Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Some data about the Colossem
Colosseum (also spelt Coliseum), Piazzale del Colosseo / Via dei Fori Imperiali, open daily October-January 15 9am-3pm, January 16-February 15 9am-4pm, February 16-March 17 9am-4.30pm, March 18-April 16 9am-5pm, April 17-September 9am-7pm, tel 06-700-4261, admission €10, guided tours available - known properly as the Flavian Amphitheatre, this most famous of Roman landmarks takes its name from the giant statue of the emperor Nero that once stood near this location. Originally capable of seating some 50,000 spectators for animal fights and gladiatorial combats, the amphitheatre was a project started by the Emperor Vespasian in 72 and completed by his son Domitian sometime in the 80s. The Colosseum when completed measured 48 m high, 188 m in length, and 156 m in width. The wooden arena floor was 86 m by 54 m, and covered by sand.
the Arch of Constantine, free to view - located a short walk west of the Colosseum, this well-preserved monumental arch was erected (sometime soon after 315) to commemorate the victory of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In general design, the Arch of Constantine imitates the century-earlier Arch of Septimius Severus (nearby in the Forum) - the quality of its sculptural decoration, however, betrays the slow degradation that Classical Roman sculpture had experienced in the 3rd century AD...
(link)
the Arch of Constantine, free to view - located a short walk west of the Colosseum, this well-preserved monumental arch was erected (sometime soon after 315) to commemorate the victory of Constantine, the first Christian emperor, over his rival Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312. In general design, the Arch of Constantine imitates the century-earlier Arch of Septimius Severus (nearby in the Forum) - the quality of its sculptural decoration, however, betrays the slow degradation that Classical Roman sculpture had experienced in the 3rd century AD...
(link)
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Colosseum inside...
You can also visit the Colosseum inside... be careful about the gladiators and lions...
Friday, May 05, 2006
Cheapest hostels in Rome
Very cheap places to stay while having a trip in Rome...
* Litus Roma Hostel, lungomare Toscanelli 186. The first hostel by the sea in Rome. Located near the new port of Rome and close to the excavations of Ostia Antica. it's easy reachable from the center of Rome by underground. Over 140 beds in comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms, TV color and a aview of the sea. http://www.litusroma.com
* Agli scavi di Ostia Antica, Via della Stazione di Ostia Antica 7. A small ville steeped in the green of the roman campaign. It is located at only 100 metres from the archeological excavations of Ostia Antica. At about 50 metres from the bus and the train stop. http://www.ostiaantica.net/bandb/
* Apartment Filippus Spanish Square, Via Casini, [17] It is a 110 square meters apartment, with a wonderful terrace,simply lovely, and it is composed by the entrance room, two big double bedrooms ( one has a closet ), bathroom with bath/shower, very big living room with double sofa bed and fan on the ceiling, fully equipped kitchen.
* Alessandro Hostels, Alessandro Palace - Via Vicenza 42, +39.06.446.1958 fax +39.06.493.80.534, Alessandro Downtown - Via C. Cattaneo 23, +39.06.443.40.147, Alessandro Indipendenza - Via Curtatone 13, +39.06.44.61.958, has grown from a pensione into a small chain of three of the most popular backpacker hostels in Rome. All locations are 5 minutes on foot from Termini, include free breakfast, no curfew, cheap internet, video security, free pizza parties at the Palace pub, and free linens. Other amenities vary between the locations (ie the Palace has ensuite bathrooms and an in-house pub with cheap beers, while the Downtown location has communal bathrooms and a medium sized self-service kitchen.) Prices from €16 per person per night in low season, from €19 per person per night in high season. http://www.hostelsalessandro.com/
* Freedom Traveller Hostel, Via Gaeta 25, (+39) 06 47823862. A four-minute walk from the central train station, this hostel has adequate dorms from €23 per night, including free breakfast, internet and dinner. Some dorms also have nice balconies, kitchens and communal areas. No curfew, but lockout is from 11.00 - 15.00. http://www.freedom-traveller.it/
* Gullivers House, Via Palermo 36, (+39)-064817680. Small co-ed youth hostel. 10 minutes from Termini. Owned by a nice couple, fluent English, they'll help you plan your stay in Rome better then any travel agent would. Free breakfast is what you would expect, so not much. They do have a fridge you can use, buy some juice from one of the nearby stores for a refreshment when you get back in the evening after a long day of not drinking the €2 cokes. Show English-language movies in the evening. Clean. Cute dogs. http://www.gullivershouse.com
* M&J Place Hostel Roma, Via Solferino , 9, (+39) 064462802 (info @ mejplacehostel.com) is within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff and reasonable dorms, this popular hostel has a paltry free breakfast but no lockout or curfew. http://www.hostelinrome.com/
* Yellow Hostel, 44 via Palestro, 00185, telephone: +39 06 49 382 682 ( info @ yellowhostel.com ), dorms from €23 per night. http://www.yellowhostel.com/
* Colors Hostel on the West side of the city, a few blocks north of the Vatican (take the metro from the train station, which is on the East side of the city) http://www.colorshotel.com/
* Pop Inn Hostel Very clean & comfortable environment, & all our bathrooms are kept spotlessly clean so that you don’t have to be worried if you want to book a room with shared bathroom. All of the rooms are freshly cleaned everyday & the beds made. We have fans in the summer & in the winter heaters keep the rooms warm and cozy.
