Bed and Rome and Breakfast - 3 B&B in Rome

12 PHOTOS OF ROME - ST. JOHN LATERAN

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 15:43:00 +0000

Major Papal, Patriarchal and Roman Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World

St. John Lateran is the cathedral church of Rome, Holy See. It has been the first church to be built in Rome in an area that was donated to the Pope by the Emperor Constantine I the Great.

Vincenzo Sangiorgio

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St. John Villa

Villa Borghese Guest House

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO - 2

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Sun, 19 Jan 2020 08:53:00 +0000

The English proverb "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", shows the influence if Rome on the popular cultural of different countries.

No diet when in Rome

Romes love dining with friends having good food. And the roman cuisine is everything but light.

If you want to enjoy properly your visit in Rome, you have to forget your diet, at leat for few days.

There are few Roman proverbs about food and its effect. Those are a couple of them.

Omo de panza, omo de sostanza - Belly man, important man

A robust man is a healty and wealthy man.

Quello che nun strozza, 'ngrassa - What will not soffocate you, will fatten you

If something does not kill you, it will improve your health and wealth.

Obviously, it always happens in Rome, there is also the sarcastic vision of the two proverbs.

The first proverb might be used also for someone that is getting fatter meaning something like "By fattening, do you want to show you are becoming more important?"

The second proverb might be used for those that eat or accept everything, even disgusting providing it is not damaging them.

Vincenzo

St. John Villa

Villa Borghese Guest House

WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO - 1

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Sat, 11 Jan 2020 12:44:00 +0000

The English proverb "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", shows the influence if Rome on the popular cultural of different countries.

Therefore, it is not a bad idea to know some Roman proverb or popular saying, even because, when in Rome, it will easily happen that a Roman will try to translate it to English assuming that everyone will understand it. Actually speaking, once I did it, translating a popular saying into English, and the result was ilarious. By the way, a foreigner that is able to use the popular Roman sayings will get a lot of respect.

In its long history, Rome has seen everything. Therefore, Romans have a strong sense of irony and a sisenchanted character that might also appear to be cynical and sarcastic.

That's the way to look at popular sayings.

Let's start with the first

Morto 'n papa, se ne fa 'n'antro

One pope dies, another one is elected

Sometimes people believe to be very important, much more than they actually are. A Roman will say to them that even a pope can be replaced, so they have to lower their self-consideration.

Another interpretation is that if something goes wrong, there will always be another opportunity.
By the way, sometimes, although not really frequently, a new pope is elected even if the old one is still alive. Nowadays we are living in a time with two popes.

Vincenzo

St. John Villa

Villa Borghese Guest House

FRIDA KAHLO IN MOSTRA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 13:36:00 +0000

Una mostra dedicata alla vita alla vita e agli amori di Frida Kahlo, a due passi da Villa Borghese Guest House.

50 YEARS AGO - APOLLO 11

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 08:54:00 +0000

A small step for a man, a giant leap for mankind

Fifty years ago Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon, later followed by Edwin Buzz Aldrin.

While they were taking this giant leap, a third man was keeping the control of the Apollo 11 over them, Michael Collins

Michael Collins

Rome is the proud birthplace of Michael Collins that was born in Via Tevere 16, almost in front of Villa Borghese Guest House

Plate located at Via Tevere 16 - Rome

PICK OF THE DAY - LIVE MUSIC IN ROME

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Sun, 17 Mar 2019 13:33:00 +0000

Live Music in Rome

Rome is no exception, like in every important city there are several places where to go for live music.

Here is one of the several seleections we found (link to the original)

For your conveninece we placed the recommended places on a map.

11 PHOTOS OF ROME - GREEN IN THE CITY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:08:00 +0000

How many people know that Rome is the city that has the most green areas in all of Europe? 67% of the municipal area consists of green areas. Urban parks, historic villas, public gardens, green areas of furniture characterize the urban area. Nature reserves, protected areas and agricultural areas occupy a large part of the peripheral part of the municipality.
It's curious to note that Rome is the greatest agricultural municipality in Europe, having 50 thousands hectares for agriculture. And in Rome there are 320 thousands trees.

Green Rome

However we ant now also to give a look to the private gardens, at the entrance of residential building

Private green

Walk around Rome and discover those hidden green corners

9 Photos of Rome Walking in the Center

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:31:00 +0000

1 Colosseum and Arch of Constantine

Only in Rome a short 90 minutes walk gives the traveler so much to see.

We are ready to welcome you

2 Arch of Titus

3 Vittoriano

4 Trajan's Forum and emperors' statues

5 Trajan's Column

6 Capitoline Hille and equestrian staue of Marcus Aurelius

7 Roman Forum

8 Arch of Janus

9 Colosseum from via Celio Vibenna

VITA DA B&B - OROSCOPO DEL VIAGGIATORE 2019

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 14:52:00 +0000

Non ci sta anno nuovo senza gli oroscopi, oroscopi di ogni tipo, amore, lavoro, fortuna. E ora arriva anche l'oroscopo dei viaggiatori

Vediamo un poco cosa dice queelo per il 2019

(Qui il link all'articolo oriquinale di Vanity Fair)

Ma vediamo ora l'oroscopo segno per segno

Ariete: guardate al futuro

Finalmente lontani dal senso di precarietà, nel 2019 voi dell’Ariete inizierete una nuova vita piena di certezze e progetti da sviluppare, magari, in una città in continua evoluzione come la splendida capitale della Repubblica Ceca, Praga. Solidi e diretti come il Ponte Carlo, guarderete al futuro senza dimenticare il passato per un viaggio tra ieri e oggi, tra Staré Město (Città Vecchia) e Nové Město (Città Nuova). Le stelle prevedono un futuro liberatorio, vitale e luminoso, da vivere con tanto entusiasmo.

