Rome, Tourism, Accomodations Blog – Roma Turismo

Some curious place names in Rome – Part 2

We continue the journey to discover the Roman names, with the vast repertoire of stories, myths, anecdotes and secrets that rest in those names. Much history of the city is also contained in the names of many churches. Piazza della Pace (a few steps from Piazza Navona), for example, is a small square, almost hidden, which owes its name to an important moment in the history of Italy. Around 1480, here was a church dedicated to St. Andrew, which had outside an image of Maria. During an evening outdoors, finished in brawl, a stone struck the face of Mary that began to bleed. Pope Sixtus IV went in procession to the place of wonder and interpreted it as a warning against wars that rend Italy after the Pazzi conspiracy in Florence. The pope wanted in the place was built a temple dedicated to Madonna della Pace, like a votic to invoke Mary to avoid another tear in the peninsula.

 Another curious case is about Piazza della Quercia (behind Piazza Farnese), the origin of whose name is still doubtful. The most credited is that which tells of a church, entrusted in 1532 to the powerful corporation of butchers Romans. As it is tradition, workers belonging to the same category were for the most part from the same locality, in this case, from Viterbo and its countryside. The church, which was originally dedicated to San Nicolò di Capodiferro, became Santa Maria della Quercia also to honor the Virgin in Rome in the omonyme venerated shrine of Viterbo, where is holded the miraculous image painted on a fragment of tile, found near a oak.

Cats of Rome

When someone speaks of Rome, usually thinks about the main attractions of the Eternal City, of several monuments reminding centuries of history, of all museums that satisfied the curiosity of tourists from a lot parts of the world, telling also stories of famous people and not only …

However, not all of them, find that in every corner of the city, there are hundreds or perhaps thousands of lucky witnesses, the most common of everyday life: the cats of Rome!
Beautiful cats of every breed and size, multicolored or with a single color, of a neighborhood or of a private person.
Small and sweet animals, camouflaged among the cars in the parking areas, between the loops of all places, on benches in parks or in the middle of traffic, and which often give color and grace of the infinite beauty of the capital.

They are so involved in the capital life, that now in all stores where tourists usually go, it is impossible that miss the classic card with a cat at the foot of a historical statue or, tired in the warmer months, it quenches the Trevi Fountain or Fontana Barcaccia (wonderful work of Bernini) located at Piazza di Spagna.

The protagonist of the Roman landscape, the feline population is increasing, so that we reach even more than 300 colonies with different locations.

There are also the so-called “gattare”, the old women that deal with these animals, cuddle them and spend a lot of time as well as give them something to eat and often take care of their health and cleanliness.
However has to be noted that not always they are old people. Lately I have more and more frequently to seen children and families who care even though it is often difficult to take pets inside their homes.

Often there are even entire blocks that “adopt” as a mascot these beautiful animals.

We hope this habit takes more and more foot in the city life, do not have pets at home to care for and love them equally.

Via dei Condotti

Considered in the sixties the meeting point for the most popular of the Dolce Vita, now the famous Via dei Condotti was described by Vogue magazine the 5th Street most prestigious into the world of the luxury shopping.
For the lovers of fashion and beauty the greatest signatures, leather goods and jewelry must have a boutique in this wonderful street, a showcase that can enhance the prestige and status. On a long avenue of luxury, offering sumptuous extreme every kind of product dedicated to a target of Elite: here you can also find shoes from 2000 EURO each.
Special and unique in these stores you can also find items whose manufacture is reserved for the chosen few as made in limited numbers.
Those few meters, which make up this avenue are outlined on the one hand from the splendid Piazza di Spagna, which highlights the beauty and amplifies the surreal atmosphere and on the headquarters of Fendi sisters.You can found greats brands like Louis Vuitton, Luisa Spagnoli, Hermes, Bulgari, Damiani, Prada, Christian Dior and many many more.

In the period of balances these stores are forced to set up barriers and security people to adjust the flow of potential buyers or just curious people who go to these structures in order to gain a designer piece at a price of occasion. Without doubt in this place appear to prevail upon an extreme look that only the branded product has to offer, and as in every age a chance to show can be an added value to ego.

The spectacular productions produced by these shops to decorate their windows, may be think to be in an other world. For lovers of luxury, beauty, the splendor is impossible not to walk in Via dei Condotti, once arrived in Rome. Among the many shops, located one after the other, you can also find the famous Greek Cafe become known over the years and considered one of the most refreshment “inn” of the Capital. In addition to historical, coffee is famous for its many famous visitors had over the years has been for a long time, and partly still is, a meeting place for intellectuals. It meets once a month, the group of Roman scholars and academic experts in particular of the city of Rome.

