European Union Program
ROME Italy
Italy At a glance  Politics: Economist Mario Monti leads a government of unelected technocrats. Elections in 2013 leave a stalemated parliament.  Economy: Italy has the eurozone's third largest economy - and a huge public debt, second only to Greece's  International: Italian forces have been active in peacekeeping in the Balkans, Africa and Middle East, and are present in Afghanistan
Take the art works of Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Tintoretto and Caravaggio, the operas of Verdi and Puccini, the cinema of Federico Fellini, add the architecture of Venice, Florence and Rome and you have just a fraction of Italy's treasures from over the centuries. While the country is renowned for these and other delights, it is also notorious for its precarious political life and has had several dozen governments since the end of World War II. The Italian political landscape underwent a seismic shift in the 1990s when the "Clean Hands" operation exposed corruption at the highest levels of politics and big business. Several former prime ministers were implicated and thousands of businessmen and politicians were investigated. Italy was one of the six countries which signed the 1951 Paris Treaty setting Europe off on the path to integration. It has been staunchly at the heart of Europe ever since, although in the early 2000s the government of Silvio Berlusconi adopted a more Eurosceptic stance. Mr. Berlusconi sought to align Italy more closely to the US, breaking ranks with the country's traditional allies, France and Germany, in his support for the US-led campaign in Iraq. The Europhile Romano Prodi, who was prime minister from 2006 to 2008, pulled Italian troops out of Iraq and set about restoring good relations with other EU member states. Italy is the fourth largest European economy and for long enjoyed one of the highest per capita incomes in Europe, despite the decline in traditional industries such as textiles and car manufacturing as a result of globalization. But it became one of the first Eurozone victims of the global financial crisis of 2008. By the end of 2011, Italy had one of the highest levels of public debt - a towering 118% of GDP (annual economic output) - in the Eurozone. There is concern over Italy's birth rate - the lowest in Europe - and the economic implications of an ageing population. Page 2
The Ultimate Rome Bucket-List: Buy a watercolor from a street artist in Piazza Navona
Throw a coin behind your back at the Trevi Fountain
View (or climb) the Scala Scanta Visit the Campo di Fiori market
Climb the 320 stairs at St. Peters Basilica to get your good view of Rome Cross the Tiber and stroll through Trastevere— the formerly working-class quarter with narrow cobbled streets lined by medieval houses Where to eat:
Romo
The authentic pizza romana. Romans would recommend it. Piazza Santa Maria, Liberatrice 44
Cannavota
Try out their (many) different types of pasta dishes here, ranging from spaghetti to gnocchi. Piazza di San Giovanni in Laterano, 20
Er Buchetto
The owner of this restaurant has dedicated his life solely to making porchetta. DO NOT MISS THIS ONE!
If I made a list of all of the art and architecture that you need to see while in Rome, this guide book would be way longer. However, Rome is best seen on foot and I recommend an architecture route to take while in the city. Start on the via del Quirinale, one of the finest streets for viewing 17th century Baroque architecture. Here you will find Sant Andrea al Quirinal by Bernini. The street that crosses over this one, Via della Quattro Fontane, is where you will find the San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane by architect Borromini, Bernini´s revival. These two churches showcase a great juxtaposition of Baroque style. If you want to see a collaboration of both artists, take a quick left onto Via della Quattro Fontane and stop at the Palazzo Barberini, built for the extravagent Baroque Pope Urban VIII. If you have the time to go inside, the ceiling frescoes by Pietra de Cortona are an art history staple. They showcase the true dynamic spirit of the Baroque movement. Walk down Via XX Septembre and at the traffic circle, go left, passing Santa Susanna until you reach Santa Maria della Vittoria. Inside this church is Bernini´s famous Ecstasy of St. Theresa sculpture (a personal favorite).
