Rome Day Tour: Castel Sant'Angelo, Hidden Gems with Wine Tasting

The visit of Castel Sant'Angelo (Hadrian's Mausoleum) is a truly experience through the centuries to better understand the development of the city of Rome from the imperial time to the present time. The monument was built of the Emperor Hadrian and with the time became at first a fortress and later on a residence for the Popes. It is considered a symbol of Rome’s imperial power and Pope’s power. During the visit we can see the transformation of the building from monumental tomb to a fortress and a residence. We are going to hear and see the secret places and the several stories related to the building that was connected to the Pope’s palaces through a secret corridor called ‘’Passetto di Borgo’’, an escape route to guarantee the safety of the Pope. After visiting the Castle, cross Borgo Pio and along the Vatican Walls we will reach the place where in a relaxing atmosphere you can sip a good glass of Italian wine and taste typical Roman cuisine, not to be missed when visiting Rome!

In Piazza Bocca della Verità is the ancient marble mask, one of the most famous symbols of Rome, placed in 1632 in the pronaos of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. The name "Mouth of Truth", originated in 1485, is linked to a curious and fascinating medieval legend, according to which the mouth could bite the hand of liars. The tradition was widespread among jealous husbands, who brought their wives to the monument: after introducing their hand, women had to declare that they had not committed adultery.

From the terrace of the "Gianicolo" you can enjoy one of the most evocative views of the historic centre of Rome. It consists of two large avenues with plane trees, bordering Villa Aurelia, which meet in Piazzale Garibaldi. Then, they continue as a single road that descends in hairpin bends towards the church of Sant'Onofrio, built to complete the Promenade in 1939. Since 1904, under the Belvedere del Gianicolo, every day at 12 o'clock, three soldiers load a blank howitzer and fire a shot. The cannon shot tradition dates back to Pius IX, who instituted this service in 1846 to avoid time confusion. Before moving to the Janiculum, the cannon fired from the towers of Castel Sant'Angelo and then from Monte Mario.

The Appian Way was designed in 312 BC by the censor Appio Claudio Cieco: his goal was to build a road axis that quickly connected Rome to Capua for the movement of troops southwards during the Second Samnite War (326-304 BC). Later on, the route was extended to Brindisi to directly connect with Greece, the East, and Egypt, for military expeditions, travels, and trade. It was the most famous route in the Roman era: the Regina viarum (the queen of the streets).

The Pincio once Colle dei Giardini, the Pincio promenade, on the homonymous hill, was already home to gardens during the Roman times. Its modern name derives from the Gens Pinciana, who came afterward. Among the Horti del Pincio, the Lucullus ones were particularly noteworthy. He was the first to build terraced gardens in this area. During the 5th century AD, the Pinciano, a magnificent imperial palace, was built on this hill. The walk dates between 1810 and 1908. In 1814, the Napoleonic empire dissolved, but the works on the Pincio Hill started, according to the project by the French architect Berthault. They continued under the restored papal government, directed by Valadier.