Art In Rome

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti
Piazza di Spagna
metro - Linea A Spagna

Designed in the early 18th century by Francesco de Sanctis, the Spanish Steps are one of the longest and widest staircases in Europe with 138 steps leading up to the French church of Trinità dei Monti.
The steps were named after a Spanish ambassador that lived nearby.
At the base of the stairs in the Piazza di Spagna is the Fontana della Barcaccia ( Fountain of the old Boat), built around 1627 by Pietro Bernini and his son Gianlorenzo.

The stairs are always crowded with locals and tourists enjoying the view of the piazza and the streets that lead onto it.
Supposedly a fine can be issued if caught eating on the steps as it is forbidden by Roman urban regulations.

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Helpful Hints

Getting Around

I found walking Rome was the best way to see everything.

The metro, trams and buses are also an easy and cheap option.

Buses and the metro can get crowded. Tickets must be bought before boarding and validated.

Beware of pickpockets.

Buses 40 (express) and 64 start at Termini and end near Saint Peter's, traveling past places of interest, returning the same way.

Some stops along the 64 route are:

Repubblica

Piazza Venezia

Via Nazionale

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II

Bus 75 takes you past the Colosseum to Trastevere

Bus 910 takes you to Villa Borghese

Ticket Options

€1.50 B.I.T (Biglietto Integrato a Tempo) is the standard ticket valid for one metro, unlimited tram or bus rides within 100 minutes.

€7.00 B.I.G ( Biglietto Integrato a Giornaliero) is a daily ticket valid for unlimited metro, tram, bus and train travel within Rome.

Purchasing Bus and Metro tickets.

Newsstands, train stations, metro stations, kiosks with the ATAC logo and tabacchi shops sell tickets for the metro, trams and buses.

Large fines apply to travelers not holding or validating their ticket. Tickets once validated start from the time they have been stamped.

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These are a few of my favourite books about Rome

The Cardinal's Hat by Mary Hollingsworth

This book tells the story of one of the sons of Lucrezia Borgia who became a cardinal during the 16th century.

The Tigress of Forli by Elizabeth Lev

I love this book telling the story of Caterina Sforza who was fighting against the Borgia pope to retain the rights of her land and her freedom.

The Popes by John Julius Norwich

A detailed but easy and enjoyable book to read about the history of the papacy and the popes.

The Pope's Daughter by Caroline P Murphy

This book describes in beautiful detail, the life and times of Pope Julius II daughter, Felice della Rovere.

The Families Who Made Rome by Anthony Majanlahti

I love this Book! It explains the families who made Rome what it is as we see it today and also looks at their triumphs, scandals and failures.

Rome by Robert Hughes

This book explains Rome from its beginning and expands on the Renaissance and Baroque until present times.

The Lost Painting by Jonathan Harr

Another of my favourite reads about a lost Caravaggio painting and the search for its provenance.

other sites I trust for information on Rome are:

Rome Art Lover

Churches of Rome wiki