WHAT'S ON IN ROME
SOME INFORMATION
Rome can be a constant source of frustration to the traveler. Not helped of course by a political and bureaucratic class that
is mostly in a state of confusion, obsessed with short term self interest, and married to a breath of incompetence that is positively
mind numbing! Trying to find logic, and an ease of access to museums, and exhibitions in this city can be a nightmare. They do
not make it easy at all for visitors! Just recently I came across a handy bit of information, hidden largely under a mountain of best
intentions but little known to most of us. It concerns the purchase of museums tickets that cover more than one site, and are
therefore economical, and very practical. Whilst we all know of the Vatican Museums, and the Galleria Borghese etc, the recent
opening of the Palazzo Massimo (as described above), it's sister museum Palazzo Altemps, and the revamped Colosseo, and
Palatino (all under the control of the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Roma), Rome can now boast a collection of user friendly,
state of the art museums, second to none in the world. If one purchases the Archaeological Card, you make a substantial
saving in money, and time. This card costs 20 euros & is valid for 7 days after the first usage. This ticket gets you into the
Palazzo Massimo, Palazzo Altemps, and the wonderful new site located in the Jewish Ghetto quarter of Rome, which opened to
the public this April, the Balbi Crypt. This recently opened archaeological dig, which is beautifully presented to the public reveals a
visual record of Roman city life between the 5th-10th centuries, the transition of urban life in Rome from antiquity to the middle ages,
and is a must see! As well as access to the Colesseo, the Palatine Hill, & the Terme di Caracalla. That represents a saving of
more the 50% over the individual costs of entering these sites. The ticket can be purchased directly from all the above mentioned
sites from 0900 onwards, and I believe is well worth the effort. Things are changing in Rome for the better. If only we could access
such info more readily! And with this card, you pass the waiting lines at the Colesseum just by showing the guards there.Enjoy.
Locations, times, and entrance costs to:
Palazzo Altemps: Piazza Sant'Apollinare (very close to Piazza Navona), 46. Open Tues-Sat 0900-1845, Sunday 0900-1945.
Closed Mondays. Entrance cost: 7.00 Euro
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme: Largo di Ville Peretti (close to Stazione Termini), 1. Open Tues-Sat 0900-1845, Sunday 0900-1945.
Closed Mondays. Entrance cost: 7.00 Euro
Balbi Crypt: Via delle Botteghe Oscure, 31. Open Tues-Sun 0900-1845. Closed Mondays. Entrance cost: 7.00 Euro
Palatine Hill: overlooking the Roman forum of course. Open Mon-Sat 0900-1900 (museum open 0900-1740), Sunday 0900-2000
(museum open 0900-1840).
Colesseo: Open Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sundays 0900-2000. Ticket costs 9.00 Euro & gets you into the Palatine as well.
Terme di Caracalla: Viale Terme di Caracalla, 52. Open Mondays 0900-1400, Tues-Sat 0900-1845, Sundays 0900-2000.
Roman Forums: Open Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sundays 0900-2000. Free entrance.
Domus Aurea: Viale della Domus Aurea. Open Mon-Sun 0900-1945. Advanced booking is required on 0639967700. Entrance
cost: 5.00 Euro After a year of renovations and repairs, certain sections of the Domus Aurea, one of the most important
archeological sites in Rome, will be reopened this winter according to officials in Rome. The site was closed at the end
of 2005 when the archeologists reported extensive environmental damage from water infiltration, tree roots and harsh artificial
lighting. A small portion of the site reopened in February (2007), this will continue in stages through the spring, with the entire site
reportedly open after the summer 2007. At the moment the site is open Tuesday through Friday, with visits reserved in advance.
Galleria Borghese: Bookings are compulsory for this museum & can be made by phoning 06328101 or by contacting
www.ticketeria.it
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