Off the Beaten Path in Rome

St Peter's Basilica, the Coliseum, The Forum, the Spanish Steps--- Rome has more than its fair share of must see sights, but "must see" can often translate into long lines and longer waits. Check out some of Rome's more unusual sights and less busy attractions.

Bone up on the Via Veneto

In the crypt of this lovely church close to the Piazza Barberini, the Capuchin monks that served Santa Maria della Concezione over many centuries are not buried, but are stored. Bones, decorate the walls and ceilings in a typical, if somewhat ghoulish, Baroque style. Piles of bones are neatly stacked everywhere there are even full skeletons dressed in traditional brown habit. Make sure to take a good look at the grand chandeliers, yes they are made of bones too.

27 Via Vitorrio Veneto 9.00-12.00-15.00-18.00 May through October

Rome with a View

At the top of the Aventine Hill next to one of Rome's best examples of early Christian architecture, Santa Sabina, is a Piazza designed by the famous Piranesi in 1765. Peek through the keyhole of the gates at this piazza and you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of a garden path, under an allee of Cyprus perfectly framing the dome of Saint Peter's and a panorama of Rome. The gate leads to the gardens of the Knights of St. John Hospitaler, better known as the Knights of Malta, one of the last surviving orders of knights from the crusades. The knights are now headquartered in Rome and the Italian state recognizes the sovereignty of the knights, which means there are actually three nations within Rome; Italy, the Vatican and The Knights of Malta.

Paizza Pietro d'Illiria Via Santa Sabina

When in Rome

The Basilica of San Clemente is perhaps one of the most interesting sights in Rome, the present church, which is a few meters below street grade only hints at the passage of time. Below the current basilica, which was begun in 1108AD, one can descend stairs and enter the church built in the 380 AD. At the lower church one can take another set of stairs down to a Roman street with two houses from Republican times, one of the homes has rooms dedicated to the cult of Mithras which in its time rivaled Christianity in popularity. These dark, damp and mysterious rooms were the setting for the Ngaio Marsh mystery novel, 'When in Rome'.

95 Via Labicina