Hotelrome.net Blog : A guide to news and events in Rome

Today, my devoted readers, I want to introduce you to a fascinating journey to the Ancient Rome, we had already a nice preface of Julius Ceasar’s death, and we will continue this odyssey to the mysteries and curiosities of ancient Roman life, and so you will be knowledgable enough to do tour guides for your loved ones when you visit Rome in future.

Today we will talk about the CALENDAR! And will learn how ancient romans organized their time and life!

In the past, calendars were cause of more than headache, my friends. In order to set up things occasionally some days were just scrapped by authorities.

For example, the pontiffs of Ancient Rome used to intercalated days to the calendar, but they made little mistakes, so that by the time of Julius Caesar, the calendar was… three months off.  Julius managed to solve , the trick was extend the year 46 BC to 445 days. So they made you 80 days younger for your next year birthday.

His reformed version of the calendar contained 12 months (instead of the original from the 7^th century B.C, ten months (March - December) and 304 days )with the present amount of days and a leap year.  Nevertheless, his calendar was 11 minutes longer than a true solar year. In honour of Julius Ceasar this calendar bears his name- Julian Calendar.

Let’s consider now the modern Gregorian calendar, which was developed by Pope Gregory XIII during 1582.  That year, ten days were simply scrapped from the calendar, and the Pope ordered three days should be omitted from the calendar every 400 years. So imagine, you are in 1582 and they just blow away your birthday. Should one celebrate or not?

The names we have for the months are another legacy from Ancient Rome’s culture, here it goes a description on the matter:

• January: Because of Janus, god of gates and doors.  On January first, Romans offered sacrifices to Janus so that he would bless the new year.
• February: Derived from Latin februa, signifying festivals of purification celebrated in Rome this month.  It was originally 29 days but one of those days was transferred to August.
• March:  The Roman war god Mars.
• April:  Latin, aperire, meaning to open, probably because it is the season during which buds start to open.
• June:  Uncertain.  It could be derived from the Latin goddess Juno, or the Junius clan of Ancient Rome.  The Latin juniores means "youth," and the month June may contrast the month May, which is   dedicated to maiores, or age.
• August: Named after emperor Augustus, due to many important events in his life happening in this month. 
• September - December:  The Latin septem, octem, novem, decem, meaning seven, eight, nine, and ten, in reference to the number of each month in the year.  June was originally Quintilus (five) and August sextus (six).

At the beginning, there was no seven day period, or except in the east, where some days were named as the planets.  The first reference to a seven day week is found during the reign of Augustus. Gradually would be extended throughout the empire.  The days were as follows:  Dies Lunae (Monday), Dies Martis (Tuesday), Dies Mercuri (Wednesday), Dies Jovis (Thursday), Dies Veneris (Friday), Dies Saturnae (Saturday), and Dies Solis (Sunday).

Feriae (dies ferialis) were called the holidays for visiting temples and perform rituals and sacrifices to the gods.  The term was used also for birthdays.

Originally "feast days," on holidays the local aristocracy would pay for meals for the poor. A quite funny celebration was The Saturnalia, held in December during the winter solstice.  Celebrating the festival, masters and slaves would trade places, gifts were exchanged, and business activities suspended. 

To be continued, my curious ones…

If you are a passionate gym attender, enjoy and love swimming, can’t live without aqua-gymnastics, and at the same time you are an admirer of beautiful synchronized swimming competitions, then do not miss your chance to see one of the most beautiful swimming world championship in Rome in 2009. 

FINE-International Swimming Federation is helding its regular world championship in Rome. All the official athletes, trainers and members for 13th the FINE World Championships will gather in Rome (Italy) from the 19 July to August 2 2009.

The Eternal city is ready to give a warmest welcome to  all the representatives of FINE the 15 years after the organization of the seventh edition of these samples in 1994.

The organizers are going to make sure that 13th the FINE World Championships will be also remembered like one of corner-stones in the history of the FINE . The Federation invites the best athletes coming from 193 National Federation Members, for the five water disciplines, to be presented in Rome.

The performances of our swimmers, the technical perfection of our divers, the competitions between the squares of water pole, the effort of the divers, the competitions among the water polo teams and the grace in the movements of the synchronized swimmers, will make enjoy thousands of spectators all over the world and million viewers.

The natural attraction of Rome, its history and the cultural inheritance, its sense of the hospitality and the sympathy of its citizens are the best guarantee for one great spectacle. Since the designation of Rome in July 2005 as city host of these water sports the FINE continues to work on making a contact with the Organizing Committee with the purpose to guarantee that best one succeeded in 2009: high quality of the structures, important programs of marketing and sponsoring, high levels for TV production and the broadcasting. 

From the name of the Swimming Federation is expressed gratefulness to the Organizers of 13th the FINE World Championships. Their enthusiasm, their aid and their continuous attendance contributes to the image of this competition that the FINE wants to create : a Water Festival with best Stars of the Italian Sport, like Federica Pelligrini. 

Years and Locations of Earlier World Swimming Sports Championships

The International Federation of Swimming has been founded in 19 July 1908 in occasion of the quarter edition of Olympic Games. The representatives of eight European nations (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and Hungary) gathered in London, near the Manchester Hotel, with the aim to unify and to render standard the rules of swimming, diving and water ball ; To establish one list of the supremacies of the world, of which exercising the control and supplying to the modernization; to define and to assure the norms organizational directives and of the Olympic manifest of the three disciplines.

Federica Pelligrini’s World record

You are welcome in 2009 to Rome TO ENJOY THIS BEAUTIFUL COMPETITIONS!

