| MARKETS & SHOPPING |
|
|
| IN ROME |
|
|
| ENOTECHE, WINE BARS |
|
|
| OF ROME |
|
|
| |
|
|
MUSEUMS IN ROME
Vatican Museums
Open: daily - 08:45 to 16:45, Satudays to 13:45
Admission: 12,00 Euros entrance is free every last Sunday of the month
Scavi of the Vatican
Open: Monday to Saturday 9-17, Sunday closed.
The visit is through reservation on scavi@fsp.va
Tel: +39 066988.5318
Excavations below the central nave of Saint Peter’s in the years 1940-1949 revealed part of a Roman necropolis which had spread over the Vatican hillside during the Imperial period. Debate over the interpretation of graffitti scratched onto a red-painted plaster wall in the area of the apostle’s shrine cannot detract from the important archaeological discovery of a well-preserved street lined with brick mausolea and surface tombs. Some of these family tombs close to the monument marking Peter’s grave were early adopted for Christian burial. The site and visit are visible testimonies to the the devotion to Peter, the apostle of Rome, through the centuries.
Vatican Gardens
Reserve through (Call in the morning)
Tel. +39 0669884466
The Vatican Library Museum
Open Monday to Saturday 8:45 to 13:45
Tel.: +30 0669884947
www.vatican.va
The Vatican Apostolic Library was located in its current site during Sixtus V's pontificate. The museum consists of various halls (designed by Domenico Fontana) where many religious art objects are displayed: the Aldobrandi Nuptial Hall, with frescos dating back to Roman times; the Hall of Papyri, with gilded glasses of the early Christian period; the Sistine Hall, with frescos by Cesare Nebbia and other artists; the Pauline Halls; the Alexandrian Hall and the Clementine Gallery, housing sketches and models by Bernini.
Cemetery of the Cappuccini Monks
Open 9-12 and 15-18 Closed on Thursday
06/4871185
www.cappucciniviaveneto.it
The crypt is located just under Santa Maria della Concezione, a church commissioned by Pope Urban XIII in 1626. The pope's brother, Cardinal Antonio Barberini, who was of the Capuchin order, in 1631 ordered the remains of thousands of Capuchin monks exhumed and transferred from the friary Via dei Lucchesi to the crypt. The crypt now contains the remains of 4,000 monks buried between 1500-1870, during which time the Papal States permitted burial in and under churches. The underground crypt is divided into five chapels lit only by dim natural light seeping in through cracks, and small fluorescent lamps which cast strange shadows.
Borghese Gallery
Open: daily 9-21 and on Saturday 9-00
Tel. +39 68548577
www.galleriaborghese.it
The Borghese Mansion was commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese to Flaminio Ponzio and Vasanzio and built between 1613 and 1614. Site of Cardinal Borghese's art collection, its extraordinary masterpieces contributed to make it renowned all over Europe. This was the reason why Napoleon, in 1807, bought a consistent part of the collection and transferred it to the Louvre were is still on exhibition. New material was added during the whole of the19th century; in 1902, the collection was acquired by the Italian State along with the Mansion and the entire Borghese property.
Capitoline Museums
Open: Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 9:30 – 19:30 and on Saturday 9:30 – 23.
Tel. +39 06 67102071
www.museicapitolini.org
The Capitoline Museums, established in 1471 when Sixtus IV donated to the people of Rome a collection of bronze statues, can be considered as the oldest existing public collection in the world. From the very beginning, they were thought for keeping material originating from Rome and her surrounding areas. Several statues were added to the collection by Paul III and Pius IV during the 16th-century, as well as by Clemens XII and Benedict XIV during the 18th-century. The collection of ancient statuary meanwhile established was arranged in the rooms of Palazzo Nuovo. Over the years the museum was constantly enriched by new donations, acquisitions and archaeological finds, while a consistent amount of new material reached the museums following the urbanistic works carried out after 1870, when Rome became the capital city of Italy. New exhibition sections created in the Palazzo dei Conservatori were devoted to house these new acquisitions. In 1957 the Epigraphy Gallery was opened in the Conjuction Gallery constructed between 1939 and 1941 to connect the Capitoline Palaces, and it included ancient Greek and Latin epigraphies from the Celio Museum of Antiquities and the Capitoline Museums themselves. Following lengthy restoration works, the complex offers a new exhibition route with the re-opening of the closed sections, the acquisition of new rooms, and the rearrangement of some areas.
