in multiple rooms, and the lavishly decorated “Chinese Salon,” with silk wallpaper and black lacquer furniture.
Address: Via Merlo, 2, Palermo, 90133, Italy
From $ 115
Palazzo Davanzati
This ancient home grants a peek into history going back to the Middle Ages, and is a way to experience the wealthy merchant homes of the Renaissance era. It was built by the Davizzi family in the mid-14th century and later purchased by the Davanzatis in the 16th century. With three towers and five stories, it is decorated from floor to ceiling — complete with period furniture and frescoed walls. There are both medieval and Renaissance architectural elements, allowing for a comparison of the two styles and the history of the transition.
The traditional layout of the home makes it a magnificent example of a medieval Florentine home. Some of its highlights include a central courtyard, stone and wood staircase, and underground gallery. Historic art, lace, furnishings and even coats-of-arms throughout the palace demonstrate the trends and styles as they have progressed through the ages.
Practical Info
The Palazzo can be found at Via Porta Rossa 13 in Florence. It is open daily from 8:15 am to 1:50 pm. It is closed some Sundays and Mondays, so it is better to check before heading out. Admission costs €2.
Address: Via Porta Rossa, 13, Florence 50123, Italy
Admission: €2
From $ 16
Palatine Museum at Palatine Hill (Museo Palatino)
The whole of Palatine Hill could be considered an open-air museum, with its remains of palaces and villas dating from the Roman Empire. Within this area, however, there is also a dedicated Palatine Museum (Museo Palatino) where you can see the wealth of ancient Roman artifacts unearthed from the hillside over decades of excavation.
The Basics
The archaeological remains located on Rome’s Palatine Hill are among the most fascinating in Italy, but the treasures recovered during excavations here are kept inside the Palatine Museum. This hilltop museum is home to a collection of artifacts, sculptures, frescoes, and mosaics dating from long before the city of Rome was officially founded to the golden age of the Palatine Hill in the first and second centuries. Also on display is an interesting reconstruction of the huts where Romulus, founder of Rome, and his brother Remus lived.
To best understand the archaeological ruins on Palatine Hill and the artifacts inside the museum, book a private tour led by an expert guide that includes the area’s most important imperial palaces—Emperor Domitian’s Domus Flavia, the House of Augustus, the Casa di Livia, and the Domus Augustana—and the Palatine Museum. You can combine many Palatine Hill and Museum tours with stops at the nearby Roman Forum and Colosseum, with a single ticket for access to all three sites.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Palatine Hill and the Palatine Museum are especially interesting for Roman history buffs.
- Older kids can also enjoy Ancient Rome tours of the Forum and Palatine Hill, especially when accompanied by an engaging guide.
- The site offers great views over the Roman Forum, so be sure to bring your camera.
- There is a lot of ground to cover in both the archaeological site and museum, so wear comfortable shoes.
- Large bags and backpacks are not allowed in the Palatine Hill site or museum.
- The site is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers due to the rough terrain, but the museum is accessible.
How to Get There
The Palatine Museum is located on Palatine Hill just above the Roman Forum, with entrance from Via di San Gregorio. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo along line B.
When to Get There
Most of the archaeological ruins on Palatine Hill are outdoors, so it’s best to visit on a clear day. The museum collections are indoors, but you should visit both the park and museum in one go.
History of the Palatino Museum
The museum was first opened in the 1930s by the Italian archaeologist Alfonso Bartoli, who gathered artifacts found in the surrounding excavation site in this former 19th-century convent. After a long closure after World War II, the museum was renovated and reopened in the late 1960s.
Address: Via San Gregorio, 30, Rome, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 70
Oratory of Santa Cecilia (Oratorio Di Santa Cecilia)
Tucked away in Via Zamboni Portico, just moments from the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, the Oratory of Santa Cecilia (Oratorio Di Santa Cecilia) hides a wealth of artistic treasures behind its simple façade.
The Romanesque church was built as a family chapel for Bologna Lord Giovanni II Bentivoglio, and is most renowned for its exquisite series of frescos. Dating back to 1505, the frescos showcase the mastery of some of Bologna’s most important Renaissance artists, including Lorenzo Costa, Francesco Francia, Amico Aspertini and Raffaello Sanzio. Stretching over ten panels, the elaborate scenes depict the life of Saint Cecilia and her husband Valentine, while the church’s main altarpiece was so impressive, it’s now on display in the National Art Gallery of Bologna.
