Raphael at the Villa Farnesina

Rome is filled with masterpieces. But the Villa Farnesina is without a doubt one of the jewels in Rome's crown. Built in the 16th century for Agostino Chigi, one of Italy's richest and most influential bankers, the Villa boasts frescoes by the master Raphael and other famous Renaissance painters del Sebastiano del Piombo and Baldassare Peruzzi. Located on the western bank of the Tiber in Trastevere, the Villa is in what was once considered the suburbs of Rome but is now the heart of modern Rome's bohemian quarter. The famous Sala della Galatea (pictured) and Logge delle Cupid and Psyche of Raphael have inspired countless artists for centuries and continue to do so today. The luxurious and intimate setting of the Villa will bring you closer to the artists' works than you have ever been and truly make you feel as if you are Italian nobility yourself. The Villa is open from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm every day except Sundays and holidays, so get there early to soak in the magical view of Peruzzi's Salone delle Prospettive.

Villa Giulia: Etruscan Treasures in a Papal Palace

On the edge of the Borghese Gardens is the former residence of Pope Julius III. Built in the 16th century, the palace was decorated by the most famous artists of the day, most notably Georgio Vasari and Michaelangelo Buonarroti. Today the palace, now known as the Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia, houses the most extensive collection of Etruscan artifacts in Rome and includes famous works such as the Apollo from Veii and the Bride and Groom from Cerveteri. Be sure to visit the extraordinary collection of Etruscan gold and jewelry on the second floor. In addition, the first floor Portico painted by Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola must not be missed. The museum is closed Mondays.

Villa Torlonia Has Reopened

One of the most lavish of the private villas in Rome, the Villa Torlonia was closed for several years and has recently reopened restored to all its former opulence. The Villa is located to the east of the Villa Borghese along the Via Nomentana in the elegant Parioli neighborhood of Rome. The villa was redesigned in the 18th century by Marchese Giovanni Torlonia, who commissioned Giuseppe Valadier to renovate the main villa and build several outbuildings and gardens. These outbuildings included three major residences, stables, false ancient ruins, a small temple and later additions of a Moorish grotto, conservatory and tower, among other structures. Today the Villa Torlonia and its grounds, museums in their own right, house collections of stained glass, statuary, and archives from the Roman School era of painting from 1920-1940. The Villa was also Mussolini's primary residence 1925 until 1943, when it became the headquarters of the Allied High Command. The Villa Torlonia opens at 9:00 am and remains open until at least 6:30 pm year-round.

The Domus Aurea-Nero's Golden House

The emperor Nero built an extraordinary palace in Rome after a great fire destroyed many of its neighborhoods in 64 CE. The palace covered nearly 200 acres and was so spacious that the emperor set a 35 meter tall bronze statue of himself in the vestibule. It is from this colossal statue that the Colosseum derives its name, for the emperor Vespasian demolished parts of the palace and in its place erected his own amphitheater near the statue (and redesigned the statue as Apollo). During the Renaissance, amateur explorers and archaeologists found their way into the debris filled underground rooms of what remained of the palace. They found frescoes and mosaics covering the walls and floors which inspired the grotesque motifs of Renaissance decor. You can discover for yourself the power of Nero's artistic inspirations, as several rooms of the palace were opened to the public a few years ago. These rooms are located on the Oppian Hill, across the street from the Colosseum. Reservations are obligatory and can be made by phone or on-line. See the RomaTurismo website for opening hours and details.

The Via Giulia is 500

One of Rome's most elegant streets, the Via Giulia, is celebrating its 500th birthday this summer. The street, built by Pope Julius II, was originally part of a building program around the Vatican. The street runs almost parallel to the Tiber River for a spell, but does not have the traffic of the Lungotevere, the thoroughfare which brings traffic north along the river. The Via Giulia is lined with churches and palazzos-one even belonging to the Medici family. Many of these churches and palazzos, usually closed to the public, will open this summer in celebration of the quincentenary. See the website devoted to the events (unfortunately only in Italian) or read more about the sights on the Via Giulia in a recent New York Times article.

Roman Houses on the Caelian Hill

Under the Basilica of Saints Giovanni and Paolo (John and Paul) are several ancient Roman dwellings purported to be the residences and final resting places of John and Paul, two officers of the court of the Emperor Constantine who were martyred under the rule of the Emperor Julian (361-363 CE). The residential complex is decorated in wall paintings from the 3rd century to 12th century and depict many themes from mythology and early Christian iconography. The site is located not far from the Circus Maximus and the Colosseum and can be visited every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. Once a week the complex is open at night for special tours. Be sure to visit the website to book these tours in advance.

New York Times Article on Roman "House" Museums

A recent article in the New York Times Travel section highlights some of the incredible palaces in Rome that have been turned into museums for public viewing. More often than not, these palaces were built by popes or their relatives and house exquisite collections of classical sculpture and paintings and frescoes by Italian masters. Not only is the artwork contained in the palazzos a draw, but the gardens and architecture of the residences themselves are also worth seeing. Some of the palazzos are quite famous already, like the Galleria Borghese, but others are just beginning to be noticed by the amateur traveler, like the Palazzo Colonna and Palazzo Altemps (pictured). Mentioned in the article are also several artists' workshops, such as the Museum-Atelier Canova-Tadolini. You can use the Roma Pass to visit most of these "house" museums.