Category Archives: Shopping
The Piazza della Minerva in Rome
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The Piazza della Minerva is as its name suggests a piazza situated in Rome. Lying close to the renowned Pantheon, this piazza is a sight to behold. A large number of beautiful buildings are foundin this vicinity. In fact it is named after the temple built by Pompey dedicated to Minerva Calcidica.
A very famous elephant, sculpted by one of Bernini’s students as per his instructions adorns the centre of this piazza. It is situated atop an Egyptian obelisk. The name given to the elephant by the Romans is “il pulcin della Minerva”, or “porcino”. The obelisk comes from the Iseum, in whose cloister it was excavated.
The church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, after whom the piazza is named, is also located at the centre of the square. Its exterior features a number of important inscriptions regarding the flooding of River Tiberia. The former Accademia dei nobili ecclesiastici, now known as the the Palazzo dell’accademia ecclesiastica, an academy for training the diplomats of Vatican City is situated opposite the church.
The 16th century Palazzo Fonseca stands to the right of the church. The hotel Minerva lies here. This hotel is extremely famous among the Romans and its guests include celebrities like Stendhal and José de San Martín.
Ruins of an archaic convent (or casa profess) of the Dominicans of the 13th century is also present here. The convent’s influence grew over the years and it even became the base of the Roman Inquisition or Holy Office. The historic trials of Galileo Galilei, was held here.
The piazza thus holds several places of historic as well as aesthetic value and is a good visit.
The picturesque Trevi Fountain in Rome
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When in Rome, The Trevi fountain, is a must see. Inspired by Roman triumphal arches, this is the largest and most famous Baroque fountain in Rome being 25.9 meters high and 19.8 meters wide. Designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and competed in 1762, Trevi fountain is the pride of Rome. It stands in the Trevi square (piazza di Trevi) and lies within walking distance from the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.
The fountain displays the Neptun (God of the sea), flanked by two Tritons. One struggles to master a veru unruly “sea horse”, the other lead a far more docile animal. These symbolize the two contrasting moods of the sea. One of the first-storey reliefs of the fountain show a young girl (the legendary virgin after whom the aqueduct was named) pointing to the spring from which the water flows. The fountain goes by the tradition that if a coin is thrown in its waters, it guarantees the visitor’s return to Rome.
The fountain holds the beauty of a stage set and as such, many of the films in Rome have been shot here including romantic films such as “Three coins in a fountain” and “Roman holiday”, but also “La dolce vita”, Federico Fellini’s satirical portrait of Rome in the 1950s.
There are many elegant and classy hotels near Trevi fountain some of them being, Hotel Majestic Roma set right on world-famous Via Veneto, Hotel Raphael standing one street from Piazza Navona, Alexandra which is a 3-star superior hotel on Rome’s exclusive Via Veneto and Grand Hotel De La Minerve which stands at a 2-minute walk from the Pantheon and near the picturesque square of Piazza Navona.
Famous Churches of Rome
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A visit to Rome would be incomplete without witnessing the churches here with fine art work. Many churches stay open all day but some close for a few hours in the afternoon. All churches require you to be quiet and respectful while some require you to be in a proper dress code. Some of the famous churches of Rome are:
The Pantheon
The Pantheon is one of the oldest churches built in the year 118, Rome. It was authorized by Marcus Agrippa, which was later re-constructed by Emperor Hadrian. It has a huge dome that has an opening and allows sunrays to enter. The view is splendid.
Trastevere
Trastevere is probably the first Church of Rome. The name Trastevere has been derived from a Latin word that originally means ‘beyond the tiger’. It was constructed in the fourth century but was re-built in the twelfth century. This church is well known for its wonderful ancient mosaics. It is situated on the banks of Tiber, Vatican City
St.Peter’s Basilica
St.Peter’s Basilica is situated in the Vatican City of Rome and is famous for Michelangelo’s artwork. The dome of the church, which rises to a height of about 400 feet above ground level, was designed by Michelangelo and is considered to be the finest example of the Renaissance architecture. The church can accommodate up to 80,000 people and is considered to be one of the largest churches of Rome. The church also comprises of The Pieta. The Pieta, made by Michelangelo is the finest piece of sculpture evoking deep emotions. It shows Mary in seating position carrying the body of Jesus across her breast.
The Basilica of the Holy Cross
The Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Rome, Italy. It is considered to be one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome. It has beautiful hardens set in the Castrense amphitheatre and a hotel. It is well known for its compilation of relics. This church has been re-constructed several times and was last renovated in the 18th century. The name of this church has been derived from an Italian word.
Santa Maria del Popolo
Santa Maria del Popolo, in Piazza del Popolo, was one of the first Renaissance churches in Rome. The church features Caravaggio’s Martrydom of St. Peter and Conversion of St. Paul. In the Chigi Chapel, created by Raphael, are ceiling mosaics and pyramid-like tombs as well as statues by Bernini.
San Clemente
San Clemente located near the Colosseum displays Rome’s interesting history. It is built in honour of Pope Clement I and is a Roman Catholic minor basilica. The church has been reconstructed thrice and is a three-tiered complex of buildings and was last re modeled in the twelfth century.