Practical Info
The Oratory of Santa Cecilia is located on Via Zamboni in central Bologna and is open daily from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 6pm (October to May) or 3pm-7pm (June to September). Admission is free.
Address: Via Zamboni, 15, Bologna, Italy
Hours: Oct-May 10am-1pm, 2-6pm; June-Sept 10am-1pm, 3-7pm
From $ 83
Paciotti Salumeria
Established in 1970, Paciotti Salumeria (the word ‘salumeria’ translates roughly as ‘a shop selling cured meats’, but this place is so much more) is one of Rome’s best-loved and smartest gastro-emporiums, family-run over four generations and located in a tangle of backstreets north of the Vatican City. A visual and aromatic delight, the store is known throughout Rome for its superb selection of salamis, smoked meats and fine Parma hams. There’s a wide choice of Italian cheeses—from Dolcelatte to Parmiggiano and Gorgonzola—and the very freshest of bread delivered daily. Other treats include homemade pastas, extra-virgin olive oils and exclusive (and expensive) seasonal truffles.
An experienced sommelier is on hand to advise on buying some of Italy’s best wines, from reds and whites to sparkling Astis and the Italian liqueur grappa. Paciotti also offers a gift service and its hampers can be delivered across the world; the gourmet store is also on several tours of the very best of Rome’s gastronomy.
Practical Info
Via Marcantonio Bragadin, 51/53. Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat 7.30–8.30pm; Thur 1pm–8.30pm. Metro Line A to Cipro.
Address: Via Marcantonio Bragadin, 51/53, Rome 00136, Italy
Hours: Open Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat 7:30–8:30pm; Thurs 1pm–8:30pm
From $ 87
Palazzo Altemps
Featuring Greek and Roman antiquities that once belonged to Rome’s nobility, the Palazzo Altemps offers a glimpse into the past — as well as into Rome’s Renaissance. The collection contains many marble statues in addition to frescoes, mosaics, and intricately decorated ceilings. Most famously it also houses the Ludovisi art collection. Curated by Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi in the 17th century, it includes such classical pieces as Trono Ludovisi (Ludovisi Throne), a carved marble block with a relief of the goddess Venus. The Galata Suicida (Gaul’s Suicide) is another grouping of masterful statues that is a highlight for many.
Aside from the Roman pieces there is also a fine Egyptian collection on display featuring many Eastern antiquities. The building itself features a large scenic courtyard and many rooms filled with classical sculpture. The 15th century palazzo is one of four buildings across the city that make up the National Roman Museum.
Practical Info
Palazzo Altemps is located at Piazza di Sant'Apollinare 46, just around the corner from Piazza Navona in Rome. It is open daily from 9 am to 7:45 pm, but is closed on Mondays. Admission cost is €7, and includes entry to nearby Palazzo Massimo and Crypta Balbi.
Address: Piazza di Sant'Apollinare, 46, Roma 00186, Italy
Admission: € 7.00
From $ 19
Ospedale degli Innocenti
Florence’s one-of-a-kind Ospedale degi Innocenti (Hospital of the Innocents) is the oldest orphanage on the continent and offers travelers the perfect blend of Italian history, Roman artistry, classic architecture and lush gardens. It can only be described as one of the city’s oddest—and most beautiful—attractions. Built during the early 15th century, Ospedale degli Innocenti has served as a center of care for infants and children for more than 500 years and today also operates as a home for some of the nation’s best-known works of art.
In addition to a vast gallery, this historic landmark is also home to open cloisters and plenty of hospital-like rooms, including an infirmary and group dormitories. Travelers can explore the grounds and bear witness to giant frescos that depict scenes from the historic site’s lengthy past. Dozens of brilliantly colored paintings line the galleries and hallways projecting images of religious figures with dozens of children—a nod to the hospital’s original purpose. Travelers say the glazed terra-cotta reliefs of swaddled newborn babies are not to be missed and prove one of Ospedale degi Innocenti’s most unique details.
Practical Info
Ospedale degi Innocenti is located off of Via della Colonna and accessible via the number 6 and 31 buses.
