Fontana delle Tartarughe
by OrlandoBR
This famous little fountain - the "Turtle" fountain - is hidden somewhere in the narrow streets between the Forum and the Tiber River. It is a relief to take a detour from the beaten touristic track and wander around the streets where most tourists don't go. Italy in Spring or Summer can get very crowded around any major points of interest, but there certainly are many calm and even silent streets to be explored, and that does not mean there are no important ruins or monuments or fountains there as well.
Bernini's Elephant of Minerva
by alza
Walking from the Pantheon, I saw this famous work by Bernini, by chance. It's a small obelisk carried by an amusing marble elephant sculpture called "Il pulcino della Minerva" (Minerva's chick) for its small size.
The obelisk was found in a nearby garden and is the smallest egyptian obelisk in Rome, dating to VIth c. BC. Pope Alexander VII asked Bernini to draw a support for the obelisk. Bernini took his inspiration from a dream figure in the Hypnerotomachia Poliphili (!) by Francesco Colonna (a book I've never heard of but if I ever happen on it, I'll remember now.) The title means "The Strife of Love in a Dream".
The elephant was done between 1667-1669. The concept was Bernini's but the realisation is attributed to Ercole Ferrata (one of his students probably.) It stands on the ground of an ancient temple to Minerva.
The Church behind the obelisk elephant is Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, which is *the* church of Tuscan glories! Once back home and checking my photos, I was disappointed to have focussed only on the elephant, using too much zoom. I saw more beautiful shots that incorporated the Church in the background... I'll do better next time, maybe!
Inside, feast your eyes on the ogival vault, blue skies! See the moving tomb of Fra Angelico, in a dark passage left of the chancel.
Airport shuttle
by Peccavi
Getting from and to the airport with a pre-ordered airport shuttle is a good way to get where you need to go fast. Still - remember to stress for the hotel where you book the shuttle how many ppl. who are traveling and how much luggage you expect to bring. We were 6 ppl. traveling together and both from and to the airport the car we got was actually to small for all ppl. and luggage. On the trip to the airport we were stuffed like sardines in a box, and still they wanted €90 + tip for the trip. We didn`t pay the tip ,and the driver got mad - Italian style! :-)
excellent dinner
by iaint about Le Naumache di Micheli Alfredo
Recommended by our nearby hotel. They were right!
Friendly, traditional place (but not touristy in any way!).
Not a huge menu, but still plenty of choice. The service was good and informal, but not "too" friendly. Its nice to be treated as a normal customer and not as a tourist!
It has outdoor tables (with heaters for winter), presumably to service smokers and dog owners. I had ruota luganica (a "regional" sausage) with potatoes and veg. Excellent. My buddy had home made pasta with clams - different but good!
€38 for 2 main courses & 1 big salad, 2 desserts, half bottle of local red, water etc. Good value.
Ancient Ruin
by Hooverboy
This is an amazing site when you see it in the flesh,although there is nothing else to do here apart from pop in to see the pope at the vatican. Bars are scarce as are the `divas` and all you see is cobbles and fountains everywhere. Once you`ve see one then............
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Remnant of ancient Rome's temple to capitalism
Nick in front of the Basilica of Constantin
at the The Tyrrhenian Fountain
Monument in Villa Borghese
