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European Vacations -
Italy Vacation Packages &
Travel Information |
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Overview |
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Rome is more than a fascinating
European capital city; it is a
spectacular encyclopedia of living
history. Rome is halfway down
Italy's western coast, about 12
miles inland. It has been said that
every road in Rome leads to
eternity. The city is vast, though
the historic center is quite small.
The whole experience of Rome is so
powerful as to be almost
overwhelming at times. The best way
to prepare for a visit is to study a
little of the history of the region,
to be as well rested as possible,
and to arrange an itinerary that
allows time to explore, rest, and
reflect on the magnificence of it
all.
There is a steady stream of
spectacular festivals, exhibits and
events for the whole family. Guided
walking tours and bus tours for
every energy level and budget
provide great assistance in becoming
acquainted with the past and present
of this amazing city. Rome is a city
in which it is recommended that
driving and walking anywhere near
areas of traffic be avoided if
possible. The streets are extremely
congested, and drivers are not
considered to be responsible for
watching out for pedestrians. The
public transportation is excellent
and offers the convenience of buses
and subways at a nominal cost.
Whether the visitor is seeking a
quiet, romantic café on the Campo
de’ Fiori; a fast food McDonald’s
with air conditioning on the Piazza
della Repubblica or a cozy and
intimate family operated restaurant
with one or two exquisitely prepared
selections of the day on the Piazza
Santa Maria, there is great food for
every taste.
The city boasts a wide variety of
shopping opportunities. Spanish
Square presents high fashion
selections while the more modestly
priced clothing is to be found on
the Via del Corso and Via Tritone.
North of Spanish Square are areas
famous for their antique shops and
art galleries. Porta Portese hosts a
huge flea market every Sunday
morning.
Rome does not go to sleep at sunset.
Open air symphonic concerts, ballet
and opera performances, live rock
and jazz are all available.
Rome lays claim to two pro football
teams, Roma and Lazio. Rivalry is
fierce between them. Basketball is
gaining in popularity. It is played
in the Palazzo dello Sport designed
for the 1960 Olympics.
The city’s 300 fountains, its
sculpture, its glorious panorama of
ancient, medieval, Renaissance,
baroque and modern art, music and
architecture are all part of the
reason that Pope Gregory XIVs remark
in the 16th century is still true
today. Pope Gregory said of the joys
of exploring and discovering the
city, “a lifetime is not enough.” |
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Facts |
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Population: approximately 2,778,000.
Estimated visitors annually: 15
million.
Area: 577 square miles (within this
area is Vatican City, the world’s
smallest independent sovereign
state, comprising 100 acres and 200
residents)
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time plus
one hour: Time in Rome is 6 hours
ahead of Eastern Standard Time in
New York.(7 hours ahead of central
time in Chicago, etc.)
International Dialing Code: Rome’s
city code is 06. The country code is
39. Calling cards can be purchased
at tobacco stores, post offices and
some bars in Rome to use in placing
calls from public or private phones.
To call the operator: dial 10.
Emergency: police: 113(local) 112
(national); fire: 115; ambulance:
113 Emergency calls are free from
phone booths.
Currency : Currency is the Euro (EUR).
The notes are in denominations of
500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, and 5
euro. The denominations of coins are
2 euro, 1 euro, 50 euro cent, 20
euro cent, 10 euro cent, 5 euro
cent, 2 euro cent, and 1 euro cent.
The easiest method of securing cash
at the best exchange rate is to make
withdrawals using a US credit card
from the ATM machines found at the
major banks and stores.
Customs Regulations: Telephone (in
Rome): 06 49711 for information.
Rome is at its best weather wise in
April and May and again from
September – mid October. The heat
can be intense in July and August.
Winters are rainy and cool, rather
than cold. Many businesses close in
August.
