Historic center of Rome?
 

I've seen mention in a number of posts of the 'historic' center of Rome and how it's best to stay there when visiting for the first time. What areas specifically would make up the 'historic' center? (I had assumed around the Colosseum, but I think I'm wrong).

(I thought Rome by its very nature was entirely historic! So many hotel websites say that they are in the historic section but then they are by the rail station. I am so confused!

I think most people refer to the historic center or centro storico as areas near the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps. These are all centrally located and great places to stay. We personally like the area around the Pantheon.

Ironically, Ancient Rome (Colossem, Roman Forum, etc) is NOT the Historical Center. It IS confusing.

jgg's decription is pretty accurate. A more generous boundry could be anything west of Vie del Corso all the way west to the river.

Actually, the area around the Colosseum is more modern.

Centro Storico is a phrase that defines the area that jjg and bardo describe, it's not just a way to describe the historic nature of Rome.

Hotels, restaurants, etc can call themselves anything they like when it comes to location.

thanks for the info. I'm trying to get a sense of the best (or rather, most convenient) area to stay in. Right now, we are booked at the Residenza Cellini on Via Modena (which is, I think, fairly close to the rail station). It's gotten great reviews, but I'm not crazy about it if the area isn't nice.

I'd like to be able to walk to as many sights as possible. Also, it's important that the area around where we stay be nice/charming, etc. (I know, I sound pretty obnoxious - sorry - first trip to rome).

I guess I'll re-think our hotel location and try to find something closer to the center?

thanks for the advice!

what does ttt mean?

IMHO you should move. We stayed by Trevi and it adds many more chances to stroll the old streets by the Pantheon, Navona, Fiori, etc. There are numerous outside cafes to dine.

The "historic center" is a popular translation of "centro storico," but the Italian term most often refers to that part of the city which was originally bounded by fortress walls in the medieval period, and only accessed through a gate or "porto."

It's not so much the "historic" center as it is the "historical" center, or the old center, or the former center.

Although it is true that a hotel website can say anything, when Italian hotels advertise being in the "centro storico" they mean they are inside, not outside, the historic walls of the city, and they rarely lie about it. It would be like saying "Inside the French Quarter" or "inside Miami Beach" or "Greenwich Village" when you are not.

CurioiusG1

I think I know what you mean by nice, and don't worry about the way it sounds. Nice is nice, and we all want the most for our money and time when traveling. I don't know what you are paying for this hotel, but if you post your budget and time frame, with a new
request for a Centro Storico Hotel in Rome, I'll bet you'll get a wealth of great suggestions.