ARTWISE Rome

This travel map covers the following areas:
Main Rome Map 1:17,000
Rome Metro Map
Rome Museum Index

One visit to the Eternal City is all it takes to be transformed by the timeless beauty, history, and energy that is Rome. Rome is a vast open-air exhibition teeming with monuments of all periods: Imperial, Classical, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modern. In addition to ancient monuments and stunning architecture you’ll also find a wide choice of museums, art galleries and religious art. The challenge is to take in as much as you can without becoming overwhelmed - a challenge indeed.

The profusion of Renaissance and Baroque art works commissioned and collected by popes and prosperous Roman families over 500 years have been preserved and presented in their original surroundings, which are themselves original works of art.

Take for example The Borghese Gallery, housing one of the finest painting and sculpture collections in Italy. Drawn from the collection assembled by Cardinal Scipione Borghese during the 16th -17th centuries, the Borghese includes paintings by Rafael, Titian, Correggio and Caravaggio. Among the impressive sculptures is Bernini’s "Truth Unveiled by Time" and "Apollo and Daphne." The entire villa and its contents were bought by the state and recently reopened after a 14 year renovation.

The magnificent Galleria Colonna was begun in 1654 and took 50 years to complete. The Gallery was conceived as a work of art and the magnificent Baroque setting contributes to its collection of masterpieces.

Above all stands the Vatican Museums with their fabulousmasterpieces in palaces originally built for Renaissance popes such as Julius II, Innocent VIII and Sixtus IV. The Sistine Chapel and Raphael’s Rooms and Loggias are reason alone to visit Rome. A full day is required when you include St Peter’s Basilica in your visit to the Vatican.

Another mandatory stop includes The Capitoline Museum with splendid Greek and Roman sculptures in two palaces designed by Michelangelo: The Palazzo Nouvo and the Palazzo dei Conservatori. Some of the art and archeological finds have resided on Capitoline Hill since the 15th century, making this one of the oldest museums in the world.

A momentary rest stop is recommended after visiting the Capitoline. Review the ARTWISE® Rome Museum Map for a minute to locate yourself. You will see from the map it makes sense to wander down to the adjacent Roman Forum to explore Imperial Rome. Also note that the map shows it’s not too far to walk up and over to S. Pietro in Vincoli, the elegant renaissance church which happens to contain the powerful sculpture of "Moses" by Michelangelo. This is where the ARTWISE® Rome Museum Map comes in handy, by connecting all the cultural dots for you, allowing you to see more and work less.

Many more listings are covered in the ARTWISE® Museum Map of Rome. The detailed map of central Rome will transform your walks into self guided cultural tours. The map’s index lists all museums, galleries and churches containing master artworks by Michelangelo, Bernini and others. Each listing contains the address, map reference, telephone, hours, admission charge information and a brief description of the highlights of each collection. To aid navigation, an inset map of the Rome metro system is included to better serve your travels around the city. This stylish map will enable you to visit more museums and church art than by any other means. For a larger selection of our detailed travel maps simply type STREETWISE MAPS into the Barnes & Noble search bar.

About STREETWISE® Maps

STREETWISE® is the first map to be designed with modern graphics and is the originator of the laminated, accordion-fold map format. We've set the standard that every map company has imitated but never duplicated. Our mission is to make you feel comfortable, to make you feel safe in a place where you've never been before and to enable you to experience a familiar place more fully.

The company was founded in 1984 by Michael Brown, who had been in international publishing for many years, setting up subsidiaries for textbook publishers. In the 1970's, Brown traveled extensively throughout Africa, India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Brown would take a large paper map, cut out the city center, folded it up and slip it into his pocket, thus preventing him from looking like a tourist in areas where discretion is the better part of travel. This was his tool for surviving.

After many years on the road, Brown settled back in New York and decided to start his own business, based on the adaptations he had made to maps in his travels. His goal was to give someone the ability to navigate easily in unfamiliar terrain.

He started with a new map format: the accordion fold. Such a simple idea, but at the time it was revolutionary. No more struggling to fold an awkward, oversized paper map. This new format would enable the user to blend in like a native, instead of stick out like a tourist. Brown then added lamination to ensure that the map would be a lasting tool.

More important than the format was the design of the map itself. It had to be a map that not only succeeded above and beyond any map he had used, but was esthetically appealing as well. The look of it had to be as striking as the functionality. Color was introduced in a way that was never seen before in a map - vivid purple for water, soothing gray for the background of street grids, gold to highlight elements of the map. Clarity, conciseness and convenience in a very stylish package.

Building the business was a 24 hour job. Brown sold the maps during the day, zipping around Manhattan making deliveries on his Harley Davidson. At night he packed the orders and did the design work. More titles were added, each title requiring months of research and design.

Today, STREETWISE® produces over 130 titles for major destinations, regions and countries throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Europe, the United Kingdom and Asia. We have grown from the back of a motorcycle to selling millions of maps around the world.

Yet each title is still painstakingly researched and updated. STREETWISE® is one of the only, if not THE only map company that conducts research by walking or driving an area to ensure accuracy. After all, what good is the map if what you hold in your hands doesn't match what you see on the street sign? This lengthy fact checking results in superior accuracy; in effect, we've done the work, now you have the adventure.

In the end, it's not about the map, it's about getting out and finding your own authentic experience wherever you go. It's about being in a city or a region and discovering things that you never thought you would find. You can do this if you have confidence and you have confidence if you have a great map. STREETWISE® is the great map that you need.