National Holidays:
Jan. 1 New Year’s Day
Jan. 6 Epiphany
Good Friday and Easter Monday (dates
vary each year - Mar. or April)
1st Mon. of May Labor Day
June 29 SS. Peter and Paul’s Day
August 15 Feast of the Assumption
November 1 All Saints’ Day
December 8 Feast of the Immaculate
Conception
Dec. 25 Christmas Day
Dec. 26 St. Stephen’s Day (Boxing
Day)
Public rest rooms: In short supply
except in museums, restaurants and
large department stores
Smoking: Smoking is not allowed in
museums, churches, and art
galleries. It is discouraged, but
allowed, in restaurants. Trains have
separate non- smoking compartments.
Electricity: 220volt A/C). Most
hotels have 110V shaver outlets.
Plugs have 2 round pins or sometimes
3 pins in a vertical row. American
appliances will need a plug adapter
and will require a transformer if
they do not have a dual voltage
capability.
Visitors with disabilities: The
Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and
St. Peter’s are wheelchair
accessible. Many of the ancient
historic sites require climbing of
innumerable steps and are unsuitable
for anyone not in prime physical
condition. There are toilets for the
disabled at the two Rome airports,
at Stazione Termini and at St.
Peter’s Square.
Children: Children under 4 not
occupying a seat travel free on
Italian railways. Traveling with
children requires a different, more
relaxed itinerary, but there are
many possibilities for family
enjoyment available (see Attractions
for Children section).
Churches: There are four Irish
Catholic churches in Rome and two
others for English speakers. There
are also Anglican, Scottish
Presbyterian, Methodist, Jewish and
Muslim worship centers.
How to get around: Buses are the
main form of public transportation.
Orange buses run by ATAC have low
cost, frequent service around the
city. Blue COTRAL buses cover the
region and the suburbs of Rome.
Driving and walking in Rome are both
hazardous. As a result, the buses
are crowded and traffic is slow. Bus
operates Mon-Sat 5:30 AM – 11:30 PM
Night buses on key routes run less
frequently from midnight – 5:30AM.
Late night buses have a conductor
who sells tickets. During the
regular daytime and evening hours
tickets must be purchased in advance
from automatic machines, shops and
news stands.
Information:167 431784.
Metro is a subway system with two
main lines: A and Bit is primarily a
commuter service and does not travel
close to the city center
attractions.
Taxis Licensed taxis are yellow and
white with a “taxi” sign on the
roof. Be sure to use only these.
When hailing a cab, be sure the
meter is set at zero. Drivers are
not supposed to stop on the street
to pick up fares. They are supposed
to wait at taxi stands. Stands can
be found at Termini, Piazza Venezia,
Largo Argentina, Piazza S. Sonnino,
Pantheon, Piazza di Spagna and
Piazza San Silvestro.
Air Travel: Flights arrive at
Leonardo da Vinci Airport, also
known as Fiumicino. Shuttle trains
link the airport with Stazione
Termini in the city center. Taxis
are expensive from the airport. A
prepaid “car with driver” is
available at the SOCAT desk in the
International arrivals hall.
Rail Service: Most trains arrive and
depart from Stazione Terminal, which
is conveniently located for most of
the central city. Train information:
147 88 8088 (toll free) |
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Attractions |
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Ara Pacis Augustae
Via di Repetta
06-710-3569
Tues-Sat. 9-1:30 Sunday 9-1
(April-Sept. also open Tues and Sat.
4-7). Admission charged.
Altar of peace – one of the great
works of Roman sculpture - was
commissioned in 13 BC by the emperor
Augustus to celebrate his victories
in Spain and Gaul. It was
reconstructed here in
1938.www.chch.school.nz/mbc/arapacis.htm
Arch of Constantine
Piazza del Collesseo
Triumphal arch decorated with
fragments from older Roman
monuments, erected in AD 315 in
honor of Constantine's victory over
Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge. At
this battle in the year 312
Constantine is said to have seen a
cross in the sky, bringing about his
conversion to Christianity. The
relief work on the inside of the
arch depicts the emperor Trajan’s
victory over the Dacians in the 2nd
century.
