Rome is an open air museum but it also the world’s largest uncovered museum. A large part of Rome’s history lies underground and from May 28 to June 6 Rome opens its most inaccessible treasures for the second edition of “Hidden Rome”.

If you’re planning to be in Rome between the end of May and June 6^th you’ll want to start checking the lengthy list of archaeological sites and monuments that are going to be open to the public for 10 days as part of the Roma Nascosta 2010 or Hidden Rome. Rome visitors will be able to discover a world of ancient treasures beneath their feet and visit over 40 underground marvels rarely accessible to the public.

Among the sites that can be visited during this extraordinary cultural event are the Ludus Magnus, the largest of the gladiatorial schools in Rome built by the emperor Domitian and discovered in 1937, the 2,000-year-old underground aqueduct of the Acqua Virgo, still used today to bring water to the Baroque stone fantasy of the Trevi Fountain, the frescoed 2nd C. Temple of Mithras beneath the 17th C. Palazzo Barberini, the auditorium of Maecenas sited on the Esquiline Hill, the Theatre of Marcellus, the Houses of San Paolo alla Regola, the hall beneath San Martino ai Monti, the underground passages of the Catacombs of Priscilla, the foundations of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, and many more. For the complete list and details visit 060608.it and be aware that for most sites and monuments numbers are limited and you’ll need to make reservations.

Whether you’re a life-long Rome resident looking to explore a few of those hard-to-visit sites or a Rome first-timer who wants to have an extraordinary experience, this is going to be a great opportunity to explore Rome’s hidden treasures and a life time opportunity for families visiting Rome with children to let your kids learn first hand the history of the Eternal City of Rome.

Hidden Rome 2010 Info:
Zetema

Turismo Roma

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers including underground Rome and her hidden treasures.

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If you are planning to visit Rome in 2010 and love ancient Roman art, Caravaggio’s masterpieces or modern American artists allow some extra time between the Roman Colosseum and the Vatican Museums to enjoy these outstanding exhibitions. Herebelow find a (Non-Complete) List of what’s going on in Rome in 2010. For the complete listing prior to your trip to Italy come back to see ItalyTravelista updates.

CARAVAGGIO | February 20 > June 13, 2010

The Caravaggio’s exciting exhibition on view at the Scuderie del Quirinale (Quirinal Stables, also called Papal Stables) to mark the 400th anniversary of the Baroque master’s death when he was only 39 brings together for the first time from art galleries and museums across the world 24 paintings that have been definitely attributed to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. For more details visit my previous Caravaggio’s post and make sure you book your tickets online to avoid disappointing long lines. This landmark exhibition is a must if you’re planning a trip to Rome.

EDWARD HOPPER | February 16 > June 13, 2010

Following on from a hugely successful showing in Milan, this exhibition on view at the Museo Fondazione Roma features the work of American artist Edward Hopper. Over 170 of Hopper’s rural and urban scenes of the 20th Century American life are on display in specially designed rooms that evoke the sights, sounds and feelings he so carefully portrayed. Among the masterpieces on show Self-Portrait 1925-1930, The Sheridan Theatre (1937), New York Interior (1921 circa), Seven A. M. (1948), South Carolina Morning (1955) together with Summer Interior (1909), Pennsylvania Coal Town (1947), Morning Sun (1952), Second Story Sunlight (1960), A Woman in the Sun (1961) and the stunning Girlie Show (1941).

ANCIENT ROME: The AGE of CONQUEST | March 13 > September 05, 2010

Until September 5th the Capitoline Museums set in the Michaelangelo’s Capitoline square host an amazing exhibition of ancient art dating from the 3rd C. to the 1st Century B.C., a time when Greek influence became predominant to involve the whole cultural world of the Roman Empire and the key to the future Roman artistic and cultural identity. The most avid collectors of Greek art were the Romans, who decorated their town houses and country villas with Greek sculptures and by the first century B.C. Rome was the center of Hellenistic art production, and numerous Greek artists came there to work. The show includes marbles, impressive sculptures and friezes, bronze and silver decorations and terracotta works brought together from major museums like the Copenhagen museum and the British Museum in London.

From COROT to MANET: The SYNPHONY of NATURE | March 05 > June 29, 2010

The Vittoriano Complex (A.K.A. the Typewriter or Wedding Cake) brings together over 170 paintings, drawings and early photographs never shown before in Italy with the aim of exploring the complex and changing relationship between 19th and early 20th century French artists, the French society of the day and the natural world they sought to capture on canvas.

