Month: June 2022

Villa dei Quintili between charm and history

Villa dei Quintili in Rome is a splendid monumental archaeological complex located on one of the Roman consular roads, Via Appia, nestled in the Roman countryside just outside the city chaos, originating from a lava flow from the nearby ancient Vulcano Laziale.

You should know that the name of the villa derived from its original owners, the Quintili brothers (Condiano and Sextus Valerius Maximus). Their names were found engraved on ancient pipes (fistulae aquariae): they were very wealthy consuls from Asia, as well as cultured and peace-loving men.

That is why they built this villa together, which spreads over 1000 hectares of land and continues to unveil more and more fascinating and revealing artefacts and environments from the life of the ancient Romans, but also of the owners, who succeeded one another over the centuries. It also passed under the ownership of the Church, then to the Torlonia family and finally to the State in 1986.

The Emperor Commodus and the Villa of the Quintili

In 181 AD the Emperor Commodus, known for his wickedness and perversion, accused them of conspiracy and had them killed by strangulation, in order to take possession of this villa surrounded by greenery and equipped with baths (calidarium, frigidarium and tepidarium), a hippodrome that was also a large garden, a theatre, a large nymphaeum and residential rooms, on the Via Appia Antica, which was the entrance richly decorated with marble, bricks, statues, mosaics and a large fountain.

Just the beauty of these environments attracted the emperor Commodus, who is said to have been so fond of the baths that he bathed several times a day in the company of maids and young boys.

The villa was so large that Commodus himself, when a rebellion of the people over famine reached the residence, did not hear the shouting. When he realised this, he had his commander of the guard killed, handing him over to the mob who dragged him through the streets of Rome, and he blissfully continued his 'otium'.

Villa dei Quintili today

Villa dei Quintili in Rome is now a destination for tourists accompanied by guided tours who can admire the ancient rooms in all their beauty, some in a fairly good state of preservation. It is open all year round with summer and winter opening hours and closed only three days a year (Christmas, 1 January, 1 May).

To visit it use the metro A Colli Albani and bus 664, or by car take Via Appia Nuova, 1092. You can purchase a ticket for the archaeological area, which also includes visits to the Baths of Caracalla and the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella and is valid for 7 days.

he Monte Mario stands on a hill north-west of Rome, on the right side of the Tiber River, and is cut by the Via Trionfale: with its 139 metres it towers imposingly over the capital. In fact, it is the highest of the so-called Farnesina Mountains, and is definitely one of the most fascinating places where one can seek peace from the urban chaos, and where one can enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the 'eternal city'.

The Nature Reserves surrounding the hill are of considerable attraction, with the highest biological diversity in all of Rome. There are typically Mediterranean plants - such as beech, cork, holm oak - together with a varied sub-Apennine vegetation (linden, maple). The fauna is also extensiveand it is not uncommon to encounter porcupines, moles, weasels or owls and barn owls in the area.

Those who are here, however, will certainly enjoy the beautiful natural milieu, taking a healthy hike along the Farnesina path or along the path leading to the Observatory: from here you can reach the 'Zodiac', where you can admire one of the most spectacular views in all of Rome

Monte Mario is home to ancient traces from the past: animal remains and tools used by man have been found here, which experts date back 70,000 years. In Roman times, the areas around Monte Mario were chosen as residential places for nobles, due to their location and particularly beautiful views.

Even in the Middle Ages, the area retained its strategic importance: an obligatory passageway for those who travelled along the Via Francigena. Even today, one can admire some noble villas and historically important structures built in the various eras, such as the Villa Madama from the 16th century.

Those arriving at the summit will find themselves in front of the striking church of S. Maria del Rosario, with its beautiful dome built in the 17th century. Also worth visiting are the forts (Monte Mario, Braschi, Trionfale and Bravetta) built to defend the city from outside attacks (19th).