Baths of Caracalla
52 Viale di Terme di Caracalla
06575-8626
Bus 90,93
Tues.-Sat. 9-6(Oct.-Mar.until 3);
Sunday and Monday 9-1. Admission
charged.
The baths were begun in the year 206
and completed by Caracalla in 217.
The vast expanse of ruins of the
massive bath complex contained large
numbers of masterpieces of
sculpture. The baths must have been
exceptionally luxurious. They were
in use into the early middle ages.
The remains were unearthed in the
Middle Ages.
Baths of Diocletian
Piazza della Repubblica
Bus 57,65,75,170,492. Metro:
Repubblica, Termini
A visit to the museum on the site
will give an idea of the interior of
the Roman baths. The Terme Di
Diocleziano (Baths of Diocletian)
were constructed in the 4th century
and were the largest of the ancient
Roman baths. Originally the baths
could accommodate over 3000 people.
The shape of an attached stadium can
still be made out in the curve of
the two 19th century buildings built
on the site that now form the
southwestern perimeter of the Piazza
della Repubblica. Sections of the
former baths now house the Museum
Nazionale Romano and the church of
Sta Maria degli Angeli which was
designed by Michelangelo.
Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth)
Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin
Piazza Bocca della Verità
In the porch of this church on the
south side is a weather beaten stone
face used as a drain cover in
ancient Rome. According to legend,
the mouth was believed to close on
the hand of anyone bearing false
witness, particularly women accused
of adultery. The offender’s hand
would be withdrawn with severed
fingers according to the legend
(Viewers of the film Roman Holiday
will remember the scene in which
Gregory Peck alarmed Audrey Hepburn
by inserting his arm in the mouth
and quickly withdrawing it with his
hand concealed in his sleeve.)
Borghese Gallery
Villa Borghese
06-854-8577
Bus 52,53,910 (to Via
Pinciana),3,4,57 (to Via Po)
Tues.-Sat. 9-7 (Oct.-April 9-2)
Sunday 9-1.
Due to the large number of visitors
it is advisable to make a
reservation: call 39- 063-2810
(Mon-Fri; 9.30am-6pm).
Reservations can also be made
directly at the ticket office one
day in advance by going to the
Galleria Borghese early in the
morning (around 8.30-9am) to try to
buy a ticket. If they are all sold,
ask to be placed on the waiting list
for the day. Try also to be there
one hour before entrance times
(which are: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm). It
may be possible to be among the
first in the waiting list of the
hour. Admission charged.
The Borghese Gallery hosts one of
the most important collections in
the world, particularly of art of
the classical and baroque periods.
The opulent lower floor contains the
sculpture. The paintings are on the
upper floor (galleria).
Villa Borghese Botanical Gardens
(Adjacent to the museum )
Open daily 9am-dusk
Large gardens on the slopes of the
Janiculum, famous for its palms and
yuccas and collection of orchids.
Public gardens and park, including
the Lake Garden, where boats may be
rented and the Zoo. There is also an
aviary and an enormous racetrack.
The park was altered in the 18th
century to resemble English parkland
and given to the public in 1902.
Vatican City (Città del Vaticano)
By the Lateran Pact of 1929, Vatican
City was established as the smallest
independent sovereign state in the
world. It has its own government,
its own statutes and its own head of
state – the Pope. It covers just a
few acres of land, but it holds
within its boundaries the residence
of the Pope; the site of St Peter's
Basilica; the Vatican Museums and
the Sistine Chapel.
www.christusrex.org
Saint Peter's Basilica
Piazza San Pietro
Basilica open daily 7am-7pm. (From
within the Basilica it is possible
to visit the following sites:
1) Treasury – open 9-6 (Oct.-March
9-5). Admission charged.
