ITALY

ART CENTER ACEA: MONTEMATRINI – Over 400 sculptures are permanently displayed in one of Rome’s first power plants, and juxtaposition of ancient art and industrial architecture is truly spectacular. Open Tues.-Sun. 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Tickets: Euro - 4,20, reduced rate for students Euro – 2,60, 18 and under and over 65 free. Viale Ostiense, 106. Tel. 065748030.

CAPITOLINE MUSEUMS – One of the most important Roman museums housing important works of Ancient Rome as well as great works by Bernini and Caravaggio. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. P.zza del Campidoglio. Tel. 0639967800. Euro – 6,20.

THE COLLOSSEUM – The Flavian Amphitheatre, symbol of Rome, built in A.D. 72. The 50,000 capacity amphitheatre originally had a sail-like roof covering. Until October 28 opens every day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. After October 28 opens from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets Euro – 8 including admissions to the Palatine. Piazza del Colosseo.

DOMUS AUREA – Neros’s extraordinary Golden House, near the Colosseum, has finally been opened to the public after 18 years and 8 million Euros of restoration works. Open from every day 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Tues. Reservations one day in advance are obligatory: 0639967700. Euro – 6,50. Viale della Domus Aurea.

THE FORUM – The heart of Ancient Rome. See Septimius Severus’ Arch, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the House of the Vestal Virgins, the Basilica Emilia and the Temple of Vesta. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free entry to the Forum Largo Romolo and the Remo. Tel. 066990110.

GALLERIA BORGHESE - Built in 1613 to hold Cardinal Scipione Borghese’s collection of art, including works by G.L. Bernini, Correggio, Piazza Scipione Borghese, 5. By reservation only: Tel. 0632810. Open from Tues. to Sun. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Euro – 8,50. Closed Mon.

GALLERIA DORIA PAMPHILI – This gallery has a rich collection of major works by Italian artists from the 1500’s and the 1600’s: Titian, Raphael, Correggio, Caravaggio, Guercino, Reni, Bernini, Velazquez, Pizza del Collegio Romano, 1A. Open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thurs. Tickets: Euro – 7,30 (reduced Euro – 5,70). Tel. 066794365.

G.N.A.M GALLERY OF MODERN ARTS – The largest Italian collection of art from the 19th and 20th centuries, with works by Balla, Boccioni, De Chirico, Modigliani and others. Among foreign artists there are works by Van Gogh, Klimt, Klee, Kandinsky, and Miro Via delle Belle Arti, 131. Open Tues.-Sun. 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Tickets: Euro – 6,50. Tel. 063234000.

MACRO – This contemporary art museum of Rome is located in the former Peroni beer factory. It also has a temporary exhibition space (Mattatoio) at Piazza Orazio Giustiniani, 4 (Map B7). Via Reggio Emilia, 54. Open Tues. to Sat., 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admissions Euro – 5,20 and free of charge under 18 and over 65. Tel. 0667107900.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CASTEL SANT’ANGELO – Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum constructed in A.D. 134, transformed into a fortress 150 years later, remained as such until the beginning of the 19th century. Open Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tickets: Euro – 5. Giardini di Castello. (Piazza Adriana).

OSTIA ANTICA – 16 miles southwest of Rome, Ostia was Rome’s main commercial port and a military base defending the coastline and the mouth of the Tiber. The city is remarkably well-preserved, and gives an excellent picture of life under the Roman Empire. “Caffatteria degli Scavi” on site. Entrance: Euro – 4. Viale dei Romagnoli, 717. Tel. 0656358036. Take metro B line, get off at Magliana, then take train to Ostia Antica.

PALAZZO ALTEMPS – The Renaissance Palazzo Altemps was squired and restored by Rome archaeological authority, and houses a collection of ancient Roman statues belonging to great Roman families. Open Tues.-Sun. 9 a.m.-7:45 p.m.; ticket office closes one hour earlier. Tickets: Euro – 5. Piazza Sant’Apollinare, 46/48.

PALLAZZO MASSIMO (MUSEO NAZIONALE ROMANO) – Important public art collection comprised of Imperial busts, Roman statues, mosaics, sarcophagi and breathtaking frescoes. Open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.; ticket office closes one hour earlier. Tickets: Euro – 5,16. Largo di Villa Peretti, 1. Tel. 064815576.

THE PANTHEON – The best preserved and one of the most famous Roman monuments, it was constructed by Agrippa in 27 B.C. and rebuilt by Hadrian in A.D. 117-125. in A.D. 608 it was transformed into a Christian Church. It contains the tombs of the great painter Raphael and Vittorio Emanuela. Pizza della Rotonda.

SAINT PETER’S – The largest, most famous and magnificent basilica in the world. Within it lie works of art (including Michelangelo’s “Pieta”) covering almost 2,000 years of history. The Basilica was originally built where the Apostle Saint Peter was believed to have been buried. The current basilica was inaugurated in 1626 and only later the square in front was planned and completed with its colonnade by Bernini. Open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Climb up the dome, entrance from the portico: opens 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets: Euro 3,10.

VATICAN MUSEUM / SISTENE CHAPEL – Explore the Vatican Museums’ collection of Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and Baroque art, works by Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and Canova as well as the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel (suggestion: arrive early in the morning, and go directly to the chapel). Open from Monday to Friday from 8:45 a.m. to 1:35 p.m., Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. (entrance until 12:45 p.m.). Tickets: Euro – 10 (Open the last Sunday of every month, entrance free) Viale del Vaticano. Tel. 0669884947.

VILLA BORGHESE – The most beautiful public garden in Rome, created by Cardinal Borghese at the beginning of the 17th century. Two of the nicer areas of the park are the Giardino del Lago, where you can rent boats, and Piazza Siena, where international equestrian events take place each spring. Just beyond the park is the Bioparco (Rome’s Liberty-style zoo), the Borghese Gallery, and the National Gallery of Modern Arts. The park is open from dawn till duck every day. Map C3.