Uncover stories of ancient and modern Rome from the Colosseum to the Pantheon.
Hear tales of political power from the days of the Empire to today’s Republic.
This walking tour shows the home of Italy’s leaders, from popes and kings to presidents.
The History of Power in Modern Rome Walking Tour takes you to the secrets of famous fountains and iconic plazas.
Wander through areas like Palatine Hill, the Pantheon, and Piazza Navona and experience Rome’s historical and cultural core.
Mobile Voucher accepted, no need to take the printed tickets!

This tour of Rome, known as La Città Eterna (the Eternal City), lets you explore key sites that reveal Italy’s long, turbulent history. Starting near the Colosseum, you will walk through Roman history, from ancient empires and political rivalries to more recent stories. As you explore Rome's famous landmarks, you will see Rome through an Italian’s eyes, learning about scandals, power struggles, and moments of hope that have shaped this remarkable city.

On this self-guided walking tour, you will step away from the usual tourist routes and discover Rome through an Italian’s eyes. You will visit some of the city’s iconic historical monuments and learn about their deep, sometimes conflicting, ties to both hope and disappointment in Italy’s modern leaders. This walking tour will also take you back to the days of powerful families like the Medici and the Borgia and the political thinker Machiavelli.

Our journey begins by the grand Arch of Constantine, next to the Colosseum, a timeless symbol of ancient Rome. From here, you will weave through both ancient and modern parts of the city, ending at Piazza Navona. Along the way, you will uncover stories of Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum, with their echoes of power and scandal that continue to shape Italy’s young Republic. Visit Piazza Venezia, where Mussolini once rallied his supporters, leading Italy into a dark chapter. Then, you will walk to the impressive Quirinal Palace, where popes once lived, later kings, and now the President of Italy.

As we explore La Città Eterna (the Eternal City), you will hear fascinating stories, including how sculptor Nicola Salvi built a statue to block the view of a pesky barber who taunted him while he worked on the Trevi Fountain. You will see the towering column in Piazza Colonna, built in honor of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, famously portrayed by Richard Harris in the movie Gladiator. You will also get a peek into the dramatic political world at Palazzo Chigi and Palazzo Montecitorio, centers of Italy’s government today, and learn the history of the Pantheon at Piazza della Rotonda. Our tour will take us by Palazzo Madama, the home of the Italian Senate, and we will talk about other popular landmarks like Saint Peter’s Basilica and the charming Trastevere neighborhood.

This Walking tour through Rome will take you from its legendary beginnings with Romulus, through the Renaissance and the unification of Italy, up to the present-day Republic. Discover Rome’s political and historical power dynamics through famous landmarks on this self-guided tour, from the Roman Empire to modern Italy.

VoiceMap App
Offline access to Audio, Maps, and Geodata
Access to an Audio Tour of the History of Power in Modern Rome

Gratuities

You need the VoiceMap Audio Tours app in order to use your booking code and complete the trip! You can look for it by searching Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by visiting onelink.to/voicemap on your smartphone.

Next, take these three actions:

1. Register for an account

2. From the menu, choose Tour Codes, and then click Enter Codes.

3. Type in the tour code and choose "Download Now."

Once you've purchased a tour, it will be added to your VoiceMap library. If you sign in to the app using the same method as you did on the website, you'll have access to your entire tour library.
When the download completes, you'll see a screen showing the starting point, with directions to help you get there.
The app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Please take the following actions if, after entering your booking code and initiating the download, you are still waiting for it to finish after more than a few minutes:

1) Cancel the download

2) Choose the Purchased tab after going to Account.

3) Select your tour there, then restart the download.

Free WiFi: No.

Wheelchair or Stroller accessible: No.

This is a 3.1km walking tour

Please note that the app will automatically play audio at the right time and place using GPS-based turn-by-turn directions.

Guests have the option to resume the tour from the nearest location whenever they like.

Guests can enjoy the tours as often as they like through both the VoiceMap app and website.

Please note that once the tour is purchased, it’s added to the VoiceMap library.

The VoiceMap app works offline, so you can enjoy your tour without worrying about roaming fees. Simply download the tour over WiFi before you begin.

Guests are advised to stay cautious of pickpockets – they can be discreet, but not harmful.

In summers, the sun can be pretty intense, so carrying your own waterbottle and applying sunscreen would be a good idea.

Nearby Metro Station: Colosseo Station.

How to reach there?

Stand to the side of the Arch of Constantine, with the Palatine Hill and Forum behind you, and the Colosseum visible behind the arch and to your left.

Most attractions in Rome typically open between 9:00 and 10:00 AM and close between 5:00 and 6:00 PM. Early mornings, before the crowds arrive, offer a magical and peaceful experience of the city.

Major Landmarks: Colosseum, Arch of Constantine, Roman Forum, Temple of Venus and Rome, Basilica di Santa Francesca Romana, Forum of Nerva, Foro di Augusto, Altare della Patria, Piazza del Campidoglio, Trajan's Forum, Piazza Venezia, Trajan's Column, Via Quattro Novembre, Quirinal Palace, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Colonna, Palazzo Chigi, Palazzo Montecitorio, iazza Capranica, Pantheon, Palazzo Madama, Piazza Navona.

Disclaimer: The service provider reserves the right to close or cancel certain shows, attractions, entertainments, restaurants, shops or ancillary facilities without notice. There will be no refund provided in that case.

You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience to get a complete refund.
If you cancel your booking less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience, you will not be reimbursed.
Any modifications made less than 24 hours before the start time of the activity/experience will not be allowed.
The cut-off times are determined by the activity/experience's local start time.
This activity/experience is weather dependent. If it is cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be given an alternate date or a full refund.