Via del Viminale 2 F
Hostaria Romana
An authentic Roman trattoria. Try their antipasti with zucchini, a wedge of stracciatella, salami and boquerones. Via del Boccaccio, 1 (angolo Via Rasella)
Page 3
Sights and Historical Places Colosseum & Roman Forum Piazza del Colosseo; Metro Stop: Colosseo The Colosseum is Rome’s greatest remnant of the Roman Empire. Originally built as the largest amphitheatre in the empire in 72AD, it became Rome’s largest stage for public spectacles, namely gladiator contests. Games would last for about 100 days. Throughout its time is it estimated that over 500,000 humans and animals died on this stage. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the Colosseum was left abandoned, and during the Middle Ages, it became a fortress inhabited by two warrior families. Today it is Rome’s largest tourist attraction. The Roman Forum is known as the place where Rome started. During the Roman Empire it was the commercial, political, and religious center of the empire. The Forum has since been extensively excavated and is now like entering a world of the past. Filled with grassy hills and Roman ruins, it is easy to imagine what the Forum looked like during the height of the empire. Opening Hours: March-Aug 8:30am-7:15pm, Nov-Feb 8:30am-4:30pm, Colosseum + Roman Forum + Palatine Hill Combined Ticket (valid for 2 days): Adults: € 12,00; Concessions: € 7 (European citizens between 18 and 24 years of age—bring your passport!). Recommendation: Get your ticket at the ticket gate for the Palatine Hill which often has no queues at all and is midway down the road Via di San Gregorio that runs from the Colosseum along the base of the Palatine Hill. Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagne Named after the nearby Spanish Embassy, the Spanish Steps were completed in 1725 between Chiesa della Trinitá dei Monti at the top and the Barcaccia fountain of Piazza di Spagna at the bottom. The staircase is one of the most famous in the world and is one of the city’s largest tourist attractions. The Spanish Steps are a great place to relax and watch the people go by, an activity enjoyed by the locals. Trevi Fountain Piazza di Trevi The Trevi Fountain was finished in 1762 and has since become Rome’s most famous fountain. The statue was built in Baroque style, and has Neptune’s chariot being led by Tritons with seahorses depicting the differing moods of the sea. The fountain was supplied by Rome’s earliest aqueduct and the water is now recycled between this fountain and the Four Rivers Fountain in Piazza Navona. A famous custom is to throw a coin into the fountain over your right shoulder. One coin is to return to Rome, the second is to fall in love with an Italian, and the third is to marry that Italian. Pantheon Piazza della Rotonda Built in 27 BC and then rebuilt in 120 AD, this is one of Rome’s best-preserved monuments. It was originally built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, but is now seen as a monument for the dead, as well as a final resting place for some. In 609, the Pantheon was converted into a church and was dedicated to the Madonna and the martyrs.
Page 4
Piazza Navona This square is located on the ruins of the Domitian stadium. During the Renaissance, the square would often be flooded for mock naval battles, but also used for festivals and sport through the late 15th century. At the end of the 15th century, the fountain was paved over and became a marketplace and public square. At Piazza Navona, the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi, or the Four Rivers Fountain, can be found. It was finished in 1651, and depicts the rivers Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio Plata. The water from this fountain is recycled underground to the Trevi Fountain. Another fountain in Piazza Navona is the Fontana del Moro, finished in 1576. It depicts Neptune fighting a sea monster. Victor Emmanuel Monument Piazza Venezia Also known as Il Vittoriano, or the Wedding Cake building, the Victor Emmanuel Monument was constructed in 1885, destroying churches and Roman ruins in the process. In 1911, it became the symbol of a united Italy. In front of the monument there is a tomb of an unknown soldier with two guards watching over it. It is free to climb the monument, and you get some nice views of the city. Vatican City Officially known as the State of the Vatican City, this is actually the smallest country in the world, with a population of 900. It came into existence in 1929, becoming the central authority of the Roman Catholic Church. It is ruled by the Pope, and is most famous for St. Peters Cathedral and Square, which is actually an oval. This is where tourists have the best chance to see the Pope, as well as visit the cathedral and the museums.
Religious Sights Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore was the papal residence before it was finally moved to the Palace of the Vatican in Vatican City. The Basilica was built on the former location of a temple to the pagan god Cybele. Opening Hours: 7am-7pm San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) Piazza San Pietro in Vincoli 4A While this is considered a minor basilica in Rome, it is the home to Michelangelo’s statue of Moses. The basilica was built in the 5th century to house the chains that held Saint Peter in prison in Jerusalem. The chains are under the main altar. The statue of Moses was only supposed to be a funeral monument for Pope Julius II, but became his tomb. Opening Hours: Daily from 8am-12:30pm and 3pm-6pm
Page 5
St Peter’s Basilica Vatican City In Italian, Basilica Papale di San Pietro, St Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and is able to hold 60,000 people inside at once. It is seen as the one of the holiest Christian sites in the world, with a myth that St Peter’s tomb is below the alter of the basilica. There has been a church on this site since the 4th century, and the present basilica was decorated mainly by Michelangelo. Visitors are allowed to visit the top of the dome and see amazing views of both Vatican City and Rome. You will not be allowed in if you are wearing shorts, miniskirts, or bare shoulders. Opening Hours: Apr-Sep 7am-7pm daily, Oct-Mar 7am-6pm San Giovanni Laterano San Giovanni in Laterano 4 Also known as the Cathedral of Rome, this is Rome’s first church of the popes, from about the fourth century through 1309. This was also the first Christian church built in Rome. Opening Hours: Winter 7am-6:00pm, Summer 7am-7pm