Catacombs of San Callisto
Closed on Wendsday – 9-12 and 2:30-5:30
Tel: +39 06 51301580
scallisto@catacombe.rome.it
They are on the right of the Appian Way, after the church of "Quo Vadis?". The catacombs of St. Callixtus are among the greatest and most important of Rome. They originated about the middle of the second century and are part of a cemeterial complex which occupies an area of 90 acres, with a network of galleries about 12 miles long, in four levels, more than twenty meters deep.
In it were buried tens of martyrs, 16 popes and very many Christians. They are named after the deacon Callixtus who, at the beginning of the third century, was appointed by pope Zephyrinus as the administrator of the cemetery and so the catacombs of St. Callixtus became the official cemetery of the Church of Rome. In the open area are two small basilicas with three apses, known as the "Trichorae". In the Eastem one were perhaps laid to rest pope Zephyrinus and the young martyr of the Eucharist, St. Tarcisius. The underground cemetery includes several areas. The Crypts of Lucina and the area of the Popes and of St. Cecilia are the most ancient areas (2nd c.). The other areas are named after St. Miltiades (half of the 3rd c.), St. Gaius and St. Eusebius (end of 3rd c.), the Western Area (first half of the 4th c.) and the Liberian Area (second half of 4th c.).
Etruscan National Museum of Villa Giulia
Open daily: 9-19 and on Saturday 9-00
Tel. +39 06 3226571
The material from the necropolises of Vulci, an important centre of Etruria, illustrates the flourishing of bronze handicraft and, later on, under the Greek influence, of sculpture in stone. Near Vulci, on Mount Bisenzio, was another city whose name is unknown: among the finds from the necropolises around the mountain, remarkable are some bronze artifacts with an unusual look. Also on display, a polychrome terracotta decoration from the Sanctuary of Portonaccio, near Veio, also including the famous statue of Apollo (6th-century B.C.). The section dedicated to Cerveteri, one of the most important Etruscan towns, houses the famous Sarcofago degli Sposi (Husband and Wife's Sarcophagus), a masterpiece of Etruscan art made of terracotta as the other Ionic style Sarcophagus known as the Lions' Sarcophagus, which is a typical example of the Greek art of the time. The section devoted to Palestrina includes various objects with Eastern influences from Princes Barberinis' and Bernardinis' tombs. The Castellani Collection, currently closed to the public, is famous for its 7th-century B.C. through 19th-century A.D. jewels and gold-works, which provide an invaluable contribution to the study of ancient goldsmithery; it also consists of ceramics of different origins. The Chariot from Castro, found in a tomb along with the horses' skeletons, is a unique piece of Etruscan art.
