Rome's best kept secrets

While not specific, I know virtually everyone hits St. Peters and maybe a few other churches, but as you are wandering, take the time as you pass even a non-descipt church and step inside.

It is amazing what you might find inside even the scruffiest exterior. Lavish marble, Sculptures, paintings, with literally hundreds of churches in Rome, you are sure to find a secret or two.

I second Paul's recommendation. We took a wrong path outside the Roman Forum and ended up in a church that had a stained glass window of the Colosseum.

Not in Rome exactly, and not a secret on this board, but an oft-overlooked site near Rome is Ostia Antica. I like to think of it as Rick's answer to Pompeii.

Lastly, many people swarm through the Vatican Museum intent on getting to the Sistine Chapel before they drop down dead of exhaustion. But I really enjoyed detouring over to the Pinoteca (painting gallery) which I think a lot of people skip.

By definition, no one here would know the best kept secrets in Rome. (^_^)

Certainly not the best, but a general "surprise" to first timers is how small Rome is and how easy it is to get around by foot, bus and subway.

My vote: Rick's secret door from the Sistine Chapel into St. Peter's Basilica without going outside to stand in line. It's the door the tour groups use. Just walk right through with one of the groups.

Not really secrets, but overlooked by most tourists - San Clemente Church and Roman-era loggia of Capitoline Museums that looks out over the Forum.

artichokes in olive oil, Lazio wines, and ice cold Grappa with an espresso(if you're old enough).

Church of Il Gesu, Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria, Church of San Ignazio, Trajan's Markets, Baths of Caracalla. They're hiding in plain view.

Santa Susanna Catholic Church on Via Venti Settembre. Great hub for American Catholic pilgrims in Rome. We try to attend Mass here every time we visit Rome. After the service we just sit in awe of the Christian inspired art that graces the walls. Beautiful sanctuary, easy to get to location, and warm and friendly clergy and staff.

I liked the San Clemente church & Trajan's Market. While they're not really "secrets", they're often overlooked by the first time Rome visitor.

The cat hospice/sanctuary at Largo Argentina. The cats wander around the ruins (this is where Ceasar was assassinated) and they are cared for by volunteers.

The Protestant Cemetery near the Pyramid is a beautiful place to enjoy peace and quiet. There is a cat sanctuary there also--a wealthy Roman lady left money to feed all the cats for the rest of their lives. According to Lidia ( of Lidia's Italian Kitchen) there are capers growing on some of the stone walls throughout Rome. We did not find them on last trip to Rome but did spot some growing in Ostia.

Cathy,
If you plan to visit the Capitoline Museum or the Vitorio Emmanuele monument do it on a Saturday morning as I did last May. As I crested the Michelangelo steps I was surprised to see a wedding party in the plaza. Later, as I toured the adjacent Vittorio Emmanuele monument and entered the chapel I encountered another wedding being performed. As I sat on the top of the steps and contemplated my descent my sore legs were about to endure. Watching the women of wedding party skipping down them in their high heels inspired me to make the descent. Because my Roma pass was expiring that day, I then headed to Villa D'Este and faced another daunting series of steps. With the Roma pass I accessed Borghese, Capitoline, and Villa D'Este.

Thanks to a tip from my hotel's manager, I went to the Chiesa San Luigi dei Francesi (St. Louis of the French). Aside from lovely French-style decor, it houses several Caravaggio paintings. 4 were on display, the others (2 or 3) were on loan for a Caravaggio exhibition in Rome that opened 2 days after I left (drats).

Massimo Palace (part of the Museo Nazionale Romano) near Termini has wonderful 2000 year old mosaics and frescoes.