Centro Storico Greatest Hits
The dome, the fountain, and the philosopher they burned in the vegetable market. A walk through Rome's Baroque heart, where a self-healing ancient dome is still a working church, a broken statue was anonymous Twitter for five hundred years, and every coin in the Trevi feeds the poor.
What You'll Experience
Plan your walk
Know the route before you buy
- Starts at
- Introduction
- Ends at
- The Reveal
- Walking plan
- 28 min · ~1.2 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're in the historic center of Rome — the dense, tangled, car-free heart of the city, where every square hides something ridiculous behind a very calm face."
"The Pantheon. Look at that portico — those columns are single pieces of Egyptian granite, each one quarried in one block, floated down the Nile and shipped across the Mediterranean around nineteen centuries ago."
"You went from a burned philosopher to a sinking boat, through the densest, strangest square mile in Rome. Now the confession. A handful of the details were mine."
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're in the historic center of Rome — the dense, tangled, car-free heart of the city, where every square hides something ridiculous behind...41.8957, 12.4722 Read this stop
- 22Campo de' FioriYou're in Campo de' Fiori — Field of Flowers. In the mornings it's a market, all produce and cut flowers and fish on ice, and in the...41.8957, 12.4722 Read this stop
- 33PasquinoOn the corner in front of you is a battered lump of ancient marble on a pedestal — worn almost featureless, missing arms, barely...41.8983, 12.4719 Read this stop
- 44Piazza NavonaPiazza Navona. Long, oval, gorgeous, three fountains down the middle, cafés all around. Notice the shape — that stretched racetrack outline...41.8992, 12.4731 Read this stop
- 55The PantheonThe Pantheon. Look at that portico — those columns are single pieces of Egyptian granite, each one quarried in one block, floated down the...41.8986, 12.4769 Read this stop
- 66Piazza della Minerva — The ElephantIn the middle of this small square stands one of the most charming things in Rome — a little marble elephant with a full-size ancient...41.8981, 12.4780 Read this stop
- 77The Trevi FountainYou hear it before you see it. Then you turn the corner and the whole thing hits you at once — a Baroque explosion of gods and horses and...41.9009, 12.4833 Read this stop
- 88The Spanish StepsIn front of you sweep the Spanish Steps — a hundred and thirty-five stone steps climbing in grand curves up to a church at the top.41.9058, 12.4823 Read this stop
- 99The RevealYou went from a burned philosopher to a sinking boat, through the densest, strangest square mile in Rome. Now the confession.41.9058, 12.4823 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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Centro Storico Greatest Hits
$9.99 · one-time