In short, for those looking for something of original in Rome, there is nothing better than a hike in the areas surrounding the Mount: to enjoy some peace, away from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

If you then wish to rest to recover from the exertions of the walk, then call the Aurelia Garden Gold B&B.

Planning a holiday in Rome allows one to admire at close quarters the whole series of monuments and artistic beauties that the whole world envies: the Colosseum, the Bocca della Verità, the fantastic piazzas that this city offers its tourists. But what to do in Rome when it rains? Well, if you happen to be in Rome and what greets you is a dreary rainy day, there are still plenty of activities that can be done.

Here are five of the most interesting ones.

MuseumsRome is full of museums for every taste and every budget. With a simple browse on the web you can find out, for example, that you are interested in the Vatican Museums if there is not too much queue, or Macro and Maxxi, which are among the most innovative and technological modern art museums always ready to welcome new exhibitions, so they are also perfect for a second visit.

TechnotownStill on the subject of museums, a very interesting attraction especially if you are visiting Rome with children is Technotowna true interactive museum where the youngest children will be able to come into contact with the new technologies, thus enabling active information through practical tests and explanations of many prodigies of the 2.0 era.

Eataly: you absolutely cannot stay in Rome without tasting what the local cuisine has to offer, but if you are an all-round gourmand and prefer to have a wide choice for tastings, then a visit to Eataly is definitely recommended. You will find both a large supermarket area where you can buy all kinds of food, and a restaurant area where you can enjoy some of the most delicious dishes that Italian cuisine can offer. A great way for a tasty break in the heart of the capital.

Underground RomeIt is not only squares and churches that make Rome unique, but the immensity of its value is also associated with the catacombs and underground works that are perfect to admire on a rainy day. The Catacombs of San Callisto on the Appia Antica for example can be a great destination.

ShoppingRome is also perfect for a nice shopping trip. Shopping centres such as Porta di Roma for example can offer great entertainment, but for a slightly kitschy touch, a trip to Mas, a department store aimed at workwear, but not only, can also be an interesting idea.

If you are completely soaked and need to find accommodation, rest
and enjoy a nice hot shower to recover from your exertions then choose
the Aurelia Garden Gold B&B

The Barcaccia fountain in Rome is one of the most representative monuments of 17th century art. It is located in the Spanish Steps and you can admire it from above, climbing to the top of the flight of steps that dominates the widening. Its history and position are the result of the particular historical moment and the availability of water, coming from the Acquedotto Vergine.The work was commissioned by the Pontiff in office at the time, Pope Urban VIII of the Barberini family, who resumed a project already started in the previous century to beautify the city through the construction of fountains fed by the Acquedotto Vergine, renovated for the occasion. In 1626 the work was entrusted to Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo, who was already busy with the restoration of the larger Paola Aqueduct, from which other smaller ones branched off.

Arrived at the bottom of the stairs by Trinità dei Montiyou can admire this rather unusual sculptural work. The inspiration comes from the sea and in fact the pool is shaped like a small boat, half submerged, from which water flows through two gun-shaped holes at either end, one at the stern and the other at the bow.

Bernini was particularly good to exploit the characteristics of the spring, combining them with his genius and creativity. As he could not, in fact, realise a strong and high jet, given the low pressure of the aqueduct, he aimed at visual impact and sculptural decoration, with reliefs finished to the smallest detail.

The derogatory term 'longboat' indicates an old hull that is not in good condition and not suitable for sailing. On the sides of the boat are the symbols of the Barberini familytwo big bees.

Being the Barcaccia fountain in Romein one of the most famous and crowded squares in the world, various restoration and conservation works have been carried out on the property. The most recent were carried out in the 1990s, but further work has become necessary in recent months. The weather, continuous contact with people and pollution have caused various damages to the work, which is situated within the reach of everyone.

The recently completed interventions, were directed by Dr. Anna Maria Cerioni and restored one of the most admired monuments of the 'Bel Paese' to its former glory.