Imagine for a second of living in Roman Empire, more or less 2000 years ago…

One day you hear: Ceasar is dead!!! Ceasar is dead!!! Ceasar is dead!!! What a scoop would it be for today’s journalists…

It is the year 44 B. C, when the Dictator was assassinated in the very senate after declaring him self dictator for life (one month before, so no that long).

How does he find this tragic end? Let’s take a look at the situation : 

In January of 49 BC, He led his army across the Rubicon River in Northern Italy and turns the Roman Republic into civil war. Caesar’s rival, Pompey, runaway to Greece seeing things become complicated. In only three months the old Julius controlled the entire Italian peninsula and in Spain had defeated the legions of Mr. Pompey. Take that.

Julius was not happy yet, so now pursued Pompey to Greece. Caesar crushed the forces of his enemy so Pompey escaped to Egypt . Finally, following Pompey to Egypt and defeated him for the last time. Julius established the beautiful and famous Cleopatra as his delegated ruler of Egypt.

He defeated other rivals in North Africa in 47 BC and came back to Rome with his authority ‘‘firmly established’’.

Sounds like a happy end until here. But happy for who?

In order to consolidate his power in February 44 BC, he declared himself dictator for life. This act, turned many in the Senate against him. Sixty members of the Senate concluded that the only solution to the problem was …to kill Caesar.

So how to do it? You cannot just call Uma Thurman with her yellow suit and sword, she was not born yet. Anyway we are sure of the fact that Mr. Tarantino could have given interesting ideas.

About ideas Nicolaus of Damascus, a friend of Herod the Great (remember the bible?) gathered some information asking here and there, here are some ‘’proposals’’ at that time:

1) ‘’Some suggested that they should make the attempt as he was going along the Sacred Way, which was one of his favorite walks ‘’.

2) ‘’Another idea was for it to be done at the elections during which he bad to cross a bridge to appoint the magistrates in the Campus Martius; they should draw lots for some to push him from the bridge and for others to run up and kill him.’’

3) ‘’A third plan was to wait for a coming gladiatorial show. The advantage of that would be that, because of the show, no suspicion would be aroused if arms were seen prepared for the attempt.’’

4) ‘’Killing him while he sat in the Senate, where he would be by himself since non-Senators would not be admitted, and where the many conspirators could hide their daggers beneath their togas.’’ Smashing! Someone said and that won the major opinion.

When they saw him entering, the senate rose in respect. Next to him Tillius Cimber, approached under the pretext of a request for his exiled brother and grasped his mantel. This was the beginning, those who were part in the plan were near Julius. Suddenly, all unsheathed their daggers. Caesar was stabbed by: First Servilius Casca, his brother, Cassius, Decimus Brutus, Minucius, Cassius Longinus missed and hurt Marcus Brutus (it happens).

So the lesson of the day is ‘’Think twice before become a dictator for life’’ or ‘’Power has its drawbacks’’. Stay cool. See you around.

Your friend Big- mouth-knows-all-about-it,

Son of Piero Bernardone, Francis was born in Assisi in Umbria. His father was a successful merchant with a good economic position. If Francis projected to follow him in his trade activity, he also had other dreams like being a troubadour or a knight.

In 1201 he was taken hostage after taking part in an attack to the city of Perugia and remained a prisoner there for twelve months. In his captivity and a severe illness his thoughts gradually turned to religion and in 1205 he enlisted in another military expedition, to Apulia.

Nevertheless, he had a vision in which God called him to his service, and he returned to Assisi and began to take care of the ill.

In 1206, he had a dream in which Christ called him to repair His Church. Francis interpreted this as a command to repair the church of San Damiano, located near Assisi, not even imagining yet that is was for a much higher propose.

By this time, he resolved to become a hermit, dedicating his life to serve the others, pray and he subsequently devoted himself to repairing the church. His father, furious and ashamed by Francis’ ‘‘behavior’’ took him in prison and brought him before the bishop as disobedient. Francis’ reaction was simply abandon all his rights and possessions, including his clothes and become free.

Two years later Francis felt himself called to preach, and was soon joined by companions. When they reach the number of eleven he gave them a short Rule and travel to Rome to received approval from pope Innocent III for the brotherhood, which Francis named the Friars Minor.

After returning to Assisi the friars settled in huts at Rivoreto near the Porziuncula. They travelled throughout central Italy and beyond, preaching for people to turn from the world to Christ and forget the worldly attachment way of life. Francis remarked simplicity, poverty and faith as the higher goals for human expression.

The brothers worked or begged to live, and if it was any surplus they gave it to the poor. Francis turned his skills as a troubadour to the writing of prayers and hymns. The ‘’Preghiera semplice’’ or ‘’Simple prayer’’ sums up the fundamentals of his vision although it was later confirmed that he was not the author. He was one of the first in writing in Italian, using the people’s language, imitating the example of Jesus, since the Lord preached in Aramaic to be understood.

In 1212 Clara Sciffi, a girl from an italian noble family of Assisi, left her family to join Francis. With his encouragement she founded a sisterhood at San Damiano, the Poor Ladies, later the Poor Clares.

In 1219 Francis joined peacefully the crusaders and preached to the Sultan of Egypt he was impressed by his determination and courage (see dialogue between religions below).

It was not the wish of Francis to found an ‘order’, but in time the brotherhood became larger in number and more organized. Hence, Francis had to delegate responsibility to others. He wrote a more detailed Rule, which was further revised by the new leaders of the Franciscans.

Asissi , Umbria

He gave up leadership of the Order and retired to the mountains to live in prayer. Here Francis received the Stigmata, the wounds of Christ during the Calvary.

