Blue Guide Venice
The best of the best
Reviewed by James Connelly
Format: Paperback
Nothing tops and few guides approach the Blue Guides in quality. So it is with this title.
Blue Guide Rome
Awesome book on the Eternal City
Reviewed by Pedro
Format: Paperback
This is likely to be the most thorough guide of the Eternal City available. Here you are bound to find, with reasonable depth and detail, information on the hundreds of sights of the city. For a city like Rome, which has been a lively urban environment for ~2300 years now, this is massive addition for any trip. The guide is very neatly organized: it starts with a brief historical recap of the city and its various functions. History is also told as the author goes along showing the neighborhoods of the city and how they evolved as the role of the city changed: the seat of a powerful city state, center of the Mediterranean Empire, the seat of the Popes and the cradle of the Renaissance and the counter-reformation. There’s also some discussion regarding the city role in the Unification of Italy (Risorgimento) and the establishment of fascism in the 1920’s.
The book is divided by neighborhoods and regions of Rome and the environs around it. Each region is then broken up into the main sights from all these different ages, with maps for the main clusters also being provided. Mrs. MacAdam breadth in knowledge is stunning, as she moves seamlessly through these different ages and buildings, providing not only historical context but also cultural: which architects designed such buildings, which artists decorated it, the meanings of these choices, the artistic movement they belonged to and the political and social context that framed the building construction and/or renovation. For especially large and rich sights, like the many papal Archbasilicas, maps are provided so you can understand the different parts of the building and the works and different artists responsible for each part.
With such a comprehensive source available, I would recommend you read and highlight the most interesting parts, specially of the sights you intend to see: this will help you prioritize in a city that has far to much to be seen in any single trip. It also helps you to wander around the city with context and quickly refresh on the details of each specific sight by browsing its entry. If you are an ancient history buff like me, this book should be coupled with “Rome” from Amanda Claridge, which will provide and even deeper look into sights from this period.
Of the (many) very nice buildings and places I discovered through this guide, I would highlight:
I – Via Appia and Ostia Antica, respectively the ancient road connecting Rome with the south of Italy and Rome’s port.
II – The papal Archbasilicas: while San Paolo is the overall most impressive, it’s also by far the most “known”. In that sense, San Giovanni in Laterano and San Giovanni Fuori le Mura are amazing and less famous (at least they were for me)
III – The massive museum complexes that house some of the best examples of roman and Greek art I’ve ever seen: the Capitoline Museums, the Palazzo Maximo and the Altemps
IV – The many “secondary” historical churches of Rome like Santo Estafano Rotondo, Santa Sabina, San Clemente, Sant’Agnese in Agone and Sant’Ignazio di Loyola.
V – The many palazzos that dot the city and house some impressive Renaissance and Baroque art collections, such as the Borghese, Colonna and Doria-Pamphlij
Blue Guide Rome
Best guide around
Reviewed by JB Jones
Format: Paperback
I am a language teacher and use these when I travel. Perhaps not as pretty as some guides out there, but nevertheless, much better. Instead of pictures, these hold researched history. I’ve used many different Rome guides. Won’t go without this one now.
Blue Guide Rome
The ONE!!
Reviewed by Sheila P.
Format: Paperback, Kindle ebook
I got both paper and digital – one great for my own marginalia – other for the street & lunchtime check-in on my phone!!
Blue Guide Rome
Best of Rome
Reviewed by Sid Cundiff
Format: Paperback
Absolutely the best Guide to Rome — very detailed and much to offer lovers of art.