The Pantheon as you have never seen it!

The Pantheon from the Greek Pan - all and Theon - gods, is a temple built in 27 B.C. in honour of all the gods, by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippason-in-law of the Emperor Augustus. In 80 BC due to a fire the structure was destroyed, only to be rebuilt again between 118 and 125 AD by the Roman emperor Hadrian.

In 609, Pope Boniface IV consecrated it as a Christian church dedicated to the worship of the Virgin and all the Martyred Saints, calling it the Church of Santa Maria ad Martyres. Because of its location, on the Piazza della Rotonda, Romans also call it the Church of the Rotunda.
Since 1870, it has housed the relics of the Kings of Italy, and of illustrious men who wrote important pages of Italian history and culture.

The Pantheon is located in Rome's historic centrein the lively piazzetta della Rotonda, a few steps from Piazza Navona, Palazzo Madama and Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza. Piazzetta della Rotonda, is easily reached with the help of bus number 40 (Borgo Sant'Angelo), terminating at Termini station. The city bus takes you as far as Via del Corso, where you have to get off at the Argentina stop, and then continue on foot in the direction of the Pantheon for another 400 metres.

What to see at the Pantheon? First of all, one must admire the peculiarities of the imposing architectural structure. This is characterised by a circular plan surmounted by a coffered dome of the same size (43.30 metres), at the top of which is theoculusa circular opening, nine metres wide, which illuminates the entire interior of the rotunda through the passage of sunlight.

Outside, the main façade, located on the small square, consists of a tympanum pronaos with an inscription, supported by sixteen granite columns with Corinthian order capitals, and a bronze entrance portal from Roman times.

Apart from the architectural structure, you may still wonder what to see at the Pantheon. This question is worthy of note, as the interior of the Rotunda is full of important relics. In fact, in the side walls of the church, there are circular and rectangular niches that house the remains of Italian painters Raffello Sanzio, Annibale Carraci, Giovanni da Udine, Perin del Vaga, Baldassare Peruzzi and Taddeo Zuccari; sculptor Flaminio Vacca; musician Arcangelo Corelli; Italian Kings Vittorio Emanuele II of Savoy, Umberto I of Savoy and Queen Margherita of Savoy.

Modern Art Gallery In Rome

The Galleria d'Arte Moderna in Rome is located in the heart of the city a stone's throw from Villa Borghese, on Viale delle Belle Arti 131, and is immediately recognisable by its monumental façade characterised by four pairs of columns surmounting a flight of steps.

You can easily reach it by public transport (tram no. 3- and bus no. N10) and by car, if you are coming from outside Rome, just take the Roma-L'Aquila exit and continue in the direction of Via del Muro Torto, then the Lungotevere della Marina and from Piazzale delle Belle Arti the museum is close by.

The Gallery of Modern Art in Rome had its first location at the Palace of Exhibitions in 1883, the year of its inauguration, and from this it moved to the Palace of Fine Arts in 1915 to cope with space problems. To this day, it collects about 5,000 works of art and 12,000 prints and drawings, which since the second half of the 19th century have been recovered both from the artists themselves and from donations from various admirers, as well as from various purchases by the Municipality of Rome, which wanted to make this exhibition unique.

A strong contribution comes in the years of Fascism, when the Quadrennial Exhibitions were inaugurated with sculptural works by Medardo Rosso and the art of Filippo de Pisis. The exhibitions also cover the 20th century describing united Italy with various artists representing all the exponents from north to south: neoclassicists such as Canova and Appiani, romantics such as Hayez, Carnovali and Tenerani, among the southern artists Gigante and the sculptures of Gemito.

The Gallery of Modern Art in Rome has over the years hosted exhibitions of world-class artists such as Picasso, Kandinsky, Modigliani, Malevich, Morandi, F. Pirandello, De Chirico, Van Gogh and many others. You can access the museum with guided tours by appointment, for schools and groups throughout the year, except on public holidays (Christmas, 1 January, 1 May).