MORGANTINA TREASURES | March 10 > May 23rd, 2010

Palazzo Massimo Museum, part of the National Museum of Rome, hosts until May 23rd the Morgantina silver horde that was looted from Sicily in 1996, smuggled out of Italy, and bought by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The silver treasure from Morgantina that have been on show at The Met until 2006 comes from the Greek colony of Morgantina in Sicily where it was buried in the year 212 B.C. when Morgantina was under siege by the Romans. The Palazzo Massimo Museum is beautifully lit, with English descriptions, hosting entire rooms of frescoes, statues that are among the most famous in the world, and beautiful mosaics from Hadrian’s and other villas: Palazzo Massimo alle terme is the right place to experience the grandeur of ancient Rome.

William Klein’s Rome | Until July 25th

In 1956 Federico Fellini invited photographer and film maker William Klein to Rome to work on his new film “Nights of Cabiria” introducing Klein to La Dolce Vita of Rome. The photos he took as he travelled the streets and clubs perfectly capture the magical atmosphere of the Eternal City in that legendary in that legendary “Dolce vita” era.  Set aganist the backdrop of the recently restored Trajan’s Market this exhibition features 60 of these photos, recreating scenes of street demonstrations or fashion sets, Sunday outings to Ostia, or evening promenades through the Roman Forum.

Giorgio De Chirico | April 9 > July 11, 2010

The exhibition at Palazzo delle Esposizioni includes over 120 De Chirico’s paintings brought together from museums and private collections from all over the world. The artworks explore his vision of nature and divided into seven themes: Myths, Shadows, Rooms, Things, Open, Alive, and anti-Nature. A Must see exhibition for the Metaphysical Art lovers, one of the most significant and fertile cultural movements of the 20th century.

TAPESTRY: The Story of Joseph | April 29 > June 30, 2010

The Quirinal Palace, official residence of the President of the Italian Republic and one of the most beautiful palaces in Rome, hosts a free exhibition showcasing the 30 years restoration work on twenty precious tapestries commissioned by Cosimo dè Medici to two leading artists of the Florentine Renaissance, Jacopo da Pontormo and Agnolo Bronzino. The Old Testament tale of Joseph, one of the most influential rulers in Egypt was seen as a symbol for the powerful Medici dynasty. Closed on Mondays.

Other major exhibitions in Rome in 2010 include Leonardo da Vinci and The Genius of his Inventions until April 30th 2010, the opening of the MaXXi museum on May 30th, Piranesi until April 4th, and the Secret of the Marbles opening on December 16th 2000.

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips and pictures with us? Please write us your comments and we’ll be happy to post them!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in personalized private guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers including Rome exhibition, Rome, Italy and Vatican Museums private guided tours led by qualified official Rome tour guides.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours.

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A view of the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Hill

Beginning in the 17th century for many of those on the Grand Tour Rome was to prove the highlight of their journey. It became fashionable for young aristocrats to visit Paris, Venice, Florence, and above all Rome, as the culmination of their classical education. Italy was the primary destination for the Grand Tourist who was attracted to its cultural treasures, fascinating landscapes and historical cities. Thus was born the idea of the Grand Tour, a practice which introduced Englishmen, Germans, and later wealthy Americans to the art and culture of Italy continuing to this day as popular reference for travelers.

Start your walking Grand Tour of Rome from the outstanding Trevi Fountain, a famous gathering spot and an excellent place to enjoy a nice italian gelato. The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in Rome, although I personally really like the beautifully restored Bernini’s 4 rivers fountain located in the Navona Square. The Trevi fountain, built by architect Salvi in 1735, is not only celebrated for its excellent water but also for the legend that visitors throwing a coin in the Trevi fountain are ensured a return to the city of Rome.

Trevi Fountain in Rome

The outstanding dome Pantheon is a very easy 15 minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and offers another glimpse of the splendor of Rome. Originally built as a temple to all of the Roman gods, the Pantheon was rebuilt by emperor Hadrian around 120 AD. That structure is the same as the one you see today making the Pantheon the oldest intact structure still standing from the ancient Roman world. Since the 7th century the Pantheon has been used as a Christian church. Don’t miss the nearby Caffè Tazza d’Oro, Rome’s favorite place for its granita di caffè con panna (Coffee Granita with Whipped Cream).

A short walk from the Panteon and at the foot of the Capitoline Hill opens up Piazza Venezia which is the perfect spot to see how Rome over the centuries blended together Modern and Renaissance buildings with Ancient Rome relics and ruins. Another short walk where you will come across the amazing Area Sacra di Largo Argentina and you”ll reach the famous Piazza Venezia.

Piazza Venezia takes its name from the first great Renaissance palace of Rome commissioned in 1455 by the Venetian Pope Paul II. One side of the square is dominated by the neoclassical Vittoriano Monument devoted to the first king of Italy Victor Emmanuel II. Completed in 1935, it’s known to Romans as the ’typewriter’ or the ’wedding cake’ for its ostentatious design. Do not miss the small and beautiful but often neglected San Marco Basilica, dedicated to St Mark the Evangelist, patron saint of the Venetian republic, San Marco is one of Rome’s oldest churches.