Toro: sorridete alla vita

Amici del Toro, iniziate a sorridere alla vita perché questa vi sorriderà e con lei Giove, regalandovi un anno pieno di trasformazioni e cambiamenti positivi in tutti gli ambiti. Il vostro viaggio perfetto potrebbe essere una destinazione dinamica e colorata come Tel Aviv, la città che non si ferma mai, luminosa di giorno, con un caldo sole che illumina le spiagge dorate, e animata di notte, con i suoi club scintillanti. Qui vi raccontiamo un po' della dolce vita di Tel Aviv.

Gemelli: prendete il vostro tempo

Un anno particolare e contrastante quello in serbo per i nati sotto il segno dei Gemelli, i quali dovranno aspettare la fine del 2019 per accogliere un Giove non più opposto. Prima di prendere decisioni, guardate l’orizzonte, esplorate ogni angolazione, prendete tempo e ammirate il mondo dall’alto come fareste a Lisbona, dai suoi incredibili miradores (belvedere). L’arancio dei tetti protesi verso il blu e la frizzante brezza oceanica si trasformeranno nei vostri perfetti compagni di viaggio.

Cancro: riconciliatevi con il mondo (e con voi stessi)

Il compagno di viaggio dei Cancerini, invece, sarà l’incertezza che tenderà a restare fedele almeno per i primi mesi dell’anno… Tutta colpa di Urano. Ma non temete perché vi libererete presto di questo stato di chiusura e malinconia. Apritevi a nuove vie. Un consiglio? Percorrete quella della Seta di strada, che vi porterà fino in Uzbekistan, alla scoperta di città eterne e imponenti come Bukhara, una vera oasi nel deserto, un gioiello Patrimonio UNESCO la cui maestosa bellezza vi aiuterà a riconciliarvi col mondo.

Leone: siate pronti a grossi cambiamenti

Uno dei segni dell’anno è il Leone, forte e ruggente più che mai per un 2019 che prevede nuove svolte, soprattutto in amore... Fidanzamenti? Matrimoni? Nuove convivenze o future nascite? In ogni caso una vita stellare, da coronare con un viaggio a stelle e strisce, magari iniziando a lasciare un’impronta di voi sulla Walk of Fame di Los Angeles.

Vergine: andate lontano, ma non troppo

Gli amici della Vergine dovranno faticare per ottenere la serenità sperata, ma si ritroveranno alla fine dell’anno con una carrellata di buone nuove. In attesa di novelle e felicità, tenete d’occhio il portafoglio e programmate viaggi a corto raggio, meglio ancora se domestici. E, allora, quale migliore occasione per “giocare in casa” e scoprire le bellezze di Matera? La Capitale della Cultura Europea 2019 aspetta i nati sotto il segno della Vergine tra i suoi sassi Patrimonio UNESCO e tradizioni da celebrare.

Bilancia: sognate nuove orizzonti

La visione di tramonti infuocati, il profumo delle spezie e la danza ipnotica dei cobra nella Piazza dei Miracoli di Marrakech potrebbero aiutare il segno della Bilancia a sciogliere i dubbi che attanagliano nel 2019. Non dovesse bastare potrete sempre sognare nuovi orizzonti, senza però dimenticare di dare un taglio netto col passato. Per fortuna, amici della Bilancia, ci sarà sempre Giove a darvi sostegno aiutandovi a non perdere la fiducia in voi stessi.

Scorpione: ritrovate la vostra linfa vitale

Gli Scorpioncini dovranno ritrovare nuova linfa vitale per affrontare un 2019 di alti e bassi: no a progetti a lungo termine, sì allo spegnimento dell’interruttore e a un’immersione di divertimento in una città europea. Barcellona è la destinazione perfetta 2019 per i nati sotto questo segno, tra passeggiate artistiche sulla Rambla, visioni oniriche sulla scia di Gaudì e feste esplosive sulla Barceloneta. Se poi partite a giugno potete sbizzarrirvi sulle note del Sonar.

Sagittario: liberatevi dalle preoccupazioni

I Sagittario nel 2019 troveranno la loro meta più ideale in Londra, capitale multietnica e sempre in trasformazione, che vive giorno e notte con lo stesso ritmo: fre-ne-ti-co. Qui dove non ci si annoia mai, il Sagittario potrà dar sfogo a tutte le sue passioni, liberandosi da angosce e preoccupazioni, ma, soprattutto, da schemi prefissati, facendo uscire l’animo punk tra tour nelle gallerie di Brixton o il mercatino di Camden Town.

Capricorno: fate progetti (e viaggi)

Per il Capricorno il 2019 si prospetta un anno positivo e propositivo con tanti progetti in cantiere che si realizzeranno entro la fine dell’anno, compresi viaggi meravigliosi. Berlino l’alternativa è proprio quello che fa per il Capricorno: capitale che miscela stili di vita e distrugge muri, aspetta i nati sotto questo segno a braccia aperte con i suoi quartieri che prendono forma ogni giorno, nuove tendenze e club alla moda.

Acquario: proiettatevi verso il futuro con fiducia

American Dream potrebbe essere il titolo giusto del 2019 per il segno dell’Acquario. Come New York sempre a caccia di novità e desideri, i nati sotto questo segno inizieranno a proiettarsi verso il futuro e non si lasceranno sfuggire l’occasione giusta che certamente si presenterà lungo la strada. Un viaggio nella Grande Mela potrebbe aiutare a vivere il sogno americano tra passeggiate tra le Avenue con uno shake in mano, window shopping tra le boutique di Manhattan e le luci al neon di Times Square.

Pesci: siate audaci

I nati sotto il segno dei Pesci avranno bisogno di una buona dose di fortuna per affrontare col piede giusto questo 2019 di alti e bassi. Energie positive si alterneranno a vibrazioni oscure ma, con un pizzico di audacia, riusciranno a superare anche vere mission impossible. Non occorre perdere tempo e inseguire la bonne chance, come dicono i francesi, sulle strade di Parigi, tra una visita a Notre-Dame e un tramonto sulla Senna.