Museums
Vatican Museums Viale Vaticano The Vatican Museum was originally created under Pope Julius II but has been added onto since. The museums are a display of the collections accumulated by the Roman Catholic Church. Included in the museums are the Sistine Chapel and the Stanze della Segnatrua. The museums are incredibly extravagant and filled with things that would take much too long to see in one day. A piece of advice is to go early in the day to try to beat the long lines. Opening Hours: Mo-Sat 9am-6pm Admission: €8 for students Museo della Civiltá Romana Piazza G Agnelli 10 This museum was founded by Mussolini in 1937 to glorify Imperial Rome. There are several different displays with models of main buildings, houses, the Colosseum, as well as a scaled model of the entire Roman Empire. Opening Hours: Tue-Sun 9am-2pm Admission: €6,50 for students Palazzo Massimo alle Terme Largo di Villa Peretti 1 The museum, housed in a 19th century Jesuit College, holds the best examples of Roman art. It is one of the world’s best archaeological collections with pieces from Greek sculptures to ancient Christian pieces. This is one of four locations for this museum, the other three being the Baths of Diocletian, Palazzo Altemps, and Crypta Balbi. Opening Hours: 9am-7:45pm daily Admission: €6,50
Page 6
Museo Nazionale Etrusco di Villa Giulia Piazzale di Villa Giulia 9 This museum is filled with Etruscan history and pre-Roman artifacts. The museum is housed in Pope Julius III’s 16th century palace and all exhibits are labeled bilingually. From sculpture to temple decoration to jewelry, the museum gives visitors a true feel of what life was like in Etruscan times. Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8:30am-7:30pm, Admission: €8, 4€ for reduced
Transportation Rome has a good public transport system that can help you traverse the city. In the city center it makes more sense to walk, or use buses or trams, and the metro can help you get in and out of the busy center. To use the public transport, riders must have a valid ticket at all times. The same ticket can be used for the buses, trams, and the metro, and can be purchased from a ‘Tabacchi’ or at the Metro station self-serve kiosks (can be switched easily to English). A single ticket, or a Biglietto, (valid for 75 minutes) costs €1 and is good for one ride. A daily ticket, or a Biglietto Giornaliero costs €4 and is valid until midnight. Finally, the tourist ticket, or the Biglietto Turistico, is €11 and valide for three days after purchase. Tickets must be validated once you get on your chosen mode of transportation and should be kept in case of inspection with a fee of up to €140 if caught riding without a ticket. Buses tend to run from 5:30am-midnight daily. There are also special night buses that run in limited capacity. The main bus station is the Stazione Termini, however buses can be caught just about anywhere in the city. The tram system tends to stay away from the large tourist attractions, although it does have stops at the Vatican, the Colosseum, and the Trastevere area. The tram system takes you to places that are further out from the historic center of Rome. The Metro may only have two lines, but it is quite efficient. The two lines, Line A (or the Red Line) and Line B (or the Blue Line) cover great distances under the city in a reasonable fashion. The two lines only intersect at one stop, Termini, so if you want to change lines this is where you have to do it. It stops at all of the tourist areas including the Colosseum and the Vatican. It is the most punctual way to get around the city. Taxis are the most expensive way to get around Rome, but sometimes they are the fastest. Make sure that your taxi isn’t a fake by making sure that the operator has a licensed meter and a valid ID. Also, to catch a taxi, it is easier to find a stand as opposed to flagging one down. Cosmos
+39 06 8 81 77
Pronto Taxi La Capitale
+39 06 66 45 +39 06 49 95
Tevere
+39 06 41 57
Page 7
Tips from Angela Ligouri, Rome native -One of the best cafes in Rome without any doubt is Sant’ Eustachio, established in 1938, in Piazza Sant’ Eustachio, 82, from where you can also see one of the most amazing baroque cupola: San Ivo alla Sapienza, by Francesco Borromini. The caffe` has the most creamy, full-experience espresso, with authentic floor mosaics and interiors from the 1930’s. -In the same beautiful area, near Piazza Navona, the best thin crust pizza of all Rome is at Pizzeria Baffetto, on Via del Governo Vecchio, 114. There is always a long line outside the pizzeria, at almost any time during the day, but it is absolutely worth the wait. The place is not big and always crowded, but memorable. On the same street there are many vintage clothing stores and antiques. Put this street on your list of places to visit. -Everytime I’m in Rome, any time of the year, I always go to Giolitti, for the best gelato. Giolitti has a huge variety of flavors, all exceptionally good, on Via Uffici del Vicario, 40, near the Parliament; it is in a beautiful area to walk with a gelato in your hands. It is also interesting to read the story of how it all began in 1890 and how they used to sell milk from their pastures in the Roman countryside. -Porta Portese market is the biggest and the most popular market of Rome, as the flea market is in Paris and the Portobello Road is in London. Everything can be found: new and old clothes, shoes, leather, food, vintage, real or fake antique. It is only open on Sundays mornings, sunrise to 1.30pm. For the best bargain, try to arrive before 9:00 before it becomes incredibly crowded and hard to walk through.