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Tag: italy travel
Roma | There’s Almost Nothing Truly Spanish About These Steps
La Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, as the Italians call them, are not quite as Spanish as the English name implies. 
The Spanish Steps
Here’s the deal. At the top of the steps there’s a monastery built around 1494 because of Pope Alexander VI and a church beside it built in 1502 because of Louis XII of France after he successfully invaded Naples.
During his time as Pope, Pope Gregory XIII had some drawings made for a set of stairs to the church and monastery. Then Cardinal Mazarin took interest when the French Diplomat Geuffier allocated money for the stairs in his will. When he died in 1661, since the project included a statue that Romans saw as a French intrusion to the Eternal City and a nephew of Gueffier successfully contested the will and received half the funds, the project for the steps died with him.
It was revived when Pope Clement XI Albani showed interest. A competition ensued and Francesco de Sanctis became the architect of the stairs. Over the years, the steps have been restored many times.
So the “Spanish Steps” are actually a French creation. We call them the Spanish steps because of the piazza at the bottom of them. The Piazza di Spagna is called so because of the Spanish Embassy that resides there. So the Spanish Steps are actually a French-funded, Italian-designed structure.
Piazza di Spagna
The fountain in the piazza is called the Fontana della Barcaccia, or fountain of the longboat. It was built between 1627-1629 by Bernini. Pietro Bernini is most famous for fathering the really famous architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It’s recently been proposed that the two even collaborated on the project. Folklore dictates that Pope Urban VIII was so impressed by a boat along the Tiber that he had the fountain installed.
As you can see from my pictures, this place is crowded. It was really hard to move around the piazza. It’s definitely a gorgeous spot visit. Don’t bring a lunch and expect to have a picnic on the steps. Even if the tourism in this spot would allow it, Roma says you can’t do so. They have a few guards keeping a close eye on all visitors.
Roma | Everything You Needed to Know About the Colosseum
First thing’s first. The real name of this wonder of the world is the Flavian Amphitheater. Tourists and most modern people call this place the Roman Colosseum.
This beautiful work of Roman Architecture was built around 70 to 80 AD and is still the biggest amphitheater ever built. It is made from a mixture of concrete, travertine, and tuff. It sits just across the way from the bottom of the Roman Forum, caddy corner to the Arch of Peace, and down the street from the Palatine Hills entrance.
Its construction began during the reign of Vespasian and completed by his successor Titus during the Flavian dynasty. Further restorations were made during the reign of Domatian, another member of the Flavian dynasty, insuring the name Flavian Amphitheater.
This marvel of architecture is estimated to seat 50,000 to 80,000 people. It was used for gladiatorial games and public spectacles. During the reign of the Romans, this was used almost constantly.
During the Medieval era, the Colosseum fell into disarray. It, along with most of Rome was abandoned and looted. Between stone robbers and natural disasters, the age of the Colosseum shows. It was once one complete oval, but the half-destroyed structure that remains today has become something of an icon representing the eternal city. 
The Colosseum is open until 7 pm daily. The cost for one ticket is set at about $12, but this gets you into the Colosseum, Palatine Hills, and the Roman Forum. For more information on the Colosseum or to plan your visit, click this link!
Roma | Ruins in Rome – A Hidden Roman Gem
These are the remains of a hidden gem in Roma. This was a temple dedicated to the deified Emperor Hadrian by his successor Antoninus Pius.
The pieces that remain today are what you see, eleven columns with Corinthian bases and capitals. The rest disappeared some time ago.
This set of Roman remains is located close to the Column of Aurelius. It is another one of those that if you are interested in Roman history, you should make the detour to see what’s left of this temple. There’s nothing cooler than seeing ruins from 1800 years ago.
Roma | The Most Overlooked Roman Ruins
In Latin Columna Centenaria Divorum Marci et Faustinae
In Italian Colonna di Marco Aurelio
In English Column of Marcus Aurelius
This towering column sits in Piazza Colonna in the historic heart of Roma. It’s modeled after Trajan’s column in Trajan’s forum. It stands about 130 ft. from the ground.
