BUSKERS (ON THE METRO)
by DAO
What is a Busker? It is an English word that means a street musician, usually found along the Tourist Trail and anything resembling a commuter train. Many of them have talent, some do not, but the rarely stay long. A top class busker will play a whole song or two and then ask for some money. They are polite in Rome and don’t mind if you don’t give them money. When they are talented and entertain it seems customary to give them some small change. When they are bad, some advice should be administered by the crowd.
For more information on Buskers in Rome, look here:
Santuario della Madonna del...
by imho
Santuario della Madonna del Divino Amore
Via del Santuario(via Ardeatina Km 12)
00134 ROMA
ITALY
Tel. 0039 6 71353302-3
fax. 0039 6 71353304
c/c Postale nº 721001
The manager of the pensionne insisted on personally taking us to the Sanctuary of our Lady of Divine Love. Since it wasn't in any of the guidebooks I had glossed over, I was rather halfhearted about going...but now it's the only place I'd ever go back to if I do return to Roma. Located in the outskirts of Rome, you take a bus to Divino Amore (which is invariably filled with tourists en route to the Catacombs, which are on the way to the Sanctuary). Divino Amore doesn't strike one as impressive, especially after you've seen the glorious cathedrals of Rome, but it holds a special significance for devout Italian Catholics.
The historical events of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love started in the 12th century, when in that area of the Roman countryside there stood a kind of a fortress owned by the Savello-Orsini Family, which was called 'Castel di Leva'.
On one of the castle's towers there was an image of the Holy Virgin Mary sitting on a throne, holding the Child Jesus in her arms, with a dove descending upon her, as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, Who is Divine Love. The image, painted in fresco in that same period, was much venerated by the local shepherds.
In the spring of 1740, as he reached the neighbourhood of the tower, a traveler going to Rome was attacked by a pack of dogs and was about to be torn to pieces. The poor man raised his eyes towards the sacred image and asked the Mother of God for help. There followed a miracle: all of a sudden the dogs scattered , fleeing through the countryside.
In 1944 Rome was in danger of destruction by the events of the war. On January 24th the painting of the Holy Virgin Mary was carried to various churches in the city and finally to the Church of Saint Ignatius, where, on the 4th of June 1944 the Roman people, in order to obtain the liberation of Rome, made a vow to renew their life, to build a new sanctuary and to perform an act of charity in her honour. Our Lady worked the miracle and Rome was saved. On the 11th of June 1944 Pope Pius XII went to pray with the people of Rome and conferred on Our Lady of Divine Love the title of 'Saviour of City'.
Many faithful Italians have flocked to Divino Amore to plead for the Virgin Mother's intercession...and, from the number of paper, glass, and stone hearts strewn all over the lawns and hung in the chapel itself, it appears that their prayers were answered.
Metro in Rome
by Webboy
We used the Rome Metro system quite a few times. It is one of the best Metro systems I have used.
All the trains are covered from top to bottom in Graffiti, which is not to appealing, but other than that, they seemed perfectly safe.
The Metro prices are excellent. 4 Euros will get you a day pass which lasts until midnight on the day of purchase and can be used an unlimited amount of times in that period.
1 Euro will get you a 75 minute ticket. This ticket will take you anywhere, as long as you have used it within 75 minutes of purchase.
We were near the Manzoni Metro Station. You generally find that most sites are within no more than a 10-15 minutes walk from the nearest Metro station.
For those of you whishing to visit the Vatican, the stop you need is Ottaviano on Line A. From here, the Vatican is a 5 minute walk south.
Do note though, that like every other major city, Romes Metro System gets very busy around rush hour!
Traditional roman cuisine
by trilbi
Pommidoro is a very good restaurant situated in the San Lorenzo area, near Termini station and the university. They have dishes of the roman tradition, and a very good pajata di agnello alla griglia, grilled lamb intestines.
Piazza dei Sanniti, 44, tel. 06 4452692 closed sunday like most of the restaurants in the San Lorenzo area
Osteria dell'Angelo fixed price roman menu that changes according to what is available in the season. You can find here some well prepared basic roman dishes like rigatoni con la pajata or spezzatino alla picchiapò well prepared. On thursdays, as in the tradition, gnocchi di patate, potato dumplings with tomato sauce.
Via G.Bettolo, 24, tel. 06 3729470 not far from the Vatican, closed sundays price 18 Euro.
Da Lucia, a family run trattoria in the Trastevere area
Vicolo del Mattonato, 2, tel 06 5803601 closed mondays
Da Oio a casa mia in the testaccio area
Via Galvani, 43, 98/100, tel. 06 5782680 closed sundays
Trevi Fountain
by rosymole
There are so bits of Rome that you have to see, and Trevi Fountain is one of them. It's busy and you'll pestered by hawkers to buy plastic rubbish but it is possible to loose yourself just by looking at the fountain. It's a real focal point for friendliness and commeraderie, which you can undrestand more once you know the story behind it.
Along all the little side streets around the Trevi area is hidden a little cafe/resturant which is really lovely. sadly i can't recall the name but there was s sign outside inviting to "eat inside, or outside on the back". i was so intrigued by this amusing wording that i had lunch there. It was fairly empty and run by a nice friendly lady who understood my pointing and very bad Italian. Delicious food and big snmile all for well under ý5 - what a bargain!
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Walkway behind Tempio on Lake
S.Maria Maggiore, Rear Façade, Roma, May 2007
Villa Doria Pamphilj
Rose Petals, the Pantheon’s Floor, 27.May.2007
