Lucci Hotel Rome Blog

In the small villages of Lazio  the attachment to the local traditions, even not counting the daily espresso, is definitely pretty strong.

The organization of the popular festivals puts into the inhabitants the will to do things, to creat entertainments and to rediscover some traditions, often existing for centuries. 

The atmosphere during these events taking place from the early morning often is undescribable. The continuous movement all-around of excited and happy people , smells of traditional meals and delicious food, the lighted fires, children who attempt to play in games already forgotten from the elder, it is not surprising these traditional folk events receive so many visitors.

For the regions of the historical centers the doors of old wine cellars are opening for the wine tasting.

Many beautiful gardens, palaces and premises are typically recreated for the occasion and are filled up of examples of local handicraft in order to help the tourist to know more about the country and its inhabitants.

Like in a movie, the festivals are like mirrors of the history of the antique centres that are just a few kilometers out of Rome .

One of the most beautiful festivals are happening in June and is called Infiorata in Genzano di Roma. The word Infiorata comes from ‘Fiore’ and is the Italian word for flower.

Many tourists and admirers from many countries are attracted by the skilful flower works ,the completely decorated streets with many flowers of so different colours creating this lovely natural carpet.

It has been celebrated for more than two centuries but the origin of this tradition comes way back from 600s when the flowers were thrown by hand.

The festival is connected with the Christian celebration of Corpus Domini the origin of which comes from 13-th century.

Later they started using the flowers.

For the happening of the event the road Via Italo Belardi is turned into a flower carpet by picture drawn the same way every year. Exactly there about two thousand square meters are decorated with flowers, seeds, petals and leaves which all together give gorgeous pictures and shapes with bright naturals colours .

This evocative festival is consisted of: first with procession of Corpus Domini an then children running from the stairs of the church Santa Maria. After, within the celebration atmosphere the great flower pictures are shown to everybody.

I have visited Infiorata two years ago. And I have to say that it is not just amazing, it is something breath-taking, the beauty is in the air, the beauty is everywhere… Infiorata in Genzano has also different exhibitions, and different artisan traders all over the town. I had a unique chance to see the collection of War period and early post war period Italian motorbikes, like Lambretta, or first Vespas.

There were also some war vehicles exposed, like tanks. Do not miss this great event, book your stay in Rome, take a little bag-pack, take the first train and right away to Genzano! Enjoy Infiorata!!! Remember also  that Genzano has the best baked bread of Rome!!!!

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.

From April 6 2008 Exhibition dedicated to Joan Mirò is coming to Rome, one of the greatest protagonists of the 1900’s, near the Royal Academy of Spain in Rome. The exposed works come from the Foundation Mirò of Barcelone and include 26 paintings (aquarelles and aqueforti) but also 4 wonderful bronze sculptures, works of the artistic maturity of Mirò, where it can be noticed the great mental opening of the new artist care tendencies like Informal and the Action Painting.

About one of the greatest contemporary artist -Joan Mirò:

He was born in Barcelone on April 20,1893 of a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers. During his youth he moved to Paris in 1920 where under the influence of various poets and writers he developed his unique style using sharp lines on plane paintings combined with organic forms. His works has been interpreted as Surrealism.

Joan Mirò never became a real member of the Surrealists which gave him a complete freedom to experiment many different artistic styles without worries of being ‘accused’ to be not ‘real’ or ‘true’ Surrealist.

Joan Mirò , a slide show

In the final years of his life Mirò created numerous sculptures and ceramics. Some of the most famous are : ‘Wall of the Moon’ and ‘Wall of the Sun’ which are on exhibition at the UNESCO building in Paris. He also has created a few temporary window paintings on glass.

Joan Mirò won a several awards in his lifetime : 1958-Venice Biennale ;  1959-The Guggenheim International Award ; 1980- Gold Medal of Fine Arts from King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Nowadays his paintings sell for between 250 thousand and 10 million  US Dollars (in case you would want to purchase).

This Art Exhibition in Rome starts on April 6 2008 and bears the name of " Galería de antirretratos " and owns its organization to the anniversary of the 135 years of activity in Rome of the Real Academy of Spain in cooperation with the the Ministry of the Culture and the Culture and Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This Rome Exhibition is free, and the location is off Viale Trastevere.

How to get there ? If you stay in My Hotel Rome take Metro Line B from Castro Pretorio (direction Laurentina), get off at Circo Massimo then take bus line 75 (Poerio/Marino) for 12 stops, get off at “Fabrizi” .

Mirò. Galería de antirretratos

Accademia Reale Accademia di Spagna – Sala Espositiva

P.zza San Pietro in Montorio, 3

Opening: 4 aprile, ore 19.30

Period for visiting: 6 aprile 2008 – 25 maggio 2008