A view of the roman forum from the capitoline hill | Walking Rome Tour

The Capitoline Hill, the highest of the Seven Hills of Rome, was the religious centre of ancient Rome. The Cordonata is Michelangelo’s monumental stairway connecting the low-lying Campus Martius to the Capitoline Hill and the Piazza Campidoglio. In 1536 Michelangelo was commissioned to design the beautiful piazza on the hill overlooking the ancient Roman Forum and placed the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius on a new pedestal. The statue was removed in 1981 for restoration and it is now located in a newly-designed exhibition hall in the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Capitoline Museums. A replica currently stands in the Capitoline Piazza. Michelangelo designed new facades for the two already existing buildings, the Palazzo Senatorio and the Palazzo dei Conservatori, and created a new building known as Palazzo Nuovo, to mirror the Palazzo dei Conservatori on the other side of the Campidoglio square. These three beautiful renaissance palaces are now home to the extraordinary Capitoline Museums, the most ancient publicly owned museum in the world dating back to 1471.

From the Vittoriano walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali and feel at the heart of the ancient Roman Empire! Walk and admire the Roman Forum and the the ruins of ancient Rome’s Trajan Market until you reach the world renowned Coliseum, the most famous monument and iconic symbol of the city of Rome.

Area Sacra in Torre Argentina, Rome

The Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine Hill, the ‘original Beverly Hills’ of ancient Rome, are now on a combo ticket for Euro 12.00. You get 2 days to see all three sites. Ignore the gladiators, who charge Euro 5.00 for the joy of taking their picture (with your camera). As for the vending trucks, they are overpriced. They will sell you a small bottle of water for Euro 3.00. Last are the souvenir carts, one by the entrance, and one by the exit. These souvenirs are much overpriced, but you can bargain with them or just avoid them altogether.

Walking Rome is easily manageable with comfy walking shoes and the desire to explore what the Eternal City has to offer, even if only have a day to spend in Rome!

Would you like to share your Rome travel tips with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

NancyAielloTours.com

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2009 Some Rights Reserved Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours based in Rome specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

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When in Rome enjoy the best of Rome Free of Charge! Explore Rome with your family without breaking your bank account! Here’s ItalyTravelista Top 10 Free Things to do in Rome to explore Rome at your own pace! By the way do not miss a tour of Rome by Night!!!

1) Visit the Vatican Museums free of charge on the last Sunday of every month, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (the last admission is at 12:30 p.m.).

Over 400 churches in Rome Centre alone!

2) Churches are everywhere in Rome, according to Wikipedia there are over 900 churches in Rome! Access is free of Charge including the magnificent Four Rome Basilicas of San Giovanni in Laterano, Saint Paul outside the walls, St. Peter and Santa Maria Maggiore. Donations are welcome!

St.Peter Square in the Vatican City

3) Dozen of Squares, 13 obelisks and countless fountains are the best spots to take pictures, write postcards, and watch the people go by!

Egyptian Obelisk in Navona Square

4) The Pantheon goes Free!

The Pantheon is free and you can have a Big Mac!

5) Watch the Roman Forum from the Capitoline Hill best during sunset!

6) Water! Delicious water from every fountain! Travel Eco-friendly! Don’t purchase bottled water just drink the Major’s Water!

In Rome Fountains and Water are Everywhere!

7) Parks! Walk across the enchanting Borghese Gardens, Villa Ada and/or Villa Pamphili for a great day out or a picnic lunch with kids!

Visit the Holy Area of Largo Argentina and watch the cats lounging among the ruins of four ancient temples.

The Holy Area of Largo Argentina

9) Enjoy Rome’s finest view from the Janicolum Hill and set your watches. Cannon on the hill fires at noon every day, since 1904.

10) Check out the only Pyramid in Rome that houses the tomb of Caius Cestius, one of the best-preserved ancient buildings in Rome and visit the nearby Non-Catholic Cemetery often referred to as the Cimitero degli Inglesi-Englishmen’s Cemetery to enjoy peace without forgetting the Latin Motto Carpe Diem.

Do not forget to read local magazines for free events, Roman foodie festivals & music concerts in Rome.

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2010, Nancy Aiello Tours

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in private family oriented Rome and Vatican tours led by friendly and entertaining official Rome tour guides designed to satisfy the curiosity and attention spans of the whole family visiting Rome.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing a version of this article please contact Nancy Aiello Tours.

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When in Rome walk by the Tiber River

When In Rome…Walk by the Tiber River and discover the millenarian history of the ‘Eternal City’

Rome wasn’t built in a day and a way to appreciate that is to take a stroll by the river and see the beautiful bridges built by the Romans and the Popes over the last 2000 years…and by the way It’s another Free thing to do when in Rome!

