This one is no secret, but many people don’t know about it. the Vaticam Museums, the most important museum in Rome and home of at least one absolute masterpice of our entire civilization (the Sixtine Chapel) can be visited for free the last sunday of every month.

Here you can check the official calendar; the days marked  green are for free. Note that on those days the museum is open from 9.00 AM until 14.00 PM with the entrance closing at 12.30.Sure, the queue tends to get kilometric but, hey: it’s part of the adventure. And if you want to have the ultimate catholic art experience you can attend the public blessing the pope gives (for free! that’s the key word here) every Sunday at noon at Saint Peter’s Square. And then you can visit San Peter’s Basilica (do I have to mention you don’t have to pay to get in?).

For those not lucky enough to be in Rome the last sunday of the month, or just not willing to wait to get in, my advice is to book your entrance in advance through the official website of the Vatican.You will pay an extra fee, but it will save you lots of time.

There you go: an incredible day at zero cost.
And again, if you need info for accomodation in Rome or anywhere else in Italy, contact our booking office. Or, if you only want to tell me about your catholic-action packed day, drop me a line.

Enjoy yourselves!

Our blogger today: Raul

First on my list (let’s see what Liam comes up with!) is the church of San Luigi dei Francesi, located near the Pantheon.
From the outside the church looks pretty much like any other church in Rome; you might not imagine that inside you can find an artistic treasure many museums would kill to have, and here it’s available for free: all you have to do it’s walk in!

Inside the church you will find many chapels with religious works of art that, of course, are great but in the end they all almost blur in your mind. That is, until you get to see the Caravaggios. Even if you don’t know anything about art, and just happen to stumble upon the curch by sheer luck you will immediatly be able to tell that here we are dealing not only with an artisan, but with a master and a visionary.

Caravaggio’s works (there are three of them at San Luigi) are vibrant, human and stunning, unlike other religious works of art you will find inside most churches in Rome. I can assure you the passion and strenght that comes off them will become one of your most treasured art memories- and you will get it for free!

You can learn more about Caravaggio and his troubled life on Wikipedia – where else? ; )  To get to San Luigi dei Francesi you can take the bus 40 from Termini. Get off at Largo Argentina and the follow this map we have dutifully put together for your walking pleasure.

If you need accomodation in the city don’t hesitate to write us or visit our website. And while you’re on the internets why don’t you drop me a line to tell me about your Caravaggio experience? It’ll be great to hear from you.

Have a great time!

Our blogger today: Raul

This garden is the perfect place to unwind after a day spent visiting the city, but also the place where you will see a door that hides the Piazza of the Knights of Malta, closed to the public, but you can see peering out of the lock …

Rome we know more or less. But not everyone knows that in addition to St. Peter, Coliseum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Piazza Navona and other famous monuments there are lesser-known small and great wonders that deserve our attention in the same way. Some tips to follow to not lose all that Rome did not want to, hide in the shadow of the greatest works

The Delicious square eighteenth century, the fence and the entrance to the villa of the Priory of Malta are the work of Giambattista Pirenesi, who also found the original of the keyhole of the door, through which, with a view to a tunnel formed by avenue of trees specially cut, you see the dome of St. Peter (beautiful view at night, when, on festive occasions, the giant dome is lit).

After a walk to the ‘Parco degli Aranci’ – the romantic garden in winter and summer – we suggest you peep this view at sunset, when the first light of evening light in color and brightness of the Roman countryside. So is the Parco degli Aranci that before you put the lock of the door of access to what is known as ‘Villa of the Priory of Malta’. ….. you’ll see something really nice! And not to forget!

This important building is the historic seat of the Grand Priory of Rome of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Has the right of extraterritoriality in 1869. It houses the embassies of the order, and to the Holy See and to the Italian. Inside the beautiful, lush garden is the Church of Santa Maria del Priorat, called ‘Santa Maria Aventina’, which was renovated by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in 1765 rearranged the main entrance of the Palace.

The view from this oasis of peace, unknown to many tourists, is wonderful and the pictures may not match reality.

