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

  Our Blogger: Nic

Rome is so full of colourful ancient history that it becomes almost obligatory to forget  more recent events of important historical significance. But the Nazi German occupation of the capital towards the end of the Second World War is something that still stirs strong emotions among older Romans even today. And you can experience what is was like to live during the struggle for liberation at the Museo Della Liberazione in Rome.

The small museum, in Via Tasso, is the actual building that was used by the German Security Police (SIPO) to imprison members of the Italian Army and resistance. Many waited for their deaths here, and, in some ways, the museum is more of a temple to them and those that suffered at the hands of the ruthless occupiers. On the second floor the jail stands exactly the way the Germans left it when they eventually departed following allied liberation  (the occupation of Rome lasted from September 11 1943 to June 4 1944).

You can still see engravings left in two of the interrogation cells by prisoners – some prayers, some verses from Dante, some messages to their mothers. Apart from this very sad aspect, the museum is also full of original documents, photos and maps from the Roman resistance. This includes anti-Nazi propaganda where the Resistance spoke out in favour of the British forces (who would later help to liberate them).

There is also a special exhibition dedicated to Rome’s jews who were taken away to be killed by the Nazis, despite handing over a large proportion of gold to them beforehand in exchange for sparing their lives. This took place in Rome’s Jewish Ghetto, near the River Tevere.

Getting to the museum

The museum can be easily reached from Hotel Des Artistes. Take the Metro A line from Termini to Manzoni. The museum is then just a five minute walk away.

So why not book your stay in Rome today with us and enjoy all the comfort of  a modern hotel in the centre of the eternal city.

Our Blogger: Diana 

The 100th anniversary of the Futurist Manifesto will be the starting point for an international art exhibition involving three of the major European museums: Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome, Musée National d’Art Moderne/Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris and Tate Modern in London.

Rome is kicking off the exhibition on February 20th, which is the same day Le Figaro published the Manifesto in 1909, bringing together an extraordinary number of works in the early years. Visitors can yet catch the glimpse of originality in the style, which results in deep contrast with the works dating back the same period. The introduction of leitmotiv like the “speed” and “dynamism” will soon after change the vision of art at the international level giving the shape of our modern vision.

A fascinating picture is also shown depicting the ties Futurism had with Cubism, their mutual differences and shared traits; a liason which led to a cross over and the development of the Russian Cubo-Futurism and the British Vorticism.

Among the most valuable works we can admire are Le grand nu by Georges Braque; Picasso’s Femme assise dans un fauteuil; Umberto Boccioni’s Costruzione orizzontale, Le forze di una strada and Sviluppo di una bottiglia nella spazio; I funerali dell’anarchico Galli and Le nuotatrici by Carlo Carrà; Ricordi di una notte by Luigi Russolo, Nu descendant l’escalier by Marcel Duchamp.

So drop by Lucci Hotel for your stay in Rome and we’ll give you all the information you need to enjoy a great weekend of art.

OPENING HOURS

Sunday to Thursday, 10:00am to 8:00pm
Friday and Saturday 10:00am to 10:30pm

HOW TO GET HERE

From the train station (Stazione Termini)
From Piazza dei Cinquecento (in front of station)
take bus 40 (towards Piazza Pia/Castel S. Angelo)
2 stops and get off at Nazionale/Quirinale;
walk 100 meters to the Scuderie del Quirinale

Our Blogger: Rhodora

The cost of life, as everyone knows, is getting more expensive everyday. Therefore, for those who can’t say no to shopping, buying becomes more and more difficult.

To combat this problem outlets were created , and now they make up a key part of the Rome shopping industry.

In the last couple of years three very big outlets were born in a neighbourhood of the town, where its possible to find all kind of brands with the lowest prices ever- especially during the January sales.

Fashion district outlet is in Valmontone – 40 km from the centre of Rome, and with it’s 150 shops its the biggest outlet in the Rome neighbourhood. It is even continuing to grow today and you will soon find other shops there – as well as a theme park that will be ready in 2010. Besides clothing shops you will also find electronic shops, such as Trony, one of the most well-known electronic retailers in Italy.

