esus everywhere and also the crosses that decorate a lot of the walls. However, I find that one of the most interesting things that has been here since the time the place was a convent is the huge vat on the first floor where they used to do all of the laundry. I wonder if the could do all their clothes in one huge load? Also, I wonder if they even had hot water. The room that this vat is in is probably the scariest thing I have every seen in my life. At nighttime, there are no lights in there whatsoever. Because we have to come in the "night entrance" after 9:00 PM, (which takes you right past this room) I usually bolt past this creepy dark room!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Good Old Convent
As I have said before, my apartment is actually an old convent. Some of the most interesting things in this building are all of the old "nun stuff" like the bell tower, the random statues of J
esus everywhere and also the crosses that decorate a lot of the walls. However, I find that one of the most interesting things that has been here since the time the place was a convent is the huge vat on the first floor where they used to do all of the laundry. I wonder if the could do all their clothes in one huge load? Also, I wonder if they even had hot water. The room that this vat is in is probably the scariest thing I have every seen in my life. At nighttime, there are no lights in there whatsoever. Because we have to come in the "night entrance" after 9:00 PM, (which takes you right past this room) I usually bolt past this creepy dark room!
esus everywhere and also the crosses that decorate a lot of the walls. However, I find that one of the most interesting things that has been here since the time the place was a convent is the huge vat on the first floor where they used to do all of the laundry. I wonder if the could do all their clothes in one huge load? Also, I wonder if they even had hot water. The room that this vat is in is probably the scariest thing I have every seen in my life. At nighttime, there are no lights in there whatsoever. Because we have to come in the "night entrance" after 9:00 PM, (which takes you right past this room) I usually bolt past this creepy dark room!
More Kinds of Police!
While I was at the parade for the Festival of the Republic (see previous blog for information on what that is) I noticed an entirely new branch of police. The name on the cars of these police officers was Guardia di Finanza. After doing some research on sorrentotourism.com, I found at that the finance police "specializes in the battle against tax fraud, financial crimes and drug trafficking." The finance police don't fall under armed forces like the Carabinieri. They are a part of the police force and help with the State Police with enforcing border control. Unlike some of the other police officers that wear navy blue or white uniforms, these officers where light gray uniforms. I could only snap a picture of one of their cars though!
Festival of the Republic
Today is the anniversary of the day that Italy decided to abolish the monarchy and become a republic. Nearly everything in the city was closed today because of the holiday (we still had class though.) There was so much activity going on around Rome! There was a parade on Via del Imperiali which runs from the Colosseum up past the Capital. I walked around on my lunch break and actually got to see tons of people and police officers and firefighters dressed in full uniform. Unfortunately, I miss the parade! I still got a cool picture of an Italian fire truck. OK.. I got a picture of what I THINK is an Italian firetruck because it's red. It might not be. I need to do more research before I can say what it is for sure!
Sweet Stroll to San Giovanni in Laterno
San Giovanni in Laterno was built in the 4th century and was the first Christian basilica. This is the cathedral of Rome where the Pope's official offices are. It was the official residence of the Pope up until 1309. He still occasionally says mass here.
Coming out of the station, make a left onto Via Cavour, then an immediate left onto Via Giovanni Giolitti. Make a right onto Via Gioberti. Walk straight through the Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Santa Maria Maggiore will be on your right. Bear to the left onto Via Merulana. Continue down this road for a while. At the intersection with Via Giovanni Lanza, you will see the National Museum of Oriental Art. Continue going straight. At the intersection with Via Mecenate/Via Leopardi, you will see the Auditorium of Maecenas which is partially reconstructed on a traffic island in the middle of the street. Continue going straight and you will enter the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterno with the church being right in front of you.
The view you will have of the basilica is the North Facade (the entrance.) This entrance consists of two stories of white arches resembling the Colosseum arches. The second story is where the Pope gives his blessings from. The cathedral has two large towers on top of the North Facade. If you go around the church to the left, you will see the astounding front of the church. You cannot, however, enter from this way.