It has a wide view, which stands er dome of St. Peter’s and other architectural wonders of Rome

Entertainment guaranteed.

If you stay with us at the Hotel des Artistes you can reach  this wonderful place in just 20 min!

Our blogger: Rhodora

Don’t forget: your best options to enjoy all the history and magic of the Eternal City are Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel!

Well, these days are strange in Rome. With so many cancelled flights due to the cloud of volcanic ashes hanging over Europe, not everyone is paying attention to one of the most interesting cultural campaingns to take place each year in Italy: the Culture Week.

Like every year this 2010 many interesting activities will take place and besides many of the most famous monuments in Rome can be visited for free! Yes, from April 16 to 25 you will be able to visit the Roman Forum, the CoIosseum and many other great monuments for free, or almost: by instance, to visit the Capitoline museums you would pay only 4,50 Euros, since there is an additional axhibition taking place right now.

We have selected for you some of the most interesting options when it comes to activities. You will find our picks at the bottom of this page.

And don’t forget: your best options for accomodation in Rome are Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel. Contact us today, or make a reservation through our website!

Rome celebrates the 29 June of every year the feast of its patrons Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Special ceremonies are organized in all the churches of the city, especially in those entitled to the Principles of the Apostles.

According to the tradition both saints were confined in the Mamertine Prison (pictured above), in the skirts of the capitol, a place that still exists and can be visited. There St. Peter succeeded in converting the guards and baptized them, and when he realized there was no water, he hit the ground where a fountain magically appeared.

St. Peter was brought to the ancient Neronian Circus located on the area where St.Peter’s square is now. He was crucified there with his head down to the ground.

St. Paul instead was conducted "to aquas salvias", in the actual area of the Three Fountains, on the Laurentina Street, to be beheaded; the story goes that his head bounced three times, creating every time a fountain: one of hot water, one of warm water and finally one with cold water.

On June 29th solemn rites are celebrated and, many of the dedicated to St. Peter. An interesting tradition is to kiss the feet of the great bronze statue of St. Pietro placed in the central aisle St.Peter’s basilica.

As commemoration of the party of the Roman patrons there’s as well a procession on which the chains of St. Paul are brought: they are preserved near the basilica ostiense and consists of 14 iron rings.

To enjoy many other Roman traditions, stay at Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel in Rome. Both will offer you all the comfort you need in the heart of the Eternal City.

After a small break, I came back with the stories about the Capitol Hill of Rome.

I hope you will not be annoyed with my historical outline, but will learn something new and next time you come to Rome you will surprise you friends with your knowledge.

So let us start…

In Rome there are many legends of the glorious past of its ancient empire. One of these concerns Castor and Pollux.

The introduction of the cult of Dioscuri, or Castori, is closely linked to a specific episode: the battle at the lake Regillo that saw the Romans opposed to Latins.

The Latins were allies of the Tarquinio Superbo, seventh and the last king of Rome. He was the dynasty of Etruscan Tarquini and he reigned from 535 a. C. to 510 a.C., when he was banned from Rome. It was an important date in Rome, because with the Tarquinio Superbo ending the Etruscan hegemony on the city of Rome, which began with the reign of Tarquinio Prisco. After the last king, Rome became free and the Repubblic was founded.

The battle of Lake Regillo is one of the first legendary Roman victories. Legendary because we don’t have precise references (documents seems to have been lost in the fire following the invasion of the Brenno’s Gauls). Legendary also because it says that the outcome of the battle, initially unfavourable to the warriors of Rome, has been decided by the appareance of mythological Dioscuri: Castor and Pollux.

Tarquino, already chased away from Rome, attempted to regain power.

The Roman dictator Aulus Postumia Albino, departed from Rome with large forces of infantry and cavalry and met the enemy army at Lake Regillo, in the territory of Tuscolo. After a first phase with uncertain outcome, the battle was about to turn in favour of Latin ranks when Aulus Postumia prayed Jupiter that granted his victory’s wish. In the clamor of battle, two mysterious knight appeared between the forces in the field, and they led the Roman armies to victory. Leaving the battlefield, the two young appeared again inside the walls of Rome and they announced the successful victory over the Latins at the citizenship, and then they would be disappeared into the air(I talk about this another day*).