Da parte nostra vi è una sola destinazione che vi suggeriamo: Roma.
E ovviamente, vi invitiamo a prenotare la vostra stanza presso le nostre strutture.

2019 ROMA

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Tue, 01 Jan 2019 09:55:00 +0000

Buon Anno da Roma

Happy New Year from Rome

Vincenzo

TORNA MARCO DIDIO FALCO

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Sun, 18 Nov 2018 14:56:00 +0000

Torna Marco Didio Falco

Cogliete questa opportunità per una visita a Roma

9 PICTURES OF ROME - MUSEUM OF THE AURELIAN WALLS

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 14:51:00 +0000

Aurelian Walls

Just walk few minutes from the St. John Villa and you will find, at Porta San Sebastiano at the beginning of the Appian Way, a small and free museum, the Museum of the Aurelian Walls.

Just walk over the wall, the largest and best preserved monument from ancient Rome, and look at the green landscape south of Rome.

Do you want to discover the hidden Rome? Just reserve your room at the St. John Villa Bed & Breakfast

Vincenzo

OFFERTA PARCHEGGIO - ST. JOHN VILLA ROMA

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Tue, 06 Nov 2018 08:46:00 +0000

Torna anche quest'anno l'offerta per di fine autunno del St. John Villa, il parcheggio gratuito per tutto il mese di novembre e fino al 20 dicembre 2018.
L'offerta è valida per coloro che prenoteranno tramite il nostro sito www.stjohnvilla.it o direttamente per telefono, su prenotazione e secondo disponibilità.

Il St. John Villa si trova in posizione ideale per coloro che raggiungono Roma in auto. In posizione centrale, dietro alla Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, a 5 minuti dalla fermata San Giovanni della linea A della metropolitana e a 15 minuti a piedi dal Colosseo, si raggiunge facilmente dalle uscite autostradali di Roma Est e Roma Sud ed è al di fuori della ZTL.

Cosa aspettate a prenotare la vostra stanza?

OFF THE BEATEN TRACKS IN ROME

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:09:00 +0000

Rome is a city full of great history and art, but also of places having their small history. Also, some works of great artists are often hidden and unknowm.
Here below we have listed some of those.

Michelangelo Buonarroti Works

Moses

The most famous works of Michelangelo in Rome are the Basiilica of St. Peter and its dome, the Sistin Chapel and the statue Pietà ithat is located in St. Peter. But there are several other works that we can admire around the city

Piazza del Campidoglio
Porta Pia
Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli
Statue of Moses and all the composition od the grave for Pope Julius II, located in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli

Monte dei Cocci - Monte Testaccio

The area of theTestaccio, neighborhood was, at the time of ancient Rome, the area of the river port, where the goods that were necessary for a citi havin one and half million inhabitants were arriving.

The broken amphorae

Among those goods there were olive oil and wine. They were transported using clay (testaceus in Latin language) vessels, amphorae. The pieces (cocci in italian language) of the broken amphorae were stacked, so forming an artificial hill, having a height of approximately 40 meters. Hence the names Monte dei Cocci and Monte Testaccio. The neighborhood is one of the most popular in Rome, home of the best fans of the football team A.S. Roma, that hade its stadium here in the Thirties. It is full of restaurants, cafè and discos. Discos are moslty located around the hill.
In one of the cafe-restauraunts that is located on the side of the hill along Via Galvani, it is possible to see the stacked pieces of amphorae through a glass wall on the back of the dining room.

Pyramid of Caestius

The Pyramid of Caius Castius is one of the most famous landmarks of the city for Romans. People living close to it are saying that they live "a Piramide". But not all the people form other countries know about it and its funny story.

Its height is 37 meters and it is made of brick-faced concrete covered with slabs of white marble.

It is the burial place of a rich man, Caius Caestius, died approximately 18--12 BC, that, in his last will, wroted that he wanted to be buried in a pyramid like a pharao, asking to his heirs to build it.

Bet he was not so confident that the heirs were going to respect his last wishes.. So he stated that the pyramid had to be completed in no more than 330 days, otherwise the heirs would have lost their onheritance. Obviously the pyramid, wit such a strong motivation, was completed in less than 330 days. And incription at the bottom of the pyramid is mentioning that fact.

Milvian Bridge

Milvian Bridge

Milvian bridge is for sure worth a visit. It is one of the most ancient Roman bridges. The first construction occurred in 206 BC but then it was completely reconstructed in 109 BC. The central portion is still mostly the original one, while the two sides have been reconstructed.

Apart from that, it was the site of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge among the armies of Constantine and Maxentius. That battle has been one of the turning points of the history. Had Maxentius won, probably the Christian religion would now be considered a form of worship developed in the Middle East in the initial period of the empire and which, after enjoying some popularity, had subsequently disappeared. But Constantine won and the effects are still alive.

Four Sovereign Entities

To my knowledge there is no city in the world that is home to two different sovereign entities.

Well, Rome is the home of four!

Italian Republic
Vatican City State
Holy See
Sovereign Military Order of Malta

It may sound strange that Vatican and Holy See are different entities, but that is the truth. Actually, the Vatican City is a dominion of the Holy See. Does it sound complicate? Yes it is, but we are in the Eternal City!

Obelisks

Lateran Obelisk

Still wondering why Caius Caestius wanted to be buried in a pyramid? Once you go around Rome and look at the obelisks that are standing all over the city you will realize that Romans were absolutely crazy about everything that was arriving from Egypt. Among all other things, ancient Romans brought to Rome, and to other cities of the empire, several Egyptian obelisks, leaving very few in Egypt. And they did also copies. But we, in Rome, have continued to build obelisks even on recent times, the last one celebrating the new millennium.