Inside the Gallery you can also buy educational material, books in the book store and catalogues. Nearby you can also visit the Bioparco, the Galleria Borghese, the Cinema Museum, the National Etruscan Museum, and the Romanian Academy. In Via Gramsci, 71 there is a second handicapped accessible entrance.

Trastevere is one of the districts most beautiful and charming places in Rome. The squares and numerous clubs offer the possibility of spending a nice evening with friends, relatives or your partner. During the day it is always full of people, but the real magic begins in the evening. With its clubs and shops that stay open until late, you really never get bored in Trastevere. The squares are filled with people of all ages, students and street performers who liven up the evening.

Let's see what to do in Trastevere in the evening.

First of all, Trastevere is full of venues of all kinds; there are many pubs such as 'Ma Che Sete Venuti a Fà' for those who want to sip a beer with friends, or if you love street food you can eat delicious Italian-style kebabs at Fame Nera on Via San Francesco a Ripa.

Close to Piazza Trilussa is one of the most popular and popular venues, namely Brakes and Clutches. It is a venue with an unusual décor but one that attracts many people. The décor, in fact, consists of repurposed recycled objects. The evening starts with a cheap and very tasty aperitif around 7.30 pm.

What to do in Trastevere in the evening after eating?

After dinner, you can continue the evening by strolling around the neighbourhood's medieval hamlets or sit and chat on the steps of churches or palaces. There are not only Italians here, so it is also possible to make new friends with people of different nationalities.

But the evening cannot be said ended if one does not follow the traditions of the capital. The night, in fact, does not end if you do not go for a croissant with friends in one of the nearby cornetterie. You can go to Bar Baffo, the bar at Trastevere station, which from the early hours of the night satisfies many young people who do not give up a croissant and hot cappuccino before going home.

At certain times, such as Christmas, in the small squares of Trastevere you can also find many second-hand and handicraft markets.

To reach the Trastevere areafrom the station you can take the Bus H; to return to Termini station, after midnight, there is the night Bus N8.

Hints and tips for visiting the Eternal City in just two hours

Rome is known for its beauty but also for being a chaotic city, so travelling takes longer than it should. If you only have two hours to make a fleeting visit to the Eternal City, follow these tips.

The first rule is to travel by metro because it is the fastest way to get around if you arrive by train at theTermini Station.

If you take the Metro A, in 10 minutes you will find yourself in Piazza di Spagna, with the splendid Fontana della Barcaccia, recently restored: it is one of the most elegant places in the city and a little further on is the famous Spanish Steps, with its 135 steps dating back to 1725.

At the apex of this sumptuous flight of steps is the church of the same name, from which you get a very impressive view. In summer, the flowers further embellish this city salon. An urban story has it that the women who sit on its steps want to send a clear message about their 'predisposition' for love.

From Trinità dei Monti you can take a walk on the most glamorous street in Rome: Via Condotti. When you get about halfway down, turn left and walk down Via del Corso, which will take you directly in front of theAltar of the Fatherlandalso known as the 'Victorian' in about 15 minutes on foot or even less by bus.

You will be struck by the dazzling white of this monument built by Victor Emmanuel II and which since 1921 has housed the remains of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by two soldiers. The monument stands on the slope of the Capitoline Hill and on the right side you can also visit the Capitoline City Hall and the Basilica of Santa Maria In Ara Coeli.

On the left, however, the road opens up most fascinating in Rome with a view of the Imperial Forum that will take you back to the past splendour of the eternal city: everywhere you turn you will see something ancient and it is not difficult to imagine the life of the ancient Romans.

About 500 metres further on is the symbol of Rome, the Colosseum, imposing and always full of charm: here I suggest you stop and visit it from the inside, because right in front of it is the metro that will take you back to your starting point.

