Showing posts with label Rome. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rome. Show all posts

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Rome - 8 Must-See Sights ~ Travel Guide -- Rome, Italy







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Although one could easily spend a month or more in Rome and never see everything there is to see, there are 8 must-see sights for the first-time visitor.

1. St. Peter's Basilica -- One of the most famous churches in the world, St. Peter's is monumental in scope. Its majesty is evident both inside and out. The Piazza San Pietro is a grand entrance to the church itself. A special treat within is Michelangelo's Pieta that some consider his greatest work. Also, climb 537 steps to the top of the great dome for a breathtaking view of all of Rome. In addition, you might want to take in the Sistine Chapel with its frescoed ceiling by Michelangelo and the scenes from Genesis. Allow at least 3 hours after entry to fully appreciate everything St. Peter's has to offer.

2. The Colosseum -- One of Rome's most famous attractions, the Colosseum will not disappoint. There is much to explore, and a recent addition of Rome's history in pictures and words can easily eat up a few hours. Plan accordingly.

3. The Pantheon -- Rome's best preserved ancient building, the Pantheon was built in the 1st century A.D. The only light entering the interior is from a circular opening - the oculus -- in its huge, hemispherical dome hidden behind the classical facade. Be sure to check visiting hours as the Pantheon tends to close early at times.

4. Roman Forum -- Wandering through the Forum, one can feel the ghosts of ancient Rome haunting what was one of the most active arenas in daily their daily life. Although much of the Forum has been reduced to seemingly rubble, it is nonetheless of great historical significance. One used to able to roam the Forum at will. Unfortunately, today it is another tourist trap with entrance fees. It is still a must-see sight.

5. Trevi Fountain -- Rome's largest, most famous, and one would say most beautiful fountain, the Trevi is actually the end of an aquaduct that supplied water to the fountains in Rome's historic center. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

6. Victor Emmanuel Monument -- One of the grandest tributes to any man, this massive structure was begun in 1885 and completed in 1911 to honor Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy. Its bulk hides another grand attraction of much greater antiquity -- The Capitoline Hill with its museums of some of the finest sculptures in Rome.

7. Spanish Steps -- A gathering place for literally thousands of people both day and night, the Piazza di Spagna is the most famous square in Rome. It is at the end of the Via Condotti, one of Rome's most fashionable shopping districts with names like Gucci, Armani, Valentino and Bruno Magli on the storefronts. As a side treat, don't miss one of most differently designed McDonald's in the world just to right of the Spanish Steps.

8. Piazza Navona -- The area around the Piazza Navona has been is known as the centro storico (historic center) and has been inhabited for over 2000 years. The plaza itself follows the shape of a 1st-century stadium that was used for chariot races, athletic contests and other sports. Today it is the social center of the city. The plaza is lined with palaces and sidewalk cafes punctuated by outlandish Baroque fountains. Watch your pocketbook here. An espresso and a biscotti (Italian coffee and a cookie) could run 15 Euros (including tip). Ouch!!

Of course, there is much, much more to Rome -- more than one person could see in a lifetime. If you have more time to spend in The Eternal City, check guide books for other attractions of interest.

Candee Lynn Wilson first visited Italy in 1990. She has returned on an average of every other year since then making her something of an Italophile. She shares her love of this beautiful country at http://www.Vacations-In-Italy.com

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Sunday, August 16, 2009

10 Secrets From Rome / Madonna Live In Concert - "Beat Goes On"




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No other city comes close. It may no longer be caput mundi (capital of the world), but Rome is an epic, bubbling-over metropolis harbouring lost empires. One visit and you’ll be hooked. Rome has a glorious monumentality that it wears without reverence. Its architectural heirlooms are buzzed around by car and Vespa as if they were no more than traffic islands.

* It's 12 noon and you're in Rome, but are you in the central part of Rome? If you are, chances are that you will hear the bang of the cannon shot being fired at this time every day on top of the Janiculum Hill. This is a tradition that goes back to January 1, 1847, when Pope Pius IX introduced it to ensure that all timepieces would be set on the same time.