Perceiving the time was coming, he returned to visit the Franciscans, and Clara and her sisters, and a few of his followers remained with him. He died at the Porziuncula on October 3, 1226.

Francis called for simplicity of life, poverty, and humility before God. He worked to care for the poor, and one of his first actions after his conversion was to care for lepers. In his actions, Francis sought to follow completely the way of life demonstrated by Christ in the sacred Scriptures.

Nearby is the Subasio National park, and to find a hotel in Assisi, see here.

Once you have visited all the sights of the Eternal City and are looking for some quiet and relaxing place to enjoy the beauty of nature and Italy’s geniune countryside. But still you would not want to go far away outside of Rome, then we highly recommend to take a regional train, which in 40-50 minutes will bring you to Fiuggi. What is this town like? What it is famous for? Here are the precious tips and answers for you!

Fiuggi is a small town of the province of Frosinone, Campania region of Italy. It is very interesting to trace the origin of this town’s name. Famous a time like Anticoli di Campania (Campania was the name of the low Lazio until the 1800’s), acquired in 1911 the  actual name, originally reported only to the place where the water gushes out; it would derive from the Latin Fluvius - river; according to another theory it would have origin instead from the name of the fern, plants very abundant in this territory. The city historical center (Fiuggi City) rises on one hill to the slopes of the Ernici Mounts; to where, encircled from forests of chestnut trees, the modern thermal center of Fiuggi Terme extends. It is thought that a small village, of Felcia name, existed already to the age of the Ernici, the allocated preroman population in this area of the low Lazio. In the 367 a.C. the roman domination had started, and to the roman period they go back the first attestations on the property of local waters of Fons Arilla. The name still changed in the Middle Ages and had become Anticoli. The castle of the small village was subject to the dominion of the Caetani, Sforza, the Borgia dinasty, and finally of the Column, that they maintained their power on the city until to 1816, when had renounced to the feudalism because of the taxes from Pope Pio. In 1911 the valorization of the curative property of waters left took place, with the inauguration of the Source Bonifacio VIII; in 1913 there was opened the Great Hotel Palace della Fonte, one of most prestigious of Europe, than the successive year the family would have received actually. So, Fiuggi actually became a point of reference for many "notables" of the age who came here also only for a period of svago (relaxation). During the second world war it carried out the hospital function (using the hotel structures) for the allies forces.

Fiuggi’s waters have their high curative and depurative values.

Fiuggi water is a natural, oligomineral water. Its composition comes from the tufaceous ground of the hollows occupied by the Spas. It was chosen as Official water of JUBILEE 2000 and rumored to be the choice at the Vatican. 

To our days the area of Fiuggi has a lot private citizen properties, also after Rome,  a greate number of lodges of the Lazio, and is one of the known thermal  and spa centers of most of Europe, with a remarkable tourist flow. Thanks to that are often chosen like center of conferences and political manifestations, accommodated in the Palaterme. The two sources, Bonifacio VIII and the Anticolana. In the last years problems there has been a decrease of the tourist visits due to evident economic problems, but it seems however that the crisis is fading away.

Fiuggi: at glance: Lazio Region, Frosinone Province (also known Ciociaria). Inhabitants are 8.763 and the surface is about 33 km², with a density of population about 265 people for km². Distance: from Rome 62 km, from Florence 271 km and from Venice 411 km.

How to get here
by train: from rome Termini station to Anagni station in 50 minutes ( train Cassino-Fiuggi ) and then connection to Fiuggi by cotral bus in half an hour
by car: take a1 motorway mi-na, exit “ Anagni- Fiuggi terme” and then follow the signs to Fiuggi at approx. 18 km, in 1 hour drive
by plain: Rome airport “Leonardo da Vinci” - Fiumicino is at approx 1 hour drive
by coach ( cotral bus ): from rome Termini station ( Piazza dei cinquecento) to Fiuggi in half an hour

How to get there by Car:
On the Autostrada A1 (Roma-Napoli) and exit at Anagni-Fiuggi, then follow directions to Fiuggi.

Fiuggi waters are especially noted for the treatment of kidney stones and their fame has led to the development of over two hundred and fifty hotels.

Here are some personal tips on where to stay and what to do in Fiuggi.

Grand Hotel Palazzo della Fonte
Via Dei Villini 7
03015 Fiuggi Fonte (FR)

Located less than an hour from Rome and perched on a hilltop in the tranquil countryside, the 5 star, Grand Hotel Palazzo Della Fonte features one of Italy’s premier health and beauty centres. Everything has been planned to restore the hotel to its turn-of-the-century splendour, combining the elegance of yesteryear with a host of modern comforts. The comfort and hospitality of this hotel is very similar to that of Hotel Des Artistes in Rome. Today, with its "liberty" façade’s frescos sparkling anew, with the harmony and elegance of its ambiences and the enchantment of its pool, the Grand Hotel Palazzo della Fonte is experiencing of its best seasons ever, enhanced by the most up to date technology in comfort. Inmersed in the peace and quite of a lush secular park, the hotel makes sure that its 153 rooms and suites receive mother’s nature best: sunlight, clean fresh air and silence. When Lord Charles Forte, originally from this area himself, bought and restructured the hotel, he did so wanting to evoke the charm of an English country manor: floral designs in soft pastel hues, antique furnishings and huge bathrooms all in Carrara marble. All Palazzo guests can enjoy the splendid views of the medieval fortress, swimming pool, park and surrounding hills. Many rooms and suites have beautiful and romantic canopy beds, others have terraces with lounge chairs and tables where one can enjoy breakfast out in the open. The hotel’s solid culinary tradition proudly boasts the inheritance of world famous chef, Luigi Carnacina, chef of the Palazzo’s kitchens while at the beggining of a magnificent career. Today, Francesco Marino, the Executive chef at Ristorante Savoia, has carried on with the tradition of high quality cooking, proposing mediterranean specialities with creative expertise and local ingredients. Even more, assisted by the Medical Beauty Center’s experts, Chef Francesco Marino also supervises guest’s personalised diets! Last but not least, the hotel has a wide variety of sports activities, and there is an 18-hole golf course within three minutes of the hotel as well as a children’s playground.