Start your walking tour from Ponte Milvio, the bridge that connects the ancient Via Flaminia to Piazza del Popolo. This is one of the oldest bridges in Rome with a rich history of conspiracies and fights. Right here in 312 A.D. Constantine defeated his rival Massentius in the famous Battle of Milvian Bridge. Since then the bridge has been the witness of many more battles including the latest in 2006 when the bridge began attracting couples, who use a lamppost on the bridge to hang padlocks as a sign of their love then throwing the key behind them into the Tiber.

Ponte Milvio is also a lively neighbourhood with lots of bars, local trattorias, fancy restaurants & tasty wine bars. It becomes very very crowded on week ends after 10 PM!

Following the river you’ll come across several nice bridges built after the 1870 when Rome became the Capital of Italy.

Keep walking until you reach one of best known Roman bridges: Ponte Sant’Angelo. Built in 136 A.D. by Emperor Hadrian to allow access to his Mausoleum now known as St. Angel Castle. The Angel you see on top of the Castle was designed by Bernini. Today the castle has been made even more famous by Dan Brown’s latest novel Angels & Demons for the Illuminati ‘Passetto’, the fortified passage that connects the castle to the Vatican Palaces!

Pass the Vatican and follow the river until you reach Ponte Sisto that connects Trastevere to the Campo dè Fiori. It has a long history that dates back to the 12 B.C. but what we see today was built by Sisto IV in 1475 to connect the newly redeveloped area of Via Giulia & Farnese square to the food warehouses located on the Trastevere side. This charming area is where most Romans would love to live, including me!

Some more walking and you’ll see the inspiring Tiber Island, a boat-shaped island which has long been associated with healing. Two bridges join the island to the city: Ponte Fabricius built in 62 B.C. and still intact today on the Jewish quarter side, and Ponte Cestio built in 46 B.C. on the trastevere side. Caio Cestio had a brother and you can still see his peculiar monument built to hold his ashes in the nearby Via Ostiense, hard to miss: It’s a Pyramid!

Just few yards and you’ll see in the middle of the river the vestigial remains of the Palatinum Bridge. It was the first stone bridge to span the Tiber. Originally was called the Pons Aemilius, the pillars of this ancient bridge date from 179 B.C., while the arches connecting them date from 142 BC. It was repaired several times from the 13 B.C. onwards until the final collapse in 1598, when it was nicknamed by the pragmatic Romans Ponte Rotto, Broken Bridge.

Anther short walk and you’ll see the Pons Sublicius: the oldest and most famous of the bridges across the Tiber, built, according to tradition, by Ancus Martius. It was constructed of wood without metal and it was under the direct care of the college of pontiffs, its preservation was a matter of religion, and any injury caused by floods was regarded as a prodigy. From the Pontiffs word it comes Pontiff or Pope!

On the way especially in the trastevere area you’ll see many kiosks selling grattachecca, a summer tradition in Rome! It consists of manually scratched ice flavored with fruit juice, stop by and taste what, on popular accounts, date backs to ancient Roman dictator Quintus Fabius Maximus!

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Tour Rome at your own pace!

The city of Rome is the largest archaeological site in the world. When in Rome do not miss what was once the heart of the world’s greatest empire.

When in Rome turn yourself into ancient Rome times visiting the 2000 years majestic symbol of the Eternal City, the Coliseum. In Rome there is a saying “if the Coliseum stands, Rome stands, if Rome stands the whole world stands”.

As you walk by the Arch of Constantine the Great into Imperial Rome you live the parades of Roman generals when they returned home as triumphant conquerors. Enter the nearby Roman Forum, centre of life in imperial Rome and let your imagination dwell on Cicero, Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony.

Tour Rome at your own pace!

Conclude your journey through the centuries in the enchanting scenario of the Capitoline Hill political and religious center of ancient Rome, today surrounded by the marvelous piazza designed by Michelangelo, sipping an espresso and enjoying the sunset on the Eternal City in the wonderful Caffarelli Terrace with its stunning view over the Roman Forum!

Would you like to share your Italy travel tips or pictures with us? Please write us your comment and we will be happy to post it!

Ciao from Rome:-)

Nancy Aiello

ItalyTravelista.com

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© Copyright 2009 Nancy Aiello Tours All Rights Reserved

Since 1997 Nancy Aiello Tours specializes in Tailor-Made Private Guided Vatican, Rome & Italy Tours for Leisure & Business Travelers.

New articles are published on our site weekly, sometimes daily. To keep up to date with our news, tips and current events, please sign up for ItalyTravelista free RSS feed.

If you are interested in publishing this article contact Nancy Aiello Tours for consent and further info.

Rome Tours | Nancy Aiello Tours of Rome

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