Do you want to know more curiosities, to discover something off the beaten tracks, to get ouur recommendations for your stay in Rome?
What you have to do is to reserve your room at Villa Borghese Guest House or in one of our other properties.

PICK OF THE DAY - SUPPLI' IN ROME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 26 Oct 2018 12:59:00 +0000

Nowadays every traveler wants to "live as a local". In my opinion, at the very end, because of their choices that are strongly influenced by the hype that is created by strong marketing campaigns, they end up knowing very little of the place they visit, especially in a city like Rome.
Staying in some specific areas of the historical center means not seeing some of those things that made Rome what it is and not really knowing a key element of the local culture, that is the cuisine.
In every city of the world, eating in the center means having "touristic food" or spending a lot of money.

As we wrote here, Rome has a long tradition for the street food. Even if pizza is the most common stree food, in Rome there is only one king

SUPPLI' - THE KING OF THE ROMAN STREET FOOD

What is supplì? They are balls of rice cooked in tomato sauce, filled with a small piece of mozzarella chees and then deep fried in olive oil. Here it is possible to find a possible recipe.I would recommend a small variation, as taken by an Italian recipe. After cooking the rice and before it cools down, add some butter and beaten eggs; the rice will stick together even better.

The nice thing of home made supplì is that one can prepare 20, 30, 40 of them in the same time, more or less, that is required to prepare few ot them. Then, they can be frozen and cooked according to the needs in few minutes. So they can be a great resource for those having young kids coming back home very hungry.

And now, where to eat the best supplì in Rome. Next map shows one the latest recommendations found on the web. As it happens for all those recommendations, it is not the Truth and the ranking might change every day.

Anyhow most of the best places are out of the center. And that is the same for any type of food you are looking for in Rome

By the way, supplì is my favourite street food and my son, that is a professional cook, prepares some of the best home made ones. But he is going to take a long vacation starting next week.

Vincenzo

URBEM FECISTI - COLOSSEUM

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Oct 2018 16:36:00 +0000

The articles of the series Urbem Fecisti are dedicated to the way Rome has shaped the modern world, to its modernity. It's a fact that Roman Empire is still living inside each of us in the western world and not only.

I haven't written too much about the Colosseum till now, even if it is the symbol of Rome, one of the most famous landmarks in the world and one of the New Seven Wonders.

Indeed, it is too famous amd there are plenti of ariticles and books about it, so I can't add too much

I decided to write something after one of my last posts, URBEM FECISTI - REFOUNDING THE EMPIRE, somehow to complete it, because the Colosseum marks a turning point of the empire.

Rome became a republic on 509 BC when the last king, Tarquinius the Superb, was driven out of the city. The republican institutions were based on a balance of powers between aristocratic and popular classes, between the Senate, which was accessed by censorship, and elective charges that obviously needed popular support.

Augustus

That unstable equilibrium survived for four centuries. By the end of the II century BC, when Rome became the almost unique power of the Mediterranean, it started to fail, at the moment it was necessary to sgare the profits of the conquers. The conflict took place essentially between two parties, the populares (popular) and the optimates (aristocrats)
The result was almost one century of civil wars that found their end when Octavianus, later Augustus, defeated Marcus Antonius becominng the only master of Rome.
Augustus was the perfect solution for his equidistance. He was supported by the populares but at the same time he belonged to one of the most ancient and aristocratic families or Rome, the gens Julia.

The Julia-Claudia dinasty that started with Augustus ended with Nero.
A short civil war that followed the suicide of Nero ended up with the victory of Vespasian. He was coming from the province and from a family not belonging to the aristocracy but to the equestrian order. That marked a first significant change of the empire, even if more than 200 years were necessary to reach the point that required its refoundation with Constantine.
The construction of the Flavina Amphiteatre, the Colosseum, was iconic of that change.
The Colosseum was built where previously there was the artificial lake of the grandiose Domus Aurea, the residence of Nero. Close to the lake there was a gicantic statue, the Colossus of Nero, and from that it came the name Colosseum.

Arch of Constantine

Anyhow, on the side of the Colosseum, now ther is the triumphal Arch of Constantine, celebrating his victory over Massentius in the battle of the Milvian Bridge. And, as we wrote in the previous post, Emperor Constantine I refounded the empire on totally different bases. Probably it has not been a case that those two symbols are so close.

And probably the symbolism is the reason why I prefer to look at the Colosseum from the outside while I have never been so much interested to visit it internally. But that is just my vision and I am from Rome, so I always think "it stands there since 2000 years, it will be there also tomorrow, so I will go there tomorrow".

Vincenzo

EAST OF THE CENTER - ROMAN WALKS 5

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Sep 2018 08:43:00 +0000

Lateran Obelisk

Roman walk - Ancient but still alive

The walk of today covers the East side of the historical center leaving from San Lorenzo Guest House.

The itinerary includes 4 of the Seven Pilgrim Churches, all of them being originally erected in the IV century AD.
Here are the stops of the tour.

Porta Maggiore, the entry point of most of the aqueducts delivering water to anci

Santa Maria Maggiore - View of the backside

ent Rome
Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, erected in the IV century AD, where the relics of the Holy Cross are preserved. It was built around a room of Palazzo Sessoriano, the palace that was the house of St. helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine I
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, mother of all the chirches of the world, Holy See and cathedral of Rome
Scala Sancta - Holy Stairs, the stairs originally located in the palace of the Roman governor in Jerusalem and which were ascended by Jesus Christ to go to trial before Pontius Pilate
Lateran Obelisk, the tallest and most ancient Egyptian obelisks in Rome
Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, the only of the four Major Papal Basilicas still maintaining its original palochristian structure. It is located on the site where, according to a legend, snow fell during the summer, on August 5, 352 AD. Every year the miracle is remembered with a cascade of white petals from the ceiling during the morning and evening mass
Baths of Diocletian, the biggest imperial baths of the ancient Rome, inaugurated in the year 305 AD. They are now one of the locations of the National roman Museum
Castra Praetoria, the barracks of the Praetorian Guard. The area is still used for the same purpose, so being the most ancient barracks in the world
Houses in the Walls

Castra Praetoria today

Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Papal Basilica, also originally erected during the IV century AD.