Castel Sant’ Angelo Museum
Open daily:9-21 and on Saturday 9-00
Tel: +39 066819111
Originally intended as a mausoleum by the Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD), Castel Sant'Angelo became, in later centuries, the bastion of the Papal State, both literally and metaphorically. It is now possible to visit the interior of the fortress, which also used to be a sadly renowned prison. It is possible to visit the various rooms decorated with 16th-century frescos (the Apollo Hall, the Paul's Hall, the Perseus Hall, the Cupid and Psyche Hall), the prison, the collection af antique weapons, the picture gallery (works by Carlo Crivelli, Luca Signorelli, Bartolomeo Montagna), and the collection of ancient marbles and sculptures
Colosseo
Open daily: Open daily: 9-19:30
Tel: +39 06700426
The Colosseum or Flavian Amphitheater was begun by Vespasian, inaugurated by Titus in 80 A.D. and completed by Domitian. Located on marshy land between the Esquiline and Caelian Hills, it was the first permanent amphitheater to be built in Rome. Its monumental size and grandeur as well as its practical and efficient organization for producing spectacles and controlling the large crowds make it one of the great architectural monuments achieved by the ancient Romans. The amphitheater is a vast ellipse with tiers of seating for 50,000 spectators around a central elliptical arena. Below the wooden arena floor, there was a complex set of rooms and passageways for wild beasts and other provisions for staging the spectacles. Eighty walls radiate from the arena and support vaults for passageways, stairways and the tiers of seats. At the outer edge circumferential arcades link each level and the stairways between levels. The three tiers of arcades are faced by three-quarter columns and entablatures, Doric in the first story, Ionic in the second, and Corinthian in the third. Above them is an attic story with Corinthian pilasters and small square window openings in alternate bays. At the top brackets and sockets carry the masts from which the velarium, a canopy for shade, was suspended. The construction utilized a careful combination of types: concrete for the foundations, travertine for the piers and arcades, tufa infill between piers for the walls of the lower two levels, and brick-faced concrete used for the upper levels and for most of the vaults.
Doria Pamphili Gallery
Open daily: 10-17 – closet Thursday
Tel: +39 066797323
www.doriapamphili.it
The gallery is housed in the palace having the same name, consisting of the 16th-century nucleus with an arcade courtyard, giving onto Via del Corso, and the 17th-century extension toward the Collegio Romano, designed by Antonio del Grande and now open to the public. In the 18th-century the palace was restored by architects Gabriele Valvassori, who also designed the façade onto Via del Corso, and Francesco Nicoletti; in these years the interior of the building took on its peculiar arrangement, and the Gallery, intended to house and exhibit works of arts, also dates back to this period. Except for some rooms with 19th-century decorations, the 18th-century arrangement has been recently restored. The gallery houses particularly remarkable works of art, mostly from the collections of the Aldobrandinis and the Pamphiljs, who owned and lived in the palace - works by Tintoretto, Tiziano, Parmigianino, Guercino, Bernini, Correggio, Bassano, A. Carracci, G. Reni, Brueghel the Elder, and Caravaggio. The ancient sculptures, the 16th-century tapestries and the busts of Innocent X by Algardi and by Bernini are among the most interesting pieces. Another remarkable exhibit: the portrait of Pope Innocent X by Velasquez.
The Rome Jewish Community Museum
Open daily: Monday to Thursday 9-17, Friday 9-14
Sunday 9:12:30 Saturday Closed
Tel: +39. 066840061
The museum houses a number of manuscripts in Hebrew, documents on the Nazi occupation of Rome and religious objects. Liturgical silver works, "markers" for the Sefer Torà reading, late 18th-century bound prayer books, early 18th-century lamps, jugs and bowls, half-crowns, Ark keys, and other devotional objects. Remarkable exhibits: the Prophet Eljiah Chair (1870) and a parchment Berachot for a Meghillat Ester (12th-century)
Basilica of San Clemente
Open daily: 9-12.30 e 15-18.30. On Sunday opens at 10am
Tel: +39 0670451018
This building is one of the best examples of the numerous stratifications to be found in Rome. Excavations carried out by the Irish priests running this church today have revealed 2 preceding layers of buildings underneath. 18 meters under today's street level, the remains of a mint can be found.
Nearby is a private house from the 3rd century AD which contained a temple to the pagan god Mithras. The cult of Mithras, a religion originating in Syria, had many followers especially among the upper classes of the time. Pope Silicius had a basilica built above these buildings in the 4th century and dedicated it to St. Clement, the third pope after St. Peter and a victim of Diocletian's persecution.
The church was decorated with frescoes in the 9th and 10th centuries using, for the first time on record, written Italian. Although seriously damaged in a fire caused by Norman invaders in 1084, some of the frescoes can still be seen today. After this disaster, Pope Pascal II decided to inter the ancient basilica and to use it as the foundation of a new church, narrower than the original but following its essential layout.