As time went by, use of the experimental method led to an innovative approach in using thermal waters for therapeutic purposes and new treatments being introduced.

Fortunately, society progressed and the amount of available financial resources increased among all sections of the population thus making it possible for everyone to benefit from thermal treatments. The advantages of these treatments are not only linked to the waters’ curative properties but also to the beauty and natural attractions that are a general characteristic of Italian spas. The idea of treatment also being a means of recovering energy and physical well-being is quite rightly connected to the idea of a holiday resort and intelligent use of leisure time.

In this way the ancient tradition of thermal waters was modernised and brought up to date. And today more than ever, the use of new methods has turned it into a fundamental tool of modern medicine. A specialist guide contains descriptions of the main treatments used.

Therefore thermal resorts’ success is linked to the overall quality of life in the spas. Indeed there is no doubt that the environment plays an important role in treatments which involve rest or seasonal cures. And a stay which offers a large range of possibilities both with regard to broadening cultural and artistic knowledge and the climate is extremely advisable.

Wedding in Fiuggi

They say that thermal waters have been used for therapeutic purposes in the Mediterranean region since such a long time as shown in archaeological finds, literary and scientific writings. The treatments have been kept the same over 2 thousand years or so, since the age of the great Greek philosophers use to go there to prove either they exist or not.

The old Hippocrates used to recommend the use of thermal spas and he surely knew about the very thing praising of the properties of mineral waters and hot springs in one of his books. So it has to be truth if he says so!

One point in our modern crazy non stopping way of life (Oh! No more debates about the true nature of love! Who are we! What are we living for! Only taxes and mortgages) is the idea of treatment also for recovering vital energy and used as a balancing in this modern stressed society and physical well-being is quite rightly link with a visit to this kind of resorts.

And why am I saying this? Because Fiuggi is one place no far away from Rome (it’s somewhere between Rome and Naples indeed) where you could go and recharge your self, having fresh air pollution-free and tranquillity everyone needs.

I went for a wedding so a realize that I could stay for a couple of days, hotels are not expensive at all. After that weekend I simply felt my self full of life and peaceful.

If you are planning to get marry first I would advise you to reconsidered it, but if you are completely lost and there is no choice you will have two main advantages: a) The place is perfect, wonderful overviews, peaceful and well connected, Rome is not far at all b)You can save some money, for the same service you have to pay more in a Big Town.

The reception was at Grand Hotel Palazzo della Fonte, Via Dei Villini 7 and it was great. It is located less than an hour from Rome and up there on a hilltop in a lovely countryside, five stars and a premier health and beauty centre.

Ok, there goes my suggestion, so think about your health, remember Hippocrates, have thermal baths and …don’t get marry!

From April 6 2008 Exhibition dedicated to Joan Mirò is coming to Rome, one of the greatest protagonists of the 1900’s, near the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome. The exposed works come from the Foundation Mirò of Barcelone and include 26 paintings (aquarelles and aqueforti) but also 4 wonderful bronze sculptures, works of the artistic maturity of Mirò, where it can be noticed the great mental opening of the new artist care tendencies like Informal and the Action Painting.

About one of the greatest contemporary artist -Joan Mirò:

He was born in Barcelone on April 20,1893 of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers. During his youth he moved to Paris in 1920 where under the influence of various poets and writers he developed his unique style using sharp lines on plane paintings combined with organic forms. His works has been interpreted as Surrealism.

Joan Mirò never became a real member of the Surrealists which gave him a complete freedom to experiment many different artistic styles without worries of being ‘accused’ to be not ‘real’ or ‘true’ Surrealist.

In the final years of his life Mirò created numerous sculptures and ceramics. Some of the most famous are : ‘Wall of the Moon’ and ‘Wall of the Sun’ which are on exhibition at the UNESCO building in Paris. He also has created a few temporary window paintings on glass.

Joan Mirò won a several awards in his lifetime : 1958-Venice Biennale ;  1959-The Guggenheim International Award ; 1980- Gold Medal of Fine Arts from King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Nowadays his paintings sell for between 250 thousand and 10 million  US Dollars (in case you would want to purchase).

This Art Exhibition in Rome starts on April 6 2008 and bears the name of " Galería de antirretratos " and owns its organization to the anniversary of the 135 years of activity in Rome of the Real Academy of Spain in cooperation with the the Ministry of the Culture and the Culture and Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This Rome Exhibition is free, and the location is off Viale Trastevere.

How to get there ? If you stay in My Hotel Rome take Metro Line B from Castro Pretorio (direction Laurentina), get off at Circo Massimo then take bus line 75 (Poerio/Marino) for 12 stops, get off at “Fabrizi” .

Mirò. Galería de antirretratos

Accademia Reale Accademia di Spagna - Sala Espositiva

P.zza San Pietro in Montorio, 3

Opening: 4 aprile, ore 19.30

Period for visiting: 6 aprile 2008 – 25 maggio 2008

Today I Would like to tell you a story about a strange and marvelous park: the Holy wood (not to be confused with Hollywood) of Bomarzo and better known as a monster park. Bomarzo is a small medieval city situated closed to Viterbo 150 km North from Rome.