Coming out of the station, make a left onto Via Cavour, then an immediate left onto Via Giovanni Giolitti. Make a right onto Via Gioberti. Walk straight through the Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. Santa Maria Maggiore will be on your right. Bear to the left onto Via Merulana. Continue down this road for a while. At the intersection with Via Giovanni Lanza, you will see the National Museum of Oriental Art. Continue going straight. At the intersection with Via Mecenate/Via Leopardi, you will see the Auditorium of Maecenas which is partially reconstructed on a traffic island in the middle of the street. Continue going straight and you will enter the Piazza San Giovanni in Laterno with the church being right in front of you.
The view you will have of the basilica is the North Facade (the entrance.) This entrance consists of two stories of white arches resembling the Colosseum arches. The second story is where the Pope gives his blessings from. The cathedral has two large towers on top of the North Facade. If you go around the church to the left, you will see the astounding front of the church. You cannot, however, enter from this way.
Traveling from the Termini to Palazzo Doria Pamphili
The Palazzo Doria Pamphili is an art gallery that has pieces that date back to the 15th century. Right next to the Palazzo Doria Pamphili is the Palazzo del Collegio Romano which is where my classroom is located.
Coming out of the Termini, make a left onto Via Cavour. Follow Bia Cavour until you reach Via dei Fori Imperiali. At this intersection, the Forum will be right in front of you. Also, if you look down the street to the left, you will be able to see the Colosseum rising up from the distant horizon. Make a right onto Via dei Fori Imperiali. The Capitol will be on your left. Continue straight until you reach Via del Corso. Go straight onto the Corso (you aren't on it for long.) Make a left onto Via Lata. This will bring you into the Piazza del Collegio Romano. The Palazzo Doria Pamphili will be on your left once you come into the opening where cars are parked.
The entire Palazzo Doria Pamphili is made out of stone and has been described as "a great island of stone in the heart of Rome." The outside may appear dark and dreary. However, you are able to see a beautiful courtyard through one of the arching entryways into the Palazzo. There is a large green banner hanging over the entrance to the museum.
Coming out of the Termini, make a left onto Via Cavour. Follow Bia Cavour until you reach Via dei Fori Imperiali. At this intersection, the Forum will be right in front of you. Also, if you look down the street to the left, you will be able to see the Colosseum rising up from the distant horizon. Make a right onto Via dei Fori Imperiali. The Capitol will be on your left. Continue straight until you reach Via del Corso. Go straight onto the Corso (you aren't on it for long.) Make a left onto Via Lata. This will bring you into the Piazza del Collegio Romano. The Palazzo Doria Pamphili will be on your left once you come into the opening where cars are parked.
The entire Palazzo Doria Pamphili is made out of stone and has been described as "a great island of stone in the heart of Rome." The outside may appear dark and dreary. However, you are able to see a beautiful courtyard through one of the arching entryways into the Palazzo. There is a large green banner hanging over the entrance to the museum.
A Trip to Via Appia Antica from Termini
The Via Appia Antica was built in 312 B.C. and was the connecting route from Rome to the eastern part of the empire. The entire road is lined with the ruins of family tombs. Today, tourists come to see the many historic Christian sites such as the Catacombs and the Church of Domine Quo Vaddis. This location may also serve as a nice shady walk to escape from Rome's heat.
To get from the Termini to Via Appia Antica, you can take Metro Line A toward Anagnina then get off at the Colli Albani stop. There, you would catch bus #660. You would not need to get a separate ticket for the bus, as the one for the metro can get you on the bus too. It may also be a good idea to purchase two tickets at this time so that you have one for the trip back. Bus #660 will drop you off at the end of Via Appia Antica. The stop is on Via Cecilia Metella. To get back you can take the #118 bus from Domine Quo Vadis Church. The Domine Quo Vadis stop is about two miles north from the Via Cecilia Matella stop on the opposite end of the Via Appia Antica. You would take this bus to the Circo Massimo metro stop. The Circo Massimo metro line is line B, which means you will have to take it towards Rebibbia to return to the Termini.