Discover Rome with us

Vincenzo

URBEM FECISTI - REFOUNDING THE EMPIRE

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Sep 2018 20:57:00 +0000

The articles of the series Urbem Fecisti are dedicated to the way Rome has shaped the modern world, to its modernity. It's a fact that Roman Empire is still living inside each of us in the western world and not only.

In a previous post we discussed about to founding myth of the Roman Empire. It was connecting the founders of Rme to the refugees from Troy and, even more important, it was connecting tehm, and their leader Aeneas, to the gens Julia, the one to which Octavianus August was belonging.
The Julia-Claudia dinastty ended with Nero. Nero was the last emperor belonging to the old Roman aristocracy. After him, the emperor had mostly Italic origins or from the provinces.
At the same time the Senate, still having a great power in the I century AD (Nero was deposed by the Senate and then committed suicide), progressively lost power and, at the time of Septimius Severus at the beginning of the III century AD, its power became only symbolic.

Constantine

When the son of Septimius Severus, Anoninus Severus better know as Caracalla, extended the Roman citizenship to all the people living in the empire, the switch of power was completed. It went in the hands of the army. For over 70 years military anarchy reigned over the empire. No emperor after Septimius Severus died naturally till the advent of Diocletian.
To reestablish the orde in the empire Diocletian started sharing the power instituting the tetrarchy.
Diocletian resigned in the year 305 AD to spend his last years in his magnificent palace in Split in the modern Croatia. After his resignetion the tetrarchy survived for a very short period.
The one the emerged after the civil war that followed, was Constantine. First, after the battle at the Milvian Bridge in the year 312 AD, he took the control of the western part of the empire. In 324 AD he succeeded to become the only emperor.
Constantine understood that the empire had to be refounded.

A New Myth

The new foundation needed a new myth and Constantine found that in the christian religion. That occurred also with the suggestion of his Mother, Helen, that was christian and that is now celebrated as Saint Helen. The chistina community was relatively small, more or less 10 % of all the inhabitants of the empire, but it was cohesive and transversal to social classes.

According to the ancient tradition, before the battle at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine had a vision, In hoc signo vinces (In this sign you will conquer) that convinced him to paint the cross on the shields of his soldiers.

In Hoc Signo Vinces

In the year 313 AD the christian religion, that was persecuted under Diocletian, was fully legalized with the Edict of Milan.
Constantine donated the area formerly known as Horti Laterani to the bishop of Rome, i.e. to the Pope. At that time the area was know as Domus Faustae, because it belonged to the wife of Constantine, Fausta.
The palace became the residence of the Pope and a church, the first in Rome, was erected. That church is St. John Lateran, Holy See, cathedral of Rome and mother of all the churches of the world.
Two of the other maiin basilicas of Rome were erected under Constantine, St. Paul and St. Peter.

St. John Lateran

It may sound strange that the main and first basilica of Rome is dedicated to St. John (by the way, which one? Baptist or Evangelist?). Actually speaking is dedicated to both of them but mainly to Christ, the Most Holy Savior, and its official name is something extremely long - Major Papal, Patriarchal and Roman Archbasilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Savior and Saints John the Baptist and the Evangelist in Lateran, Mother and Head of All Churches in Rome and in the World. Because of that, its name, over the centuries, has been semplified to St. John Lateram.

Rather obvioulsy the christian community strongly supported Constantine. Anyhow Constantine, after getting the full control of the empire, reaffirmed its imperial role with the organization of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, that was presided by him, and which purpose was to settle all theological issues in the church and to define a unique guideline.

Aftermath

Indeed Constantine succeded in its purpose to refound the empire that, before him, looked close to collapse. In the western side the empire survived for other 150 years, in the eastern side for over 11 centuries till the Ottoman conquer of Constantinopole (Istanbul).

Nevertheless his actions had, and still have, several consequences.

Since the foundation of the empire, the emperor was considered a semi-divine figure. That was obvioulsy in contrast with the figure of the Pope, vicar of Chist God.

To avoid any contrast with the emerging power of the Church, Constantine moved the capital city of the empire to Constantinople, the New Rome.

After the death of Constantine, the empire was divided again into Western and Eatern. Only Theodosius, at the end of the IV century, reigned over both parts and made the christian religion the official religion of the empire. After Theodosius the separation became definitive and, along with the barbarian invasions, the progressive influence of the ecclesiastical hierarchy weakened the position of the emperor till the final collapse in 476 AD.

The Church and the Pope increased their power over the centuries, The new empire, initially created by Charlemagne, took officially the name of Holy Roman Empire in 962 AD.

Their influence is evident also nowadays, both beacause of the strong Roman imprint on the western civilization and because of the hidden power made up of financial power and intelligence.
A clear evidence of that is the fact that the Catholic Church is the world's largest non-governmental provider of education and healthcare services
Even because of that Rome is named the Eternal City. There is nothing eternal among the human things but for sure the legacy of Rome is what closer to eternal you might find in history.
Every person who wants to be well aware of what is happening in the world and wants to use the critical spirit, should know this piece of history.
Even the centuries-long disputes among Turks and Russians find their origin in the Roman legacy.
A recent book by Massimo Franco, Parallel Empires (Imperi Paralleli in
Italian) describes the often conflictual relationship among USA and the Vatican. It is worth reading it.

We, at San Lorenzo Gu,est House, Villa Borghese Guest House and St. John Villa, take care of this blog to help our guests to enjoy at the best their stay in Rome.

