|
BARBERINI
 At
the very end of the Via is Palazzo Barberini, named
after the ancient Roman princely family of the Barberini.
The Palace is beautifully decorated. It contains some of
the most important galleries of paintings in Rome and
Italy. Walking uphill from the Palazzo one goes past two
Churches particulary remarkable for their architecture
and reaches Palazzo del Quirinale, once the Residence of
the President of Italian Republic. It's open to visitors
twice every month. Going downhill from Palazzo Barberini
one enters, after a few metres, Piazza Barbenni, from
which via Veneto, a fashionable well known avenue,
starts. A short walk from Piazza Barberini leads to the
famous Piazza di Spagna and to its steps. Going up these
steps one reaches the Pincio garden and terrace: a
magnificent panorama of Rome. Piazza di Spagna is also
the starting point of a group of paralel streets (the
best known is Via Condotti) where the most elegant shops
of Rome are aligned: a sparkling row of showrooms of all
kinds. At the end of these streets is Via del Corso : a
walk along it leads to the Capitol, the Coliseum, the
Foro and the whole archeological and historical area of
the ancient Rome. Those who would prefer not to walk,
may find in the nearby Piazza St. Silvestro the buses
for the same destinations: they would get off at Piazza
Venezia, which alone deserves a visit.
CAMPO DE' FIORI
 "Campo
de' fiori" is a pictoresque square surronded by old
houses and occupied by a crowded, colourful market. A
few metres from the Campo de Fiori is Palazzo Farnese in
a square on its own, decorated with ancient fountains.
It is perhaps the most beautiful palace in Rome; Michelangelo
partecipied in works for the facade. Nearly adjacent to
the "Campo" is Palazzo Spada, the facade of which is
decorated with rows of statues. It contains a gallery of
paintings but the most famous work is the "Prospettiva"
a masterpiece of skill by architect Francesco Borromini.
Those living near Campo de' Fiori cannot fall to cross
Corso Vittorio Emanuele and enter Piazza Navona, Famous
its shape, its fountains, its history and the colourful
appearance. A visit is recommended to a few churches
situated along the Piazza itself like S. Maria della
Pace: they are all the work of great masters. Not far is
the church of St. Agostino where Raffaefo painted. Those
who love to walk can proceed from Piazza Navona towards
the Tiber river, along which they will find Castel S.
Angelo, an ancient imposing fortress of the Popes Going
further they will see the Basilic of S. Peter, the most
important church for the catholics, and its huge
colonnade. The visitors are in front of the Vatican. On
the right side of the Vatican Was is the entrance to
artistic treasures, such as Sixtine Chapel, the
Raffaello Loggias, the Gorgia Apartments, the museums
etc. .. all daily open for many hours.
TRASTEVERE
 The
"Rione" (this is the name of Rome districts since
centuries) is the most tyical of the city, the only one
that keeps intact the atmosphere of past centuries. In
its narrow lanese, in its old squares surronded by
artistic palaces, live people full ofliveliness to be
found, specially in the evening in many small cafes and
resturants of all kinds. Here are also many outstanding
monuments such as the Church of S. Maria in Trastevere
(don't forget to ask the nuns for a visit to the famous
frescoes of Pietro Cavallini , Painted 700 years ago ),
The Church of S. ta Cecilia in Trastevere and, right
along the Tiber river, the Palace of the Farnesina,
decorated by Raffaello and many other famous painters.
Those who like to walk will appreciate an uphill stroll
to the Gianicolo including a halfway stop to look at the
Church and the smallround temple of Montorio. At the top
of the hill, next to monument of Garibaldi, is a terrace
from which a magnificent view of Rome can be
enjoyed.Those same people can also cross the Tiber from
Trastevere at "Ponte Sisto "(built by Pope Sixtus IV)
and take another picturesque walk to the Capitol, the
Temples of ancient Rome and the historic romanesque
church of S. to Maria in Cosmedin. |
