The Dawn of Christian Rome with GELATO

The Dawn of Christian Rome walking tour will take you to discover some of the most ancient christian churches in Rome that dates back to the "dawn of Christianity": it starts from the central square of "Porta Capena" just in front of the Circus Maximus and two minutes walking from the Metro B line stop "Circo Massimo".

Most of the christian churches along our path hide underground crypts or are built on top of "Roman domus" used as places of cult as it was prohibited to publicly worship the new christian religion under the Empire: the "domus ecclesiae" (church house literally).

We will gently climb the west side of the "Celio hill", one of the original seven on which Rome was established at first, to reach the top and descent on the opposite side in the narrow valley between the Celio hill and the "Esquilino hill".

Our main stops will be: the Basilica of St. Giovanni e Paolo (visit interior), the church of St. Maria in Domnica, the church of Santo Stefano Rotondo (visit interior), the Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati (visit interior), the Basilica of S. Clemente (visit interior and the underground levels with entrance ticket not included), to end by the Ludus Magnus, the headquarters of the Gladiators ready to fight in the Colosseum.
There we will enjoy an Italian GELATO and a casual conversation, then: "ciao" 'till next time!

An activity with locals from meeting to farewell.

Are you travelling alone, on a business trip, or on family trip?
Here’s a perfect choice:

1. A walking tour easy to join by public transport or a private transfer (ask us if you need it).
2. A small group, up to 6 people, so that conversation will flow nice and smooth.
3. The company of locals from the meeting point to the final "Ciao, till next time!".

The 3 steps of an Ideas for Travelers experience:

Step 1. Meet & greet:
"Ciao! Welcome It's a perfect day to walk in Rome!", let's be friends.

Step 2. Walk and discover:
let's take a look at the eternal city through our eyes, get a real roman insight, let the chit chat flow.

Step 3. Enjoy Gelato and talk:
it says it all!

Meeting Point:
Casina del Vignola at Porta Capena square, two minutes walking from the Metro B line stop "Circo Massimo"
(see map)

Itineraries

Meeting Point - Casina della Vignola

Casina della Vignola in Porta Capena Square: just two minutes walk from the metro B line stop: "Circo Massimo".
Meeting Point

Basilica Santi Giovanni e Paolo

Our first stop: the Basilica of St. John and St. Paul

Villa Celimontana

We pass through the magnificent gardens of Villa Celimontana

S. Maria in Domnica

We admire the porch and the quietness of this church dating back to the 4th century AD

S. Stefano Rotondo

Our second stop: S. Stefano rotondo (round because of its unique shape).

SS Quattro Coronati

Third stop: the ancient complex of SS. Quattro Coronati: a church that became a fortress then a monastery and still hosts a monastic retreat of "Monache Agostiniane".

S. Clemente

4th stop: the wonderful church of S. Clemente that hides at least three layers of roman history.
Entrance ticket at S. Clemente Underground: 10,00€ per person (payable at the meeting point to the Guide in cash or card).

Ludus Magnus - farewell

Last stop: gelato and farewell

Includes:

Meet, walking tour on the Celian hill as described under the tab "Trip Outline", "Italian GELATO", chatting and smiling.

Excludes:

Entrance ticket at S. Clemente Underground: 10,00€ per person (payable at the meeting point to the Guide in cash or card).
Everything not included at “Trip includes”.

BASILICA S. CLEMENTE:

Due to major restoration work FROM 7 JANUARY 2026 till mid 2027 there will be scaffolding that will occupy a large part of the basilica.

Entrance ticket at S. Clemente Underground: 10,00€ per person (payable at the meeting point to the Guide in cash or card).