Day 1, Rome - Egyptian heart of Rome
Indipendent arrival in Rome.
Check in at the Hotel Adriano Rooftop, in the heart of Rome, where you will stay for the next 3 nights.
The Insula of Sapienza: discovering ancient Egypt in the heart of Rome.
A fascinating guided tour with an Egyptologist/archaeologist will lead you into the heart of Rome to discover the places where ancient Egypt lives on among the stones of the Eternal City.
The itinerary follows the traces of the ancient Insula della Sapienza, an area extraordinarily rich in archaeological memories and esoteric symbols, where the Iseum Campense once stood—the great sanctuary dedicated to the Egyptian deities Isis and Serapis.
The route begins at Santo Stefano del Cacco, a church built on the remains of the Temple of Isis. Its curious name derives from the statue of an Egyptian monkey ("il cacco") found on site: a detail that still reflects the presence of Nilotic cults in the heart of Rome.
From here, you continue toward Piazza della Pigna, named after the giant bronze pinecone sculpture now preserved in the Vatican, which was once an integral part of the ancient Isiac complex.
The guide will explain how these decorative elements were reinterpreted and integrated into new contexts, symbolizing continuity between different worlds and cultures. The tour then reaches Piazza della Minerva, dominated by Bernini's famous elephant statue supporting an Egyptian obelisk, a tangible witness to the religious and artistic syncretism that characterized this area. It was right here, in the Middle Ages, that the memory of the Temple of Isis survived in popular tales and street names.
Finally, you reach Piazza San Macuto, where Roman-era buildings linked to the sacred complex once stood and where the guide will share the latest archaeological discoveries that have helped reconstruct the extent of the ancient sanctuary. The walk concludes with an indoor explanation of the Iseum, providing a full understanding of the temple's structure, the function of its spaces, and the deep spiritual significance of the cult of Isis in Imperial Rome.
At the end of this brief itinerary, a small aperitivo will be the best way to start your Roman stay.
Dinner on your own and overnight stay at the hotel.