Six Days in Eternity

Centre 1-2-3 Hotel

Hotel | "A Touch of Kitsch near to Termini Station"

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The afternoon we arrived in Roma was a wet and dismal one and I couldn't wait to find our accomodation. The Hotel which is callled centre 1-2-3 because it is 3 hotels making the best use of a traditional Roman villa, was about 15 minutes walk from the Termini Station. It was a little precarious trapsing down the road with traffic hurtling at you at great speeds but we managed it in the end.To reach the entrance you have to walk down a sloped path which has the odd stone urn filled with stone ornamental grapes overhanging and a couple of Roman sculptures. All very kitsch. To add to the kitschness the outside of the building is painted a sugar pink which reminded me of a box of dusted rose t...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 5, 2009

Centre 1-2-3 Hotel
Via Giolitti, 433

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Trevi Fountain

Attraction | "A Beautiful Fountain in Trevi Square"

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La Fontana di Trevi-------------------------This is one attraction that I couldn't leave out of the review because it must be the most beautiful fountain in the whole of Rome. It is impressive and totally dominates the Trevi square. The central figure is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot which is the shape of a shell and he is being pulled by two sea horses. One of the sea horses is calm and obedient but the other is restless and awkward. These two sea horses symbolise the ever changing moods of the sea.The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. It is custom to toss a coin into the water but you should toss it over your shoulder standing wit...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

Trevi Fountain
Piazza di Trevi
Rome, Italy 00187

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Pantheon

Attraction | "The Most Enchanting Building in Roma"

Quote:

Il Pantheon--------------The word pantheon is made up of two Greek words pan which means everything and teon which means divine. Reading up about the history of this wonderful building there seems to be several different opinions of when it was actually built. It seems that the first building was a small temple built between 27 and 25 BC. It was built by the son in law of the Emperor Augustus, Marcus Agrippa, and was dedicated to all Roman Gods. This building was burnt in a fire in AD 80 and rebuilt. Again it was struck by lightning and destroyed in AD 110 Third time lucky, in AD 118 a new building was constructed under Emperor Hadrian's instructions and this time the design was chan...Read More

Il Pantheon
--------------

The word pantheon is made up of two Greek words pan which means everything and teon which means divine. Reading up about the history of this wonderful building there seems to be several different opinions of when it was actually built. It seems that the first building was a small temple built between 27 and 25 BC. It was built by the son in law of the Emperor Augustus, Marcus Agrippa, and was dedicated to all Roman Gods. This building was burnt in a fire in AD 80 and rebuilt. Again it was struck by lightning and destroyed in AD 110 Third time lucky, in AD 118 a new building was constructed under Emperor Hadrian's instructions and this time the design was changed which has proved to be lasting as the construction is one of the best preserved buildings in Rome.

The Pantheon is situated in the Piazza della Rotunda, a busy square with a central fountain, not far from the Piazza Navone. It is said that the place on which it was built was a legendary place in the history of Rome. It is where Romulus, the founder of Rome died and was seized by an eagle and taken off into the heavens with the Gods.

Michelangelo was impressed with the beauty of the building and according to history books was known to have said that it was the work of angels not men.

I think I would probably agree with the great artist. It is certainly impressive from the outside. The columns that are used for the portico are enormous and apparantley weighed 60 tons.They were brought from Egypt to Rome on barges . Absolutely amazing.

I was impressed to find that Raphael's tomb is inside the building as he has been an artist that I have admired for a long time. Also, Victor Hugo, several Kings and Queens of Italy are buried there with other famous Italians.

The dome is absolutely spectacular and my brain ached thinking about the weight of the dome and what they had used to support it. Coffers(sunken panels) were used in the ceiling and the fact that it is open at the top helps to ease the weight of the dome. In one of the guide books it states that the concrete walls at the base were 6 metres thick. That's a lot of concrete!

This is a truly remarkable building and I must say this about all of Rome's beauties but the Pantheon is really worth seeing. You will be enchanted with it.