The spiral tells the story of Marcus Aurelius during the Marcomannic Wars. It begins when the soldiers cross the Danube River. The story is divided by a victory on the column. There are a few theories as to what this was meant to represent, but the current common theory is that the lower half represent the Marcomanni and Quadi in 172 and 173. The upper half is said to represent the Sarmatian in 174 and 175. 
Marcus Aurelius is often considered to be one of the better ancient Roman Emperors. He’s actually thought to be in the top 3 emperors, usually losing to Trajan and the Great Augustus. His reign lasted from April 121 AD to March 180 AD when he died of natural causes. He was immediately deified and sent to rest at Hadrian’s Mausoleum (Castel Sant’Angelo).
The top of the column has a statue of Marcus Aurelius himself. Actually, it did originally, but it was replaced with the current statue of the Apostle Peter.
The column is a site to see. It isn’t overly crowded with tourists. As a matter of fact, my fiancée and I were the only 2 stranieri (or foreigners) in the piazza. It’s free to visit. You can get really close to it. There is a small gate around the base. It’s truly impressive.
Roma |The Most Famous Fountain in the Eternal City
Located in the Trevi district, this stone beauty is one of the top tourist attractions in Roma. The fountain is at a place where 3 roads (tre vie) meet.
Pope Urban VIII asked Gian Lorenzo Bernini to make sketches for a new fountain to replace the one that had served Roma for nearly 400 years. Before construction began, however, Pope Urban VIII died, and the project was abandoned.
During the Baroque era, competition was in full swing to build the most grand buildings, fountains, and other structures. Pope Clemente XII created a contest. Niccolò Salvi was granted the commission despite losing the contest to a Florentine architect. The Romans didn’t want a non-Roman to build any fountains in Roma.
Work began in 1732. Salvi died in 1751, leaving the fountain half finished. Four sculptors and an architect were hired to finish the job. Giusseppe Pannini was the architect. Oceanus (below) was sculpted by Pietro Bacci.
When visiting this popular attraction, you must be careful. It is usually very crowded. Once you make your way to the fountain, traditionally you must take a coin and toss it over your shoulder into the fountain while making a wish!
The Trevi Fountain is another one of those monuments that you must venture to see on your stop in Roma. It is free to visit (minus the coin you toss), and open to the public all hours. Just be mindful of restoration projects! When I saw this for the first time, it was covered in scaffolding. That didn’t stop me from stopping by though! It was still pretty awesome to see one of the most famous fountains in all of Italy!
The Rialto | A Bridge as Famous as the City
The Ponte Rialto is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and the oldest of 4 bridges in Venice that cross the Grand Canal. For those of you who don’t know, Venice is a lagoon city. It is basically a collection of 117 flat islands connected by water canals.
The islands are manmade structures. Wooden stakes were pushed into little patches of sand and dirt. The water and mud have kept these foundations from rotting over time. Bridges were built to connect the different islands, and thus Venice was founded. The Rialto sits on the biggest canal, appropriately named the Grand Canal.
La Storia (The History) of the Rialto
The bridge’s history begins in 1181. Niccolò Barattieri built a pontoon bridge, or floating bridge, across the canal. The bridge was called Moneta. The more important the Rialto Market became, the more people that used the bridge. So in 1255, a wooden bridge was constructed in place of the pontoon.
The wooden bridge lasted for a while. However, the prosperity stopped during a revolt when it was partially burned in 1310. Trouble struck again when it collapsed under the weight of an audience watching a boat race. in 1444 It was rebuilt, but collapsed again in 1524. Enough was enough.
Antonio da Ponte created the design for the stone bridge that exists today. Architects who threw in their bid but were denied include Palladio, Vignola, and even Michelangelo. It was completed in 1591.
Other contemporary architects believed the design to be flawed, but the bridge has defied critics and is one of Venice’s biggest tourist attractions today. It’s no surprise, though. The view from the bridge is undeniably amazing.
Venezia | A Bridge as Famous as the City
The Ponte Rialto is one of the most famous bridges in the world, and the oldest of 4 bridges in Venice that cross the Grand Canal. For those of you who don’t know, Venice is a lagoon city. It is basically a collection of 117 flat islands connected by water canals. 