Vincenzo

QUARTIERE DELLE VALLI - SET CINEMATOGRAFICI ROMANI

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:32:00 +0000

Quartiere delle Valli

Nel nostro giro delle vie della Roma di tutti i giorni che sono stati usate come set cinematografico, questa volta sono andato a ritrovare le vie della mia infanzia. In effetti è più corretto dire che sono loro che hanno trovato me visto che stavo cercando altre.
Si tratta di un episodio, Il Vigile Ignoto, di uno dei tanti film di Totò, il principe della risata, e precisamente Le Motorizzate..
Il Vigile Ignoto rappresenta al meglio l'Italia dei primi anni '60 del XX secolo, un paese in pieno boom economico dove la motorizzazione di massa era il simbolo del benessere appena conquistato.
Nel film Totò interpretata un disoccupato per poca voglia di lavorare e che invece campa di espedienti. L'espediente che mette in atto è quello di fingersi vigile urbano in modo da ricevere sia i regali che a quel tempo gli automobilisti romani erano usi a fare ai vigili in occasione dell'Epifania, sia delle mance per chiudere un occhio di fronte ad alcune presunte infrazioni da lui contestate agli automobilisti, anzi soprattutto alle automobiliste.
Molte delle scene di questo film sono state girate nel Quartiere delle Valli, così denominato perché la maggior parte delle strade portano il nome di valli. La zona fa parte della più ampia Monte Sacro, ed è facilmente raggiungibile con la line B1 della metropolitana, fermata Conca d'Oro.

La salsamenteria ieri

La salsamenteria oggi

Quando fu girato il film ci eravamo trasferiti da un anno in Via Val di Lanzo. Ed è proprio all'angolo tra questa via e Via valle Vermigliio sono state girate molte scene. La salsamenteria (per i non romani si tratta di un negozio di alimentari) che viene spesso inquadrata è ancora oggi esistente con la stessa insegna. Lì mi sono recato tantissime volte, abitavamo nel palazzo a fianco, a prendere qualche cosa su indicazione di mia madre. E tante volte sono andato alla frutteria Fruttidoro, oggi non più esistente.

Altre scene sono state poi girate nella strada parallela a Via di Lanzo e cioè Viale Val Padana. I pini, allora appena piantati, sono oggi altissimi.

Come scriviamo spesso, Roma non è solo il Colosseo, San Pietro e Fontana di Trevi. E' una città che ha oltre 2500 anni di storia, tutto sommato portati bene checché se ne dica, e che presenta in ogni suo angolo degli spunti interessanti.

La frutteria

Intrappolandosi nel centro storico si perde l'opportunità della continua scoperta, o riscoperta.

Vincenzo

Cliccare qui per vedere il video.

Cliccare qui per vedere tutti i post con argomento il cinema

Viale Val Padana

12 PHOTOS OF ROME - SAN LORENZO

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 18:26:00 +0000

Cat in the window

The posts of this series are dedicated to the way I see my city, Rome, and to the way I live it, All the photos of this series have been taken by me or by people that were with me. Sometime the quality is not so good, I hope readers will excuse me for that.

SAN LORENZO, THE SOUL OF ROME

The direction of the brewery

Chimney

In each city there is a district where the soul of the city is located. The soul of rome is in San Lorenzo, the district of La Sapienza University.
It is the district whose bombing, on July 19, 1943, during World War II, started the end of the fascism. The building and the chimney located at the end of Via degli Apuli, are what nowadays remains of a brewery that was destroyed by the bombs. The building is now used by the University.

Casa dei bambini

Maria Montessori founded here her first Casa dei Bambini. The original building was also destroyed by the bombs.

The presence of the University may be seen also looking at the names of some cafe, like the one named 110 e lode, like the maximum points one can get at the degree.

The graffinti on the walls always remember that this is a district for students and artists.

110 e lode

Aviolibri

You will also find unusal shops, like the Aviolibri library, one of the only two in Rome that is specialized in books about aviation.

Houses in the Walls

Probably the stangest thing you may see in San Lorenzo are the Houses in the Walls. People are living inside the Auelian Walls; some of those apartments are also offered to tourists.

Not far from those houses, it is curious to observe, looking at the towers of the Aurelian Walls and those of the Termini railway station, the contrast among ancient and modern

Towers

Evening in San Lorenzo

Even if San Lorenzo has a vivid nightlife, during the day it is a quiet area, very dufferent from other parts of Rome

By day

Cat on the roof

And a cat can stand quiets on a roof!

Vincenzo

P.S. In Sanlorenzo you will also find a lot of excellent restaunts that will not dry your credit card

STAYING ON VACATION

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Aug 2018 10:56:00 +0000

Vacatio (Latin) = Lack, absence

Few days ago one Roman host posted, in a group of a social network, the comment that one of her guests left about the stay in her apartment. The comment was very positive for the apartment, but the problems came. Here is, textually, what the guest wrote

We stayed 3 nights in Rome. I really wouldn't recommendo staying any longer unless you are a history buff. We were very underwhelmed by the experience of the Colosseum area and even the Vatican Museum. My favouriteplanned visit was to St. Peter' Basilica and the difficult walk to the top.
Aside from that we just enjoyed walking around to the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. We couldn't wait to leave & head to Positano.

The guest was a 30 y.o. bride from New York having the honeymoon in Italy.
Most of the comments by other hosts were about the lack of culture of that person. Frankly speaking I believe that what was missing was something else.

Let's go back to the word vacation, derived form the Latin, the language that was spoken in ancient Rome, vacatio.

When on vacation, one should stay away from everything that is similar to daily life. It is not a case that no one considers to be a vacation stayng at home during the weekend, To be on vacation it is necessary a big change.
Going to seaside or to mountains for a skiing vacation is a big change. Visiting a big city is not itself a big change, simply because most of the people live in a big city. If they don't, that is if they come from a small town or a village, the impact with a big city can be difficult. Well, that's not the case of the bride. She was coming from New York, a city that is even bigger.
But what she saw is exactly what she is experiencing every day: chaos, noise, crowded sites and so on.
Is there any difference among those two pictures? Not really, just the buildings on the back.