Address: Piazza della Santissima Annunziata, 12, Firenze 50121, Italy
Hours: Weekdays 8:30am-7pm, Holidays 8:30am-2pm
Admission: € 4,00
From $ 81
Palazzo Corvaja
The Sicilian town of Taormina, like the rest of Sicily, has changed hands many times over the centuries, the evidence of which can be seen in much of the island’s architecture. In Taormina, one building that captures the town’s history is the Palazzo Corvaja on the Piazza Badia.
The first part of the Palazzo Corvaja was the tower, built in the 10th century by the Arabs who ruled the area at the time. The tower was then part of the city’s fortifications, and the cube-shape was typical of Arab towers built in that era. In the 13th century when the Normans were in charge, they added to the palace, making the tower bigger and building a new wing.
Later, in the early 15th century, the Spanish ruled Sicily - and they added yet another wing to the existing construction at the Palazzo Corvaja. This time, the structure was designed to hold the Sicilian Parliament, formed in 1411. The name of the palace dates from the 16th century, when it became the property of the prominent Corvaja family. They owned the building until 1945.
The Palazzo Corvaja served as an apartment building for low-income families from the early 1900s until after World War II, so it needed extensive renovation work after the war. Today, the building houses the Sicilian Museum of Art and Popular Traditions as well as Taormina’s tourist information office. The latter is in a new section of the building, added in 1960.
The first part of the Palazzo Corvaja was the tower, built in the 10th century by the Arabs who ruled the area at the time. The tower was then part of the city’s fortifications, and the cube-shape was typical of Arab towers built in that era. In the 13th century when the Normans were in charge, they added to the palace, making the tower bigger and building a new wing.
Later, in the early 15th century, the Spanish ruled Sicily - and they added yet another wing to the existing construction at the Palazzo Corvaja. This time, the structure was designed to hold the Sicilian Parliament, formed in 1411. The name of the palace dates from the 16th century, when it became the property of the prominent Corvaja family. They owned the building until 1945.
The Palazzo Corvaja served as an apartment building for low-income families from the early 1900s until after World War II, so it needed extensive renovation work after the war. Today, the building houses the Sicilian Museum of Art and Popular Traditions as well as Taormina’s tourist information office. The latter is in a new section of the building, added in 1960.
Address: Largo Santa Caterina, Taormina, Sicily, Italy
From $ 92
Palazzo Lombardia
While most palazzos are historic, Milan's Palazzo Lombardia is modern skyscraper. Completed in 2010, the building reigned as the tallest building in all of Italy at 529 feet (161 meters) tall for about a year until another Milan skyscraper was built in 2011.
Today, the Palazzo Lombardia serves as the headquarters for Lombardy's government. Even with that main administrative purpose, the ground level is open to the public with shops, restaurants, bars, and even an auditorium for performances.
Practical Info
Palazzo Lombardia, also called Regione Lombardia, is located on Via Melchiorre Gioia in the Porta Nuova district to the north of Milan's city center.
Address: Piazza Città di Lombardia, 1, Milano 20124, Italy
From $ 75
Orvieto Duomo
Orvieto’s magnificent cathedral (duomo) can be seen from miles around, its soaring facade and spires towering high above the rooftops of the clifftop town. Once you get closer, you can take in its intricate external mosaics and stonework, rose window, bronze doors, and sumptuous Signorelli frescoes inside.
The Basics
Orvieto Cathedral (Duomo di Orvieto) is considered one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, begun in the early 1200s based on a design by Arnolfo di Cambio, who also designed Florence’s duomo. The original plan was Romanesque, but was transformed into the more fashionable Italian Gothic over the centuries; the facade designed by Sienese sculptor and architect Lorenzo Maitani is one of the great architectural masterpieces of its time, covered with splendid mosaics and bas-reliefs and crowned by Orcagna’s 14th-century rose window. Inside, the main nave has the same stark stripes of white travertine and gray basalt stone as the external walls, but the apse is richly frescoed, as are the Chapel of the Corporal and the Chapel of the Madonna of San Brizio, the latter decorated by Signorelli’s masterful Apocalypse and the Last Judgment fresco cycle.