If you have 20 minutes left take a taxi to Santa Sabina and visit the ancient Basilica then Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta: you will find a small queue peeking through a keyhole; try it too and you will see St Peter's Basilica from the Aventine.

The Basilica of Santa Sabina Rome is located on the Aventine Hill among the orange trees. In fact, it is said that the first orange tree in Italy was planted in the courtyard of this church by St Dominic himself.

Its central location allows you to reach it easily by many means of public transport: by metro getting off at the Circo Massimo stop, or by many buses including 51, 81, 85 and 170.

Built in the 5th century AD at the behest of the wealthy priest Peter of IllyriaOver the years, it has undergone major restorations that have also made major changes to the original early Christian style, incorporating parts in Baroque and Neo-Paleo-Christian style. It is considered by many to be one of the best preserved examples of early Christian art.

The main feature of this basilica is to have no façade as it is totally incorporated within a Dominican Monastery.

In the atrium you will see artefacts from the numerous archaeological excavations. Prominent among them is the original entrance door made of cypress wood with the carving of the crucifixion of Christ among the thieves, famous for being reputed to be the oldest representation of the crucifixion.

Once inside the Basilica will show you its three naves divided by 24 columns, joined by small arches and lit by 34 windows. The inlays of the arcades represent the victory of Christianity over the Roman pagan gods. You will be able to see the Pipe Organ, or rather just the pipes, from the Mascioni Factory, built during the 20-year fascist period when it was decided to give the church back its early Christian appearance.

Several associations organise guided tours to the basilica, which is open daily from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Of course, tourists are not allowed to enter during services either. In addition to the church, you will also find interesting the dungeons where archaeologists have found a section of the servian walls.

Near the basilica Santa Sabina Rome you will find plenty of other interesting attractions.
I suggest this itinerary that will take you through more than two millennia of Roman history in one day: Circus Maximus, Piazza dell'Ordine dei Cavalieri di Malta, Church of Sant'Anselmo, Church of Santa Prisca, Church of San Saba, Baths of Caracalla, and the inevitable Roman Forum.

The Lovers' Garden Park in Rome

The Orange Garden in Rome is a park much loved by the Romans, located on the summit of the Aventine Hill, which is located in the southernmost part of the city, reaching down to the Tiber at its lowest point: on that same slope rises the Ripa district, of which the garden is a part.The Orange Gardenis actually called Savello Park because it fell within what was once land owned by the Savelli family, who erected a defensive fortress here in the 13th century, of which only a few ruins remain today within the garden.

The Orange Garden has had this conformation since 1300, when it was created by the architect De Vivo. Few people in Rome know the history of this beautiful green lung within the city, from which one can enjoy an excellent view of the Eternal City.

Some say thatFrom any of the many belvederes in Rome's Orange Garden, you can enjoy the best view of the city without having to spend a euro to admire this spectacle. The common name, as can be easily guessed, comes from the numerous bitter orange trees that create a small orchard.

There are many Romans who decide to spend a few hours of the day here, to carve out a few moments of relaxation, breathing good air and enjoying the silence that reigns in this ancient garden, which has passed through history and has also been home to many religious and political personalities of the past, such asPope Onofrio IVwho lived in the Savelli fortress for some time. you can sit on a bench and read, walk or run in total freedom.

As in many other areas of RomeThis is also home to numerous churches, boasting centuries of glorious history, such as the church of Sant'Alessio, just a few steps from one of the entrances to the park. Although it is not considered one of the major Roman churches, it is worth a visit for its particular architectural beauty, which will leave you speechless.

Also, after a stroll through the Orange Garden, you cannot fail to visit the famous lock, the so-called 'mejo buco de Roma', from which you can see the Dome in all its majestic beauty, one of the city's most special attractions.

You can visit the Orange Garden in Rome every day, from dawn to dusk, even on public holidays. There are three entrances, one on Via S. Sabina, one on Clivio di Rocca Savella and the main one on Piazza Pietro d'Illiria.