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Offered languages
- English
- English
Rome's beauty hides a darker history of trials, prisons, and public executions. This self-guided walking tour follows a route from Campo de' Fiori to Castel Sant'Angelo, revealing how the city's streets once staged punishment, devotion, and fear.
Highlights include:
* Uncover Giordano Bruno's execution in Campo de' Fiori
* Follow the tragic story of Beatrice Cenci
* Walk streets tied to prisons, judgement, and papal power
* Learn how confraternities cared for the forgotten dead
* Cross Ponte Sant'Angelo, where mercy and violence met
* End near Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome's fortress-prison
More than tales of death, this 75-minute tour reveals a Rome of faith, resistance, and memory - where beauty and brutality stood only steps apart.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
This tour begins in Campo de’ Fiori, beside the statue of Giordano Bruno at the centre of the square. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
The tour ends near Piazza Pia, by the Monumento di Santa Caterina da Siena.
Itinerary
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Campo de' Fiori (Pass by)
Stroll past Campo de' Fiori, Rome's lively market square where philosopher Giordano Bruno was burned in 1600. Browse flower and produce stalls, cafés, and Renaissance architecture. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass by the Monumento a Giordano Bruno, a bronze statue honoring the philosopher executed here for heresy in 1600. Learn about his ideas on an infinite universe. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Palazzo Farnese (Pass by)
Walk along and admire Palazzo Farnese, a Renaissance palace built by the powerful Farnese family, designed by Sangallo, Michelangelo, and della Porta. Now home to the French Embassy. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Pass beneath the Arco dei Banchi, a small covered passage with a painted ceiling and an ancient Tiber flood marker from 1277. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Via Giulia (Pass by)
Walk along Via Giulia, a straight Renaissance street commissioned by Pope Julius II, once lined with courts, papal offices, and legal institutions. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
St. Angelo Bridge (Pass by)
Stroll across Ponte Sant'Angelo, lined with Bernini's angel statues, each holding a symbol of Christ's Passion, overlooking the Tiber and Castel Sant'Angelo. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Castel Sant'Angelo (Pass by)
Pass by Castel Sant'Angelo, once Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum, later a papal fortress and prison holding figures like Benvenuto Cellini. Explore its terraces, apartments, and views. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Passetto di Borgo (Pass by)
Pass by the Passetto di Borgo, an elevated papal escape route linking the Vatican to Castel Sant'Angelo, famously used in 1527. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free -
Saint Peter’s Basilica (Pass by)
Walk toward Saint Peter's Basilica, the heart of Vatican City, marking the end of this journey through Rome's papal power and dark history. Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total tour time includes walking the route and passing by the attractions
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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