Obelisks: the ancestors of the Washington Monument

 Arts and History  2 Responses »
Feb 072012
 

Did you know there are more obelisks in Rome than in Egypt?

This is the proof of the intense relationship between two great civilizations of the past, of course an economic relationship (Egypt was the main “granary” of Rome), but also a spiritual link. In Rome many temples were erected to the Egyptian gods (Isis and Serapis above all) and several artefacts were imported or imitated (a good range is now in the Egyptian sections of the Vatican and Capitoline collections).

But the clearest evidence of the awe Romans felt towards Egypt (after all, Egypt was a much older civilization and represented the “antiquity” compared to them!) is the presence of many obelisks in town: they were transferred as symbols of submission and triumph, as an ornament for mausoleums or as a gnomon of a sundial, mainly as winning posts in the stadiums.
The tallest of these “petrified sun rays” (this is the original religious meaning of the obelisk) ever produced in Egypt is still visible here in Rome, next to the Basilica di San Giovanni (105 feet) . Following the story of the 13 obelisks of Rome, you can learn a lot about the various ages of the Eternal City:  a scooter or bike tour is a perfect way to admire them all, of course escorted by A Friend in Rome!

   

Left: the Washington Monument in Washington DC, US (1884, 169 mt )

Above: Obelisco Flaminio, Piazza del Popolo, Rome (XIII c. AC, 24 mt)
 Posted by on 07/02/2012 at 11:59

Feeling like home in a *palazzo*

 Arts and History  No Responses »
Feb 012012
 

palazzo doria pamphiljDid you know a large number of Roman masterpieces remain tentalizingly behind the gates of private palaces? Of all European cities, Rome has the most historic palaces and villas still in private hands, due to the papacy tradition. Every time a new Pope was elected, another family came to power and was able to commission wonderful buildings and collect major works of art.

Some of these palazzos were acquired by the governement, some others are still owned by the illustrious families, but in any case most of them can be visited now. Some examples? Palazzo Barberini, which houses the exceptional “Galleria Nazionale di Arte Antica”, but it would be a treasure even completely empty with a wonderful ceiling by Pietro da Cortona, the gardens, the staircases by Bernini e Borromini, the magical atmosphere of bygone days.

Or Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, containing major works by Velasquez, Caravaggio and Raphael, but not only (it is one of the major private collections in Europe!), and the Palazzo Colonna dating back to the XV century when the pope of the family, Martino V, started it.

A world of splendor and opulence will be revealed in front of your eyes while you enjoy incredible masterpieces far from the tourist crowd. If you wish to feel like home in a a palace, do not forget to include a visit to one of this sites during your next trip to Rome!

 

 palazzo barberini façade

Façade of Palazzo Barberini

 

Interior hall of Palazzo Colonna

 

Gallery in Palazzo Doria Pamphilij

 

 Posted by on 01/02/2012 at 16:05

Best views over Rome

 Arts and History, On your own, Planning Your Trip  No Responses »
Jan 022012
 

giardino degli aranciRome’s skyline is unique and magic, you cannot miss a general overview of the city from the top of a famous monument or garden. And you have plenty of options here! We recommend to take a stroll in one of these “belvedere” in a sunny day and possibly at the end of your Roman holiday…you will be able to identify several attractions that you have visited during your holiday.

Let’s start with a short list of  free-of-charge panoramic locations: the Garden on top of the Aventino (Giardino degli Aranci), the promenade of the Janiculum hill or the Pincio Garden offer nice terraces from where you can take unforgettable pictures, especially at sunset!

Just investing few euros you can climb the dome of St. Peter’s (the tallest building in town): there is a lift but just for half way, then you have to climb 300 steps!  Less steps to go from the top of Castel S.Angelo, and you will enjoy the dome itself from there.

If you are not ready for the steps, chose the terrace of the Vittoriano, the big white monument overlooking Piazza Venezia. The lift will take you to the top in few seconds and Rome will embrace you!

Finally, if you can afford a deluxe meal in one of the 5 star hotels in town, you will enjoy a holystic experience pampering all your senses from a roof top restaurant. Among the best terraces we suggest the GH De la Minerve, the Bernini Bristol and the Pergola at Waldorf Astoria Cavalieri, especially by night.

view from Castel S.Angelofrom St. Peter's domelift Vittorianosuset from Pincio

In the images: view over the Tiber from Castel S.Angelo, view over St. Peter’s square from the dome, the lift on top of the Vittoriano, an amazing sunset from Pincio terrace (enlarge the pic to enjoy it!) +  a video with 360° view from the Vittoriano

 Posted by on 02/01/2012 at 14:29

On your own n°1: a bus through the Vatican Gardens

 Arts and History, On your own, Planning Your Trip  No Responses »
Dec 222011
 

This series of posts called “on your own” lists some attractions or tours you can plan during your Roman holiday without the help of a tour guide.

