Trajan's Column, Rome

Piazza Venezia

More of an enormous traffic circle than a piazza, but a good central location

Palazzo Colonna

Dating back to the 13th century, the Palazzo Colonna has been home to the aristocratic Colonna family for over 20 generations

Altare della Patria

The Altare della Patria or Altar of the Father honors Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy and Father of the Fatherland

Trajan's Markets

On the other side of the Via dei Fori Imperiali to the Roman Forum

Mamertine Prison

Leaders of Rome's defeated enemies were imprisoned here where they either died of starvation or strangulation

Tabularium

The remains of the ancient Roman archives, where Cicero and Seneca did research

Palazzo Venezia

In the very heart of the city center, the building was for centuries ago the seat of the Venice embassy

Musei Capitolini

Capitoline Hill

The Capitoline Hill may be the smallest of the Seven Hills of Rome, but it certainly was important to the ancient Romans who believed that it was indestructible, and adopted it as a symbol of eternity

Palazzo dei Conservatori

Also based on a Michelangelo architectural plan, this compact gallery is well endowed in classical sculpture and paintings