* YWCA Foyer di Roma Youth Hostel is four blocks from Termini on the Via C. Balbo. Rooms are spotless, bathrooms are extremely clean, and towels and linens are changed once a day. Internet for €1 per hour. Fridge on every floor. Continental breakfast included in room rate. €26 per person per night for a bed in a 4-person room. €31 for a double, €47 for a private room. You have to be female to reserve a room; however, men can stay if accompanied by a woman. Via C. Balbo 4, 00184, telephone: +39 06 4880460 (foyer.roma@ywca.ucdg.it).
* Cristina House Located in the area around Termini Rail Station, Cristina House is a group of Hostels, Bed&Breakfast and Low budget-Hotels. Web site provide more information and FREE online booking system. http://www.cristinahouse.com/
* Litus Roma Hostel, lungomare Toscanelli 186. The first hostel by the sea in Rome. Located near the new port of Rome and close to the excavations of Ostia Antica. it's easy reachable from the center of Rome by underground. Over 140 beds in comfortable rooms with ensuite bathrooms, TV color and a aview of the sea. http://www.litusroma.com
* Agli scavi di Ostia Antica, Via della Stazione di Ostia Antica 7. A small ville steeped in the green of the roman campaign. It is located at only 100 metres from the archeological excavations of Ostia Antica. At about 50 metres from the bus and the train stop. http://www.ostiaantica.net/bandb/
* Apartment Filippus Spanish Square, Via Casini, [17] It is a 110 square meters apartment, with a wonderful terrace,simply lovely, and it is composed by the entrance room, two big double bedrooms ( one has a closet ), bathroom with bath/shower, very big living room with double sofa bed and fan on the ceiling, fully equipped kitchen.
* Alessandro Hostels, Alessandro Palace - Via Vicenza 42, +39.06.446.1958 fax +39.06.493.80.534, Alessandro Downtown - Via C. Cattaneo 23, +39.06.443.40.147, Alessandro Indipendenza - Via Curtatone 13, +39.06.44.61.958, has grown from a pensione into a small chain of three of the most popular backpacker hostels in Rome. All locations are 5 minutes on foot from Termini, include free breakfast, no curfew, cheap internet, video security, free pizza parties at the Palace pub, and free linens. Other amenities vary between the locations (ie the Palace has ensuite bathrooms and an in-house pub with cheap beers, while the Downtown location has communal bathrooms and a medium sized self-service kitchen.) Prices from €16 per person per night in low season, from €19 per person per night in high season. http://www.hostelsalessandro.com/
* Freedom Traveller Hostel, Via Gaeta 25, (+39) 06 47823862. A four-minute walk from the central train station, this hostel has adequate dorms from €23 per night, including free breakfast, internet and dinner. Some dorms also have nice balconies, kitchens and communal areas. No curfew, but lockout is from 11.00 - 15.00. http://www.freedom-traveller.it/
* Gullivers House, Via Palermo 36, (+39)-064817680. Small co-ed youth hostel. 10 minutes from Termini. Owned by a nice couple, fluent English, they'll help you plan your stay in Rome better then any travel agent would. Free breakfast is what you would expect, so not much. They do have a fridge you can use, buy some juice from one of the nearby stores for a refreshment when you get back in the evening after a long day of not drinking the €2 cokes. Show English-language movies in the evening. Clean. Cute dogs. http://www.gullivershouse.com
* M&J Place Hostel Roma, Via Solferino , 9, (+39) 064462802 (info @ mejplacehostel.com) is within spitting distance of the train station. Friendly staff and reasonable dorms, this popular hostel has a paltry free breakfast but no lockout or curfew. http://www.hostelinrome.com/
* Yellow Hostel, 44 via Palestro, 00185, telephone: +39 06 49 382 682 ( info @ yellowhostel.com ), dorms from €23 per night. http://www.yellowhostel.com/
* Colors Hostel on the West side of the city, a few blocks north of the Vatican (take the metro from the train station, which is on the East side of the city) http://www.colorshotel.com/
* Pop Inn Hostel Very clean & comfortable environment, & all our bathrooms are kept spotlessly clean so that you don’t have to be worried if you want to book a room with shared bathroom. All of the rooms are freshly cleaned everyday & the beds made. We have fans in the summer & in the winter heaters keep the rooms warm and cozy.
