Painting by Ringo Starr

If you love rock (and who doesn’t?!) you will love this event: an exhibition held in The Chiostro Del Bramante (Via Della Pace, 5-Rome, Italy) displaying paintings whose authors are not painters but whith whom you are undoubtedly familiar.

The works shown were created by some of the most famous names in rock music history, such as Ringo Starr (the beatles), Jim Morrison (doors), Michael Jackson, The Who’s Pete Towshend and Paul Stanley (KISS’ frontman).

The exhibition will last last until October 26. 2011. The doors open from 10AM till 7PM and entrance is free  : )

If you will be in Rome we hope you enjoy the exhibitionAnd don’t forget to write us a line or check our website to get a quotation on your next Roman holiday!

Public transportation is not so crowded and the general atmosphere is more relaxed. But it’s hot-You may say. Well no much a difference if you compare with July and the last half of the month of June.

Most of all, Romans go on vacation during august for tradition, since in this City there is a very strong traditional mentality.

I just wanted to suggest an idea and here it is:

Aside the river, The impressive Castel  Sant’ Angelo will take you back to the middle ages, but do not let yourself be deceived for the appearance.

It is actually a fortress from the XIV century, meant with the purpose of protecting the Pope. The famous Passetto di Borgo connects the Basilica of Saint Peter with the Castel where the Pope could take refuge in case of invasion.

But is much older than that!

The Emperor Hadrianus order its construction as his personal Mausoleum. An imperial law prohibited tombs to be set inside the limits of the Ancient City. You could have your tomb inside only if you were declared a God.

Since Hadrianus was a good one (but not good enough to be taken as a God) he made his own plan. He built a huge monument to be seen from afar, just right aside the official limit (the Tiber) and built also a bridge to serve as a connection. By that he gave himself the place that in his mind deserved and so he may rest in peace…

Back to our century, in the summer until the 4^th September during the evening discos, restaurants  and an open market make the area lively but pleasant at the same time.

You could become romantic so easily!

Enter the castle (that for this period can be visited from 20.30 until 24.00) and have (Why not?) a romantic dinner in the restaurant inside with most outstanding view…

PS: The Castel is at five minutes walk from Saint Peters and fifteen minutes walk from Piazza Navona , there is in the area a swimming pool open from 10.00 until 18.00.

HAVE MUCH FUN!!!!

Our blogger: Marcelo

Do you want to visit a great masterpiece of Italian gardening and architecture? If the answer isyes, this is an opportunity do not miss! Fountains, grottos, fountains a great show!

This summer in Tivoli you can visit the gardens of Villa D’Este by night. Every Friday and Saturday admission is from 20.30 to 23.00 output before 24.00. Visit certainly suggestive of rich special effects of light on the fountains. Ticket price: € 9.50 full, reduced  € 6.00

To the construction of the villa, led by Pirro Ligorio, contributed some of the most important artists of the time, such as Bernini, rivaling in technical virtuosity and artistic and inspired by the splendor of ancient Rome. The lush gardens and terraces are built on natural slopes and fed directly by the Aniene river, numbering more than 200 jets, 250 waterfalls, 50 fountains and 100 basins.

 Many of the evenings will be animated and music concerts. In early September, the fourth edition of the festival “The Rose Room”, dedicated to the music of Franz Liszt. Until October 31, moreover, you can visit the exhibition Flora Romana. Flowers and culture in the art of Mario de ‘Fiori.

So, the  summer in Rome is not only visit  the most famous sights, like the Vatican,  the Trevi  Fountain,Colosseo and rest. Stay with us at Hotel Des Artistes or Lucci Hotel and we will give you all the information you need to have a wonderful holiday and discover all the wonderful places you can visit near Rome!

Our blogger: Vanda

Under the porch of the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, not far from the Colosseum, there is a large mask of marble, with the image of a River God. The mask, placed on site in 1632, is called Mouth of truth ( Bocca della  verità).

The sculpture, dating from around the first century, represents the face of a bearded man whose face, eyes, nose and mouth are hollow. The face has been interpreted over time as the reproduction of different things like Jupiter Ammon, the god of the Oceans, an oracle or a faun.

