Santa Maria Antiqua is an early medieval church in the Roman Forum, known for its important Byzantine-era frescoes and its long burial beneath later structures. It is one of the oldest Christian sites in Rome.
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#1144 things to doNeighborhood
Municipio Roma II feels like a cultured, central Rome base with a mix of grand historic sights and creative, lived-in neighborhoods. Around Santa Maria del Popolo, Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccini, and Fondazione Pastificio Cerere, you get easy sightseeing variety, lively streets, and strong transit links, but also city noise, bustle, and a steady flow of visitors.
#248 things to doNeighborhood
Municipio Roma VII feels layered and lively, with working-class edges, student energy, and easy access to Rome’s historic core. It’s a practical base for sightseeing around Palatine-area landmarks and beyond, with dependable transit and everyday dining. Expect local traffic, some urban noise, and a mix of casual trattorie, bars, and neighborhood bustle rather than polished tourist calm.
Neighborhood
Municipio Roma VIII feels lived-in and distinctly Roman: a mix of leafy residential streets, local services, and easy access to major ancient sites like the Palatine and Temple of Mars Ultor. It suits travelers who want neighborhood texture over polished tourism, with straightforward transit, modest dining options, and generally calmer evenings than the central historic core.
Neighborhood
Municipio Roma IX feels like a broad, lived-in southern Rome district: more residential than postcard-central, with easy access toward the historic core and several cultural sights scattered within reach. Expect a relaxed local rhythm, practical transit links, and dining that skews everyday rather than polished. It suits travelers who want Rome beyond the busiest tourist lanes.