You can easily find hotels near all these churches. The Hotel Veneto offers accommodation near St Patrick’s church in Rome. Hotel Emmaus Rome lies at a mere one hundred yards from Piazza San Pietro and the spiritual home of the Catholic Church. The Hotel Forum Rome Italy is located near the Coliseum.
Have an exotic experience of shopping in culture city Rome |
For shopping Rome have some great and excellent places for shopping all sorts and types including clothing and jewellery. In Rome, with purpose of shopping you can have all, some big departmental stores, outlets and shopping centers, likely at suburbs and outskirts. And this all shopping spree there in Rome is provided along with the culture and cosmopolitan culture of the city for around 2000 years. Rome provides a multi –ethnic mix that is both attractive as well as in best suited for world class shopping. Among all the shopping areas of Rome below are mentioned some of the most renowned shopping areas in the city.
• Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) Via dei Condotti: This is one of the best and richest shopping streets in Rome as well as Italy. It is in this and around this area is located one of the best streets for shopping in Rome. The Via Dei Condotti is residence to some of Italy’s top designer stores like as Armani, Prada, Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, Gucci and other notable names. Interestingly, this is the shop where shop owners even charge from a shopper for even walking through the street. However trend has changed for a bit shops where ‘ingresso gratuito’ sign shown there indicates a shopper liberty to poke around and buy without any obligation.
• Trastevere: Situated over the River Tiber, the Trastevere district of Rome has many streets as for one to lost in shopping festival and feverish. At the outdoor food market in Piazza San Cosimato one can locals getting and involved with vendors.
• Viale Marconi and Porta Portese: Viale Marconi is place for shopping and is a happening place with young trendy Romans. One can reach there on Metro Line B to Marconi.
• Porta Portese: It is a noted Roman flea market that occurs every Sunday from 8:00am until about 2:00pm.
• Via del Corso: Crowed pedestrianised street that spreads across from Piazza del Popolo down to Piazza Venezia is very famous as well as liked by locals as well as foreign tourists. On the street there are situated famous shops like the Ferrari flagship store and Swarowski Crystal. If you are interested in retail shopping in Rome than Vid del Corso is a must. The hotels close to it are, the Hotel Stendhal, Hotel Delle Nazioni, Hotel Tiziano, Hotel Mondial.
• Piazza Vittorio: It is a food market with a mesmerizing array of fresh foods, fruits, fish and meat and it is run by the people from across the world.
• Piazza Navona: It is an interesting spot for art lovers as the surrounding streets to it contains a number of art galleries and antique shops. There is a great film and cinema shop there if you are a die hard fan if Italian Cinema. The main hotels in Piazza Navona include, Hotel Tiziano and Hotel Traiano.
•Campo de’ Fiori: This is the oldest market in Rome and its name derives out from the Piazza, where the market was been held for around 140 years. The market starts in the morning since Sunday morning when it remains closed. Campo de’ Fiori is very popular for its own restaurants and bars.
• There On theVia Ostiense is located an “Eco-Solidarity Market” that sells out clothing and antiques.
• Mercato delle Stampe is situated in Largo della Fontanella di Borghese, and is organized there on every morning except Sunday. It sells out antique books, magazines, engravings and prints.
• The Via Sannio: It is a market that is located next to San Giovanni station on Line A of the Rome Metro. It primary sells clothes and accessories. The centre of the market is covered from stands on the surrounding streets. It remains open on weekdays during the morning.
• Mercato di Testaccio: It is the market for greengrocers and butchers, fishmongers and sellers of cheese and dairy products, which are housed in a rather permanent structure, indifferent to many Roman markets. It is situated in the Piazza Testaccio.
Shopping Streets in Rome
As for shopping streets in Rome there are many a good number of shopping streets in Rome, that a visitor prefer as there favorite shopping destination. Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via Frattina are three streets start near the Piazza di Spagna which runs parallel until they reach out the Via del Corso. They are the best known highly expensive fashion street in Rome. Via Condotti starts from the Spanish Steps. It is named after conduits or channels that carries water to the Baths of Agrippa and is most popular in this group of streets. The atelier of Bulgari started operations and come into force since 1905. Whereas Via Borgognona Street is known for big fashion houses involving like of Fendi, Laura Biagiotti, Gai Mattiolo, and Dolce & Gabbana. The third of three streets Via Frattina contains fashion shops shops and in the past it had been the home of Byblos, Tiffany and Versace.
Other than these three popular streets other popular streets in this area are Via Cola di Rienzo (near Prati) and is one of the most known and important street in the city for shopping and cafes. More there are located several boutiques on the street and prominent of them include Trussardi, Tommy Hilfiger, Energy, Diesel Jeans, Miss Sixty, Armani, Benetton and Brandy. Another famous street in the region is Campo Marzio having art galleries, restaurants and antique dealers.
Shopping Malls
Rome is also known for some of the biggest shopping malls in the region. The four prominent shopping malls of the city are: Euroma 2: 240 shops, 40 bars and restaurants; Porta Di Roma: 220 shops, a 13 screens cinema, 2 swimming pools, a fitness centre; Roma Est: 210 shops, a 12 screens cinema, 24 bars and restaurants; Parco Leonardo: Located near Fiumincino Airport, it features 216 shops, a 24 screens cinema (biggest cinema in Italy at the moment), a 16 lane bowling, a slot machines area, wi-fi spots.