The islands are manmade structures. Wooden stakes were pushed into little patches of sand and dirt. The water and mud have kept these foundations from rotting over time. Bridges were built to connect the different islands, and thus Venice was founded. The Rialto sits on the biggest canal, appropriately named the Grand Canal.
The bridge’s history begins in 1181. Niccolò Barattieri built a pontoon bridge, or floating bridge, across the canal. The bridge was called Moneta. The more important the Rialto Market became, the more people that used the bridge. So in 1255, a wooden bridge was constructed in place of the pontoon. 
The wooden bridge lasted for a while. However, the prosperity stopped during a revolt when it was partially burned in 1310. Trouble struck again when it collapsed under the weight of an audience watching a boat race. in 1444 It was rebuilt, but collapsed again in 1524. Enough was enough. 
Antonio da Ponte created the design for the stone bridge that exists today. Architects who threw in their bid but were denied include Palladio, Vignola, and even Michelangelo. It was completed in 1591.Other contemporary architects believed the design to be flawed, but the bridge has defied critics and is one of Venice’s biggest tourist attractions today. It’s no surprise, though. The view from the bridge is undeniably amazing. 
Venezia | This Astrological Clock is More Than Meets the Eye
I told you I would talk about St. Mark’s Clocktower! The Torre dell’Orologio is the clock tower that sits to the east of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. It was constructed after a lot of its neighbors in the piazza, between 1496 to 1499.
The first two years were for the tower, which displaced a couple of buildings in order to be placed where it was. The clock tower was supposed to be a connector between the financial and commercial center of the city (the Rialto) and the religious and political center of the city (the Piazza di San Marco). It was also meant to be visible from the lagoon to show the wealth of the Venetian people. 
From top to bottom, let’s talk about the decorative features of the tower. At the very top, there are 2 bronze statues. One old and one young, to show how time passes, strike the bell that is between them every hour. This duo is called “The Moors”.
Next is the Lion of Venice in front of a blue background with gold stars. It originally had a statue of Doge Agostino Barbarigo kneeling in front of the lion, but it was taken down by the French when they conquered the city.
Below that is the panel with the Madonna. There’s a blue and gold background with a statue of the Madonna (Virgin Mary) and child under an archway. To the left side is the current hour in Roman numerals. The left shows 5-minute intervals in Arabic numerals. On Epiphany and Ascension Day each year, 3 magi and an angel with a trumpet come out from the numeral doors to bow to the Madonna and go back into the tower.
Below the Madonna is the actual clock part of the tower. This is where the last two years of construction were spent. The clock face is blue with golden zodiac symbols corresponding with the Roman numerals. It was replaced and restored many times over its history.
For more information or to book a tour in advance, which is the only way to do so, click here!
Venezia | The Long History of Venice’s Most Iconic Square
So we’ve talked about the Campanile and the Basilica. But there’s one thing that we haven’t discussed that literally ties it all together. La Piazza.
The Piazza San Marco, or the Square of Saint Mark, is the most important spot in all of Venice. It is referred to as the political and religious center of the city.
The piazza is a backward L shaped, concrete square just north of the palace of the Doge. The larger portion, which stretches north from Saint Mark’s Basilica, is what is actually called La Piazza. The part that connects the square to the coast, stretching away from the west side of the basilica, is called La Piazzetta (translated to little square).
Originally, the Piazzetta was not concrete. It was a dock, and the campanile served as its lighthouse. The piazza was originally grass, not concrete, and there were many streams running along the sides of the contemporary buildings.
During Medieval times, the piazza began to look more like the one that stands today. It was expanded and decorated. The columns with the Lion of Venice and St. Theodore were placed in the Piazzetta.
During the Renaissance period, the clock tower was created to the east of the basilica, but we will discuss the history of that next week.
Today, the pavement is the same that was restored in 1890. This restoration tried to be as close to the same as it could to the pavement designs that were placed in 1723. Since Venice is such a flood hazard town, the piazza was created, in 1723, with flood prevention measurements including a lift for drainage systems to be placed in the pavement.
This system is not foolproof, however, because it is still possible, and during high tide and rainy seasons almost inevitable, that the town of Venice flood, and the poor piazza is no different than the rest of the town.
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