Add These Hidden Architectural Gems in Rome to Your Travel Bucket List

Rome: Caput mundi, The Eternal City, an open-air museum. There isn’t much that hasn’t been said about the Italian capital since its foundation 28 centuries ago. The city of contradictions and where old and new juxtapose ever so eloquently and aggressively, boasts over 3,000 years of architectural and art history. History that has impacted the world and design styles that have and continue to permeate global culture. Yes, come to Rome and lose yourself in the ancient ruins. Sure, throw that coin into the Trevi Fountain to guarantee your return. And of course, take that selfie in front of the Colosseum—arguably the most recognizable monument in the world. But if you want to see structures that are just as impressive but not nearly as well-known, check out these architectural gems hidden throughout the Eternal City instead.

Palazzo Spada

Yes, the 16th- and 17th-century artwork inside Palazzo Spada is impressive (think Caravaggio, Guido Reni, and Rubens). And so too is the lavish Mannerist stucco facade. But the main draw here is the forced-perspective gallery by Borromini in the palazzo’s internal courtyard of Galleria Spada (located on the first floor). Borromini truly was an architectural genius when it came to altering the viewers perception. The 28-foot-long gallery of columns and arches gives the optical illusion of being at least four times the length. (Piazza Capo di Ferro 13, 00186)

Doria Pamphilj Gallery

Don’t let the gray exterior of Palazzo Doria Pamphilj on the main thoroughfare of Via del Corso fool you. Resplendent golden adornment, mirrors, marble busts, crystal chandeliers and Rome’s richest and largest privately owned art collection awaits on the inside. The spectacular Gallery of Mirrors is inspired by Versailles is a true showstopper and Raphael, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, and Tintoretto are just some of the 400 masters to be seen. The real star of the show is Velazquez’s portrait of Pope Innocent X. A smaller version hangs in the New York City Metropolitan Museum of Art, and a distorted version by Irish-born painter Francis Bacon is on display until February 2020 at the Chiostro del Bramante. (Via del Corso 305, 00186)

Quartiere Coppedè

Walk through the big arch at the corner of Via Tagliamento and Via Dora in Rome’s north Trieste neighborhood and enter the whimsical, almost bizarre Quartiere Coppedè. Brainchild of architect Gino Coppedè, this Gaudí-esque splattering of around 40 buildings and villas was constructed at the turn of the 20th century, bringing together Art Nouveau, Baroque, medieval, and ancient Greek styles. Get lost in the labyrinth of color and mosaics where villas are named after fairies. Much adored by the Romans nowadays, during its construction the area and Coppedè himself were shunned, leading to him taking his own life. The nearby Villa Torlonia designed by Neoclassic architect Giuseppe Valadier is worth a visit too. (Piazza Mincio, 00198)

Ara Pacis

Sitting along the northern banks of the Tiber River, the Ara Pacis is one of Rome’s newer museums and is dedicated no less, to a sacrificial alter that dates back to 9 B.C. The altar that honored Emperor Augustus’ pacification of the Roman provinces, sits pride of place in the entrance of the museum designed by renowned U.S.-based architects Richard Meier and Partners. Part of the glass façade means you can even admire the altar from the outside. The structure is all Roman travertine, steel, columns, waxed marble plaster, and skylights, and the space regularly plays host to an eclectic mix of contemporary exhibitions and installations. (Lungotevere in Augusta, 00186, http://www.arapacis.it/)

Colosseo Quadrato

Architect Marcello Piacentini’s Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana is colloquially known as the square Colosseum (Colosseo Quadrato). As the name suggests, it’s a six-floor concrete and travertine marble clad building with arches reminiscent of Rome’s most recognizable monument. Designed in 1937, it was Benito Mussolini’s fascist-style ode to ancient Rome. The building is a modern-day reminder of what architecture in Rome might have looked like had Italian fascism not fallen. To that end, Mussolini had earmarked the area for the 20-year anniversary of fascist rule in 1942. Thankfully, it was a celebration that never occurred. (Quadrato della Concordia 3, 00144)

Galleria Sciarra

The stunningly ornate Galleria Sciarra was one of the first important buildings commissioned after Rome was designated the capital of a united Italy. Located right by the Trevi Fountain, it features a glass-dome roof and spectacular art nouveau frescoes by Giuseppe Cellini in the courtyard. Its unassuming exterior means it often goes overlooked, yet its interiors are quite breathtaking as they are covered entirely in liberty-style frescoes which were restored in the 1970s. Originally commissioned by owner Prince Maffeo Sciara as a shopping gallery, it now functions as a commercial office space and a short cut walkway for locals. (Via Marco Minghetti 10, 00187)

Basilica St. Paul

Rome is home to four stunning papal basilicas, Saint Peter’s the most popular and well known, and the lesser-known Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Located in the San Paolo district of the city, it makes for a great day of art and architecture exploring. The cathedral itself is enormously imposing and inside has ornate gold mosaics and huge marble columns. Portraits of all the Popes adorn the walls, including current Pope Francis. Don’t miss the outside atrium made up of 150 columns and a mammoth statue of Saint Paul. From here, admire the extravagant golden mosaic facade. (Piazzale San Paolo 1, 00146)

Villa Farnesina

One of the city’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture and art, Villa Farnesina was purpose-built for a very wealthy Sienese banker, Agostino Chigi, in the 16th century. Chigi was the treasurer for Pope Julius II, and no expense was spared in the palace’s construction and adornment. Owned throughout the years by the prominent Farnese family and the Bourbons of Naples, the villa features a number of important frescoes, including Raphael’s, The Triumph of Galatea (1514), inspired by Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (1485–1486). Near the botanical gardens in Trastevere, combine your visit with a walk around the most characteristic neighborhood of the city. (Via della Lungara 230, 00165)