After the art, before the history, there’s the legend about a woman, the wife of a noble Roman, who was accused of treason and forced by the husband to put her hand into the mouth and if she answered with a lie her hand would be cut . In front of the sculpture, the crowd was waiting the verdict, when suddenly the true lover embraced and kissed the woman, who pretended not to know him and mistaking him for a madman. She swore that in her life she had kissed only 2 men, her husband and the madman that kissed her before. Of course the hand remained intact, with the great pleasure of the noble wife.

The mouth of truth has become a symbol of Rome, also thanks to  the film “Roman Holiday”, shot in the 50s, in a brief scene in which the 2 protagonists, Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, want to show their feelings in front of the symbol  for excellence of what is the boundary between truth and falsehood.

Nowadays people visit the mouth of truth every day. Following the Roman tradition they put their hands into the mouth. Some of them are confident, while some others fear for a second this might be more than a superstition!

A visit to the mouth of truth is mandatory if you are in Rome. If you are planning your trip take a look at the websites of Yes Hotel and Hotel Des Artistes. Our great service and convenient rates are a solid truth!

The church of Santa Maria Maggiore, in the center of Rome, is an historical treasure and an usual stop in many visitors’ itinerary. But many people don’t know the curious history behind its foundation. The legend says that beetwen the 4^th and the 5^th of August of 352, Pope Liberio and Giovanni, a rich Roman gentleman, dreamed the Mother Mary asking them to build a church devoted to her on the Esquilino hill. The virgin also told them that in the place chosen to build the church it was going to snow, and as you might know, snow is extremely rare in Rome, even on the coldest seasons, let alone August, normally one of the hottest months of the Roman Summer. The following morning, anyway, Giovanni and the pope found snow at the summit of the Esquilino hill, and Giovanni, being a rich man, financed the construction of the church in the area covered with it.

The miracle of the snow, as the event is remembered, is celebrated still today on August 5^th with the celebration of a solemn mass at Santa Maria Maggiore, and that day petals of white roses are thrown from one of the domes of the church, creating a beautiful effect that’s definitively worth seeing.

Actually The Pope is particularly devote to this basilica and because of it he always celebrates Maria’s dogma. In fact, Santa Maria Maggiore has been the first Roman church devoted to the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the men.

There used to be painting on the altar depicting the assumption and the miracle of the snow. It was painted between 1428 and 1431 by Masolino da Panicale but it has been removed and it can now be admired in the National Gallery of Capodimonte in Naples.

The best thing would be to come to Rome on the 5^th of August when you can assist at the celebrations. But if you cannot arrange to be here on that date, anytime is perfect to visit Santa Maria Maggiore, only some minutes away from Hotel Des Artistes and Yes Hotel, where we’ll be more than happy to give you all the necessary information to visit this and many other famous atracttions in Rome.

Our Blogger: Diana

Jewish Community in Rome dates back to the 1^st Century BC and the Roman Jewish Ghetto is one of the most fascinating areas in the city, located along the Tiber (“Trastevere”). It got its origins during the period of Inquisition when Pope Paul IV in 1555 confined the community in a small area, which took its name after the Jewish quarter in Venice.

Jewish Kitchen: the main pillars.

“Kashrut” is the term used to indicate the Jewish dietary laws resulting from Torah’s Books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Further details were set down orally.

The main principles are the following:

Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Walks

- pork and shellfish are forbidden;

- meat and dairy are not combined (two sets of utensils are used and ingredients are stored in two different fridges)

- meat must be ritually slaughtered (shochet) and blood completely removed.

Non kosher food is called “treif”.

La taverna del ghetto.

Hungry after a promenade in Trastevere ? La Taverna del Ghetto in Rome is a delicious option if you want to taste the true Jewish Romanesca in the respect of the culinary tradition. Located in the beautiful panorama of the Portico d’Ottavia, a temple the Emperor Augustus dedicated to his sister, this restaurant serves home-made pasta and genuinely cooked meat and fish.

LA TAVERNA DEL GHETTO- Directions: It will take only 20 minutes from our lovely YES Hotel, strategically located near the Termini station, by only one BUS H, which will bring you in the heart of Trastevere.

