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

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