The 9th rione of Rome is called Pigna. The word means pine-apple and the name originates from an enormous statue in the shape of a pine-apple which was found in the area. Being one of the most central districts, it has a huge number of tourist attractions, including the Pantheon and the Piazza Venezia.
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Basilica of Neptune Rome
The Basilica of Neptune (Basilica di Nettuno) in Rome was built in the year 25 BC. It was constructed by Agrippa in the same period the Pantheon and other buildings like the baths and the Saepta were built. Remains of the basilica can be seen behind the Pantheon.
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The Piazza della Minerva is located in the center of Rome, in the rione Pigna. It is named after the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, in its turn named after a temple built by Pompey and dedicated to Minerva Calcidica. Its biggest attraction is the Minerva Obelisk, also known as Bernini’s Elephant.
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The Marble Foot (Pie’ di Marmo) is an enormous sculpture of the left foot of the goddess Isis. It can be seen in the Via di Santo Stefano del Cacco in Rome. Since the foot has a length of about 1,20 m (4 feet), the statue is thought to have been about 9 m (26 feet) tall. Continue reading “Marble Foot Rome”
Pantheon Rome
The Pantheon is one of the Top 10 tourist attractions of Rome and one of the city’s best preserved monuments. Although it started its existence as a pagan temple dedicated to all the Gods it is at present a Catholic church and officially called Santa Maria ad Martyres. It has survived virtually unaltered since it was erected in the 2nd century AD. The structure of its domed interior is unique.
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The Palazzo Venezia, seat of the Museo Nazionale di Palazzo Venezia, is located in the Piazza Venezia in Rome. Highlights, apart from the collection of the museum, are the ceiling frescoes in several rooms and the beautiful courtyard.
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The Fountain of the Porter (Facchino) is one of the famous “talking statues” of Rome and is thought to have been carved by Jacopo del Conte, at the end of the 16th century.
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The Sacred Area at the Largo di Torre Argentina is a complex of ruins in the center of Rome. It lies several feet below the present street level and is especially known for its cat sanctuary. Continue reading “Largo di Torre Argentina Rome”
Palazzo Altieri Rome
The Palazzo Altieri is a historical building in the Pigna district in the center of Rome.
Continue reading “Palazzo Altieri Rome”Chiesa del Gesù Rome
The Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus) in Rome is officially called the Chiesa del Santissimo Nome di Gesù all’Argentina (“Church of the Extremely Holy Name of Jesus at the Argentina”).
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