Sampietrini
The small black cobblestones of basalt that pave the streets of old Rome.
Photo: Alessio Damato, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sampietrini are small cubes of dark volcanic stone, set by hand in sand. They are named after Saint Peter’s Square, where they were first laid on a large scale in the 16th century.
They are beautiful, cheap to mend and terrible for scooters and high heels. In the game the streets of the old centre are cobbled with them. Ride through Rome in 3D ›
More in Rome
ColosseumThe great amphitheatre of ancient Rome, opened in AD 80 for gladiator fights before some 50,000 people.
PantheonA temple to all the gods rebuilt under Hadrian, with the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.
Trevi FountainRome’s grandest fountain, where a coin thrown over your shoulder means you will come back.
Piazza NavonaA long Baroque square on the outline of Domitian’s stadium, with Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Roman ForumThe heart of ancient Rome: temples, basilicas and the Senate house, in a valley between the hills.
VittorianoThe huge white marble monument to Victor Emmanuel II on Piazza Venezia, nicknamed the typewriter.
Campo de’ FioriA lively square with a morning market and, in the middle, the hooded statue of Giordano Bruno.
Column of Marcus AureliusA marble column carved with the emperor’s wars along the Danube, standing on Piazza Colonna since the 2nd century.
Largo di Torre ArgentinaFour temples of the Republic sunk below the street, beside the spot where Julius Caesar was murdered.
Sistine ChapelThe Vatican’s papal chapel, where the cardinals elect the pope, under Michelangelo’s ceiling and his Last Judgment.
VespaThe scooter that put post-war Italy on two wheels and rode through Roman Holiday.
NasoniThe little cast-iron drinking fountains on Rome’s street corners, running with fresh water all day.
CarbonaraPasta with egg, guanciale, pecorino and black pepper: Rome’s own dish, with never a drop of cream.