2) The Vatican grottoes 1-6
(Oct.-March 7-5)
3) The Dome 8-6 (Oct.-March 8-4:30)
Admission charged. Bus 64
The largest Basilica in the world
was begun in 1506 when Pope Julius
II commissioned Bramante to build a
new St. Peter’s to replace the
basilica of Constantine which had
been consecrated in 326. The plan of
the building was based by Bramante
on the design of the ancient Roman
baths which were laid out in the
form of a Greek cross. Bramante died
in 1514, and it was not until 1547
that Michelangelo took over the
project. He simplified Bramante’s
plan and increased the scale. He
introduced giant Corinthian
pilasters around the exterior. When
Michelangelo died in 1564 much of
the apse, the transepts and nave had
been completed. His student, Giacomo
della Porta, erected the dome in
1590 following Michelangelo’s
design. The dome soars over the tomb
of St. Peter. Beneath the dome and
forming the focus of the nave is
Bernini’s Baldacchino whose columns
were cast from bronze stripped from
the roof of the Pantheon.
Michelangelo’s Pieta stands in the
first chapel to the right of the
entrance. The sculptor was only 24
years of age when he completed it.
Vatican Museums
Entrance: Viale Vaticano
06-6988-3332
Mon-Fri. 9-5 Sat. 9-2 (Oct.-June
Mon-Sat. 9-2) Last Sun.of the month
9-5 (Oct-June 9-2)
Ticket office closes 1 hour before
closing time.
If you hope to visit the Sistine
Chapel and/or the Stanze di
Raffello, plan to arrive early as
they are very crowded. Both are a
20-30 minute walk from the museum
entrance.
Admission charged except for last
Sunday of the month.
Bus 64 to Piazza San Pietro
28,81,492 to Piazza del
Risorgimento. Metro: Ottaviano
The Vatican museums are famous for
their collections of Greek and Roman
sculpture. The museum complex is
housed in the papal palace built
during the Renaissance for Pope
Sixtus IV, Innocent VII and Julius
II.
The following are the museums housed
in the Vatican complex:
1) Museo Gregoriano Egizio featuring
the Egyptian collection.
2) Museo Chiaramonti and Museo
Pioclemintino contain the Vatican’s
collection of classical sculpture.
3) Museo Gregoriano – Etrusco which
contains 18 rooms of Etruscan
artifacts and Greek sculptu
4) Salla della Biga contains the
remains of a 1st century BC two
horsed chariot.
5) Galleria del Candelabri is the
first of three galleries built by
Bramante to link different areas of
the palace. It contains marble
statuary and a pair of marble
candlesticks from the imperial era
of ancient Rome.
6) Galleria Gegli Arazzi takes its
name from the tapestries displayed
there. Ten 16th century Belgian
tapestries illustrate stories from
the life of Christ.
7) Galleria Delle Carte Geografiche
or Map Gallery has 40 painted wall
panels depicting regions of Italy in
the 16th century.
8) Galleria di Pio V. Pope Pius V’s
gallery contains tapestries from
Tournai illustrating the Baptism and
Passion of Christ.
9) Sala della Concezione is a room
decorated with frescoes related to
Pope Pius IX’s proclamation of the
dogma of the Immaculate Conception
in 1854. It also contains
Michelangelo’s model for the dome of
St. Peter’s.
10) Stanze di Raffaello are the
rooms which Pope Julius II
commissioned Raphael to redecorate
for his private use in 1509. Rafael
died before the decoration was
completed. The frescoes were
completed by other Renaissance
masters.
11) Apartmento Borgia recalls some
dark days of the papacy , yet is
beautifully decorated.
12) Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana
contains a small part of the
acclaimed Vatican library. Among
manuscripts displayed are some
written by St. Thomas Aquinas and
Michelangelo.
13) Collezione di Arte Religiosa
Moderna is composed of 55 rooms in
which are contained some 800 works
of recent religious art.
14) Capella Sistina (Sistine Chapel)
The chapel was named for Pope Sixtus
IV and was built in 1475-1480.
