Ancient Rome Greatest Hits
The Colosseum, the Forum, and a cow pasture that ran the world. Walk the ancient core of Rome and hear what actually happened at each icon, from the giant missing statue that named the Colosseum to the square where Caesar was really killed, now run by cats.
What You'll Experience
Plan your walk
Know the route before you buy
- Starts at
- Introduction
- Ends at
- The Reveal
- Walking plan
- 32 min · ~1.9 miles
- Schedule
- Start, pause, and resume anytime
Included in the app
- Professional narration
- GPS-triggered stops
- Downloadable tour audio
- Ask the Historian Q&A
- Optional end-of-tour reveal
- All 9 story stops
A taste of what you'll hear
9 stops, each with its own story. Here's a preview.
"You are standing in the middle of ancient Rome. Or, more accurately, on top of it — because the ancient city is buried about thirty feet under your shoes, and the Rome you're about to walk through spe..."
"You're looking at a long, flat, grassy field with a gentle slope on either side. Joggers, dog walkers, some weeds. It looks like an ordinary park. You are standing in the largest sports stadium ever built by anyone, ever."
"So. You made it from a giant missing statue to a square full of cats, across about two and a half thousand years of Rome. Time for the audit I promised. A few things I told you were mine. Let's settle it."
Tour itinerary
Every stop on this walk
Explore the route before you go. Each stop has its own story preview, location details, and place in the larger tour.
- 11IntroductionYou are standing in the middle of ancient Rome. Or, more accurately, on top of it — because the ancient city is buried about thirty feet...41.8902, 12.4922 Read this stop
- 22The ColosseumThere it is. The most recognizable building on the planet. And it's named after a statue that isn't here.41.8902, 12.4922 Read this stop
- 33The Roman ForumYou're looking down into the Roman Forum. Broken columns, arches, temple platforms, the whole spread of it sitting in a pit below street...41.8925, 12.4853 Read this stop
- 44Palatine HillYou're up on the Palatine Hill, looking out over umbrella pines and the ruins of enormous brick buildings. Remember this word — Palatine.41.8892, 12.4875 Read this stop
- 55Circus MaximusYou're looking at a long, flat, grassy field with a gentle slope on either side. Joggers, dog walkers, some weeds.41.8859, 12.4853 Read this stop
- 66Capitoline HillYou've walked up onto the Capitoline Hill, into a beautiful open square with matching palaces on three sides and a swirling star pattern set...41.8931, 12.4828 Read this stop
- 77Piazza Venezia and the VittorianoYou cannot miss the enormous white marble monument in front of you. Blinding, tiered, covered in columns and bronze horses, roughly the size...41.8958, 12.4828 Read this stop
- 88Largo di Torre ArgentinaYou're looking down into a sunken square full of broken columns and temple ruins, a few meters below the modern street.41.8955, 12.4768 Read this stop
- 99The RevealSo. You made it from a giant missing statue to a square full of cats, across about two and a half thousand years of Rome.41.8955, 12.4768 Read this stop
Stories first
Every stop is built around people, conflict, ambition, and consequences—not a plaque read aloud.
Most of it is true. The extra mischief is just a wink at the end, but the story is what carries the walk.
Have questions? Just ask.
Curious about something you heard? Want to know more about a place? Ask us anything — we have a lot to say. It's more fun when it's a conversation.
Ready?
Download the app, head to the starting point, and press play. The stories start themselves.
Get the AppBefore you go
Quick answers
How much is this tour?
$9.99 as a one-time purchase in the iOS app. The Rome city pack is $14.99 and includes every currently available tour in the city.
Can I use it with spotty cell service?
Download the tour audio on Wi-Fi before leaving. Cached narration plays without streaming; map tiles and other online features may still need a connection.
Do I have to start at a specific time?
No. Start when it suits you, pause for a detour or meal, and resume later. Check the opening hours of any venue you personally plan to enter.
Are admission tickets included?
The purchase covers the Bad Historian audio experience. Transportation, food, and admission to third-party attractions are not included.
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