La Befana, a Beloved Tradition
by von.otter
La Befana, one of Italy's oldest and most beloved traditions takes the form of a kindly, elderly woman.
Legend tells us that the Three Wise Men were searching for the Christ child when they stopped at a small house to ask directions. When they knocked, an old woman with a broom opened the door. She did not know who these gaily dressed men were looking for and could not point the way. They asked her to join them. She declined because she was busy with her housework. After they left she reconsidered and tried to catch up with the men; but she could not find them. To make up for her error, the old woman stopped all the children along the way to give them each a small treat, hoping that one was the Christ child.
Each year on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, the 6th of January, Italian children are visited by La Befana. If they had been good the previous year, she leaves candy; if they had been naughty she leaves a lump of coal. The name Befana is a corruption of the Italian word epifania, which means epiphany.
It is believed that the tradition of La Befana got its start in Rome, and then spread throughout Italy. In Rome's glorious Piazza Navona an outdoor market is set up each year in December through the Epiphany. Toys, sugar coal, and candy are sold for the Roman children.
The Epiphany, the day that the Three Wise Men arrived at the manger of the Christ child, marks the end of the Christmas season, and has traditionally been the day when gifts are given, rather than on the more solemn Christmas Day as in America. Sadly, the lovely, quaint tradition of La Befana is losing ground to American consumerism and Santa Claus bringing presents on Christmas Day is gaining popularity.
Museo delle Mura - Museum of the Walls
by abarbieri
The Museum of the Walls is located in Porta San Sebastiano, one of the largest and best preserved parts of the Aurelian Walls. The current display, on the first and second floors, opened in 1990 and is divided into three sections - ancient, mediaeval and modern, each with explanatory texts, drawings and photographs. The display narrates the history of the city's fortifications. It starts with those built under the kings of Rome, then those under the Republic, before discussing the walls built by Marcus Aurelius in the third century AD. The historical and political events that led to the building of the Aurelian walls are detailed, as well as the strategic considerations that led to them being built where they were. There is a further analysis of the building techniques used, including door types, as well as subsequent restorations and transformations.
The circular hall on the first floor contains models of the various construction phases of the Aurelian Walls, and a three dimensional plan of Rome, showing the layout of its fortifications. In the mediaeval and modern sections, found on the second floor, the historical and architectural events that befell the Aurelian Walls are narrated, tracing how in mediaeval times the relation of the walls to the city changed as the population dwindled.
On the walls of the two rooms in the museum are hung plaster casts of the crosses cut into the stone above the entrance arches of some of the doors. The casts also illustrate the crosses, palmettes and wheel patterns made with bricks by the workmen during the building of the walls.
The terrace on the central section between the gateway's two towers and that in the western tower are also accessible to visitors.
Address: Via di Porta San Sebastiano 18 (beginning of Via Appia Antica)
Closed Monday
Tue - Sun 9am - 2pm (last entrance at 1.30pm)
Entrance fee Euro 2,60
Ciampino Airport
by kari5
If you use Ciampino airport, a good book is a must for your handluggage. This is one of the most boring airports I have ever visited. There is little or nothing to do, and the seats are sparse and uncomfortable. We didn't try any of the food as we had our own food with us but none of what we saw looked particularly appetising.
Da Paris
by SueWarwick
A nice restuarant on the Piazza San Callisto
A little more expensive but very good quality.
If you can afford to pay a little more try it! However, you may need to book unless you get there early. I arrived about 8pm by 8.30 people were being turned away I had swordfish to start with then veal ravioli in ragu followed by carpaccio
San Sebastiano are the best Catacombs!
by sbenedec
I've been to several of the Roman catacombs, on different trips and in different years, but continue to hold San Sebastiano as my favorite. Their lighting is spectacular, and though you might be disappointed if you expect to see bones, as in Paris, the bones are all gone, but the remnants of the shrines are still there, along with amazing frescoes in some of the burial chambers. All of the catacombs have different hours (for instance, San Sebastiano is closed on Sunday), and they don't stay open late, but I think they are definitely worth making the effort to get out of town and see.
Sign in with Facebook
Bus route map on ATAC
Via del Lavatore
Santa Maria Maggiore - Façade with loggia.
Inside the Vatican Museum, Rome