Frescoes adorn the walls and make
the visit to it an unforgettable
experience. It also contains an
amazing collection of Renaissance
paintings. The ceiling which
Michelangelo painted while lying
flat on his back on a scaffold over
a period of four years has been
called a “wonder of the world.” The
ceiling was cleaned and restored
recently.
15) Pinacoteca is the Vatican’s
picture gallery containing 18 rooms.
Rafael, Leonardo da Vinci, Bellini,
Caravaggio, Thomas Lawrence,
Poussin, Guilio Romano, Van Dyck and
Veronese are among the artists whose
works are presented.
16) Museo Gregoriano Profano
contains profane or pagan art mainly
in the form of sculpture, both Greek
and Roman. There are also Roman
copies of Greek originals.
17) Museo Pio Cristano traces the
history of Christianity through
sarcophagi and excavations from the
catacombs.
18) Museo Missionario Etnologico is
in the basement and contains a huge
collection of artifacts from other
religions and cults. It also holds
examples of Christian art from
countries with Christian missions.
19) Museo Storico contains papal
carriages, flags, banners, etc.
Protestante Cimitero (Protestant
Cemetery)
6 Via Caio Cestio
06-574-1141 Summer: 8-noon and
3:30-5:30 closed Wednesdays Winter:
8-noon and 2:30-4:30 closed
Wednesdays Bus: 11,23,27,57,94,95.
Metro: Piramide
Famous graves include those of the
Romantic poets Keats and Shelley, as
well as that of Antonio Gramsci, the
founder of the Italian Communist
Party and 4000 other non- Catholic
Italians. From the cemetery one has
a good view of the Pyramid of Caius
Cestius, a vast stone tomb
constructed in 12BC for an otherwise
unknown Roman.
Piazza delCampidoglio
Bus 44,46,56,60,64,65,70,75
This square is the focus of the
Capitolino (Capitoline Hill) and is
the symbolic heart of the city. The
site was in a total state of decay
when Pope Paul III commissioned
Michelangelo to rebuild it in the
1500’s as Rome needed an impressive
space in which to receive Emperor
Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor
who was due to visit in 1536.
Musei Capitolini (Capitolino Museum)
and Picture Gallery
Piazza del Campidoglio
06-6710-2071
Tues.-Sat. 9-1:30 and 5-8 Sunday 9-1
(April to Sept.: Sat. 8am-11pm)
Oct.-March: Saturday 5-8.Closed
Monday year round. Admission
charged.One ticket covers both parts
of the museum.
Free on the last Sunday of the
month. Bus 44,94,710,718, 719.
Classical sculpture and busts, many
excavated from the emperor Hadrian's
villa at Tivoli. Famous works
include the Etruscan she-wolf in
bronze. The figures of Romulus and
Remus were added to it in 1498. The
wolf statue has been in the same
location for centuries. It was
damaged by lightening in 65 BC.
EUR
Bus: 93,97,197,293,493,765. Metro:
EUR Fermi; EUR Palasport
This vast complex was built in the
1930’s as part of Mussolini’s grand
design that was to greatly enlarge
Rome and create in it predominately
modern skylines of skyscrapers and
large buildings. Most of this
strange plan which featured a stark
type of Fascist architecture was
fortunately never carried out. After
World War II damage to the complex
caused by occupying armies and
refugees was repaired. Later, in
1960, the complex was used for the
1960 Olympics.
Museo della Civiltà Romana (Museum
of Roman Culture)
Piazza G Agnelli, EUR
Tues.-Sat. 9-1 Sunday: 9-1 also
Tues. and Thurs. 4-7pm. Admission
charged. Bus: 93,97,197,293,493,765.
Metro: EUR Fermi; EUR Palasport
The museum is housed in the Palazzo
della Civilta del Lavoro at EUR. It
traces the history of the city its
beginnings to the age of Justinian
using models including a scale model
of Rome at the time of Constantine.