There are different statues of Dioscuri that can be admired even today in Rome, for example, on the Quirinale hill and on the balustrade of the piazza del Campidoglio. Here, at the top of the stairs, there are the colossal groups of the Dioscuri, Castor from one side, and Pollux from the other side.

The legend of Dioscuri is the introduction of a greek myth in Roman tradition. In fact, Castor and Pollux, in Greeks centres of southern Italy, were considered the “Numi Tutelari” of chivalry, which was established exclusively by characters in the aristocracy. The recruitment in Rome of a cult of aristocracy could mean the need for a strengthening of political power by the classes of “Romans gentilizi”, at a time when the transition from monarchy to republican institutions could involve strong social tensions.

From the mythological’s side, more simply, the Dioscuri represent the will of the gods of the birth of a Roman empire free from foreign yoke, as will by that time.

Our historical adventure, of course, does not end here, and I heartly welcome you to visit Rome and enjoy all these treasure by yourselves. My suggestion is to stay in bugdet and cosy hotel Nice Hotel and enjoy history in its relaxing atmosphere.

The Capitoline hill is the smallest of the famous seven hills of Rome, but also the most important because the first nucleus of the city was born here. Initially it was enclosed by a system of defensive walls to protect the inhabitants from hostile tribes who lived in surrounding areas.
The Colle del Campidoglio, the way it is called in Italian, has been since ancient times an important place for the life of the city, first as a religious centre, following as a place of power when it arranged the Senate in Rome.
The hill overlooking the Roman Forum, and several temples were built here, for this was considered the most sacred places of Ancient Rome.
But it was during the Republican age that the importance of the Capitoline grew and became the place of power in the city.

The Capitoline Hill is the basic

Capitol Hill, Rome

nucleus of Roman life for thousand of years. The Capitoline once were sacred to the Romans and the destination of the triumphal processions of victorious generals.

In medieval times the Capitoline was neglected, after numerous fires. Major reconstruction work were made by the Emperor Domitian, in 81 A.C. But then the hill was gradually abandoned after the fall of and subsequent destruction of temples of ancient Rome.
Later it was called Monte Caprino, because reduced pasture for goats.

The Palazzo Senatorio was built for the first time in the twelfth century on the ruins of the Tabularium, the archive status of ancient Rome. This was located at one end of the Forum and was re-used as a deposit first, then as a prison.

Today the Capitoline is the headquarters of the Mayor and Municipality of Rome. And it hosts one of the most important museums of Rome-

the Capitoline Museums.

oday the main attraction is the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo as from about 1537. The square is facing S. Peter, with pavement design and the centrifugal center equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.

The Capitoline Hill is reached by the grand flight of steps known as the “Cordonata”, built to a design by Michelangelo Buonarroti, commissioned by Pope Paul III.

The cordonata was a place of transit of men and knights, for this is so large.
Its form is to gather downwards.

The "cordonata capitolina" connects today Piazza del Campidoglio with the underlying square of Aracoeli.
The cordonata is that road slope formed by large elements in stone or brick (here the name) that make it similar to a staircase.

The Square of Campidoglio hosts a lot of intersting events, so, if you happen to be in Rome, book a nice stay with a bunch of special offers in Lucci Hotel and just walk for half an hour and enjoy the greatest cordonata and special concerts!!!

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.

There 3 magnificent fountains at the square and also the baroque style church of S. Agnese.
One of the fountain is made by the great architect and sculptor Bernini between 1648 and 1651.
It is called the Fountain of the Four Rivers (Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi) and is in the center of the square. It is like huge rock coming out of the water.

Another fountain is Fontana del Nettuno. It is created by Giacomo Della Porta around 1576.
It is situated on the north side of the square, exactly opposite of the third fountain: Fontana del Moro which is on the south side.

Today Piazza Navona is a beautiful popular place where people go out for a walk or to visit some of the best restaurants and coffee places and enjoy the view created so many years ago by some of the best artists.