Orvieto is just over an hour outside Rome, and a popular day trip along with nearby Cività di Bagnoregio and Assisi. Join a walking tour of Orvieto that includes an in-depth visit of the Cathedral, or zip around the medieval center on an electric bike. The entrance to Orvieto’s popular underground tour is just across the square from the duomo, so you can easily pair a visit to the town’s most famous above-ground attraction with a tour of its warren of underground tunnels and caves.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Modest attire is required to enter the church, so be sure to cover your shoulders and knees.
- Walking tours of the duomo and city of Orvieto cover quite a bit of ground; comfortable shoes are recommended.
- The cathedral is accessible via a secondary entrance to the left of the main staircase; the internal chapels are all accessible.
- Flash photography isn’t allowed inside the church.
How to Get There
The Orvieto Duomo is on Piazza Duomo in Orvieto’s pedestrian-only historic center and can only be reached on foot. You can reach Orvieto from Rome by car or train in just over an hour.
When to Get There
Orvieto’s two main celebrations—Festa della Palombella on Pentecost and Corpus Domini—center around celebrations, processions, and ceremonial games in the square just outside the duomo and are a particularly festive time to visit.
The Corporal of Bolsena
Orvieto’s impressive cathedral was built to house the Corporal of Bolsena. A corporal is a small square of cloth that holds the communion host and wine chalice during Mass, and in 1263 a host is said to have miraculously dripped blood onto the corporal below in the nearby town of Bolsena. The stained cloth, known as the Corporal of Bolsena, is now displayed in the duomo’s Chapel of the Corporal, and has been attracting pilgrims for almost 800 years.
Address: Piazza Duomo, Orvieto, Umbria 05108, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 14
Orsanmichele Church and Museum (Chiesa e Museo di Orsanmichele)
In a city known for its Renaissance architecture, the Gothic-style Orsanmichele Church and Museum is a standout. With ornate doors and windows, some of the oldest stained glass in Florence, and statues by Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Della Robbia, Nanni di Banco, and Donatello, this little-known landmark is worth a visit.
The Basics
Built in the 14th century as a grain market, Orsanmichele was later converted into a church. Each of Florence’s powerful trade guilds was commissioned to provide a statue of its patron saint to fill the niches in the exterior walls, which now hold replicas; most of the originals are housed in the museum upstairs, where you can also see the building’s Gothic wooden vaulting and decorative brickwork. The fresco-bedecked interior holds two treasures: an ornate marble tabernacle by Andrea Orcagna and a Madonna and Child by Bernardo Daddi, believed to have healing powers.
Orsanmichele Church and Museum is located in the heart of Florence's historic center and included in many walking or Segway city tours along with skip-the-line access to the Uffizi Gallery, Accademia Gallery, and Duomo.
Things to Know Before You Go
- A walking tour of Florence covers a lot of ground, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
- The church and museum are not accessible to wheelchairs.
- The windows of the upper-floor museum are perfect for snapping pictures of Florence from above.
- Photography without flash is allowed in the church and museum.
- Modest attire that covers shoulders and knees should be worn to enter the church.
How to Get There
Orsanmichele is located in the largely pedestrian center of Florence, between Via dell’Arte della Lana and Via dei Calzaiuoli, about halfway between Piazza della Signoria and the Duomo. The main Santa Maria Novella train station is a short walk away.
When to Get There
Though the church is open daily, the museum is only open on Mondays and Saturdays, so time your visit well if you would like to see the original statues in the museum.
The Statues of Orsanmichele
The church’s original statues are now in the Orsanmichele Museum to protect them from erosion and damage, with the exception of two works by Donatello: Saint George and its niche are a short walk away in the National Museum of Bargello, and Saint Louis of Toulouse is in the nearby Basilica di Santa Croce Museum.
Address: Via dell’Arte della Lana, Florence, Tuscany 50123, Italy
From $ 3
Ortygia
The city of Syracuse on the eastern coast of Sicily is partly located on an island called Ortygia, where much of the city’s history can be found. The island figures into Greek mythology as the place where the Greek goddess Leto gave birth to Artemis, and its name comes from the ancient Greek word for quail; Leto's sister is said to have turned into a quail and become the island when she fell into the sea.
There are two islands that connect the island with mainland Sicily, and most of the city of Syracuse is on the mainland. Among the sights in the historic city on Ortygia are its seventh-century cathedral and the Fountain of Arethuse.
