Archive for maggio, 2010

Rome Guide: Foro Romano

domenica, maggio 30th, 2010

The Roman Forum, located between the Colosseum and the Tiber island, was the very heart of ancient Rome during the Republican and Imperial periods. The area was drained in the 7th century B.C. and soon became the central location for political, judicial, economical and religious life in the city of Rome.

Today the Roman Forum appears as a wide expanse of ruins, symbol of the great power of ancient Rome, and it is one of the most visited archaeological sites in all the world.
Of remarkable significance are the Curia, that was the Senate meeting house; the white marble Arch of Septimius Severus, which consists of three archways built on a travertine base to commemorate the Emperor victories against the Parthians; the Tabularium, that was the official records office; and the Forum Main Square, in central position.

Among religious monuments are several temples and shrines dedicated to the worship of Gods, such as the Temple of Saturn, the Temple of Vespasian and Titus, the Basilica Iulia, the Temple of Caesar, the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Basilica Aemilia, and the Temple of Vesta.

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Rome Guide: Capitoline Museums

domenica, maggio 30th, 2010


The Capitoline Museums are a set of archaeological museums housed in three Palaces overlooking Piazza del Campidoglio, in Rome. The Palaces are: Palazzo Senatorio, Palazzo dei Conservatori, Palazzo Nuovo, built in different centuries but each according to Michelangelo Buonarroti’s designs, who conceived an overall plan for the Square.

Inaugurated in 1734, the Capitoline Museums were the first museums in the world to be opened to the public.

The most famous work contained in the Museums is the equestrian statue of Emperor Marcus Aurelius built in the 2nd century AD, on display in the Palazzo Nuovo. In the centre of the square there is also a replica made in 1981. In the same palace are the Dying Gaul, that is a Roman copy of a Hellenistic sculpture, famous for its extremely expressive pathos, and the Discobolus, a marble statue depicting a discus thrower, copy of the lost original Greek bronze.

In the Palazzo dei Conservatori you may admire a famous Caravaggio’s painting: San Giovanni Battista and, most importantly, the Lupa Capitolina, a bronze she-wolf in the act of nursing Romulus and Remus, which is the symbol of Rome.

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Madame Butterfly in Rome

martedì, maggio 18th, 2010

Madame Butterfly is on the stages. One of the greatest masterpieces by Italian composer Giacomo Puccini is going to be performed at two major theatres in Rome: the Opera House, from Tuesday the 18th, to Friday the 28th of May, and the Teatro Flaiano, from Tuesday the 21st of May to Tuesday the 11th of June.

This vibrant and touching opera is a finest combination of music and drama, and it has been rated among the best operas of all the times. Puccini wrote the first version in 1904, and made several changes in the following years, until a final version was completed in 1907.

The opera is set in Nagasaki, and starts with Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the United States Navy, marrying the young geisha Cio-Cio San. But he soon abandons her, and comes back to his country; Cio-Cio San, distressed but hopeful, waits for her husband to return. Giacomo Puccini skilfully combined a passionate story with his musical genius and Madame Butterfly is the best outcome one could ever have expected.

Prices starting from 17 €.
For further information please visit: Teatro Flaiano and Opera House .

If you need to book an Apartments or Bed and Breakfasts in Rome visit: Charm in Rome.

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Rome Guide: Castel Sant Angelo

lunedì, maggio 17th, 2010

The Castel Sant Angelo is a building situated on the right bank of the Tiber at a short distance to Vatican City, in Rome. It takes the name after the Roman Emperor Hadrian, who ordered the building of his mausoleum and the Pons Aelius (a bridge over the Tiber), some time between 135 AD and 139 AD. The tombs of Hadrian and his wife Sabina had been preserved inside the building until the 4th century AD, when Castel Sant’Angelo became a military fortress and was included in the Aurelian Walls.

In the 14th century the structure was converted into a castle and used as a safe house by popes. It also contained several prisons, and a most famous prisoner was Benvenuto Cellini, who managed to escape letting himself down by a rope made of his bedding.

Nowadays the Castel Sant’Angelo is house to the omonym museum. On the top of the castle is the Angel that gives the current name to the building, made in 1753 by Pierre van Verschaffelt.

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Rome Guide: Testaccio

lunedì, maggio 17th, 2010

Testaccio is a district in Rome situated between the Tiber river and the Aurelian Walls, south-east to Circus Maximus. It takes the name after Monte Testaccio, a 30 metres high mound, made up of rubbles – especially amphoras – which came from the ancient Emporium port on the Tiber and piled up over the centuries. Nowadays, the amphora has become the symbol of the district.

One way to reach Testaccio is by Porta San Paolo,  a gate that is part of the Aurelian Walls, and certainly one of the best-preserved. Alongside the Walls is the Pyramid of Cestius, a unique monument built a few years before Christ. It is made up of concrete covered with marble, with some Latin inscriptions carved on the east and west faces. Inside, there is the burial chamber built for Gaius Cestius Epulo, a member of a Roman religious corporation.

Today Testaccio is an area mostly frequented by young people at nights, given the high density of restaurants and discos. Unfortunately, Testaccio is not very popular among tourists and foreign people, but it is an ideal place where to spend nights among and with Roman people.

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Caravaggio Exhibition in Rome

mercoledì, maggio 5th, 2010

On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in 1610, Rome hosts a collection of his major paintings in the exhibition that takes his name “Caravaggio”, on view at the Scuderie del Quirinale from February the 20th to June the 13th.

The artworks spans Caravaggio 18-year career, but rather than put in chronological order, they have been arranged in a theme-based route. There are only authenticated works, historically credited by the hand of Caravaggio, and all dubious attributions ascribed to his school have been excluded.

The exhibition includes absolute masterpieces from all over the world: Amor vincit Omnia from Berlin, The Musicians from New York, The Lute Player from St. Petersburg, Baccus from Florence, Supper at Emmaus from London, and David with the head of Goliath from Rome are among Caravaggio most representative works.

The exhibition is held under the high patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, and organized jointly by Palaexpo and MondoMostre, in cooperation with the Ministry of Heritage and Culture.

Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10.00am to 08.00pm, Friday and Saturday until 10.30pm. Admission is allowed up to one hour before closing.

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