Built in 1555 by Pirro Ligorio (the very same who built Adriana’s villa in Tivoli and integrated Saint Peter’s Rome after Michelangelo death) in a natural amphitheatre the park was abandoned until 1950 when Giancarlo and Tina Severi Bettini decided to give it a new twist.

Inside the park the big statues cross the legends and the history.

From the entrance on your left you can see the monstrous Proteus. According to the legend Proteus was Poseidon’s son and he had the ability to change himself in a different shapes of life.

Two sphinxes on your right explain you the intention of the park: man and women here can chase their wishes until they get lost. Here is an quiz: Are these works built for deceit or for art?

You will no doubt come across The Orlando who butchered the shepherd. The myth from the Furious Orland returns in this sculpture: Orland devoured from Angelica’s passion went out of his mind and committed horrible actions like killing a shepherd who happened to cross his path.

Keeping your walk going on you in the Bomarzo Park you will meet the Turtle with the winged Foam and Pegasus, Medusa’s and Poseidon’s son, The Orca and Ninfeo and Venus born from the sea and the “Abandoned Nude” who represents Armide, perfidious witch from The Liberated Jerusalem. Legend says that she fell in love with Rinaldo.

After Armida you will be in a boulevard path that lead you to the Orco (ogre) . As if the Orco must to be protected before to meet him you bump into other 3 figures really scary: two lions, the Furies winged and finally the Echidnae terrible monster half women and half snake. Then Pluto, the Dragon, The elephant inspired by the Hannibal battle against Romans and Cerere heart’s Goddess.

When you see the Orco you remain impressed and you would believe that the Orco could be the entrance! Climb the stairs and read the sentence inscribed beneath his teeth: “ Every thought flies away”! I did: I went inside the jaws and I found myself inside a small room with a table and really for a moment your thoughts fly away.

Still Proserpina and Cerberus to see and finally the temple in Doric style dedicated from Vicino Orsini to the death wife Giulia Farnese. Today it is the grave of Giancarlo and Tina Severi Bettini.

Whilst visiting the park you cannot miss the pendent house built on top of the rope and that give you like if you are losing your balance. How to get to this spectacular example of mannerist art park? follow the map to Bomarzo.

Open every day: entrance fee: 9 euros.

"HE IS RISEN FROM THE DEAD"

“Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead” (Matthew 28:2)

Easter is the most important religious festivity in the Christian liturgical year. During this day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus after the third day after his crucifixion. Easter is a moveable feast, that is it’s not fixed to the civil calendar since it follows the cycle of the moon. In 2008 Easter fell on Sunday 23 march.

FESTIVITIES

A bit of history first ! The Easter festival among the Roman Catholics is preceded by a 40 days of fast and abstinence called Lent (in Italian Quaresima) beginning on Ash Wednesday (Mercoledi delle Ceneri). Holy week of Lent begins with the observance of Palm Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry to Jerusalem where the crowds waved and laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday (Giovedi Santo) commemorates the Last Supper that Jesus had with his apostles before being crucified. Friday in Holy Week is the anniversary of Jesus death on the Cross. Easter celebrations begins on the night of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil, which ends with the Eucharist (also called ‘Holy Communion’).

TRADITIONS: FROM FAST TO FEAST

During the Holy week in Italy in every italian region exhibitions, local feasts, rites and processions are taking place in the streets where the penitents walk (in some cases even barefoot and in chains) holding torches and praying. Even the bells in the churches stay mute from Friday until Easter to evoke the pain for the crucifixion.

With the Last Supper episode, that is with Jesus dividing up some bread and handing the pieces to the disciples, it already states clear that food holds a major significance in this festivity. That’s the reason why on Easter food remains in different ways the main character: eggs are given (real ones, hard boiled and often painted with decorations or the more common ones are the chocolate eggs ), as symbols of rebirth and fertility, since Spring usually starts in this period as well; Lamb is usually cooked and a dove- shaped Easter cake is served (the traditional "colomba") , which are evident symbols of the Passion. Other typical Easter cakes are "Torta Pasqualina" whose main ingredients are ricotta, arthichokes and eggs and the delicious "Pastiera Napoletana" with corn, butter, ricotta and candid fruits.

PASQUETTA
The day after Easter is officially the celebration of the Angel announcing the resurrection of the Lord to the women at his tomb. In Italy Easter Monday is a bank holiday, and in Rome, as well as in other Italian cities, organizes cultural events. Italians traditionally spend this day among friends, having pic nics, doing outside activities or organizing trips somewhere.. and what about you? Got any plans for a trip during your spring vacation ? March and April are ideal to get discounted Rome hotel rates in Italy Hotels.

Read a relatad blog about Easter in Italy …

And want to know more about April Festivals in Italy ?

The recent opening of The House of Augustus in Rome  to the public has been an extraordinary event. It is a fruit of decades of work. Some of the walls were found in pretty good conditions ,other took long and difficult restoration work.

In 31 BC Augustus - also known as Octavian - had triumphed over the combined forces of Mark Anthony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium.

The victory brought Egypt, and with it immense wealth, into the empire.

Ottaviano Augusto, still to become emperor erected his residence on the Palatine hill. It is not known whether the choice to build his residence sixty metres above the Lupercale, (the cove where the She-Wolf it nursed Romulus and Remus) has been accidental.