Practical Info
The island of Ortygia is only about one mile long and a half-mile wide, so it's most easily explored on foot.
Address: Ortygia, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
From $ 28
Palazzo Farnese
Palazzo Farnese is one of the most majestic Renaissance palaces in Rome, built with the collaboration of architects including Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Michelangelo and frescoed by Carracci and other 16th-century artists. Originally residence of the noble Farnese family, the palace is now seat of the French embassy.
The Basics
Alessandro Farnese commissioned Palazzo Farnese in the 16th century, and the building was expanded to its current size after he became Pope Paul III in 1534, with adornments like Michelangelo’s ornate central window that served as the facade’s focal point and dramatic backdrop for the pope’s public appearances overlooking Piazza Farnese. Today visitors can admire the palazzo’s ornate interiors including Sangallo’s atrium, the Carracci Gallery, and the Hercules salon with tapestries inspired by Raffaello’s frescos, and the courtyard and garden.
Palace visits are only by guided tour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and must be booked at least a week ahead of time. View the palace from the outside on a walking, e-bike, or Vespa Rome highlights tour that includes sights such as the Quirinale Palace, Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiori, and the Spanish Steps. Sightseeing tours can easily be combined with skip-the-line tickets to the Colosseum and Vatican Museums.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Palace visits require a security check and each visitor must carry a valid ID that matches the name on the reservation.
- Children under 10 are not allowed.
- The palace is not accessible to wheelchair users.
- Photography and filming are prohibited during the tour.
How to Get There
Palazzo Farnese is located on Piazza Farnese in Rome’s historic center, an easy walk from the busy Largo di Torre Argentina, where a number of city buses stop.
When to Get There
The palace is only open to the public for guided tours booked in advance. To view the palace from the outside, stroll through Piazza Farnese in the early morning or late afternoon when the light is particularly pretty, or at night when the palace is dramatically lit.
The Farnese Family Legacy
The Farnese family was one of the most influential in Rome during the Renaissance and included a number of dukes as well as a pope. In addition to its political and economic power, the family was famous for its extensive sculpture collection, known as the “Farnese Marbles,” portions of which are housed in Naples in the National Archaeological Museum and the Capodimonte Museum.
Address: Palazzo Farnese, 67, Rome, Province of Rome 00100, Italy
Admission: Varies
From $ 41
Palazzo di Montecitorio
The Palazzo di Montecitorio is the seat of the Chamber of Deputies, the house of Italy’s parliament. It was completed under Pope Innocent X in 1650, designed by Bernini and afterwards expanded by Carlo Fontana. It was the pope's vision to house the Pontifical Curia here, but the building ended up serving a variety of functions over the years until it became the seat of the Chamber of Deputies later on. Although the look of the building has changed over the years and it got a makeover in the Art Nouveau style in the early 20th century, the clock tower, column, window sills and the baroque Bernini façade remain the same.
A newer addition is the long salon, where informal political discussions and agreements take place, leading to it being referred to as the informal center of Italian politics. The salon’s name, Transatlantico, refers to a construction company from Palermo. Although they did a great job on the decorations and the interior design, they were, at the time, best known for working on passenger ships.
Practical Info
The Palazzo is located in the center of Rome between the Piazza Montecitoria and the Piazza del Parlamento. The closest metro stations are Barberini, Repubblica, Termini and Colosseo, although they are all quite a distance away. It’s easiest to take the metro to the Repubblica stop and then hop on bus 85 or 175 to Corso/Minghetti. There are open-door days, which usually take place on the first Sunday of the month and allow people to visit without booking in advance.
Address: Piazza di Montecitorio, Rome, Italy
Hours: Open to the public on the first Sunday of the month
From $ 29
Palazzo Corsini
Not to be confused with Florence's Palazzo Corsini, Rome's own Palazzo Corsini and the land it sits on changed hands many times over the centuries before coming to house the offices of the National Academy of Science and first-floor Corsini Gallery as it does today. Surrounded by formal gardens, the Baroque palace's gallery exhibits Italian art with Renaissance showstoppers such as Caravaggio's St John the Baptist (1606), St Sebastian (1614) by Rubens and works by Guido Reni, Fra'Angelico and Carracci. In addition, late 18th-century pieces, historical art and landscape paintings are included.
