Archive for the ‘Rome Tourist Attractions’ Category

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Rome Guide: Piazza Navona

mercoledì, ottobre 6th, 2010

Piazza Navona is one of the most popular squares in Rome, situated in the very heart of the city, between the Tiber river and Via del Corso.

The square has an elliptical shape: in fact, Piazza Navona occupies an area where once stood the ancient Stadium of Domitian, of which you can still see some ruins in Via Zanardelli.
Two notable architectural buildings overlook the square: the Palazzo Pamphilj, built from 1644 and 1650, and the church of Sant’Agnese in Agone, built in 1652.

The worldwide famous Fountain of the Four Rivers lies in front of the church. Designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1651, it is a beautiful emblematic example of Baroque Roman art. The fountain has at its corners four gods representing four major rivers: the Danube, Plate, Ganges and Nile, which, in turn, stand for the four continents known at the time: Europe, America, Asia and Africa.

The square was supposed to convey the grandeur and power of the prestigious Pamphilj family, who commissioned the construction of both the Palazzo and the church, as well as of the allegorical fountain.
Today, Piazza Navona is one of the most lively places in Rome, by day and night alike, and we definitely recommend it for any tourist who wants to enjoy the true Roman atmosphere.

Staying in an apartment in Piazza Navona can be an excellent solution for your holiday in Rome.

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Rome Guide: Piazza Venezia

giovedì, settembre 16th, 2010

Piazza Venezia is a central square in Rome, situated at the junction of three major roads: via del Corso, famous for its countless shops, via dei Fori Imperiali, dominated by the Roman Forum and via del Plebiscito.
The present lay-out of Piazza Venezia is the result of demolition and reconstruction works carried out between the end of XIX century and the beginning of the XX century.

In particular, the imposing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, in jest called typewriter because of its shape seen from above, was built in those years. On the west side of the square is the Palazzo Venezia, seat of government during the fascism: from here Mussolini delivered the speech that proclaimed the rise of the empire in 1936.

In front of it the Palazzo delle Assicurazioni Generali was built in the first years of XX century. Decorated with the Leone Alato, it was built in a rear position compared with the former buildings, with the aim of allowing the square to be expanded. Piazza Venezia is one of the most popular squares in Rome, located in a very crucial point in the historical centre of Rome, and is an essential stage when touring Rome.

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Rome Guide: Villa Ada

giovedì, settembre 9th, 2010

Villa Ada, located in Via Salaria, is a huge park in Rome, second in size only to Villa Doria Pamphili.

The Italian royal House of Savoia owned the park in the nineteenth century, until 1878 when Count Tellfner of Switzerland took the control of the Villa, and named it after his wife Ada. At the beginning of the XX century the Savoia regained control of the land until 1946, when it finally became a public area controlled by the Council of Rome.

Plant life is rich in Villa Ada: there are many trees, such as pines, oaks, laurels, maples, olive trees and poplars. There is also an artificial little lake within the wooden expanse and you may rent bicycles, canoes or riding horses, or simply take a healthy stroll.

Since 1994 Villa Ada is home to the Roma incontra il mondo music festival, an event that sees many famous artists performing every night during summer season. In the official site http://www.villaada.org/index.asp you’ll find the complete schedule of this year. Some of the most popular artists who will appear on the stage of Villa Ada music festival are: Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeaters, Almamegretta, Carmen Consoli. Tickets starting from 8 €.

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Rome Guide: Rione Monti

giovedì, settembre 2nd, 2010

The Rione Monti, literally meaning “Mountains” is the first rione of the city, and originally included the Quirinal, the Viminal Hills, the Caelian Hills and the Esquiline.

During the Middle Ages the Rione Monti was one of the two main districts in Rome: the other was Trastevere and they were in constant conflict to prevail over each other.
In modern times the area has been reduced and does not comprise the Quirinal and the Caelian Hills any longer.

What you can still find in the Rione Monti is a high number of monuments, churches and places of interest such as: the Colosseum, the baths of Trajan, the baths of Titus, part of the Forum Romanum, the Domus Aurea, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran and many others.

The area between Via Nazionale and Via cavour is the very heart of the district: where a number of small workshops in the XIX century style, as well as many trattorie and cafès cluster around Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, vastly frequented by locals and tourists.

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Globe Theatre in Rome

martedì, agosto 31st, 2010

The Globe Theatre in Rome is a copy of the world famous Elisabethan theatre built in London in 1576.

It rises within the large green area of Villa Borghese and has its main entrance in Largo Aqua Felix (Piazza Siena). The area is closed to traffic, so you can only reach the theatre with a short walking from Viale delle Belle Arti, where is also the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Arts, and the nearby Bioparco (zoological garden in Rome).

The Globe Theatre is entirely built in wood, as the orginal one, and has also the traditional circular shape. It can host up to 1250 people: 420 standing room and 830 seats in the balconies.

This year in the playbill are some of the most famous and worldwide appreciated plays by Shakespeare, the greatest writer and poet in the English language:

The two gentlemen of Verona (10th and 11th July)

The tempest (from 23rd July to 1st August)

Much ado about nothing (from 4th to 13th and from 18th to 22nd August)

The taming of the shrew (from 25th August to 5th September)

A midsummer night’s dream (from 8th September)

The ticket office in Viale Canonica is open from Monday to Sunday,14 – 19, you may also book via internet at:
http://www.greenticket.it/index.html?imposta_lingua=ing

Prices start from 8 up to 22 euro.

Official site (Italian language only):
http://www.globetheatreroma.com/index.php

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Rome Guide: Campidoglio

martedì, luglio 20th, 2010

Campidoglio is the Italian name for the Capitoline Hill, one of the seven most famous hills of Rome, located in the very heart of the city.
The Piazza del Campidoglio and the three palaces overlooking it – the Palazzo dei Conservatori, the Senatorio and the Nuovo – have been designed by the brilliant genius of Michelangelo, one of the most gifted artists of Italian Renaissance.

The palaces encompass a trapezoidal space accessible by the Cordonata, that is a large flight of steps, wide enough to allow horse riders to ascend the hill without dismounting.
Palazzo dei Conservatori and the Senatorio in Campidoglio are also home to Rome’s civic government.

Finally, the building of Tabularium, which dates back to 1 BC, is situated underground beneath the square, and besides it is the ancient Temple of Veiovis.
Adjacent to the Piazza del Campidoglio you may admire the church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli.

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Rome Guide: Ara Pacis

mercoledì, luglio 14th, 2010

The Ara Pacis Augustae is an altar to peace, masterpiece of Augustan sculpture, built in 9 BC to celebrate the triumphal campaign of battle in Hispania and Gaul. After the battles peace was established, and prosperity spread throughout the Empire.

Built in marble, the Ara Pacis has a bas-relief frieze that depicts some figures approaching the gods to offer them sacrifices, as a thanksgiving act for the established peace. The figures are Augustus and members of his family, lictors, priests, attendants, women and children.

The Ara Pacis was originally located in Via Flaminia, but over the century it was buried by silt. Discovered in 1568, it has been preserved with different protective buildings since then.
You may visit the Ara Pacis museum in Lungotevere in Augusta (cross via Tomacelli) from Tuesday to Sunday, 9.00 a.m to 7.00 p.m.

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