Outside of the main city of Rome, along the ancient Appian Way - the main road of Ancient Rome, sits the church of Domine Quo Vadis. The phrase comes from the legend of Peter (specifically, the apocryphal Acts of Peter) and is said to be the words that Peter spoke to the risen Christ. Peter was fleeing the persecutions of Rome, and on the way out of the city on the main road, the Appian Way, he came across the risen Christ, who was headed into Rome.

On Rome's Aventine Hill, the church of Santa Sabina holds a large rock. Legend says the Devil, angered by St. Dominic's prayers, threw it at him, missing. The rock remains, with holes from the Devil's talons visible. The church grounds also feature a beautiful park with views from the parapet.

The church Santa Maria in Aracoeli on the Capitoline Hill has a fascinating foundation story. Emperor Augustus had a vision of a woman presenting a child on an altar, leading him to build the "altar of heaven," or "ara coeli," which names the church. Its nave columns are from ancient ruins, one noted "from the chambers of Augustus." The 124 marble steps were added after the Black Death of 1348.