The latter includes every detail of
all that was contained within the
walls of Rome at that time.
Museo Nazionale delle Arti e
Tradizioni Popolari (Museum of
Folklore)
10 Piazza Marconi, EUR
06-592-6148 Mon.-Sat. 9-2 Sunday 9-1
Admission charged. Bus 93, 97, 197,
293, 493, 765 Metro: EUR Fermi; EUR
Palasport
Featuring scenes of daily Roman life
down the centuries, the museum also
displays costumes, folk art,
agriculture and old musical
instruments.
Keats and Shelley Memorial House
Piazza di Spagna
06-678-4235
Mon.-Fri. 9-1 and 3-6 (Oct. to
March: 2:30-5:30) Admission charged.
Bus: 119. Metro: Spagna
Established in 1909, this small
museum contains many mementos,
drawings, photos, prints and other
documents related to Keats and
Shelley. Upstairs is the small room
where Keats died in 1821 at age 25.
Museum of the Walls
18 Via di Porta San Sebastino
06-7047-5284
Tues.-Sat. 9-1:30 Sunday 9-1 (April
– Sept. Tues.-Thurs.,-Sat. 4-7pm)
Admission charged Bus118.
The museum is located “on the spot”
within the medieval towers of the
Porta San Sebastiano. Contains
prints and models of the Roman
fortifications, that give the
history of then Aurelian walls and
the Via Appia Antica. There are
prints and models and an actual view
of what is described.
Musem of the Palace of Venice
(Palazzo Venezia)
118 Via del Plebiscito
06-679-8865
Mon.-Sat. 9-7:30 (summer) Sun. 9-1
Tues.-Sat. 9-2 (winter) Sun. 9-1.
Admission charged. Bus
56,60,64,70,75
Museum of medieval art, early
paintings from the Renaissance era,
tapestries, weapons, bronzes,
jewelry, silver and Neopolitan crib
figures. Sculpture by Bernini is
featured as well.
The Palace of Venice was the
headquarters of Benito Mussolini,
and his speeches to the gathered
crowds were delivered from the first
floor balcony. The palace had
originally been built in 1467 for
Cardinal Pietro Barbo (who later
became Pope Paul II), and was the
first great Renaissance palace in
Rome. Pope Paul II was a patron of
scholars and a collector of works of
art, so it is fitting that this
museum should be located in his
former residence.
Museo Nazionale di Villa Giulia
(Etruscan Museum)
9 Pizzale di Villa Giulia
06-320-1951
Tues. and Thurs.-Sat. 9-7
(Oct.-March until 2) Wednesday 9-7
Sunday 9-1 Admission charged. Bus:
52,926,95,490
The best collection of Etruscan art
and artifacts in Italy is exhibited
in the suburban villa built in the
mid 1500’s for pope Julius III as a
summer retreat. The beautiful villa
and grounds were designed by
Vignola, Vasari and others.
Archeological finds from excavations
in Lazio and Tuscany are displayed.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Lungotevere Castello
06-687-5036
9-1 daily (winter 9-7 daily (summer)
Sunday: 9-1 all year. Admission
charged. Bus: 23,34,64,87,280 Metro:
Lepanto
The building contains the ancient
mausoleum of the emperor Hadrian
(c.AD 130). The castle was converted
into a papal fortress in the 6th
century, and is linked by
underground passages to the Vatican
palaces. Several popes have felt the
need to take advantage of the secret
routes in times of threat.
Museo di Castel Sant'Angelo houses a
collection of arms and armor from
the ancient times to the
Renaissance. There are four levels
to explore after entering through
Hadrian’s tomb.
The Catacombs
There are 67 known Catacombs in
Rome. These are underground
cemeteries – the Christian (and some
pagan) burial grounds for the first
four centuries. The dead were placed
on shelves cut into the walls of
rock. The Roman authorities
disapproved of the Christians, but
their respect and fear of the dead
was such that they would not disturb
the catacombs, so much has survived.