For sightseeing, as soon as you get off of the #660 stop at Casa Dell' Appia Antica you should cross the Via Appia Antica to rent a bike. Bike south to see the more scenic sites located along the Via Appia Antica. One of the first things you can see is Capo di Bove, which is a recently excavated Roman bath. Going down this will be on the left side of the road. Right across the road on the right side is the ruins of the Gothic church of San Nicola. It was part of a midieval fortress. If you are still biking, you can head down and see many ruined tombs and mausoleums. After you have seen enough, head back up north and walk the 2 miles up to the #118 stop. There, you can see historic Christian sites such as the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or the Catacombs of San Callisto.
This is a very beautiful and relaxing area on the outskirts of Rome. Because of the public transportation, you are able to see the Via Appia Antica in a day. Obviously you could spend weeks exploring, but it nice to plan as a day trip on a weekend.
*All of the information found here are from the Eyewitness Guide to Rome and the Rick Steve's Guide to Italy 2008.*
To get from the Termini to Via Appia Antica, you can take Metro Line A toward Anagnina then get off at the Colli Albani stop. There, you would catch bus #660. You would not need to get a separate ticket for the bus, as the one for the metro can get you on the bus too. It may also be a good idea to purchase two tickets at this time so that you have one for the trip back. Bus #660 will drop you off at the end of Via Appia Antica. The stop is on Via Cecilia Metella. To get back you can take the #118 bus from Domine Quo Vadis Church. The Domine Quo Vadis stop is about two miles north from the Via Cecilia Matella stop on the opposite end of the Via Appia Antica. You would take this bus to the Circo Massimo metro stop. The Circo Massimo metro line is line B, which means you will have to take it towards Rebibbia to return to the Termini.
For sightseeing, as soon as you get off of the #660 stop at Casa Dell' Appia Antica you should cross the Via Appia Antica to rent a bike. Bike south to see the more scenic sites located along the Via Appia Antica. One of the first things you can see is Capo di Bove, which is a recently excavated Roman bath. Going down this will be on the left side of the road. Right across the road on the right side is the ruins of the Gothic church of San Nicola. It was part of a midieval fortress. If you are still biking, you can head down and see many ruined tombs and mausoleums. After you have seen enough, head back up north and walk the 2 miles up to the #118 stop. There, you can see historic Christian sites such as the Catacombs of San Sebastiano or the Catacombs of San Callisto.
This is a very beautiful and relaxing area on the outskirts of Rome. Because of the public transportation, you are able to see the Via Appia Antica in a day. Obviously you could spend weeks exploring, but it nice to plan as a day trip on a weekend.
*All of the information found here are from the Eyewitness Guide to Rome and the Rick Steve's Guide to Italy 2008.*
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Visiting Vicenza
I got to spend an entire weekend with my family! I went up to Vicenza which is in northern Italy to spend some time with my cousins Rich and Angelita. They moved to this area about three years ago. We had an amazing time! It was so nice to get a little taste of home while I'm so far away. When I went up there, I actually had an assignment to read Juggling the Stars by Tim Parks. This book actually takes place mostly in Vicenza and Verona which is about 30 minutes from my cousins house. It was interesting to learn about some of the places like Romeo and Juliet's
castles in the book, then actually seeing them with my cousin. It's important to understand that the two castles in Vicenza are the "summer castles" of Romeo and Juliet. The ones they lived in are in Verona. (I've included a picture of the view of Vicenza from the top of Juliet's summer castle.)My professors have been telling me that the next book we're reading, Italian Neighbors (also by Tim Park,) will go more in depth with the Vicenza. I'm really excited to read it now that I've seen some of the Vicenza area.
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