The churches in Rome

Julia - I've been to Bargello in Florence twice and didn't need to reserve a ticket either time. It's not nearly as crowded as the other museums and I don't think you'll have any problem getting a ticket as a walk-in. Art there is wonderful - Ufizzi has the great Medici paintings while Bargello has a teriffic and interesting mix of other great Medici art.

Huge thanks to everybody who helped me on this forum and everybody is welcome to my native city St Petersburg- remember I am a private guide there: www.spbwondertour.com

You ask for churches (only) with "must see" art in Rome not including St Peters: San Pietro in Vincoli (St Peter in Chains); Santa Maria Maggiore; Santa Prassede; and San Clemente are a short list. This list omits the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum, which do not seem to be included in your question; and it also omits all non-church art museums such as the Borghese and National Museum.

Dear Kent, great thanks for your quick reply.If you don't mind I ask more:
1)Unfortunately I had to choose between Borghese Gallery(I have already booked a ticket through internet) and a visit to Pompeii. I was advised to stay in Rome and visit Ostia instead of Pompei. I saw already BBC film and read book about Pompeii, besides there is a temporarily exhibition in The Hermitage(I am from St Petersburg, Russia):
" Frescoes from Stabbia" . I'd like to know your opinion, if Ostia worth of seeing in comparison with Pompeii?2)The second city I will be is Florence and beside famous sites of interest I would like to get in Bargello museum,I tried to book ticket via internet, but they offered me only 8:15 am ticket what doesn't suit me at all:the point is that I bought a tour to Italy here, in Russia and our hotel will be in Montecantini(40 minutes by bus from Florence) Working hours of museum are 8:15am-1:30pm. My question is: can I get inside museum later then 8:15 without prior booking?

Julia: You will like the Borghese, wonderful sculptures. Ostia is an easier and much less expensive day trip than Pompeii and I recommend it to you; some would say it is a more complete or realistic look at a working Roman city than is wealthy Pompeii. I do not know the answer to your question about the Bargello, you already have more information than I do about that.

The last question: can I take pictures in the churches(is it allowed?)?I know that in the most of them I have to pay for light to be switched on.What kind of coins I have to put in the box attached to wall?

Santa Maria sopra Minerva near the Pantheon -- the Cappella Carafa frescoes by Filippino Lippi are probably our favorite artwork in Rome. And Fra Angelico is buried to the left of the main altar. (There is also a Michelangelo sculpture, Risen Christ, which has been "modestly altered" -- but the Lippi frescoes are the real drawing card!) There is a coin box for the frescoes -- I'm not sure what's being charged now -- maybe a euro? But definitely worth it. A few years ago, we watched a tour guide lecturing her group about the frescoes without bothering to illuminate them. As soon as she was done, I put my coin in the box, the lights came on, and the tour group literally gasped with delight.

Kent, it seems to me that you are an experienced traveller. I open you a little secret - I am professional guide from St Petersburg and by this reason I don't ask you about pick pockets and such kind of things- I tell about this to my numerous tourists every day.The very last question-several things which impressed you most of all in Rome and which I can't miss
Again, great thanks you 've found time to answer my questions.This is my first trip to Italy and I am very, very excited!!!

Julia: For a first trip to Rome, with only one and a half days, and with a strong interest in art, architecture, and history, I would be influenced by the listing of Michelin 3-star "must sees" in the Michelin Guide. My personal favorites from among the Michelin 3-star sights are: St Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museum (lines can be a problem), Sistine Chapel (lines can be a problem), Borghese Gallery (reservations needed), Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum, Imperial Forum, Pantheon, National Museum of Rome, Campidoglio-Capitolino, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Santa Maria Maggiore (church), and San Giovanni in Laterano (church). Happy travels!

If you want to see a bunch of nice churches in a short amount of time, Rick's Rome book has a section about the churches around the Pantheon - there's maybe 4-5 of them (some have been mentioned here already), with a nice little orientation map. I'm not a huge church/art person but I did the little walk when I wanted to kill a couple hours, and I enjoyed it a lot. But it's a nice way to go into several churches all together in a short amount of time. But I think the church I liked the best was Santa Maria in Trastevere, all the gold leafing behind the altar, just lovely.

The Luigi dei Francesci church in central Rome (free, easy to get to-- near the Pantheon) has the 3 St. Matthew paintings by Carivaggio, that are quite spectacular, and have been featured on one of Rick's shows.
The church has lovely gold and marble architecture inside as well. I would also visit the church that has the Ecstacy of St. Theresa statue by Bernini. Can't remember the name now, but easy to find. I did pass by it on the tour bus, just didn't have the strength to go in! A very highly touted art masterpiece. Of course St. Peter's has the Pieta which is magnificent, and many many statues all through it.

I just came across sacred-destinations.com.italy/rome
when I typed in Santa maria, Trastevere, Rome, Italy.
You will find many suggestions here for what you are interested in. Any church is wonderful!!

Santa Croce has relics and you can see them in advance, just punch up church name