The catacombs contain some of the
only surviving examples of early
Christian art. In the 1840’s Pope
Gregory XVI took steps to preserve
the catacombs and their treasures.
Mass is celebrated in the catacombs
and can be a poignant reminder of
the early days when Christians hid
in the catacombs to worship out of
fear of retaliation by the Roman
authorities.
Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish
Steps
Bus 119 Metro: Spagna
This busy meeting place of Romans
and visitors was once a popular work
site for artists and their models.
The flight of 137 steps was built in
the 18th century to connect the
piazza with the church of Trinità
dei Monti and the Pincio hill. They
were paid for by the French
ambassador in 1723. The Church of
Trinita del Monti stands at the top
of the steps, and the Piazza di
Spagna is at the foot.
Circus Maximus
This grass covered chariot race
track built by Julius Caesar had
room in stands around it for 300,000
spectators. In its final days, the
races took on a brutal and reckless
character, as charioteers tried to
cause each others chariots to crash.
The Circus Maximus is now the center
of a traffic circle.
Column of Marcus Aurelius (Colonna
di Marco Aurelio)
This column was erected as a
monument to Marcus Aurelius around
the year 180 by his wife Faustina in
honor of the emperor's victories in
the Danube region.
Colosseum (Colosseo)
Piazza del Colosseo Bus:
11,27,81,85,87. Metro: Colosseo
06-700-4261
Mon.,Tues.,Thurs.-Sat. 9-7 (summer)
to 3pm in winter. Wed. and Sun. 9-1
year round. Admisison for upper tier
only.
This magnificent structure was
originally lined with travertine, a
local Roman limestone and could hold
55,000 spectators. The original had
80 arched entrances/exits. One of
these was used for the return of the
triumphant gladiators from the
arena. Another was named for the
goddess of death and was used for
the removal of corpses of defeated
gladiators. Inside were three main
areas: the pit, the arena and the
auditorium. The pit was originally
covered by the floor of the arena.
In it were kept the prisoners and
the wild animals with whom they
would compete.
The arena was built by Emperor
Vespasian in the year 72, on the
site of a drained lake in the
grounds of Nero’s Golden palace. The
tiers of seats were coordinated and
designed by social class ranging
from private box seats on the lowest
level, to marble and finally to wood
benches for the women and poor on
the top gallery. In very wet or hot
weather an awning was pulled over
the auditorium and anchored.
Palatine Hill
During the Republic the Palatine
Hill was a deluxe residential area,
conveniently close to the Forum.
Many important figures had houses
here, including Cicero, Mark Antony
and the emperor Augustus.
Farnesiani Gardens (Orti Farnesiani)
In the Palatine area
06-699-0110
Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Sunday 9-Noon
Admission charged. Bus:
11,27,81,85,87
Originally the site of the emperor
Tiberius's palace, the Renaissance
gardens preserve much of their
original design. They were laid out
c.1550 by Vignola for Cardinal
Alessandro Farnese (1520-1589)
grandson of Pope Paul III. Set with
exotic plants, a maze, two aviaries
and a casino, this was one of the
first botanical gardens in Europe.
Roman Forum (Foro Romano)
06-06699-0110
Tues.-Sat. 9- one hour before dusk.
Sun., Mon. 9-2 Bus 11,
27,81,85,87,186 Metro: Colesseo
The area known as the Forum is, in
fact, only one of a number of
imperial fora, or meeting places, to
be found in Rome. Corresponding to
the modern piazza or marketplace
square, it was the center of the
ancient city. Here every aspect of
daily business was conducted from
religious ceremonies to the buying
and selling of vegetables. It was
also from here that the Roman Empire
was governed.
Sacred Way (Via Sacra)
The oldest street in Rome and the
most important road in the Forum. It
was lined with sanctuaries and was
used for state processions, such as
imperial triumphs when a victorious
general would ride along it to offer
sacrifices at the Temple of Jupiter
on the Capitol. The paving dates
back to the time of Augustus.