We are perfectly aware the services of a private tour guide are expensive, moreover we believe it is very exciting to be strangers in a new city and to explore it on your own, once you have received some first instructions and background information.

The bus ride though the Vatican Gardens is a brand new opportunity just started in 2011. These Gardens are famous since the time of the Renaissance and it has always been hard to obtain the access . Now the Vatican City is selling a ticket for a 30′ ride onboard of an electric bus. It is an “art and nature” safari available every morning, but wednesdays and religious holidays (i.e. all sundays), from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every 30 minutes.

The cost is 15 euros for a 30′ drive. You can find all relevant info here . Enjoy the ride!

 Posted by on 22/12/2011 at 23:15

Hidden treasures n°1: the Cancelleria courtyard

 Arts and History  1 Response »
Dec 052011
 

We would like to post here several suggestions about little corners in town which are often neglected during standard walks or tours.

Sometimes they are really at hand and even cheap or free. For instance the beautiful courtyard of the Palazzo della Cancelleria, just next to two famous squares,  Campo de’ Fiori and Piazza Navona. The architect is still unknown, but many art historians believe it might be one of the works of Bramante in Rome, and the pursuit of harmony, the purity of the lines seem to give credit to this theory.

The “Cancelleria”  is mainly unaccessible being a Vatican office since centuries. But recently an exhibit dedicated to some “wood machines” by Leonardo da Vinci has been housed in some of its rooms and this give us the chance to pop in and have a look, walk around and take some pictures of this delightful Renaissance masterpiece.

 Posted by on 05/12/2011 at 22:23

A bit of shopping in Rome

 Arts and History  No Responses »
Nov 142011
 

Le artigiane little mall

The best souvenir you can take back home with you is a good “made in Italy” article: a dress for your parties, an elegant bag or pair of shoes, a silk tie, a little piece of art (a waterpainting for instance), a design furniture for your house… Good shops selling nice manifactured products are quite everywhere and we would not know where to start in listing some of them, we just give you a short list of streets where you can find good shops:

  • the elegant Via Condotti for deluxe brands and stylist ateliers (but also the nearby Via delle Carrozze, Via Borgognona, Via Bocca di Leone, Via del Babbuino…)
  • Via del Corso for those who cannot spend 500 euros for a pair of shoes!(but also Via Frattina and Via della Croce)
  • Via dei Giubbonari near Campo dei Fiori where the atmosphere is cooler (and in little side streets you can still find handycrafts while working), or the Via del Governo Vecchio for emerging designers and vintage shops
  • Via Cola di Rienzo if you are staying in the Vatican area
  • Via Giulia, Via dei Coronari, Via dei Banchi Nuovi (all around Navona area) if you are looking for antiques
  • a nice venue to check is Le Artigiane  near the Pantheon: it is a store where you can find several temporary shops, they always change and you can find there from organic food to a new unique jewel produced just in 10 copies by a (still!) unknown Tuscan artisan girl
 Posted by on 14/11/2011 at 21:53

All world is a stage, Rome is one of the best!

 Arts and History, Planning Your Trip  No Responses »
Oct 312011
 


La Dolce Vita

Many films have been turned in Rome, offering a great set to directors and a long tradition in the movie industry. Therefore a good way to prepare your trip to Rome or to remember the sites you visited is simply watching one of those immortal movies:

  • Rome Open City by Rossellini: about the nazi occupation, a masterpiece of Italian neo-realism
  • A Roman Holiday by Wyler: simply unforgettable, delicious, brilliant and funny. You can feel like Audrey Hepburn booking our Vespa tour!
  • Three Coins in the Fountain by Negulesco: the movie that made famous the Trevi fountain worldwide (and – by the way – the title is about 3 coins because there are 3 girls involved in the plot, but you just have to toss one coin in the fountain!)
  • La Dolce Vita by Fellini: nothing to add, who doesn’t know this one? An insight on the Sixties in Rome – now the city is very different, do not expect “paparazzi” along Via Veneto anymore.
  • Ben Hur by Wyler: you have to watch at least the famous scene of the race of the chariots in the Circo Massimo!
  • The Gladiator by Scott: an accurate reconstruction of the life of gladiators in ancient Rome
  • Angels and Demons by Howard: little  history here, and less memorable than the above movies,  but an occasion to get to know some less famous corners of the city and Bernini’s masterpieces
  • Eat, Pray, Love by Murphy: in the fist section Julia Roberts eats in Rome and in the little alleys of the Renaissance district between Piazza Navona and Campo dei Fiori. And we can do the same while you are here!
  • Caro Diario by Moretti: signed by a famous italian film director. The first section is just focusing on images of several neighborhoods of the “real Rome”, while the director/actor Nanni Moretti is driving his Vespa along a deserted Rome in the month of August.
 Posted by on 31/10/2011 at 11:46