Crowd at Times Square

Crowd at the Colosseum

But, indeed, the situation is the same, a lot people.
So why leaving New York to stay in the same situation in Rome? Furthermore, why doing that during the honeymoon, a period of the life when one would like to be on a full vacation?

Dear New York's bride, you are not guilty of lack of culture or something elese. You reacted as anyone, including myselg, would have reacted if left alone.

Your fault, if any, was to believe to those claiming that staying in an apartment is the best way to live as a local. No, staying in an apartment is the best way not to be on vacation, to stay like in your home, or even worse.

You would have deserved a Good Morning by the host or the by the staff every day and someone delivering to you a cup of coffee, just to start in the best way. You would have deserved someone, the host or other guests, talking with you every morning to understand your mood, to suggest you which sites to visit away from the big crowd, to give you their feedbacks.
You would not have deserved to stay alone in an apartment, without any of those things.

Rome is a city that may be seen in several ways, not only the historical one. There are art, religion, politics, architecture, engineering, curious places, romantic spots, all of them away from the crowd.
One of my best moments in New York was looking at the families playing baseball (or is it softball?) at Central Park. You may look at the archeological site of Largo di Torre Argentina from an historical point of view. There is the historical one, it is the location of the Curia of the Theatre of Pompey, the place where Julius Cesar was killed on March 15, 44 BC. But I would have recommended to you to look at it also as a Cat Sanctuary, a shelter for homeless cats.
You should have been told that most of the best restaurants of Rome are out of the center.
Therefore you were not on vacation, you were staying at home far away from your own home.

We run this blog to give to our guests our recommendations, to be close to them at any moment.
And we do not forget to tell to them - Good Morning- evey day

Vincenzo

PICK OF THE DAY - GRATTACHECCA

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:28:00 +0000

What does it mean to live like a local? Having to go to buy bread, milk and meat at the supermarket or discovering the pleasures of the place one is visiting?

In my opinion only the second. The first is a boring duty that one has to do every day.

One of the local pleasure in Rome during the summer time is the grattachecca. What's that?

It is crushed ice with a syrup, lemon, cherry, mint, almond or whatever the fantasy might suggest.

Grattachecca is something completely different from granita, a typical specialty from Sicily, and sorbet.

These last two specialties are prepared starting from water in which the sugar has been melted making it boil. The syrup is then added to the water, also a liqueur or prosecco for the sorbet and everything is then put in the freezer stirring every 15-20 minutes. The final result is something that is at the same time granular and creamy. In some recipe, also some drops of milk to get it more creamy.

The preparation of grattachecca is much quicker as it is made from blocks of ice that are crushed at the moment, the adding the syrup. Therefore at the same time one will drink and chew the ice.

Because of the low sugar content, it will result strongly refreshing and thrist quenching.

Grattachecca is typically sold in small kiosks that normally open in the late afternoon or even only in the evening. Those kiosks usually become also meeting point for the people.

One of the best grattachecca in Rome is sold in a kiosk that is located just steps away fro the St. John Villa, along Via Magna Grecia, close to the subway stop. The name of the place is Er Chioschetto.

Vincenzo

JOAN BAEZ AT THE BATHS OF CARACALLA - HER FAREWELL TOUR

noreply@blogger.com (Vincenzo) — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 17:18:00 +0000

On August 6, 2018, the great American singer Joan Baez will hold a concert during her Farewell Tour in the amazing scenery of the Baths of Caracalla, Rome.

The Baths of Caracalla are the location of a great summer season of concert and operas.

We, Romans, are honoured to host this great artist and great woman has chosen our city for one of her last concerts and we wish her all the best thanking her for the emotions she has given to us with her songs

ROMAN WALKS - 4 - VIA NOMENTANA

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 11:21:00 +0000

Monument to the Bersagliere

We wrote here that Rome is not only the historical center..
Walking along the streets leaving from the gates of the Aurelian Wall gives to the visitor a different view of the city, of its modern development, of its real life.
Nevertheless, along the walk, one will find also sites that are testimonies of the past.
Via Nomentana is not one of the main roads leaving the center of Rome, it has not the status of national road, but it is one of the busiest and one that has had an important part in the history of the ancient and modern city.
And I have a special relation with this street because I was born along it and my school was there too.

Porta Pia: Art and History

Porta Pia

Via Nomentana starts from Porta Pia, one of the gates of the Aurelian Wall. Porta Pia has been designed by Michelangelo Buonarroti and that's alread a good reason to give a look to it.
Its importance is, however, essentially historic. It was here, opening a break in the Aurelian Wall, that the Italian army entered to Rome on September 20, 1870 ending the temporal power of the Pope. Well, there would be a lot to say about that, but it is too long for this post.
The break was opened just steps away from Porta Pia and its position is indicated by a column. Inside Porta Pia there is the Historical Museum of the Bersaglieri, the infantry corp that first entered to Rome. A monument to the Bersagliere soldier is located just in front of Porta Pia. Entering inside the center, the street continues straight with Via XX Settembre, celebrating the entry to Rome of the italian army and then with Via del Quirinale leading directly to the square in front of the presidential palace, Quirinale Palace, formerly residence of the kings of Italy and earlier of the Pope.

Parks

Villa Tornonia

Along the first 2.5 km, Via Nomentana is flanked by typically bourgeois buildings and some villas of the Roman aristocracy.. The most important and known of them is Villa Torlonia. Initally the land belonged to the Pamphilj family, later it was bought by the Colonna family, both of them using it for farming. It was finally it was bought by the Torlonia princes that started the construction works calling the famous architect Valadier.