The certainty is that the domus (latin for “home”) of the founder of the Empire  transformed the Palatine from an inhabited place to an official centre of the imperial authority. The August complex, situated within the Apollo Temple (Tempio di Apollo Aziaco), the House of the Emperor, the libraries, the house of Livia (Augusto’s wife), were only identified during the 1970s, during the campaigns of digging guided from professor the Gianfilippo Carettoni.

Then long and difficult restorations have been hiding from the eyes of the public the splendid examples of Roman wall paintings that make  the house of the first emperor the greatest complex of second style that has been recovered in the last few decades.

Just a few days ago, the opening of the three rooms on northern sides  finally took place. The Minister  of the  Cultural Assets Francesco Rutelli (former Rome Mayor) , along with director of the archeological campaign of the Palatine Irene Iacopi were attending this event.

The rooms are named : the "inferior cubicle" room, large oecus (ambient of stay and reception) and the premises "of the rampa" and "the antirampa".

Augusto had a habit of withdrawing for meditation . "we have realized the puzzle more monumental of the history - the minister has commented - fruit of more than twenty years of archaeologically work and restoration. Numerous pieces of fresco today recomposed were in fact buried, and some seed-destroyed even.

The spaces are decorated with fresco and not only they represent an important roman painting example of the end of the 1st century B.C but also a restoration work never seen until now.

The Domus Augusto is another spectacular discovery in the heart of an ancient Rome that continues to astonish and to give extraordinary experiences.

From Monday 17 march 2008 entrance to the Roman Forum is no longer free. The fee is 11 euros ($16; £8) for a combined ticket that allows you to the Forum, the Palatine Hill and the nearby Colosseum.

How do I visit the House of Augustus ? No booking in advance is possible at this time and you have to queue. Access is allowed by small groups composed of 5 persons at a time.

Where? From Termini station you can take metro line B to Colosseum (3 stops away)  and then is a few minutes walk.

For your Hotel stay in Rome see our suggested  Rome Hotels.

See the related reads on the Domus Augusto.

From 29^th February until 10^th of June the Exposition called ‘‘Ottocento da Canova al Quarto Stato’’ invites you at the Scuderie del Quirinale. You will be able to see and enjoy 130 masterpieces from classicism to symbolism.

It is entirely dedicated to the historical period known as ‘‘Risorgimento’’, or “The Resurgence”. The expression describes a movement aiming at establishing an Italian nation-state state, regarded as a modern state, strong enough to defend itself, while the Italian states of the post-Vienna Congress period were regarded as backward, weak, foreign-dominated ones. Rome hosts one of the most important Museum complexes dedicated to the period of Risorgimento-The Central Museum of Risorgimento and the Victorian Complex.

This historical process led to Italian Unification (Unificazione). The unification was a long and arduous process. But all the problems that remained before the unification were not solved even after. As the last quarter of the century unfolded, this was evident. But, Italy stayed united and focused on solving new arising problems. In the end, Cavour, Garibaldi, and Mazzini became the founding fathers of a nation and were immortalized.

So describing this changing time, as subjects of the art-works show, you will find immense Italian landscapes, daily life scenes, Bourgeois family’s portraits and herds on the yellow fields. The proposal of this exhibition is an inviting anthology of this landmark century.

The experts have worked for more than two years to put together this spectacular collection with the aim to provide an interesting picture from historical and artistic point of view to the century that opened the modern times to the country.

Artist and paintings like: Pellizza da Volpedo ‘‘Il quarto stato’’, Gaetano Previati ‘‘Maternita’’, Canova’s creations, Angelo Morbelli ‘’Asfissia’’, Hayez ‘‘Il Bacio’’ (symbolizing the embrace between France and Italy in fratenrnity), ‘‘Pensiero malinconico’’, ‘’Venere che scherzo con due colombe’’, Macchiaioli’s landscapes of De Nitis, Boldrini etc.

Visit this exhibition at via XXIV Maggio from Sundays till Thursdays from 10:00 till 20.00, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 till 22.30.

The ticket price is 10 euro.

Go ahead for reading more  in another Ottocento Exhibition Blog  if you are interested !

Il Festival della canzone italiana, a popular song contest in Italy,  is held annually since 1951 and it takes place in the city of Sanremo in the Region of Liguria (Italians usually refer it simply as “Sanremo Festival”), which lies on the Mediterranean coast of western Liguria in north-western Italy.  If you plan a trip, see what are the  events in San Remo. Each year passing by, the most outstanding Italian singers got on the stage of Ariston Theatre and this event has always shown  the most creative side  of Italian music, since the very beginning when Nilla Pizzi won the first two editions and her songs became unforgettable for decades.

 
This national cultural event  soon was to grow  popular  not only in the music business but even among the general public, slowly getting the status of social event: radio jamming Sanremo music, Tv screening Sanremo singer interviews, gossips or videoclips. People got absorbed and talked about nothing else than the Sanremo competition, everywhere in Italy. Even the elderly people, who in the sixties still weren’t used to watch the television, would stop by and watched.

Apparently this once magic atmosphere got partly lost during more recent times. As far as it was reported, roughly 30% of television viewers actually followed the 58th edition this year 2008  (which was broadcasted between 25th of  February and 1st  of March 2008). It seems that over the last few years the songs simply do not get the extraordinary enthousiasm  among the public as in the past.
In this 2008 San Remo Festival  harsh words were out  on this matter :  the famous artistic director of the Festival Pippo Baudo, who has been leading  the show since the begining of times, has been complaining   that  the decline of the San Ramo Festival is due to  a lack of broadcasting   of the very song contest because of the increasing "junk tv shows" - as Mr Baudo puts it -  that take the tv space ….