Romantic Rome

As is well known to generations of couples, romantics and travelers from every country, from the long avenue of trees Janiculum you can admire one of the most evocative view of the universe. The walk moves to the south, among the marble busts depicting illustrious garibaldini that helped the unification of Italy. To the west, however, you can admire the wide and scenic “Fontanone,” erected by Giovanni Fontana and Carlo Maderno for Pope Paul V. Nearby, stands the famous church of San Pietro in Montorio, known for the temple of the Renaissance Bramante enclosed in the yard and become historical goal of several couples who formalized their union religiously.

The view from the wonderful Gianicolo Hill is perhaps the best in Rome: in a single glance you can recognize all the major historical sites in the capital and the major basilicas. In the background the imposing Colli Albani, once a sacred and religious center for the first Romans, dominate the scene. According to one of the legends of ancient Roman mythology, the hill of Gianicolo have hosted the city founded by the God Janus, that he had several children one of whom Tiberino, from which derives the name of the Tiber (Tiber in Latin). The site acquired, over time, the vocation to inspire heroic acts by Muzio Scavola Garibaldi that in legend or in fact, have shaped the history of Rome. The Gianicolo, was also a theater where the battles took place for the Unity of Italy: in 1849 there Garibaldi defended valiantly the Roman Republic from French troops. At the top of the hill below the statue of Garibaldi is, from 24 January 1904, a gun that shoots, at noon.

The shot when the city is less noisy you can hear up until the Esquilino. This practice was established in 1847 by Pius IX, to give a standard to the bells of the churches of Rome, so that not to play at noon each of its sexton, but all together at the same time. Who went to Rome can not miss the opportunity to visit the hill of Gianicolo.
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Some curious place names in Rome

That Rome has a wealth of history is more than obvious, not only because it is a city with three thousand years on his shoulders! But perhaps what escapes to tourists who visit it every day is “another story” of the capital, the humble, one that only an observant eye can see, one made of taverns, markets, traditions, in other words one contained in toponymy capitolina. Our trip to find a place names curiosity starts from a square in the heart of the city that houses a typical small market. Piazza delle Coppelle: a handkerchief of space occupied by a few crowded benches, skins under the feet, strong odors. The name of the square stems by the profession mainly exercised in the area: here were established the “cuppellari” manufacturers of “cuppelle” small barrels which were used for the transportation of wine.
So, Rome grateful to the category named a church, Santa Maria in the Chapel, where “Chapel” recalls the ancient name of “cuppella”.Under another sign and very curious, the origin of the name of the street dell’Arco Ciambella. It seems that stems from a discovery made in the sixteenth century, which then became a sensation during the excavations of the Baths of Agrippa to the Pantheon, wanted by the Cardinal della Valle, was found a golden imperial crown surrounding the archway. The crown appeared similar to some donuts eaten in Rome. The landlord of an inn nearby, rode the wave of enthusiasm for the discovery and named the local “all’Arco della Ciambella.” Nowadays, the name is the only survivor: the house has disappeared and the remains of the baths were demolished.
   

Typical restaurant in Trastevere: Meo patacca

Trastevere, one of the most famous areas of Rome full of life with people from the center and the suburbs, Italians and foreigners. All with the desire of pleasant moments among the various places of the capital nights.Here, among the alleys, still lives the traditional spirit of Rome and one of the places that keep it is the restaurant “De Meo Patacca”, built in 1959 and located precisely in Piazza de’ Mercanti, in heart of this historic neighborhood. Strangely the founder of this wonderful restaurant is not a Roman, but an American, that by marrying an Italian girl decides to open the restaurant with the help of “trastevererini” friends.Just with the name can grasp a lot: Patacca Meo is the protagonist of a work by the end of 1600, which, together with Rugantino represents arrogant and brave types, witty and generous, that belong the popular district of the capital.His figure, as well as in several comedies that have spread over time, is keep alive by the famous restaurant.
Some years ago I have been there by pure chance, and has since remained as one of the most special places I has been.
It is a sort of jump through the time as it returns to particular passed moments of Rome.
The atmosphere of this place is wonderful: there are the not modern lights, but gas lights or candles, inside as well as outside, in the square where the tables are arranged.
The decoration is very special, all ancient but well cared for.
The cuisine is exceptional, thanks to the respect of the Roman tradition that has, among the various dishes, a wide variety of appetizers, a magnificent wine of Roman castles, and excellent homemade bread and pasta.
The waiters wear typical costumes while working, use a “romanesque”language and between a meal and the other run of comedies really funny, performances that give moments of joy and culture to the guests of the place.
Great melodies of the musicians of Trastevere, the troubadours of the classics in their songs that reflect the authenticity of the Roman neighborhoods.