Temple of Antoninus Pius and
Faustina (On the Via Sacra)
Built by the emperor Antoninus Pius
in memory of his wife Faustina who
died in AD 141. An inscription
records rededication by the Senate
of the building to him on his death
in AD 161. The temple owes its fine
state of preservation to the fact
that in the 11th century the church
of San Lorenzo in Miranda was built
within the ancient temple.
Arch of Titus
(Located in the Forum Square)
Erected in AD 81 by the emperor
Domitian in honor of his brother,
Titus, this is Rome’s oldest
triumphal arch. It celebrates the
victories of the emperors Vespasian
and Titus in the Judaean War during
which the Temple in Jerusalem was
sacked and destroyed (AD 70).
House of the Vestals
(Located in the forum area)
It was the task of the six Vestal
Virgins to maintain a perpetual fire
burning in the Temple. Should the
Vestals ever allow this fire to
become extinguished they would
suffer dire punishments. The Vestal
Virgins finally disbanded in AD 394.
Trevi Fountain
Piazza Fontana di Trevi Bus:
52,53,58,60,61,62,71.
The sea god Neptune and his tritons
are shown in stormy and calm seas. A
coin thrown over one’s shoulder into
the waters is believed to guarantee
a return visit to Rome; a second
coin is tossed to make a wish come
true. The proceeds are collected
daily and donated to charity.
Gallery of Modern Art
131 Viale delle Belle Arti Tram:
19,19b
06-322-4152
Tues.-Sat. 9-7 Sunday and holidays
9-1 (Summer) Tues.-Sat. 9-2 Sunday
9-1 (Rest of year) Admission
charged.
Italian masterpieces from the 19th
and 20th centuries, are displayed,
including works of Balla, Boccioni,
De Chirico, Modigliani and Severini.
Works by foreign artists include
Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh, Klee,
Kandinsky., Jackson Pollock, Max
Ernst amd Henry Moore.
Jewish Ghetto
Via Arenula – Teatro di Marcello
Synagogue at Lungotevere dei Cenci
06-687-5051
Mon.-Thurs. 9:30-2 and 3-5 Friday:
9-2 Sunday: 9-12:30 closed Sat. Bus:
23,44,56,60,65,75
In the Middle Ages there were as
many as 50,000 people of the Jewish
faith in Rome. The ghetto was
established in 1555 for the shameful
purpose of confining Jewish people
to one restricted area. Pope Paul IV
ordered that a high wall be erected
around the area and that the
residents be locked in at night. On
Sundays, until 1848, the Jews were
forced to go into Sant’Angelo Church
with the thought that they would
convert to Christianity. When the
Nazis occupied Rome in 1943, 2000
Jews were sent to concentration
camps. Only 15 of them survived.
Pantheon
Piazza della Rotunda
06-6830-0230 April-Sept.: Mon.-Sat.
9-6:30 Sun. 9-1
Oct.-March: Mon.-Sat. 9-5 Sun. 9-1
Free.. Bus: 119 to Piazza della
Rotunda or 64,70,75 to Largo di
Torre Argentina
Marcus Agrippa's Pantheon is one of
the world's most perfect
architectural creations: a perfectly
proportioned floating dome resting
on an elegant drum of columns and
pediments. The interior is
breathtaking. The center oculus is
29 feet in diameter. It lets light
and rain fall onto the marble
pavement as one gazes heavenward
through it.
The circular temple dedicated to
"all the gods” was built in 27 BC,
and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian
in 120 AD. In the Middle Ages it was
transformed into the Christian
Church of Sta. Maria and Martyres
(the bones of the martyrs were
brought there from the catacombs).
.The temple has been consistently
plundered and damaged over the
years. It lost its beautiful gilded
bronze roof tiles in Pope Gregory
III's time. It contains the tombs of
Raphael and Victor Emmanuel I I. |
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