* Haven't you always taught children never to peep through a keyhole? You'll be surprised if instead we suggest you peep through a keyhole... and then maybe you will do the same with your children. We believe you will agree with us if you simply follow our instructions: just wait for the sunset, go up Aventine Hill in Rome, look for Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, and when it closes enjoy the glorious view of St. Peter's Dome through the keyhole of the gate.

* Do you really think that all artistic masterpieces always have noble origins? You may be surprised to know that is far from true. Take, for instance, the Bocca della Verita, or Mouth of Truth in Rome, millions of visitors put somewhat hesitatingly their hands in that mouth, fearing that they might lose them. Do you think that they would have a picture taken if they were putting their hands inside a sewer? Because that's exactly what they are doing! The Mouth used to be the top of a sewer manhole located in the Roman Forum. But then again, that was long ago...!

* Do you know that Rome is famous for the quantity and quality of its water? Actually this has been the case ever since antiquity, when the Romans built aqueducts to bring water to the city. What you might not know is that some of the aqueducts that are feeding water into the pipes of a large part of Rome are still the original Roman aqueducts! And most fountains you can admire in Rome receive water the same way.

* The 'bewitched' climbing slope. Ever been driving downhill along a road and suddenly found yourself backing up or at least coming to a stop? You can have this experience along a road near Ariccia, in the vicinity of Rome! Don't ask us why. All sorts of explanations have been given, but none really satisfactory. It's fun to watch, though, a soccer ball or a tennis ball rolling back along the road!

* Have you ever stopped to think how giant machinery allows man to carry out fantastic jobs almost without any effort? Only a few centuries ago this was unthinkable. In 16th century Rome, for instance, one day they were trying to lift the obelisk currently standing in the middle of St. Peter's Square. It was a strenuous job that required great concentration for the 800 workers involved. To ensure silence, the crowd had been told that anyone caught even simply talking would be condemned to death (the necessary scaffold had already been set up). Someone realized that the ropes were giving way and to help out the people on the job, cried out: WATER TO THE ROPES! The trick worked perfectly... and the man, far from being punished, was given a prize and a title!

* Jealousy has always been important in the relations of men, particularly artists. A popular story that is frequently told about two great Italian artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, is very much to the point. When Bernini built the fountains in Piazza Navona, Rome, one of them was designed to show that it seems to turn its back on the Church of St. Agnes designed by Borromini and another appears to cover its eyes with its hand to protect them against such a horrible sight.

* Conclaves are held in the Vatican City, Rome, for the election of each Pope. All cardinals attend the conclave because only the people actually there may be elected Pope. Cardinal Carol Wojtyla came to Rome after the death of Pope John Paul I and the morning of the opening of the conclave he was running late and risked being left out. In despair he thumbed a lift along the way. A bus driver returning to his depot noticed this strange priest looking for a lift and stopped to enquire. When Cardinal Wojtyla explained things to him, the bus driver simply said: ok, I'll take you there, you never know, we might miss a Pope! In fact Cardinal Wojtyla did become the new Pope!

* Highways are one of the symbols of modern-day transport, aren't they? Well, not exactly. 2000 years ago the Romans had already their own highways. Sure, there were no motorcars or motorbikes dashing along at 100 and over miles per hour, no gas stations, no speed traps. But communications between all major cities of the Roman Empire and Rome were possible thanks to a highly efficient road network, thousands of miles long in various directions. Facilities were provided to allow a change of horses, places where to rest, sleep and eat. Fast-food service was also invented for a quick bite or for takeaway meals served in hot stone containers that were left by travelers at the next service area!

* There is a street in Rome named Via del Porto di Ripetta (Port of Ripetta Street). What has this peculiar name got to do with Rome? The answer is that in Roman times ships could sail up to the city because Rome was 11 kilometers closer to the sea (the Tiber has discharged huge quantities of silt and sand at its mouth over the years) and the Tiber was navigable. Perhaps it will be possible to sail up the river again before long if the mayor of Rome has it his way: he is pressing for it.

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