Archaeology - Estate Romana

Rome in 7 days: the essential day-by-day itinerary

Rome in 7 days: the day-by-day plan with 32 stops grouped by area and the day trip to Tivoli, what to book ahead and what to leave out.

Walking tour Ostiense: 5 stops and the essential kit

Walking tour Ostiense: a 5-stop route from the Pyramid of Cestius to Centrale Montemartini, verified hours, mistakes to avoid and the kit to put in your backpack.

Ancient Rome in 3 days: essential Colosseum itinerary

Ancient Rome in 3 days: 14 stops from the Colosseum to the Pantheon and the Appian Way, with checked hours, what to book, where to sleep and what to leave out.

Rome in 5 days: the perfect itinerary, with 23 stops

Rome in 5 days: the day-by-day program with 23 stops divided by area, the trip to Tivoli, what to book ahead, where to sleep and what to avoid.

Bachelor party in Rome: 15 ideas and the perfect plan

The Baths of Caracalla lit up at night, seen from above

Bachelor party in Rome: 15 ideas including hot springs, Circo Maximo Experience and group dinners, the city bylaw rules and the party gadgets to order in time.

Festivals of Ancient Rome: The Mos Maiorum Calendar, Month by Month

A Roman calendar carved in marble with days and festivals, read by a priest

The main festivals of ancient Rome in the mos maiorum calendar: dates, deities, rites and sources, month by month, with links to in-depth articles on each festival.

Fordicidia, April 15: The Sacrifice of Pregnant Cows to Tellus

Sacrifice of a pregnant cow at an altar in an illustration inspired by archaic Rome

Fordicidia, April 15: the sacrifice of pregnant cows to the goddess Tellus, the calf ashes used by the Vestals, and the link with the Parilia. Sources and history.

Mundus Patet: The Three Days Rome’s Gate to the Underworld Stood Open

The circular pit of the mundus in the Comitium at night with torches, the opening rite

Mundus patet: on August 24, October 5 and November 8 the mundus of Rome stood open. What Varro and Macrobius say, the bans, and the possible sites of the pit.

Feriae Latinae: The Festival of Jupiter Latiaris on Monte Cavo

Roman consuls climb the Alban Mount to sacrifice a white bull to Jupiter Latiaris

Feriae Latinae: the movable festival of Jupiter Latiaris in the Alban Hills, the white bull, the Latin peoples, and the consuls’ duty before leaving for war.

Angeronalia, December 21: The Goddess of Silence and Rome’s Secret Name

The pontiffs sacrifice at the shrine of Volupia during the winter solstice in Rome

Angeronalia, December 21: the festival of the goddess Angerona, the statue with the sealed mouth and the mystery of Rome’s secret name. Macrobius, Pliny and the theories.

Volturnalia, August 27: The Festival of the God Volturnus, Tiber and Rivers

The river god Volturnus honored on the banks of the Tiber at the end of summer

Volturnalia, August 27: the festival of the god Volturnus, a Roman river deity. What Varro and Festus say, why we know so little and what scholars suggest.

Juturnalia, January 11: The Festival of Juturna and the Roman Forum Spring

The spring of Juturna in the Roman Forum next to the Temple of Castor and Pollux, clear water

Juturnalia, January 11: the festival of the nymph Juturna, the spring in the Roman Forum beside the Temple of the Dioscuri and the link to plumbers and water craftsmen.

Paganalia, January: The Village Festival After the Sowing

Farmers of a Roman village celebrate a sacrifice after sowing in a winter field

Paganalia: the movable January festival of the pagi, Rome’s rural villages, after the sowing. The rite to Tellus and Ceres, Ovid, Varro and the festival’s social meaning.

Opalia, December 19: The Festival of Ops and the Rite of Sitting on the Ground

Farmers seated on the ground offer gifts to Ops, with sacks of grain and harvest

Opalia, December 19: the festival of Ops, Roman goddess of abundance and wife of Saturn, the rite of sitting and touching the ground and the link with the Saturnalia.

Faunalia, December 5: Faunus’s Country Festival as Told by Horace

Roman farmers dance and drink wine in front of a rustic shrine of Faunus in winter

Faunalia, December 5: the rural festival of Faunus with wine, a young goat and dancing in the meadows, the temple on Tiber Island and Horace’s ode. Sources and history.

Septimontium, December 11: The Festival of the Seven Mountains of Earliest Rome

Panoramic view of archaic Rome with hut villages on the seven hills

Septimontium, December 11: the archaic festival of Rome’s seven mountains before the classical seven hills, the montani, Varro, Festus and Plutarch. History and sources.

Mausoleums of Rome: Guide to 26 Ancient Mausoleums and Tombs

Mausoleo di Cecilia Metella sulla Via Appia Antica a Roma, vista esterna

Mausoleums of Rome: 26 ancient mausoleums and tombs, from Castel Sant’Angelo to the Appia Antica, with access details, reservations and map locations.