Via del Portico di Ottavia 8

Closed Friday Evenings

“REWIND ROME” is a brand new 3D simulated show of the ancient Rome opened to the public on November, the 20th in a playhouse just a few steps from the Colosseum (via Capo d’Africa 5). Visitors will experience the thrill to visit the streets, the tribunals, the temples and the stunning arena of the Colosseum as they lived in the year 310 A.D.

With earphones available in 8 languages, the whole work is the result of an usual but creative cooperation between classicists, engineers and archaeologists. The setting is based on archaeological evidence whereas characters as the emperor Maxentius, ruling at that time, the lions and the gladiators have been jazzed up.

GLADIATORS FIGHT TO DEATH

Thanks to the latest 3D techniques used, we have the unique chance to see a gladiator fight like from the front row of the Colosseum.

The realism of the gladiators’ movements is terrific. Motion capture technology was applied, that is using body-sensors on real people, and the authenticity of the gestures was guaranteed thanks to the contribution of a local historical society running a gladiatorial school in Rome. The scene climax is reached when the audience screams for a thumbs-up or thumbs-down.

Among the reconstructed monuments we find also the Forum, a gathering place of social and political significance, and the temple of Vesta, where visitors are revealed a sacred rite.

Interaction is another key-word: an exceptional artificial character named Sapientinus introduce the visitors to this incredible world, screening detailed shootings of the ancient Rome, and dedicated devices will let them walk the city giving tourists and residents a sense of the city in the past.

Come and book your stay at Hotel des Artistes in Rome, just 20 minutes away from this fabulous adventure!

Janiculum Hill is overlooking  Tiber river and is on the side of Trastevere and is one of  Rome’s 7 hills.

It had always plyed a part in the Rome’s defense against possible attacks of invaders.

The last invasion took place   in 1849 when Garibaldi stopped the french troops on that very  hill.

In the park on the top of the Janiculum hill  there are various monuments of Garibaldi and his soldiers.

A huge equestrian statue and is a part of a park that commemorates the heroic events happned on Janiculum when the French army attacked the city in 1849. On its   base  is an inscription that says.’Roma o Morte’-Rome or Death.

Garibaldi’s  army  foughtfor weeks the greatly superior French forces until the italians were overwhelmed and eventually Garibaldi and his men escaped.

This monument was erected in 1895 and is a piece by  Emilio Gallori. Around the pedestal are four smaller sculptures in bronze showing battle scenes and allegorical figures.

Nowadays this green area of Rome is a beautiful and popular place to have walks and to enjoy the view to the city and at night, it becomes a suggestive and romantic place for lovers. In medieval times the hill has been occupied by monasteries and convents, however now visitors are  offered  entertainments for children, along with bars with food available too.

The park monuments include also Statue of Garibaldi’s wife who is known to be patriotic and is buried under the monuments and The Lighthouse which is a gift to the city of Rome from Italians in Argentina.

Another site worth seeing is in Via della Lungara where stands the  Palazzo Corsini with its national art collection and the Villa Farnesina, decorated by Raphael for his friend and patron banker Agostino Chigi.

Near by are The Botanical Gardens established in 1883 when part of the grounds of Palazzo Corsini were given to the University of Rome.

How to get there. If you decide to stay at My Hotel Rome, which is conveniently located in the centre : walk to Termini Station and take bus H which will take you to Trastevere.

From there you can or just take a hike to the hill or take a bus 870 that will take you to the top of the hill.

Around 753-509 BC the area across the river belonged to the hostile Estruscans. Rome took over it so they could gain better control of and access to the river from both sides.

In the beginning Rome was not interested in building on the other side of the Tiber River and as consequence, there was only one wooden bridge that used to connect both parts. Pons Sublicius or bridge built on piles.

But by 509 the number of fishermen and sailors making a living from the river steadily increased and many were those who settled down in Trastevere along with the many immigrants from Eastern countries such as Jews and Syrians, who came and settled.

Slowly the area got more  populated and under Augustus it started being considered as part of Rome. He divided the city into regions and the modern Trastevere was the XIV and was called Trans Tiberim.

