Roman or Fauxman?

Guest Lucy Frederick has never been to Rome before. But, like the captured French troops that were given a cushy tour of Rome, we've treated her to a virtual tour to sidestep coronavirus. But there’s a problem, some sneaky travel agent has snuck in some red herrings…

Bloody idiot.

Below are pictures of the sites, with a description. It's up to you to decide if they are in Rome or not, in a feature called: Roman or Fauxman...

Play along with Lucy...

1.

The famous Arch Of Constantine, dedicated to Constantine the Great was constructed between 312 and 315 AD. Situated between the Colosseum and the Palatine Hill, the arch spans the via triumphalis, the route taken by victorious military leaders upon entering the city. A local legend claims that the ghost of Julius Caesar inhabits the upper floors.

2.

The Trevi Fountain is one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Built in the 16th century, it was created for Pope Clement Xii and built against the palace of the Dukes of Poli. Throwing in a coin is a tradition that is said to assure your return to Rome.

3.

Outside the city’s bustling centre, among the rolling hills of the countryside stands evidence of one of Rome’s earliest settlements on Palatine Hill. Rock cuttings found human activity here as long ago as the ninth century BC. Later, this site was chosen by successive emperors and great aristocratic families as a retreat from the city, with the bonus of a strategic site on Palatine Hill.

4.

Completed by Caracalla in 216, the Caracalla baths were much more than public baths. They were a complete sports centre, with hot and cold baths, a swimming pool, dry and steam saunas, gymnastics and sports facilities, social rooms, gardens, libraries, hairdressers, and shops. It could accommodate 1500 people at a time!

5.

Just a stone’s throw from the Colosseum, the Fountain of the Gods is renowned for its grand depiction of the Roman deities. This monumental bronze and marble fountain is an early work by Giambologna, completed about 1567 and faithfully restored between 1993 and 1997 thanks for EU funding along with private donations. Having stood severely damaged for over 300 years, it now takes pride of place in Rome’s Piazza Navona and is immensely popular with tourists and locals alike, so much so that in 2007, nets had to be installed to stop the endless coins becoming caught in the filtration system.

So, Roman or Fauxman?

Did you get them right? Listen to the show and find out....