The Villa D’Este in Tivoli

Not evryone knows that beyond the historical, cultural and artistic attractions offered by the Eternal City, there are also a lot of beautiful areas (within easy reach and in a short time!) that allow you to discover other views of the capital soul.
Among these, the charming town of Tivoli (about 500 years older than Rome), at around thirty kms from Rome. With its 60 thousand inhabitants, the historic streets and beautiful Villas, gives wonderful emotions and a charming view of the capital thanks to its location on Tiburtini Mountains, from where it is possible to see (if the weather allows) St. Pietro’s dome, and not only …Particularly interesting is the visit of Villa D’Este, the famous Renaissance villa built since the 1550 by Pirro Ligorio (architec from Naples), commissioned by Cardinal Ippolito II D’Este.
In addition to the interior of the building (3 floors of rooms decorated with great care) the property offers 35 000 square meters of gardens, adorned by beautiful fountains and waterfalls, fed by the waters of the river Aniene, thanks to special hydraulic pipes.
Among the wonderful water features the most interesting coul be the “Fontana dell’Organo”. Here, the water falls, move the air within some reeds, while another device presses on the keys creating magnificient melodies.
Every 2-3 hours this charming structure is activated. I absolutely advise it!Equally fascinating is the lane of the 100 fountains, spread over 3 levels (representing the rivers Aniene, Albuneo and Ercolaneo) and various shapes, including those of the symbol of the Este family (lilies and eagles). The list of wonders could go a long …
Living very close, I made several visits there with friends and family from far away and it is possible to discover every time new amazing thing.
During the summer I advise a visit during the night. The play of light and water gives a magical vein to these enchanting gardens …. besides being very cheap!

How to get to Tivoli from Rome?
From Tiburtina Station (metro line B/blue) a train takes about 30/60 mins (depending on the train stops).
Otherwise, at Ponte Mammolo Station (metro line B/blue) a lot of buses go to Tivoli.
Recommend those that take the A24 freeway as you save the traffic on Via Tiburtina!
Once arrived in Tivoli, there are wherever directions to the Villa. If you do not see them, just ask!

From “Giardino degli Aranci” to “Roses Garden”

Who usually thinks of the Eternal City as a chaotic metropolis, full of traffic, frenetic people, ecc, could be surprised to know that in the very heart of it (in the Aventine area, there is the Giardino degli Aranci and Roses Garden. Designed by the architect Raffaele de Vico, the Giardino degli Aranci is a park of about 7800 square meters, whose name comes from characteristic plants of bitter oranges, a wide alley where you have a entire view of Rome, among the suggestive frame of the place.
Some architects, most the Savelli family, decided to make the place even more special by placing near a construction through which its door’ eyelet, you can see the woderful Basilica di San Pietro, surrounded in a long avenue of orange trees.

Not far away is the beautiful Roses Garden, with its 1100 different species of roses. For all lovers of nature, this unique location allows to enjoy many different types of plants all at once!

The Roses Garden, established in 1931, was destroyed during the Second World War, so in 1950, thanks to some institutions, the garden was rebuilt but this time with a strange shape: the paths which divide the field of the flower beds of exotic plants draw a candelabrum with seven branches. Still sure: Rome = metropolis, well … Welcome to the Paradise!

BIKE SHARING ROME

Bike sharing. Rome is now offering an ecological, entertaining and comfortable alternative to the ubiquitous car: bikes for rent at different venues in town.

To use one of the 200 bikes available you have to register at one of the tourist information kiosks (or PIT – Punti di Informazione Turistica) dotted around town, compile a simple form and leave a deposit. In return you’ll be given a magnetic swipe card (that can be topped up according to need) and a padlock – all you need to pedal around the city centre in total freedom!

Simply drop off the bike at one of the 271 bike stations when you’ve completed your journey.
The first half-hour rental is free of charge!

Web: http://www.roma-n-bike.it

Location of bike stands
Via del Corso, 1 (piazza del Popolo)
Piazza Madonna di Loreto (piazza Venezia)
Piazza del Parlamento
Piazza Colonna
Piazza di Spagna
Largo delle Stimmate (Argentina)
Piazza delle Cinque Lune (piazza Navona)
Via Santa Caterina da Siena (Pantheon)
Piazza del Biscione (campo de’ Fiori)
Piazza San Silvestro
Piazza Sforza Cesarini
Via della Panetteria (via del Tritone)
Piazza Sant’Andrea della Valle
Vicolo della Campana (via della Scrofa)
Largo Arenula
Piazza dell’Oratorio
Via di Santa Maria in Via (Fontana di Trevi) Piazza dell’Oro
Via dei Pontefici

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