The History of Power in Modern Rome: A Self-Guided Tour

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Highlights

  • Go off the tourist track and get an Italian’s view of the city’s historical monuments, some of which represent fleeting hope and many others, crushing disappointment in the country’s modern-day leaders

  • Hear from producer Mike Corradi, author and producer of A History of Italy podcast

  • Do it all in 75 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish

  • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it

  • Use the virtual tour option at home

Summary

Parade down Italy’s political paths from the Arc of Constantine to Piazza Navona on a self-guided audio tour. Immerse yourself in the magic of GPS playback on this walk through modern Rome. 

Tour info

Duration
1 hour 30 minutes - 2 hours
Group Size
Pricing (From)
Adult: (6-99 years)
$6.99
Commentary

Why take this tour?

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears! Allow me to introduce you to the city that was once known as caput mundi, the capital of the world.

On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll go off the tourist track and get an Italian’s view of the city’s historical monuments, some of which represent fleeting hope and, many others, crushing disappointment in the country’s modern-day leaders. Join me as I unravel the political sagas of the country that gave birth to the Medici and the Borgia family, and Machiavelli.

Our tour begins next to the ancient Roman Empire’s diplomatic Arc of Constantine outside the Flavian Amphitheatre, more popularly known as the Colosseum. We’ll explore both ancient and modern Rome as you wind your way through the city to Piazza Navona where the tour ends. Along the way, you’ll unearth the stories that linger on Palatine Hill and at the Roman Forum, both of which I’ll point out to you, and you’ll find out about some of the darker, more scandalous mechanisms that run the relatively young Republic of Italy. I’ll show you Piazza Venezia, where fascist leader Mussolini riled up crowds before dragging the country into tragedy. You’ll then follow in the footsteps of victorious politicians to stand in the shadow of the Quirinal Palace where you can admire the building that was once the home of popes, then kings, and is now the residence of the President of the Republic.

If that’s not enough, on this tour of La Città Eterna (the Eternal City) you’ll also:

• Hear how Nicola Salvi built a sculpture just to block the view of a barber who bullied him while he worked on the Trevi fountain
• Visit the column that was built in Piazza Colonna as a tribute to Marcus Aurelius (played by Russel Crowe in the movie Gladiator)
• Discover the scandals and fisticuffs of Palazzo Chigi and Palazzo Montecitorio, the seats of power in Italy’s modern-day state
• Learn the history of the Pantheon in Piazza della Rotonda
• See the home of the Italian Senate at Palazzo Madama
• Find out about more sightseeing opportunities and local favourites like Saint Peter’s Basilica and Trastevere

I look forward to leading you on this 90-minute stroll to learn about one of the most iconic cities in the world from Romulus through to the Renaissance, and the Risorgimento to the Republic of Italy.

Please note: This tour is designed so that you don’t need to enter any of the sites along its route. You will hear plenty of interesting information without needing to go inside. However, if you do want to enter any of the attractions, it is recommended that you book ahead of time. Look under the Places to stop along the way section for more booking information.

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What’s included?

  • Lifetime access to this tour in English

  • VoiceMap app for Android and iOS

  • Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

  • Smartphone and headphones

  • Transportation

  • Food and drink

  • Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

Things to know

Before you book

  • The audio guide uses a mobile app.

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour.

  • You'll need to use your own mobile phone and headphones.

  • The tour is only available in English.

Before you go

  • You'll need to download the app and then use the voucher code provided to download the tour

  • The download should only take a few minutes to complete. If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there

  • Please remember to bring your own headphones and use your own mobile device

  • Please follow the download instructions included to download the tour.

Redemption information

    To use your tour, please read the important instructions below and disregard all other codes except for this one: EXAMPLE
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    ⤓
    DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS:
    1. Install the VoiceMap mobile app. (Just search the Apple App Store or Google Play for VoiceMap Audio Tours.)
    2. Create an account
    3. Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes
    4. Enter the code below then select Download Now
    ___
    #
    YOUR CODE:
    EXAMPLE
    This code can be used by every member of your party. If you have booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code. Codes are not case sensitive.
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    ⌁
    PLEASE ALSO NOTE:
    • You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.
    • When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.
    • This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.
    • The download should only take a few minutes to complete. If it takes longer, please cancel the download, go to Account, select Purchased and download the tour from there.
    • Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.
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    ✉
    SUPPORT:
    For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]
Operator Website

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About operator:

VoiceMap makes audio tours easy and accessible. It has a beautifully simple tour app, a straightforward publishing tool, and a team of helpful editors. 

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