Tour Rome like you are in ‘Roman Holiday’

Tour Rome like you are in ‘Roman Holiday’

Tour Rome like you are in ‘Roman Holiday’

“Roman Holiday,” a 1953 romantic comedy featuring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn, showcased Rome in such a wonderful way that inspired travelers to tour the area as if they, too, were in the movie. We have compiled a list, in order, of all of the locations the two actors visited in the film with advice on the best ways to get around and take it all in. Of course, the only true way to get around is to rent a Vespa and pretend you are royalty. 

 Mouth of Truth 

The Mouth of Truth is a marble mask that stands against the left wall of the portico of the Santa Maria in Cosmedin church at the site of the ancient cattle market. Visitors flock to this site to put their hands in the mouth of the marble mask. The mask depicts the face of the sea god Oceanus, although historians are unsure exactly what purpose it served. In the movie, the mask serves as a storytelling device to highlight the fact that Peck’s and Hepburn’s characters were not truthful with each other. If you visit, you will pay £1.72 to access the mask and take your photograph with it. While having to pay for this takes a bit of the romance out of your Roman Holiday adventure, it’s still worth the stop!

Caffe Rocca, Piazza della Rotonda, Pantheon

The Piazza della Rotonda is the square in which the Pantheon is located. This former Roman temple, built in AD 120, is known for its perfect proportions. This is a perfect destination for a trip on a budget, as it is free to visit. While the Caffe Rocca no longer exists, The Piazza della Rotonda, is also a wonderful place to spend some time, with coffee shops, pizza shops and gelato shops nearby. 

Castle Sant’Angelo

Created in 129 AD, the Castle Saint Angelo is a circular fort and castle that was once the tallest building in Rome. The Castle was originally intended to serve as a Mausoleum for the emperor and after its decommissioning in 1901 it became a museum. The castle contains exhibits about the history of the structure. The Castle serves as the location for one of the more unusual scenes in the movie, which included music, swimming and a guitar. The easiest way to travel to the museum is by public transportation. 

Trevi Fountain

The fountain was constructed in the mid-1700s in the baroque style with the god of the sea, Oceanus, emerging from the pool. It recently underwent and extensive restoration and reopened in 2015. If you are a believer, Roman lore says throwing one, two or three coins into the fountain, with your right hand over your left shoulder, will ensure you will return to Rome, fall in love with an attractive Roman, and marry them. Of course, if you’re really serious about recreating the movie, you should do as Princess Ann does at the Trevi fountain: get a new haircut.

Piazza Venezia