Orto Botanico

Last week some of my classmates and I decided to take a walk around our neighborhood, Trastevere, eventually ending up in the Botanical Gardens, also known as Orto Botanico, now owned by the Universita di Roma. After paying the €4 entrance fee, we entered a luscious green space filled with huge palm trees and gorgeous mansion-like buildings (probably used by the college students at the university).

On our way along the extensive and overgrown pathways, we observed different types of plant species growing in ponds, greenhouses, and even brushing against our legs. I was shocked when we strolled into an entire bamboo forest. I did not anticipate that the Roman climate was able to support bamboo or even all the palm trees scattered throughout the entire city. The grounds also held a huge rose garden situated on a hilly embankment. Although not all of the flowers were in bloom, the ones that were gave off a sweet aroma and filled the space with a serene vibe.

Later in the afternoon, we stumbled upon a large tree a bit off of the normal path which supported thick branches holding small, orange balls of fruit. I was immediately intrigued and began examining the pieces that had already fallen to the ground and lie strewn across a twenty foot radius of earth. They smelled like peaches, and so I decided to pick a ripe one from a lower branch and take a bite. Looking back, this was probably not one of my better decisions, yet I was thirsty and the “mini-peaches” smelled delicious. The first bite confirmed our prediction that the balls were indeed peaches or some sort of peach derivative. I had two more and then found the pathway back to the garden. Since it was beginning to get extremely humid, we called it a day and started back towards Trastevere. Taking an afternoon to explore the Botanical Gardens was a welcomed change from the small, muggy classroom back in the Piazza del Collegio Romano!

The Café Walking Tour: A Brief History

The typical Roman breakfast always includes some sort of espresso whether it be a shot, a cappuccino, a caffé latte, a caffé macchiato – the list goes on. Café is a staple in Rome. (The drink is accompanied by a cornetto (croissant) or some sort of other pastry.) In fact, over 14 billion cups of espresso per year are consumed here! Bars have been around since the 18^th century when Antico Caffé Greco decided to open their doors in order to serve the public. Today considered one of Rome’s most elegant bars, Caffé Greco is definitely a place where food and fashion converge. Since it is located on Via Condotti, most of its customers dress to impress. Back in the day, Caffé Greco played host to many famous patrons such as Berlioz , Buffalo Bill, Dickens, Goethe, Hawthorne, Humperdinck, Keats, Liszt, Lord Byron, Mendelssohn, Stendhal, Twain, Wagner, and Wells; Hans Christian Andersen lived upstairs and Rossini composed here… what a history! During this time period, coffee was known as the beverage of intellectuals. Please note upon arrival though that this is one of the few bars where one is encouraged to sit down. Every sip of espresso is supposed to be savored, and this is certainly a great atmosphere to do so.

The second stop along the tour, Caffé Rosati, was picked because it sports a 1922 Art Nouveau décor, and its rival café is located conveniently right across the piazza (Caffé Canova). Rosati is a bar known for its left-winged perspective, while Canova boasts about the presence of right-winged intellectuals. Political views aside though, Caffé Rosati is the more stylish of the two and usually at least one or two Ferraris or Maseratis can be found parked alongside of it. It also acts as an ice-cream parlor and ristorante with a candy store to boot.

Finally, the third bar on the tour, La Tazza d’Oro or The Cup of Gold, is said to serve the highest quality coffee beans which are imported directly from Brazil. It was founded in 1946 by Mario Fiocchetto who created the famous blend "La Regina dei Caffé". The recipe has been passed down from one generation to the next with each family improving the quality and taste. La Tazza d’Oro is known for its simple atmosphere and inexpensive cafés. This will come in handy since it is the last stop and the wallet may not feel as heavy as it did earlier in the morning.

Thank you for visiting these three cafés placed in chronological order and for walking “The Evolution of the Café” tour! Ciao!

Information obtained from: http://www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com/homeeng.htm; http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/N21766.html
Pictures obtained from: http://www.trifter.com/Practical-Travel/World-Cuisine/A-Trip-to-Caffe-Greco-in-Rome-Italy.67362
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Catacombs of San Callisto (or Saint Callixtus)

Ever since 6^th grade when my teacher, Sister Laura, taught us about the Appian Way (the main road used in Rome during ancient times) I have wanted to visit it. I have also been intrigued by the catacombs which were ancient, underground burial sites used by Christians, Jews, and pagans alike. In order to satisfy both of these desires then, it would make sense to visit the Catacombs of San Callisto which are underneath part of the Appian Way. These catacombs were built near the end of the 2^nd century. One of the oldest parts is the crypt of Lucina, where the crypt of the Popes (16 popes total), Saint Cecilia (whose body was moved to her church in Trastevere in 820 CE), and the Sacraments are preserved. They take up about 90 acres and contain galleries about 12 miles long. The catacombs are four levels which total more than twenty meters in depth. These were serious burial grounds and are now considered the official cemetery of the Church of Rome. Anyone interested in the history of the Christians, Jews, or pagans would find this space extraordinarily interesting; I doubt an experience like this could be found anywhere else.

The catacombs are open to the public Thursday through Tuesday from 9AM to noon and then reopen from 2 to 5:30PM. It costs €5 for adults and €3 for children (ages 6-15). Children under the age of 5 are free, and the entire area is closed in February. Information taken from: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/rome/A20684.html
Picture taken from:
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The Galleria Nazionale D’Arte Moderna

The Galleria Nazionale D’Arte Moderna was created in 1883 during which the newly unified Italy was establishing institutions and showing interest in the development of a “national art”. It contains the most important Italian collection of paintings and sculptures of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Works by artists belonging to most of the contemporary art movements are present; also neo-classicism, romanticism and Tuscan Macchiaoli impressionism can be found here as well. The mission of the galleria is to always represent "living art”. Some of its exhibits include works by Goya, Géricault, Delacroix, Blake, Renoir, Rossetti, Courbet, Van Gogh, Degas, Monet, Cezanne, Modigliani, Mondrian, Duchamp, de Chirico, Cara, Miró, Kandinsky and Klimt.

I would love to visit this art gallery because it differs from what we have been exposed to thus far in and around Rome. We have experienced ruins and ancient artwork, yet have not really seen any art which has been recently created. One of this museum’s missions is to revitalize interest in the great Italian artists of the 1950's and 1960's. I think everyone could use a break from Bernini and perhaps enjoy some Van Gogh or Monet instead. A change of scenery might further open your mind so that you are able to appreciate the older works more, or discover that you like the modern works better than the ruins. Either way, there is much to gain from visiting this gallery. It is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30AM to 7:30PM (closed Mondays); the last entry is 40 minutes before closing time.

The ticket prices are as follows: Full rate Exhibitions and Gallery €9,00 and Reduced rate Exhibitions and Gallery €7,00 (50% off for 18-25 year olds from the European Union and for state school teachers with permanent contracts). For more information, visit this website: http://www.gnam.beniculturali.it/index.php?en/1/home; picture taken from: http://static.flickr.com/119/266874522_28476423f9_o.jpg