But the district really got included under Aurelian (270-275) who made the protection walls larger so Trastevere and the Vatican Hill were inside the borders.

Some important figures from the Imperial Age decided to build their villas there. Julius Caesar had his Horti Caesaris villae (garden villa) built there.

The region also includes 2 important ancient churches of Rome: basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and Santa Cecilia in Trastevere.

In the middle ages Trastevere had narrow and winding streets because the houses had this kind of structures in front that would not let the carriages and carts move easily.These structures were removed in 1400 but the region remained with the same kind of streets. Sixtus IV in the late 1400 paved the streets first with bricks and later with cobble stones.

Because of its partial isolation and mixture of people from different parts of the world they developed their own  culture and its people were therefore named the Trasteverini.

Nowadays still, Trastevere still keeps its own character-cozy narrow cobbled streets and beautiful medieval houses.

During the evenings and at night both locals and tourists are flooding its streets and enjoy the amazing and buzzing atmosphere created by the many painters, actors and musicians combined with the beautiful houses, churches and small squares with fountains. There also is a significant number of good Rome restaurants and pubs.

Important international institutions in the Trastevere district are : the John Cabot University and the American Academy in Rome but also the  campus of Thomas More College of Liberal Arts and the Canadian University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

Some worldwide famous personalities have their origins in Trastevere : take the  “westerns” movies director Sergio Leone and the composer Ennio Morricone who lived and studied in Trastevere, and who briefly attended the same class at school too.

To visit the beautiful and romantic Trastevere from My Hotel Rome is easy: You can take bus ‘H’ or bus 75 fro termini Station which just a few minutes walk from our hotels.

You should get off on the first stop after crossing the river. Take one of  the main streets, Via Della Lungaretta .

The prison is also known as Carcer Tullianum and is located in a very central area of Rome next to the Capitole Square – Piazza Campidoglio -  and the famous Capitoline she-wolf, while you can also admire also the famous statue of the Emperor Marc Aurel refurbished recently– and near the Scale Gemonie and beneath the very church of San Giuseppe dei Falegnami.

The Mamertine Jail is divided in 2 levels and the deepest floor which is the Tullianium was built under the King Anco Marzio (VIII – VII centuries B.C) during archaic times. The Tullianum is a floor constructed with blocks set in a circular way. Due to its shape it was believed to be a fountain or a water tank.

The upper floor, better known as the Carcer (jail) was built only at a later stage, presumably in the VI century B.C under Rome King Servius Tullius (Servio Tullio). This level was made in a square shape with huge blocks the colour ochre and red.

Within the building’s pavement still exists a small stream of water, which has almost completely disappeared nowadays, and the story goes that the stream would be sufficient to fill up the Tullianum to be used as a well for the Capitoline Rome Hill during ancient times.

Both floors are connected thanks to a round shaped hole in the pavement between Carcer and Tullianum. An inscription on the walls of the holes says Consoli C Vibio Rufinio and Cocceiro Nerva, both supposed to have contributed in the building the monument during the first century AC.

Nowadays a modern staircase goes down from the Carcer to the Tullianum but in ancient times you could only enter by the circular hole joining the 2 levels.

Famous prisoners stayed there, such as the Apostles Paul and Peter with other followers, and legend goes that Peter miraculously made a water hen to appear and subsequently using it to convert and baptize the jail guards Processo and Martiniano who then were martyrs also at a later stage. The Apostles were not to be executed in the prison, but Peter was taken to the Vatican Hill, and Paul to the Acque Salvie now known better as the Abbazia delle Tre Fontane (the Three Fountains Abbaye). Nowadays in Rome the 29th june is the commemorative day of St Peter  and Paul, and is a  bank holiday and mostly religious celebrations take place.

Among other famous personalities who stayed in the prison and who were decapitated or strangled were the followers of Gaio Gracco, the King of the Numidia Giugurta and Senators Lentulo and Cetego.

How to get there : From My Hotel Rome, go to the Termini station and Take line B metro and get off at Colosseo (2 stops away) and walk down the Fori Imperiali  to the Mamertine Prison.