Otherwise known as the National Gallery of Antique Art or the Galleria Corsini, this gallery is somewhat of a hidden gem with its light crowds and extensive collection of ancient art. Travelers will love exploring the manicured grounds and can note that the gallery's Roman sister collections include Palazzo Barberini and Galleria Borghese.
Practical Info
Located at Via della Lungara 10 in the Trastevere section of Rome, the site sits next to the Villa Farnesina. The Palazzo Corsini is open Wednesday through Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Travelers can walk here from Piazza Santa Maria or catch buses 8, 23, 116, 125 or 280.
Address: Via della Lungara 10, Trastevere, Rome, Lazio, Italy
Hours: Wednesday-Monday 8:30am–7:30pm.
Admission: Varies
From $ 34
Palazzo Real (Royal Palace)
Today, Milan is part of a unified Italy – but centuries ago, it was the center of its own empire, and has a Royal Palace to prove it. Milan's Palazzo Reale sits to one side of the Piazza del Duomo, a U-shaped building with its own piazza in the center (called the Piazzetta Reale). The Dukes of Milan moved into the Royal Palace from the Castello Sforzesco in the early 16th century, though the building predates that move. Much of the exterior we see today dates from the 18th century.
Today, the Palazzo Reale houses a Palace Museum tracing the history of the building's use, the Great Museum of the Duomo of Milan, as well as regular exhibitions of contemporary art – including displays of work by Monet, Picasso, Klimt, Kandinsky, and more. The artwork on display changes on a regular basis, loaned from major museums worldwide.
Practical Info
Milan's Royal Palace is adjacent to the Duomo, and is open Mondays from 2:30-7:30pm, Tuesday-Sundays from 9:30am-10:30pm. Tickets are €9.
Address: Piazza del Duomo, 12, Milan, Italy
Hours: Mondays from 2:30-7:30pm, Tuesday-Sundays from 9:30am-10:30pm.
Admission: €9
From $ 36
Palazzo Mocenigo
Palazzo Mocenigo in Venice was built in the late Renaissance period and was extensively rebuilt in a Gothic style in the early 17th century. It was once the home of the Mocenigo family, a prestigious family in Venice, and seven members of the family became doges between 1414 and 1778. The last descendent of the Mocenigo family left the palace to the city in order for it to become a museum, which opened in 1985 and became the Study Center of the History of Fabrics and Costumes.
Aside from large collections of ancient fabrics and clothes, the museum also has a library that houses books on the history of fabrics, costumes, and fashion. The exhibition area shows different aspects of the life and activities of a Venetian nobleman during the 17th and 18th centuries. There is also a new exhibit focusing on the history of perfumes and essences.
Practical Info
Palazzo Mocenigo is located at Santa Croce 1992. Entrance is 8 euros.
Address: Santa Croce 1992, Venice, Italy
Admission: Admission: 8 euros
From $ 9
Palatine Hill
Of Rome’s seven legendary hills, Palatine Hill figures most importantly in the capital’s history and lore. It is said that Romulus founded Rome on this hilltop, and many of the city’s most important archaeological sites dating from ancient times are located here.
The Basics
The remains of a number of palaces and villas built during the Roman empire are spread across Palatine Hill, including the House of Augustus (Casa di Augustus), Casa di Livia (residence of the emperor’s wife), and Emperor Domitian’s Domus Flavia, Domus Augustana, and Hippodrome. What remains of the 16th-century Farnese Gardens (Orti Farnesiani) are located on the ruins of the palace of Emperor Tiberius, offering beautiful views over the city. Palatine Hill is also home to the Palatine Museum, with a collection of artifacts discovered in the area’s archaeological digs and a historic reconstruction of the huts where Romulus and Remus lived.
The Palatine Hill ruins are not easy to interpret to the untrained eye, as they are much less preserved than those in the Roman Forum. To best understand the sites and their historical and cultural importance, join a Palatine Hill tour led by a tour guide well versed in Roman history. Many walking tours and small-group tours stop at other ancient Roman monuments such as the nearby Colosseum and Forum, while others include a private tour guide and skip-the-line access to avoid any long lines. Consider combining your Palatine visit with a Colosseum tour, as single-entry tickets are available for Palatine Hill, the Roman Forum, and Colosseum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Palatine Hill is a must for Roman history buffs. Older kids also enjoy ancient Rome tours, typically when accompanied by a guide experienced in engaging kids.