Meanwhile, Castel Romano Outlet, which is just on the entrance to Rome, is an outlet built in the form of castle, with 110 shops of prestigious brands and fashion, which ranges from clothing to accessories, from the house to sport. There are discounts of up to 70% (Asics, Nike, Levis, Guess, Mandarina Duck).

However, the newest outlet to be born near Rome is called the Soratte outlet, which opened just a couple of months ago just on the feet of the Soratte Mountain close to the national park. Here you will be able to spend days shopping in the green hills of a national park. Besides the shopping, a good thing to do until the end of January is ice skating, which is completely free. And why not stay at Lucci Hotel? Our staff can direct you to all the best shops free of charge!!

Our Blogger: Raul

Once upon a time, Italy was ruled by kings. They all belonged to the Savoy (Savoia) dynasty, the only one to have reigned in most of the country. The Savoy’s raise to power was a peaceful one, not achieved through wars or military conquests, but through marriages and a shrewd use of diplomatic relations.

Fascism brought bad news for many, the Savoy among them. The king didn’t know how to deal properly with Mussolini and backed him, thinking the fascist party was a more reassuring option than socialism. After the end of the war the Italians were called to vote to decide whether they wanted to live under a monarchy or a republic. The republican government won 54 percent against 46, and that was the curtain call for the legendary dynasty.

After this, all the male descendants of the Savoy were forbidden to enter Italy and they lived in exile in Switzerland until 2002, when the Italians decided they could come back to their country.

The Italian media created a fuzz over the real family come-back, even though the Savoy didn’t seem to be very grateful: they tried to get a compensation for moral damage from the Italian government, along with some historical buildings like the Quirinale Palace, currently the official residence of the president of the Italian Republic.

The claim didn’t succeed, and afterwards the behaviour of the family hasn’t been exactly flattering: in 2006 the prince Vittorio Emanuele was involved in a public scandal that had him recruiting prostitutes for a casino and his son’s last public appearance was as a participant in a “dance with the stars” show.

For a chance to take a look at the Savoia, come to Rome and don’t forget to make a reservation at Hotel Des Artistes!

Our Blogger: Rhodora

Naples is situated in southern Italy, close by the sea, and remains an important tourist hub, full of personality, partly thanks to its locals. With its infinite faces, it attracts tourists from all over the world. 

Naples, which is situated in the Campania Region of Italy, has different kinds of landscapes, from the blue sea of the Gulf to the fabulous as much as worrying Vesuvio, one of the few volcanoes still active in Italy alongside Mount Etna in Sicily.

Many writers and painters described this city in their works, like Gianbattista Vico or Goethe, who described Naples as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe; full of contradictions, its values and faults always in a dangerous balance: a beautiful but fetish town, picturesque but dirty, generous and welcoming but dangerous.

These days, in its squares and streets, you can enjoy a beautiful holiday. From Christmas ‘till the epiphany, Naples is full of plenty of things to do and see. The Market of San Gregorio Armeno, which opens from December 8^th to January 6^th, is one of most typical markets of the town, where you can find all kind of statuettes, from Totò to pulcinella, full of all the irony of the place, something which you shouldn’t miss.

On January 6^th the concerts will end. The “note d’inverno” (winter notes) will be the last concert to take place at the Church of San Paolo.

Our Blogger: Stefano

The city of Rome is always alive, not just in the summer but also in the winter, and especially during the colder months of December and January. During Christmas Eve and before the epiphany, there is a special feel in the air: the buildings and the monuments seem to come to life with festive lights everywhere, the streets change and become fun and full of happiness. Everywhere you can see lights and decorations.

Many markets in these coloured streets and squares are ready to grant you every wish and also give you some inspiration for last minute gifts.

One of Rome’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets is in Piazza Navona.

This elegant piazza is one of the most important places in the centre of Rome with its beautiful fountain and important works of Bernini and Borromini. There are many stalls across the square. Many are full of sweet treats, chocolate, and slabs of torrone. The scent of roasting chestnuts hangs in the air.

There are also stalls crammed with toys, crafts and a host of seasonal goods. But the historic speciality in piazza Navona is hand-crafted figures used to compose nativity scenes.

