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Offered languages
- English
History remembers Rome as a city of emperors, popes, and warriors, but behind them were extraordinary women who shaped its destiny in ways just as bold and brilliant. Queens who abandoned their thrones for freedom, empresses who pulled the strings of power, and artists who defied a world that tried to silence them. Their stories have been overshadowed, but now, we’re bringing them into the light.
On this tour, we’ll step into their world, uncovering stories of ambition, betrayal, love, and resilience. You’ll hear of a woman so powerful that she was called the “She-Pope,” and another who was feared by emperors and killed by her own son. You’ll learn about a courtesan who ruled the night with wit as sharp as any blade, and a duchess whose family name became legend.
Join us on this journey as we uncover the untold stories of the women who made Rome—not with crowns or swords, but with intelligence, ambition, and sheer force of will.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
The meeting point is in Piazza Del Popolo. Your guide will be waiting in front of the church of Santa Maria Del Popolo, next to the gate (Porta del Popolo), holding a sign saying “Women of Rome Tour”. Google Maps - https://maps.app.goo.gl/2XDQmKsZkdVe9Yd5A
The tour will end in Piazza Farnese, in the centre of Rome
Itinerary
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1Piazza del Popolo
Our journey begins at Piazza del Popolo, where we step into the 17th century and meet Queen Christina of Sweden—a monarch who gave up her throne for the freedom to live as she pleased in Rome. Dressed in men’s riding clothes, she rode into the city in 1655, shocking the world with her rejection of traditional roles. A patron of the arts and intellectuals, Christina transformed Rome into a cultural capital. She was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the few women to receive this honor.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Walking along Via di Ripetta, we stop at the birthplace of Artemisia Gentileschi, the first woman admitted to Rome’s Accademia di San Luca. A Baroque master, she defied the male-dominated art world, painting powerful female heroines in an era when women were rarely more than decorative figures on canvas. After surviving a highly publicized rape trial, she used her art to reclaim her story, proving that talent—and resilience—could overcome even the harshest of circumstances.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Piazza Augusto Imperatore
At the Mausoleum of Augustus, we explore the lives of two of Rome’s most formidable women: Livia Drusilla and Agrippina the Younger. Livia, wife of Augustus, mastered the art of ruling from the shadows, while Agrippina, mother of Emperor Nero, came closer than any woman before her to ruling Rome outright. Both women shaped the empire’s future, proving that behind every emperor, there was often a woman pulling the strings.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4
In the narrow streets near Piazza Navona, we stop at Casa di Fiammetta, once home to one of Rome’s most sought-after courtesans. Fiammetta was not just a mistress—she was an educated, independent, and powerful woman in a city where marriage defined most women’s lives. Like many Renaissance courtesans, she used her wit, intelligence, and connections to gain influence over the most powerful men in Rome.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Piazza Navona
At the stunning Piazza Navona, we meet Donna Olimpia Maidalchini, the woman who effectively ruled the Vatican as the most trusted advisor of Pope Innocent X. Nicknamed “La Papessa” (The She-Pope) by her enemies, Olimpia controlled church finances, dictated policies, and made powerful cardinals bow to her will. Her enemies accused her of corruption, but history remembers her as a woman who outplayed the men of the Vatican at their own game.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Stepping into Via del Pellegrino, we explore the truth behind Lucrezia Borgia, a woman whose name has become synonymous with poison and scandal. But was she truly the deadly femme fatale history claims? Or was she a survivor, a diplomat, and a ruler in her own right? As Duchess of Ferrara, Lucrezia proved she was far more than just a pawn of her infamous family—she became a patron of the arts and a capable leader, forging a new legacy beyond the Borgia name.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7
Our tour concludes at Piazza Farnese, where we uncover the story of Giulia Farnese—a woman who turned scandal into power. Known as the mistress of Pope Alexander VI, she was far more than just a beautiful face. She used her influence to secure wealth, titles, and power for her family, paving the way for her brother to become Pope Paul III and ensuring that the Farnese family became one of the most powerful dynasties in Italy.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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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.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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