- Most of the hill ruins are open to the elements, so bring a hat and sunscreen in the summer, and dress warmly in winter.
- The archaeological site is spread out over the hillside along rough paths and uneven surfaces, so wear comfortable shoes. The site is not recommended for wheelchairs or strollers.
How to Get There
Palatine Hill is the centermost of Rome’s seven hills, located just above the Roman Forum. The nearest metro stop is Colosseo along line B.
When to Get There
Since most of the archaeological ruins on Palatine Hill are outdoors, try to visit on a day with clear skies and mild temperatures. During the summer, the best times to visit are in the early morning or late afternoon.
Recent Excavations of Palatine Hill
This hillside overlooking the Circus Maximus and the Roman Forum is still being excavated, and archaeologists have recently unearthed a palace believed to be the birthplace of Augustus—Rome’s first emperor. They have also found an underground cave that may have been the site of the ancient city’s Lupercalia celebrations, marking the spot where the she-wolf nursed Rome’s founder, Romulus, and his twin brother, Remus.
Address: Palatine Hill, Rome, Province of Rome 00186, Italy
From $ 23
Paestum Archaeological Site
From Rome’s Coliseum to the mighty city of Pompeii, Italy might be most famous for its Roman ruins, but the Paestum Archaeological Site dates back even earlier. The ancient Greek city of Poseidonia was founded in 600 B.C. and conquered by the Romans in 273 B.C., when it became Paestum, and the impressively preserved ruins offer a unique glimpse into Italy’s Greco-Roman roots.
The most memorable remains of Paestum are a trio of remarkably preserved Greek Temples – the Temple of Hera, the Temple of Neptune and the Temple of Athena – while additional highlights include part of a Roman Forum and amphitheater, and the Heroon tomb. There’s also an archaeological museum on-site displaying a sizable collection of sculptures, paintings and artifacts, most notably the famous fresco from the 'Tomb of the Diver'.
Practical Info
Paestum Archaeological Site is located around 40km south of Salerno and is open daily from 8.30am to between 4.30pm-7.30pm depending on the time of year. Adult admission is €9.
Address: Campania, Italy
Hours: Daily: 8.30am – 4.30, 5.30 or 7.30pm, depending on time of year
Admission: Adult: €9
From $ 49
Palazzo Carignano
The Piazza Carignano is one of Turin’s most majestic squares and is overlooked by the equally handsome, redbrick and white alabaster palace of the same name. Built between 1679 and 1685 by Baroque maestro Guarino Guarini as one of the royal homes of the ruling Savoy dukes, the Palazzo Carignano gained huge national significance when in 1861 it became the occasional home of Italy’s first king, Vittorio Emanuele II, following the Unification struggles that began in 1848. The palazzo now houses the Museo Nazionale del Risorgimento as well as the elaborate, circular meeting rooms that were briefly the location of Italy’s first united government, which was formed in 1861 and lasted four years.
Palazzo Carignano first became a museum in 1908; it was originally housed in the Mole Antonelliana – now the city’s film museum – but moved to its present site in 1938. After a period of closure for the revamping of the collections, it reopened in 2011 and now showcases the events that brought about the Risorgimento (literally ‘resurgence’ in English), with a series of 30 ornately decorated apartments leading chronologically through the various military and political battles as the country headed towards unification. Displays of uniforms, dramatic equine portraits of war heroes, weapons, flags, maps, and correspondence reveal feats of bravery as visitors discover the disjointed, disillusioned Italy of the 19th century, accompanied by informative multi-lingual films giving the background to each stage of the campaign.
Practical Info
Palazzo Carignano is located at Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5. Admission costs €10 for adults, €8 for seniors, €5 for students, €2.50 for children and is free for those 6 and under. The site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm, and Tram 13 and 15 can get you there.
Address: Via Accademia delle Scienze, 5, Torino, Italy
Hours: Tue-Sun 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults €10, Seniors €8, Students €5, Kids €2.50, Under 6 Free
From $ 58