The side entrance to the church is on Via San Giovanni, the street along which the popes used to travel. It was at this point that the legendary Popess Joan was supposed to have given birth. You go through a porch and into the church's interior designed at the beginning of the 18th century by Carlo Stefano Fontana. The apse is decorated with some stunning 12th century mosaics.
On the right of the entrance, you'll see St. Catherine's chapel with the 15th century frescoes painted by Masolino, who was helped by his extraordinarily gifted pupil, Masaccio.
MARKETS & SHOPPING IN ROME
Market of Porta Portese – Every Sunday from 6-15
The Porta Portese market is the biggest and the most popular market of Rome,as the flea-market in Paris and the Portobello Road in London. Everything can be found both new and old clothes, shoes,leather, food, bric-a-brac and old taps and even a few rare pieces of antique furniture to be ristored for very cheap prices.It's only open Sundays mornings, sunrise to 1.30pm. Try to get there before 9.00 to avoid the worst crowds.
Market of Campo dé Fiori – Every day from 7-14
The Campo de’ Fiori is Rome’s most famous outdoor food and flower market. It is smack in the historic center of the city, practically next to the Piazza Farnese (where the French embassy is housed in a Renaissance palazzo designed by Antonio da Sangallo), and a short walk from the Piazza Navona (where the Bernini fountains are a must-see sight and one of the places young people hang out at night). If you want to see the food stalls, make sure to get to the Campo before lunch. All the vendors clean up at lunchtime and the bare square is of little interest. In late afternoon/early evening, however, it comes alive again.
Market of Via Sannio – Every day from 8-13
This open market was very famous in the 70’s, now is the perfect place where you can find military and secondo hand clothes.
ENOTECHE & WINE BARS IN ROME
Enoteca al Parlamento
Via dei Prefetti 15. Info 06.6873446
Sunday Closed
Vini: visita enotecaalparlamento.it
Enoteca Capranica
Piazza Capranica 99. Info 06.69940992
Closed Saturday at lunch and Sunday
Vini: visita enotecacapranica.it
Enoteca Chirra
Via Torino 133. Info 06.485659
Sunday Closed
Vini: visita enoteca-chirra.it
Enoteca Costantini
Piazza Cavour 16. Info 06.3203575
Closed on Sunday and Monday morning
Vini: visita pierocostantini.it
Al Bric
Via del Pellegrino 51. Info 06.6879533
Sunday Closet
Il cantiniere di S.Dorotea
Via S.Dorotea 9. Info 06.5819025
Sunday Closet
WINE & COCKTAIL BARS IN ROME
Lot 87
Dove: Via del Pellegrino 87
Telefono: 06.97618344
Open every day from 9 alle 02
Supper Club
Cocktail & Disco Bar
Via de' Nari 14
Telefono: 06.6864170
www.supperclub.com
Rock Castle Cafe
Cocktail & Disco Bar
Via Beatrice Cenci 8
Telefono: 06.68807999
Jusky
Cocktail Bar
Happy hour till 21
Via S.Maria dell'Anima 18. Info 06.6833946
Friends
Piazza Trilussa
Trastevere
NIGHT CLUBS IN ROME
Alien
Via Velletri 13 tel 06.8412212
Zona Piazza Fiume
Alpheus
Via del Commercio 36 tel 06.5747826
Zona Ostiense
Etò
Via Galvani 46 tel 06.57288691
Zona Testaccio
Ex Magazzini
Via dei Magazzini Generali 8
tel 06.57133400/06.57250649
Zona Ostiense
Goa
Via Libetta 13 tel 06.5748277
Zona Ostiense
Heaven
Via di Porta Ardeatina 118/a
tel 06.5743772 Zona Ostiense
Loft
Via Libetta 7 tel 329.2355535
Zona Ostiense
Neutra
Via S.Saba 11/b tel 06.5782022
Zona Ostiense
Vamp
Via C.Beccaria 22 tel 06.3610382
Quartiere Flaminio |