Back to music, which is the essence of the competition,  results were made public late 1st of March and the winners are : The song “Colpo di fulmine” (“Crush”) by the duo Giò di Tonno and Lola Ponce won the first position, followed by Anna Tatangelo with “Il mio amico” (“My friend”) at the second position, just the third position for Fabrizio Moro  with “Eppure mi hai cambiato la vita” (“Yet you changed my life”), who last year was acclaimed   with the lirycs “Pensa” (“Think”) dedicated to mafia victims.

You want to write your own comments or simply view other people’s opinions on the Festival di San Remo? Then take a look at the San Remo Festival Blog

And if you are looking for a hotel while in the San Remo area then book your Liguria hotel here !

Where is the United Nations FAO in Rome located ? standing in front of the Circus Maximus and remembering Charlton Heston in Ben Hur, you feel little disappointed about seeing no more than a spot of fresh green grass.

So you run away towards south and is it you see? A huge complex dedicated completely to leisure. Well, that is, used to leisure during the Roman Empire. Much more than a series of baths with a fridarium (cold room), tepidarium (medium) and caldarium (hot room) and palaestras (gyms where boxing and wrestling was practiced), the north part holds a natatio or swimming pool.

You feel sorry about the fact that we are talking about Caracalla Baths which are no longer operating (but it was till the 19^th century).Roman people certainly knew how to entertain and have fun , they had an exedrae on the east and west sides of the complex were libraries were located, and entire section for shops. The heating system was based on a hypocaust, burning coal and wood underneath the ground, it use to be the cause of some pollution problems even at that time.

The admission fee is 6 euros, does not apply to students of pensioners of U.E On summer the Rome opera season is held here also, it is quite a backdrop for that.

Not far from there you find the huge building of the FAO.

What’s that?

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, first session in 1945 Quebec, headquarters in Rome since 1951.

The aim of this organization is to defeat hunger, working both developed and developing countries, in order to improve and modernize agriculture, forestry, fisheries and ensure good nutrition for everybody.

How do they work?

FAO helps people and nations help themselves. So if a community wants to increase crop yields but does not have the technical skills, they provide tools and techniques. If a country goes from state to private land ownership, they give legal advice. Whenever a drought pushes already vulnerable groups to the point of famine, they go into action. The FAO provide a neutral meeting place and the background knowledge needed to reach an agreement.

Who is doing the job?

The Conference of Member Nations meets every two years to review the work carried out by the Organization and approve a Programme of Work and Budget for the next couple of years. The Conference selects council of 49 Member Nations. The members serve a three year term. Also a Director-General is elected, the current Director-General is Jacques Diouf of Senegal, re-elected two times and in charge since 1994.

The organization is composed of the following departments: Agriculture and Consumer Protection; Economic and Social Development; Fisheries and Aquaculture; Forestry; Human, Financial and Physical Resources; Knowledge and Communication; Natural Resources Management and Environment and Technical Cooperation.

FAO employs more than 3 600 staff members – around 1600 professional and 2 000 general service staff –five regional offices, nine sub-regional offices, five liaison offices and 74 fully-fledged country offices (excluding those hosted in Regional and Sub-regional Offices), and of course its headquarters in Rome.

Where are the other delegations?

The decentralized offices are located in:

• Regional Offices for Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Near East and Europe
• Sub-regional Offices for Central Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Africa, Eastern Africa, North Africa, Southern Africa, West Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands
• Liaison Offices in Geneva, Washington D.C., New York, Brussels and Yokohama; and
• 78 Country Representatives.

Did you know that another United Nations Organization has offices in Rome  ? It  is the Unicef, which is right in the centre of Rome too, near our Hotels in Rome.

Rome and the Italian culture are more than buildings and wonderful works of art. There’s a special way to see and live life in Italy and if you don’t get in contact with it during your travel you’re missing the deepest part of the experience.

A great opportunity to get a taste of Italy is the Roma wine festival that will take place from February 29th to March the 2nd in the Spazio Etoile .

Many important sommeliers will participate so the quality of the wine and the information is guaranteed. You’ll be able to taste for free many rare wines while learning a lot about the culture of the places where they are produced. The Conseil dei Grand Cru di Bordeaux is also invited, so you will be also introduced to French wines for the same ticket!

Even if your not a wine connoisseur attending the festival is a good idea: it’s an excellent source of information for your itinerary or for future visits to Italy. The places where wine are produced are usually wonderful and knowing their names will be very helpful if you want to add some countryside flavor to your trip.

If you are wine lover or simply want to know more about wines then our wine tasting tour is in order !

Get rid of the idea of the wine as a luxury and snobbish thing. Actually the festival will award the best wine for its relation prize-quality, so if you are thinking to take a bottle of wine as a souvenir there’s no better opinion that theirs for doing so without spending a lot of money (or without buying some worthless beverage!)

The entrance fee is 20 euros

Friday 29th February: 15,00-22,00

Saturday 1st March: 13,00 – 22,00

Sunday 2nd March: 13,00 -21,00

And if you also want to taste really good wines while in Rome then you will certainly want to try one the Rome wine bars.

If you are staying in one of our Central Rome Hotels  and to get to the square of San Lorenzo in Lucina take the bus 175 for eight stops.

BIT is an International Fair of tourism, “Borsa Internazionale del Turismo” (International Tourism Trade) and is the biggest exhibition that Italian tourism offers and products to the world. This fair is the most important event for the industry of tourism on the international level.

