– Via Caio Cestio, 6 (MON-SAT 9:00-16:30 /SUN 9:00-12:30 - a donation is expected) Immediately behind the Cestius Pyramid there is a cemetery reserved for the unbaptized, who, until the popes reigned, were forbidden to be buried in a normal cemetery. Illustrious foreign figures are buried here, among which Keats and Shell, as well as famous atheists, such as the Marxist Antonio Gramsci. The Germans will be surprised to find the grave of Goethe’s son. The place is worth a visit because here too, despite being in the middle of the city, we are transferred to a space and time imbued with romance. Walk to the large Piazzale Ostiense and take the Metro in direction Laurentina. Only two stops and you are at:

(7:00 –19:00 free entry) I know, it’s a church again, but what a church! Rebuilt after a fire in 1823, which however spared the enormous apse mosaic, the 5-nave basilica is impressive for its size and is never overcrowded. After having visit this one, you can tell you have seen all the four papal basilicas!

For a small entrance fee you can also visit the wonderful cosmatesque cloister (12th century) Return to the metro station and instead of taking the subway, take the train to Ostia Lido (ask for the right track. You have to buy a new ticket (BIT € 1,50 valid 100 min.) and you can reach the station and archeological site:

(9:30 – 1 hour before sunset - MON. closed / Ticket € 18,00) Also known as the Pompei outside the gates of Rome, this enormous archaeological area will never be overcrowded and lends itself not only to the discovery of Roman houses, shops, sometimes still with the original mosaics, but also to a relaxing walk among the ruins of the ancient port city of Rome. If the smell of the nearby sea makes you want to see the Mediterranean Sea, take the train again which will soon take you to the Ostia Lido district. If you get off at the stop

(9:30-19:00 – MON. closed - Ticket € 10,00) for lovers of ancient statues, mosaics, frescoes in a modern setup inside the rooms of a prestigious 19th century Roman palace. Extraordinary works, such as the boxer and the discobolus, can be enjoyed in large spaces that are never overcrowded.

– Via Nomentana 349 (8:00-12:00 / 15:00-18:00 – free entry) You can easily reach this Site located in a more peripheral location, outside the ancient roman walls, from Termini Station by Metro B1 (Stop S. Agnese Annibaliano). Once again, you’ll be surprised of this oasis of peace in the middle of the chaos of the city. A large stair conduces you down to the level of an old basilica with mosaics of the 7th century. In the courtyard in front of the main entrance you will find the ticket office for visiting the catacombs. These catacombs are almost unknown and rarely visited, but once you have visited an underground corridor of any catacomb, those of all the other catacombs are similar. But the highlight of this complex is the MAUSOLEUM OF CONSTANZA. You enter the magical atmosphere of a circular building, consisting of a central volume, covered with a dome, surrounded by a vaulted ring completely covered with mosaics from the Constantinian era of the 4th century. These mosaics are placed in the transition period from ancient art to the early Christian era. The theme of the grape harvest and the vines, we can find on cinerary urns mixed with Dionysian and therefore certainly pagan scenes, are here reused in an early Christian mausoleum, with reference to the famous parable “I am the vine, you are the branches”. It may happen that when you arrive a wedding is in progress. In this case, avoid disturbing. Go to the BAR inside the complex and have a cappuccino. Then return to enjoy the exit of the bride and guests.