Rome Memories of World War II Tour
Focus
What makes this tour Special
What to Expect
PRIVATE TOUR
Enjoy your tour with your own private tour expert at your party's disposal only
DURATION
3.5 hours
START TIME
09:00 - 14:00
PRIVATE DRIVER
Meet&Greet at your hotel/accomodation. Private Driver included throughout the tour
KID FRIENDLY
This tour is suitable for kids of all ages
ENTRANCE TICKETS
Entrance tickets are included! Enjoy your tour!
- Blue Badge Official Guide
- Private van at disposal for the entire duration of the tour
- Reservation fees
- Extras
- Gratuities
Sites you’ll visit
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Vittoriano
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Rome Jewish Ghetto
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Via Rasella
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Liberation of Rome Museum
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Ardeatine Caves
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Some say Piazza Venezia is the center of Rome, and it is hard to disagree. Standing in this are will give you several choices for what to discover next! The square itself is home to the famous "Big white building" which is an the National Memorial that allows you great views of Rome. Within the square you can also see Trajan's Column and even the Colosseum in the distance!
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A private tour built for you becomes the key, and the Jewish Ghetto unlocks: hidden courtyards, centuries of resilience, flavors kept alive. Luxury lies in the way each detail bends to your pace.
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A street made famous for the revolution against the Nazi ruling of Rome during the Second World War. This is the street where on March 23rd, 1944, Italians made an ambush on Nazi SS police troops, killing 28 people. The following day, Nazi forces retaliated by killing 335 Italians at the Ardeatine caves.
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A place that holds an emotional story within its walls during the German invasion of Italy. The building was used as the SS torture base to punish members of the Italian Resistance. Nowadays there are still visible messages from the inmates on the cell walls written in pencil, recordings of the horrible acts that took place here during the 1940's and the overall persecution of Jewish people with newspaper copies and posters that highlight the discrimination. The Liberation of Rome museum also explains the German SS retreat from Rome in mid 1944 with the help of foreign forces.
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The Fosse Ardeatine is a significant historical site located in Rome. It is a series of caves on the outskirts of the city that gained infamy during World War II. In March 1944, after a deadly attack by Italian partisans on German soldiers, the Nazis ordered the execution of 335 Italian civilians, including men, women, and children, as a reprisal. These innocent victims were rounded up, transported to the Fosse Ardeatine, and then brutally killed by being shot in the back of the head. The bodies were later buried in the caves. The massacre at Fosse Ardeatine serves as a poignant symbol of the horrors of war and the brutality of the Nazi regime. Today, the Fosse Ardeatine is a memorial and a place of remembrance, where visitors can pay their respects to the victims and learn about this tragic chapter in history. It stands as a somber reminder of the importance of preserving peace and remembering the sacrifices made during times of conflict.
Tour description
Your experience opens in Piazza Venezia, a place that carries the heavy weight of Italy’s 20th-century history. During the Fascist period, Benito Mussolini addressed the crowds from the balcony of Palazzo Venezia, transforming the square into a stage for propaganda and mass rallies. Nearby, the vast Victor Emmanuel Monument took on an unsettling nickname at the time: “the Piano.” Rows of Fascist soldiers in black uniforms lined its white marble steps during military parades, creating a stark visual contrast that became a symbol of the regime’s power.
A short ride brings you to the edge of the former Jewish Ghetto, established in 1555 and tragically marked by one of Rome’s darkest moments. On October 16th, 1943, the area became the scene of a brutal Nazi roundup. More than one thousand Jewish residents were arrested and deported to Auschwitz. Only sixteen survived and returned to Rome after the war. Walking through these streets today means confronting a painful silence that still echoes through the neighborhood.
The journey continues to Via Rasella, the site of a pivotal act of resistance on March 23rd, 1944. Here, Italian Partisans carried out an ambush against a column of Nazi SS troops, killing twenty-eight officers. The attack triggered a horrific retaliation. The following day, German forces executed 335 Italian civilians, chosen at random, including men, women, and even teenagers.
Those victims were taken to the Fosse Ardeatine, where they were murdered and buried inside the caves in an attempt to conceal the crime. Today, the site stands as a solemn memorial, a place dedicated to remembrance and reflection, preserving the names and stories of those who lost their lives.
The tour concludes at Via Tasso 145, once the headquarters of the Nazi Security Police during the nine months of German occupation of Rome. The building now serves as the Museum of the Liberation, preserving prison cells, documents, and testimonies that bear witness to the repression, resistance, and suffering experienced in the city during that period.
This journey is not simply a tour of places, but a confrontation with history. It traces the path of occupation, resistance, and memory, offering a deeper understanding of Rome beyond its ancient past, through stories that shaped its modern identity.
Useful information
Full Refund Cancellation Policy
The policies are included and non-optional.
- Dolce Vita policy is applied on all Standard Bookings placed more than 72 hours from the date of the event. We provide all our customers with Refundable Terms up to 72 hours from the date of the event for any reason. To apply for a refund including where your tour is cancelled or changed by Eyes of Rome®, please contact our customer service team at info@eyesofrome.com.
- Peace of Mind policy is applied on Selected Bookings and on all Bookings placed within 72 hours from the date of the event. We provide all our customers with Refundable Terms so if you are unable to attend your booking due to unforeseen circumstances outside of your control you may be entitled to a refund - please see our full set of Refundable Terms and Conditions here. To apply for a refund, please find the instructions on how to apply in the booking confirmation email you received after payment.
