Now take a look at this enormous open space, stretching over six hundred meters long. It may just look like a grassy field today, but this is the site of Circus Maximus, once the largest stadium in the ancient world. At its peak, it could seat over a hundred and fifty thousand spectators, possibly even more. That’s nearly twice the size of a modern football stadium or the Colosseum ! And what did they come to see? Chariot races with thundering hooves and roaring crowds. The Circus dates all the way back to the time of Rome’s early kings, around the sixth century BC. But it was Julius Caesar who gave it a proper upgrade, expanding its size dramatically. Later emperors like Augustus and Trajan continued to rebuild and beautify it with marble seats, arcades, and even an imperial box. In the center once stood a spina, the dividing barrier lined with statues, fountains, and Egyptian obelisks. Behind, on the hill, you’ll spot the remains of the Palatine palaces, where emperors could watch from their private balconies; because of course, they had the best seats in the house. If you swipe on the photos, I’ve added a sketch to illustrate what it might have looked like back in the day. Romans were obsessed with the races. Drivers or aurigae as they were called, were celebrities who often amassed riches. The races were dangerous, fast, and dramatic, often ending in crashes that the crowd loved. There was a lot of betting and loyal supporters who treated wins and losses like life and death. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? You might be asking yourself, “If Circus Maximus was so massive, why isn’t it as famous as the Colosseum?” And the answer comes down to visibility and survival. The Colosseum, with its iconic arches and towering outer walls, still dominates the Roman skyline. It’s photogenic, instantly recognizable, and relatively well-preserved thanks to centuries of restoration. In contrast, Circus Maximus has been worn down by time, plundered for stone, and repurposed over the centuries. What you see today is mostly the shape of the stadium. Its scale is still impressive, but without the grand structure rising above it. Today, the Circus is occasionally used for concerts and events. This is one site that many visitors to Rome miss but in my opinion it is well worth visiting and I hope you agree with me. Onwards to another hidden gem, the Mouth of Truth. It is located within the Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Make your way to the portico of the Basilica. You will usually see a line in front of the Bocca della Verità