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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

Pantheon
Piazza della Rotonda
Rome, Italy 00186
+39 0668300230

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Colosseum (Coliseum)

Attraction | "An Engineering Wonder"

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Il Colosseo----------------Now this piece of architecture is amazing. It's incredible to think that the construction of this Flavian amphitheatre (as it was originally known) began in 70 and 72 AD and actually completed in 80 AD. It is an engineering wonder and today is standing proof of the cruelty and grandeur of the Roman civilisation. It is now in ruins through damage from earthquakes and stone robbers but still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rome. We have to remember what actually took place in this amphitheatre - scenes of terror and immense cruelty. It was built to hold over 50,000 spectators who would go along to witness gladiatorial contests, public sports an...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

Colosseum (Coliseum)
Piazza Del Colosseo
Rome, Italy 00184
+39 (06) 7004261

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L'altare della Patria

Attraction | "The Wedding Cake"

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L'altare della Patria----------------------------When we visited Rome in October this amazing building was having some structural work done on it. We actually stumbled upon it on our way to visit something else. I was absolutely bowled over with this exquisite piece of architecture. It is so regal, white and dominates the Piazza Venezia. What makes it so remarkably striking is the way it is tiered and I believe the locals do call it the wedding cake or the typewriter. I was awe-struck with the sheer beauty of this building. L'altare della Patria is situated in the Piazza Venezia and the monument was built by Mussolinni in honour of the king Vittorino Emmanuelle 11. It cel...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

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Spanish Steps (Scalinata)

Attraction | "The Regal Spanish Steps"

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Piazza di Spagna--------------------------This was the first port of call on our first day of sightseeing. Very easy to find and within walking distance from the hotel. The architecture in this area is really striking and it is very popular, bustling with life and street performers. Visitors from all over the world come to admire the twelve flights of travertine steps leading up to the Church of Trinita dei Monti. The steps are of varying widths. If you don't wish to climb the steps there is a lift outside of the Metro station.The piazza owes its name to the Spanish Embassy which was permanently established in Rome in 1647. The square was completed with the building of th...Read More

Piazza di Spagna
--------------------------

This was the first port of call on our first day of sightseeing. Very easy to find and within walking distance from the hotel. The architecture in this area is really striking and it is very popular, bustling with life and street performers. Visitors from all over the world come to admire the twelve flights of travertine steps leading up to the Church of Trinita dei Monti. The steps are of varying widths. If you don't wish to climb the steps there is a lift outside of the Metro station.

The piazza owes its name to the Spanish Embassy which was permanently established in Rome in 1647. The square was completed with the building of the steps in 1725 by the famous Italian architect Francesco de Santis.

In the piazza at the bottom of the steps is a 17th century Fontana della Barcaccia, (Fountain of the Old boat). This fountain marks the place where an old barge came afloat when the River Tiber overflowed.

In the 18th and 19th centuries the area around the Spanish steps was a famous visiting point for wealthy travellers making the Grand Tour of Europe.

At the time this area was frequented by wealthy English visitors who made it their home and also poor artists and writers lived in this area. The area was so called 'Er ghetto de I'inglesi which when translated means the English Ghetto.

I certainly felt that this area had a Bohemian feel to it.
The dusty pink and yellow ochre buildings standing on either side of the steps make a great contrast with the stark white backdrop of the beautiful church. If you take a walk on the Via Condotti you will see the Café Greco which was built in 1760. The décor inside is very elegant with paintings and original documents belonging to some of it's famous visitors throughout time like; Keats, Byron, Liszt, Buffalo Bill and Stendhal to name but a few.

The Via Condotti is a great street for designer shopping and taking in the view of the steps leading up to the famous church of Trinita dei Monti.

At the end of the steps stands the church of Trinita dei Monti. It is Franciscan and was built by Carlo Maderno and Domenico Fontana. It is a very pretty church and when looking down at the steps I imagined a Spanish aristocratic wedding. The setting is perfect. I have always been a great fan of poetry and when I was a youngster loved Keats and Shelley and this is one of the reasons I wanted to visit this area of Rome as there is a museum which actually was the home of both these poets. It is situated in the palazzio to the right of the steps.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on January 19, 2009

Spanish Steps (Scalinata)
Piazza Di Spagna
Rome, Italy 00187

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A Stay in the Eternal City

Story/Tip

Quote:

Last year on my birthday my husband went and booked a 6 day trip to Rome. I can't say that I had always wanted to visit the city - well it wasn't on my list of top ten destinations. I think I thought it was going to be hectic, noisy and hot! In fact I think I was a bit disappointed when he showed me the booking. I thought I was going somewhere a bit more challenging like Argentina but then I have always been a dreamer. However, now I have been to Italy's eternal city I am so glad that he booked the trip. Why? Because it is one of the finest cities I have been to and I enjoyed every minute of it.We flew from Newcastle airport with our faithful old friend Easy Jet. The flight was comfortable...Read More

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IgoUgo

Rome Journals

Six Days in Eternity

Centre 1-2-3 Hotel

Trevi Fountain

Pantheon

Colosseum (Coliseum)

L'altare della Patria

Spanish Steps (Scalinata)

A Stay in the Eternal City

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