These markets open on December 1 and run until January 6 (the feast of the Epiphany, when Italians, especially Italian children, celebrate the arrival of “La Befana” – an old witch who flies on a broomstick delivering chocolates and oranges to children).

But spending Christmas in Rome also means walking through the streets of the festively decorated centre: the historic alleys and shopping streets are illuminated by Christmas lights and the big squares in the center are filled with tourists and Romans who stroll or relax in search of gifts. Via del Corso, Via del Tritone, Piazza di Spagna, and Via Nazionale, are just some of the places where you can find shops and enjoy yourself.

So if you decide to come to Rome for a holiday, you can stay at Yes hotel, where we’re only too happy to give you the best shopping tips.

Our Blogger: Marcello

In the region of Lombardy during the middle ages it was discovered, by accident, how to prepare a cake that is now popular throughout Italy. At Christmas time it’s a typical dessert .Its called Panettone and its almost impossible to imagine Christmas without it.

Panettone is increasingly becoming popular in other countries in Europe, for example Spain. In Argentina its also very popular. This is because Italian immigrants during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries brought it to these countries. This is even why in the legendary Pampas its also present at the Christmas table.

Now I want to tell you how to prepare it. Here is the recipe:

(For 10 people)

250 g of raisins
1 kg of flour
Salt
350 g of butter
10 egg yolks
250g of candied fruit
350 g sugar
60g yeast

1. Knead yeast, dissolved in warm water, and one third of the flour until you get a soft dough.
2. Make a cross on the panettone and let it rise, covered, in a warm place for 20-25 minutes.
3. Resume the kneading with another third of flour and a tablespoon of warm water.
4. Cover again and let the dough rise in a warm place for 3 hours or until it has doubled in volume.
5. Do the same again, adding all the flour and water whilst trying to make the batter thicker. 

6. After about 9 hours of leavening the dough (leaving it to rise) add the melted butter and the egg yolks, one at a time, the sugar – which should be dissolved in water, salt, raisins and well strizzata lightly floured, and candied fruit.
7. Work long enough to get a smooth dough, you will maybe need a couple of hours.
8. Place the dough into the mold, anointed with melted butter and lined with paper baking foil, and place in a 170 degree oven.
9. After about 40 minutes, half cooked, brush the surface of panettone with butter, then put it back in the oven for another 40 minutes.
10. Wait for it to cool down and then push it out.

We hope you will enjoy it. If you want to know some more about this or another secret of Italian cooking just send an email to info@hoteldesartistes.com. You can even learn the secrets from our very own nonna.

Christmas in Rome is very special. This is why so many people come to visit Rome and decide to stay in our hotel…We do our best to make them feel like home.

Our Blogger: Jonah

Are you ready to go to the movies? Every year, a few days before Christmas, new festive films are released. These films are for the whole family, entertaining comedies and animated films much anticipated by children.

“Madagascar 2″ is released on December 19 for example. 
The protagonists are the same as “Madagascar 1″, Alex the Lion, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, and Maurice and the penguins. The story is based on an aircraft failure, repaired by the Penguins,who then meet the others in Africa to experience adventures.
Back on the big screen are the most beloved comic trio from Italy: Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo, with “The Chest of drawers in the universe”.

Don’t miss the cinepanettone with Christian De Sica, “Christmas in Rio”, which also includes actors Michelle Hunziker, Fabio De Luigi, Massimo Ghini, Ludovico Fremont, Emanuele propitious and Paul Conticini.

Here many funny misunderstandings and laughter are guaranteed. Christmas in Rio, yet another cinepanettone directed by Blacks Parenti, is a brilliant comedy, which is significantly better than the previous regarding braids, but still has some holes. However, it is the Italian offering this year. 

If you prefer something more serious, try “The boy in the striped pajamas.” Its based on the friendship between a German child, (the son of a Nazi official) and a jewish child prisoner in a concentration camp.
For romantic films try Richard Gere and Diane Lane, “Like a Hurricane.” The two actors are the protagonists of a love story while a hurricane is about to fall hit North Carolina.

Also consider “The Duchess” with Keira Knightley and Ralph Fiennes and the action film “The Spirit” with Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes and Samuel L. Jackson. So why not catch a couple of films while on holiday in Italy?