* YWCA Foyer di Roma Youth Hostel is four blocks from Termini on the Via C. Balbo. Rooms are spotless, bathrooms are extremely clean, and towels and linens are changed once a day. Internet for €1 per hour. Fridge on every floor. Continental breakfast included in room rate. €26 per person per night for a bed in a 4-person room. €31 for a double, €47 for a private room. You have to be female to reserve a room; however, men can stay if accompanied by a woman. Via C. Balbo 4, 00184, telephone: +39 06 4880460 (foyer.roma@ywca.ucdg.it).
* Cristina House Located in the area around Termini Rail Station, Cristina House is a group of Hostels, Bed&Breakfast and Low budget-Hotels. Web site provide more information and FREE online booking system. http://www.cristinahouse.com/
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Eat in the Vatican
The Vatican Museums have a reasonable cafeteria style restaurant, a bar, and a pizzeria all of which are open during museum opening hours, and until about one hour after closing
St. Peter
To get into the Basilica, you will first go through a metal detector. Don't be put off if there is a long line in front of the detectors, the whole thing moves quite quickly and smoothly. Entry to the basilica is refused to anyone not appropriately attired (i.e. no uncovered legs or shoulders).
After you go through the detectors, you can chose to go straight into the Basilica (free) or climb to the very top for great views of the city. This costs €4 and is definitely worth it. During the climb and before reaching the very top, you will find yourself standing on the inside of the dome, looking down into the Basilica itself. Be warned that there are a lot of stairs so it is not for the faint at heart (literally) nor the claustrophobic as the very last section of the ascent is through a litte more than shoulder-width spiral staircase. Photography is permitted inside St. Peter's, though flash photography is frowned upon. The lack of light will probably cause your pictures not to turn out too well, so you may want to buy a couple postcards to keep as souvenirs.s Well as the sentimental value also.(taken from)
Vatican museums
The Vatican Museums are open daily, except Sundays - but they are open (with free entry) on the last Sunday of every month. Entry is €12 - which also gets you into the Sistine chapel. The museums open at 8am, and close at 1:30pm daily, and their reasonable restaurants (with good vegetarian options) stay open for another hour or so.
The museums are extensive, far more than you can see in a day. The Sistine chapel, with Michelangelo's famous ceiling fully deserves its excellent reputation. If you only see one classical art exhibition in Rome, this should be it. After all, it isn't going to go out on loan anywhere! If you're not convinced by the quality, just compare the work with the frescos in other rooms here.
On the way to the Sistine Chapel, you'll pass through the fascinating Map room, with huge 15th century maps of Italy painted on both walls.
Also well worth a visit is the Etruscan collection, for a view of life in the region before the emergence of Rome as a power.(source)
View
The origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century. Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed.
Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. On 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent.
In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion.
The pope is elected for life by the College of Cardinals. When the election was last held (Tuesday, April 19, 2005. Benedict XVI), it attracted large crowds. Pope BENEDICT XVI's predcessor's Pope JOHN PAUL II's Coronation Day of 22 October 1978 was also a major event.
Present concerns of the Holy See include interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
The Vatican has a unique, noncommercial economy that is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world. It also sells postage stamps, tourist mementos and publications. Fees for admission to museums also go into church coffers.
Intro to the Vatican
Vatican City (Citta del Vaticano), also known as the Holy See (Santa Sede) , is the last Papal state in existence and the seat of the Pope, head of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church. Situated within the city of Rome in Italy, the Vatican is the world's smallest state. Outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, also enjoy extraterritorial rights. On April 19, 2005, Josef Cardinal Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI.(source)
Monday, May 01, 2006
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