Casina delle Civette at Villa Torlonia

During the fascist period it was used as residence by Benito Mussolini that rented it at the symbolic price of 1 Italian Lira per year. A bunker was also built for protection during bombing.
After the war it was abandoned till 1978 when it was acquired by the municipality of Rome and transformed to museum and public garden.

The other villas along Via Nomentana are Villa Paganini, Villa Blanc and Villa Leopardi. However there are also several other private green spaces belonging to private residences, and insitutional building, including several embassies and consular offices

Embassies

Via Nomentana is characterized by several embassies and consular offices located along it or in the streets just on its sides. Russia, Lybia, Afghanistan, Malaysia, are some of the countries havin their embassy or consular office located here

Sant'Agnese and Santa Costanza

Basilica of Sant'Agnese

The complex of SantìAgnese and Santa Costanza is worth a visit for artistic, religious and historical reasons. It includes the Basilica of Sant'Agnese, erected in the VII century BC, the ruins of the old basilica dated IV century AD and the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, also dated IV century AD.

Mausoleum of Santa Costanza
and ruins of ancient Sant'Agnese

According to the tradition the mausoleum was erected by Costantina, also know as Costanza, daughter of the Emperor Constantine as her own birial place. According to another hypothesis, it was erected by the Emperor Julian I as burial place for his wife Helena that was sister of Costanza. In any case Costanza was buried there. Her Sarcophagues was later moved to the Vatican Museums.

Ancient Rome

Mausoleum of Tor di Quinto

In front of Villa Blanc ine can see another mausoleum, more correctly a piece of a mausoleum. It is know as Mausoleum of Tor di Quinti, because it was originally located in the area of Tor di Quinto, alonjg the Via Flaminia. It was moved to Via Nomentana on the XIX century to mark the entrance of Villa Blanc.

Ponte Nomentano

Approximately 1.5 km after the mausoleum one will reach Ponte Nomentano. Along with the Milvian Bridge, it was one of the most important entraces to the urban area of Rome. Originally built during the republican period, it was reconstructed in the VI century AD and later fortified and partially reconstructed during the XIX century.

It has remained open to the car traffic until aproximately20 years ago. Today, along to the surrounding park, it is restricted to pedestrians.

Garden City and Night Life

Città Giardino

Soon after Ponte Nomentano there is a square with a market that is dedicated to Menenius Agrippa, the Roman politician that persuaded the plebs to end the secession at the beginning of the V century BC. He gave his speech to the plebs in this area (Mons Sacer). After the secession ended, the office of Tribune of the Plebs was created. On the side of Piazza Menenio Agrippa, there is another square, Piazza Sempione. In the early XX century this area was still out of the city. Here it was erected a bourgeois district called Città Giardino (Garden City), made of small villas with a private garden. The square, with its church, was the heart of the district. Nowadays it has became a spot with a vivid nightlife, so accounating the area of Ponte Nomentano with the one of the Milvian Bridge.

Piazza Sempione

the Roman politician that persuaded the plebs to end the secession at the beginning of the V century BC. He gave his speech to the plebs in this area (
From Piazza Sempione it is to go back to Porta Pia with one of the several bus lines passing here

Vincenzo
Reserve your room at Villa Borghese Guest House and also at San Lorenzo Guest House and St. John Villa

6 GOOD REASONS TO STAY AT SAN LORENZO GUEST HOUSE IN ROME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 09:50:00 +0000

6 GOOD REASONS TO STAY AT SAN LORENZO GUEST HOUSE

1) PRICE PER VALUE

Our rooms have all the comforts: private en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, satellite TV, mini fridge, safe-box, water kettle to prepare complimentary tea and coffee.We do not oversell, what you see in the pictures is real. You will not see a small room looking like a big one, you will not see a room looking full of light when it is actually dark.

2) SENSE OF HOSPITALITY

Hospitality starts at the check-in; we will receive you at any time, no strict limits as in other b&b or apartments.We are available 24/24 to assist you and to provide all the information to make your visit to Rome an unforgettable moment.
And you will find useful information, suggestions for tour, reastaurants and events in this blog.

3) PEACE AND PRIVACY:

San Lorenzo Guest House is in the heart of a district with a vivid night-life but is located in a very quit street. And no other people, apart from the guests, is resident in the building.

4) SERVICES

Even if we are a guest house, we provide presence and assistance to our guests 24 hours per day. In the morning we will serve you the breakfast directly in your room or in the living room that will remain open to the guest all day around. Even if we are not present at the reception desk, we will always answer to your phone calls, just ask what you need.

5) ENJOY ROME

We are located in the heart of San Lorenzo neighborhood, one of the most characteristic districts of Rome, full of places where you can eat, drink and have live music without spending a fortune. The Ex Dogana, a space of industrial railway archaeology, is becoming one of the most popular places for concerts, exhibitions and events in Rome You will stay in a building that is a small piece of history of modern Rome, an entire manor house of the late nineteenth century.

6) MYSELF

I am not humble if that's not necessary. I put my face in what I do.

I started the hopsitality business on October 2013. My background is totally different and, till that date, I was a guest, a very frequent guest indeed, spending apprximately 100 nights per year away from home, for leisure and mostly for business pusposes.

Therefore I based my business on what I likedm and did not like, during my trips.

I am always available for guests, any time. My phone number is written everywhere

I like meeting guests to give recommendations about the sites to visit, reastaurants, and Roman life

Even though I have a technical background, history has always been my passion. Rome is a city that, first of all, must be understood for its history

I believe that being able to communicate is essential in this business. Even writing the posts of this blog I try to maintain a high fluency in the English language, the one that I used in 30 years of professional life. That is because I think guests appreciate the possibility to talk abot several subjects so my skills must not be limited only to "good morning, good evening, on the left, on the right, coffe, tea" and so on. Actually speaking I am limited to those word when we come to French, Spanish, Russian. So my staff includes French, Spanish and Russina speaking people.