Bit Milano 2008 is meeting the whole world of the tourist business from Thursday 21 february 2008 until 24 february, and this for the 28^th year in a row ! All the areas of tourism are involved and invited to this major event in Milan and so is the public and travellers. The area is spread over 60 thousand metres square into 9 areas and offers a unique opportunity to have a direct contact and feedback with the italian tourism operators and all the Italian businesses revolving around tourism.

Visitors (the demand) such as travel agents like Expedia and Booking.com will be attending. On the other hand, the exhibitors (the supply) , which are the tourism boards such as  the Latium Region for example will be participating, and also Italy hotels from all over the country also.

All in all, 128 countries will be participating with a tight schedule of meetings, workshops, master classes and open discussions to talk about tourism and all its aspects.

It is a unique opportunity to greater business opportunities and better understanding of the tourism industry operators : Over 44.000 Tourism Operators participating and at least 46.000 travelers and 5.000 stands.

While over in Milan you can book your Milan hotel here.

Where ?

FIERA MILANO

Piazzale Giulio Cesare 20145 Milano (MI)

Tel. +39 02349841 / 49971

Fax. +390233600493 / 49977379

Entrances are : Carlo Magno 4, Colleoni 21, Eginardo 19, Gattamelata 2, Metropolitana 17, Scarampo 25, Teadorico 23.

Opening hours :

Stands : from Thursday 21 februrary to Sunday 24 february 2008 – from 09 am until 7 pm.

Press and Professional operators : from Thursday 21 februrary to Sunday 24 february 2008 - from 10 am until 6.30 pm

Public : Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 february 2008 – from 10 am until 6.30 pm.

Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, in the historical centre of the city and by the Tiber river, represented a bastion against the enemy attacks in the past time.

Rockford of defence and prison, during the course of the history of Rome, the castle never has gone destroyed despite numerous wars and attacks. This is the reason why Saint Angel Castle is considered the very heart of the history of Rome.

In fact it passes to be from funerary monument to fortified outpost, from jail to Risorgimento’s dwelling before being eventually turned into a museum.

Built up around the 123 d.c as sepulchre for Adrian emperor and its family, Castel Sant’ Angelo has been a sepulchre until the 403 d.c approximately, when by appointment of the Onofrio Pope it became a castle. In 1367 after the Avignon’s exile Pope Urban V returned to live into the castle.

And from this time onwards the Castle was made into the papal residence and fortress in order to protect the popes from the outside dangers. Then was built The famous “Passetto del Borgo” , a tunnel (The Short step) that connects the Vatican’s walls with Castel Sant’Angelo . Using Passetto del Borgo, popes Alessandro VI and Clemente VII saved their own lives .

Underground the Courtyard of the Crossbow (said also Courtyard of the Sink) is occupied from a sequel of spaces, also known as the "secret" of Castel Sant’ Angel. Later on Castel Sant’Angelo was as well a famous prison. Starting from XVII century all people who where against the Papal authority lived inside the castle and behind bars.

One of the more famous prisoners of the castle remains the painter Benvenuto Cellini who lived in the prison for a year and then managed his escape by using a rope.

The same  Benvenuto Cellini claims that, during his imprisonment, he drew a God Father and a Revived Christ of which traces can be still recognized on the wall of the cell.

The castle took its actual name during the papacy of Gregorio Magnus : During a serious pest epidemic that had hit Rome, on the top of the fortress an angel had appeared , replacing the sword in the sheath. The Pope interpreted the apparition as it marks them of good augury and decided to name the castle Sant’Angelo.

Nowadays Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome is one of the major tourist attractions, especially during the summer time.

Starting from the 18th  of June and throughout summer in fact every night in the bastions and the courtyards of the castle, there are shows including acting and dancing, lasting about half an hour.

At the same time it’s possible to admire the beautiful sculptures situated in several points of the castle and the old and precious

Paintings such as the Madonna in throne with the child and the Saints.

Inside the castle there is as well an interesting collection of armies from the papal army and the Italian army.

The Sant’Angelo castle in divided into 6 levels.

The first one is opened by a courtyard called of “Salvatore” (the Saver) which is named after the marble bust originally inserted in the arc of the inner facade. This courtyard its followed by another one called of the execution : Those who had been condemned prayed to recommend their spirit to God.

Moreover through a large arch you will get closer to the original mausoleum of Adrian emperor.

Through a long helicoidally scale , first a scale then a diametrical ramp, it is approached to the second level with the “sala delle urne”.

Finally there is the prison that has seen famous people like Benvenuto Cellini, Beatrice Cenci and the Balsamo Conte di Cagliostro. Beyond the prisons you will find the silos where they used to store food supplies.

The third level gives way to the courtyard of the angel where the statue of the archangel Gabriel is erected. From this courtyard you will get to the rooms of Clemente VIII, the room of the Justice, and the room of Apollo, the small church of the SS. Cosma and Damiano, Clement VII room, the

Courtyard of Alexander VI, the Cortiletto of Leone X and the bath of Clement VII.

The fourth level accommodates three most famous rooms: The Paolina room, the room of Perseo, and the room of Amore and Psiche, true artistic works of painting.

The fifth level is made of the rooms of Treasure , the Library, Adrian room, the room of the Festoni, Cagliostra, Corridoio Pompeiano, and the Apartment of the Castellano.

The sixth level is the highest part of the castle where a beautiful statue of an angel stands. Castel Sant’Angelo offers an amazing view of Rome, especially during spring time when the sky is clear and you can see all the city just going around the castle.  Take an Angel and Demons tour at night and you will see the Castle in a whole different light ! And see here for more information about  entrance fees and opening hours of the Sant’Angelo Castle .