Graffiti and Street Art in Rome

Far from the taint of dilapidation that a graffiti-covered building might bear in British and American cities, graffiti is a commonplace and accepted ornament to even the most beautiful buildings in Rome.

Graffiti, ranging from primitive scribbles on walls to elaborate murals, has long been a part of Roman life. The word “graffiti” derives from the Italian, “graffiato“, which means scratched.

Some of the earliest examples of graffiti date back to the Roman Empire, when young men and soldiers would scratch messages onto walls, usually vulgar notes or boastful challenges to opponents.

The tradition lives on in modern Rome, where the messages differ little from those of their predecessors. Read the rest of this entry »

Getting Married in Rome

It’s no surprise that Rome and its surrounding areas have long been popular destinations for wedding ceremonies. While the allure of the Vatican may beckon those seeking a Catholic ceremony, the beautiful ancient sights and city views are appealing to those opting for civil or symbolic wedding ceremonies. What better place to vow your eternal love than the eternal city? If you’re planning your wedding  from another country, the first step in the process is to visit Rome to choose the perfect location and get a feel for this romantic city. Secondly, you’ll need to gather all the necessary paperwork for your ceremony, whether it be religious or civil. While it may seem daunting – especially if you don’t have the language – there are numerous individuals and companies based in Rome who can help you with the planning. Below, you’ll find some practical advice and suggestions to help you get started. Read the rest of this entry »

Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome

Meier's Ara Pacis

Deredia at the Colosseum

Rome is a city obsessed with fetishizing its glorious past, where  every street corner bears monuments to its bygone art heroes. The art and architecture of the city are dominated by works from centuries and millennia ago. With the notable exceptions of the current Deridia a Roma exhibition dotted around the city and Richard Meier’s recent reimagining of the Ara Pacis, the influence of modern and contemporary art movements is all but invisible. However, that is not to say that Rome is a city devoid of modern art, but rather that the contemporary art scene has hitherto been marginalized. The location of the city’s two biggest paeans to contemporary art, MACRo and MAXXI, outside of the city centre is emblematic of this marginalization. The art scene seems to be flourishing, albeit in small pockets of artistic communities. The arrival of the Gagosian gallery and emergence of independent establishments signal a gradual shift. Read the rest of this entry »

Roman Summers: Five Things To Do and See

Summer is the busiest time in Rome. From mid-May to early September, the city fills up with visitors from all over the world. Among the consequences of this influx of people are long queues at the city’s main attractions (especially the Vatican), crowded buses and metros and streets peopled with swarms of tour groups. However, despite these apparent drawbacks, Rome remains one of the best cities to visit during the summer. In addition to the guaranteed sunshine, there is the draw of a host of outdoor attractions and activities. Romans are famed for their laissez-faire attitude, which manifests itself in a positive way during the hottest time of year, making everyone a little more relaxed and friendly and generally creating a good holiday atmosphere. By mid-August, when most Romans have migrated to cooler seaside or mountain locations, the city quiets down a little. Read the rest of this entry »

What to do in San Lorenzo

Just a few minutes from Termini station, the San Lorenzo neighborhood is the location of La Sapienza University’s largest campus. The neighborhood’s character is largely coloured by the sizable student population, which means that there are plenty of bars and music venues with a more alternative feel, numerous cheap restaurants and a number of used book and clothing stores. Historically a working class area, San Lorenzo has consequently long been off the traditional tourist route. Bombed by the Allied forces during WWII, damaging Basilica San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura, the railway station and a steel factory, much of San Lorenzo was rebuilt after the war. While it may still look a little more run-down than Trastevere, San Lorenzo is fast becoming a popular place to go out. Read the rest of this entry »

International BNL Tennis Tournament in Rome

The ATP International World Masters and WTA tennis tours come to Rome every spring. This year, the men’s tournament begins April 27th and ends May 3rd, followed immediately by the women’s tournament from May 3rd to 9th. Read the rest of this entry »

Hidden Rome: Secrets of the City

Any guidebook will help you navigate the city’s major sights, but there are a few hidden treasures that only those who live in Rome are privy to…

Rome Through a Keyhole

High up on the Aventine hill, just a minute’s walk from the beautiful Parco Degli Aranci, which features one of the most breathtaking views of Rome (see above), the keyhole can be difficult to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There is an ordinary-looking green door at the top of the hill -  if you go during high tourist season there are bound to be some tourists hanging around – and the keyhole itself is rather small, but you’ll get a perfectly-framed, unobstructed view of the cupola, or dome, of St. Peter’s basilica. For obvious reasons, the view is more impressive on clear days. Read the rest of this entry »

Beers in Rome: “Birrerie”

Everyone knows that Rome has countless enoteche where you can find some of the best wine in the world, but for travelers looking for a special beer or just a decent pint, there are also several good birrerie (beer bars). While the typical Roman bar’s beer selection is limited to local beers (Peroni, Nastro Azzuro, Moretti, etc.), an increasing number of bars are beginning to stock specialist local beers and imported beers on tap. Read the rest of this entry »

Vintage Shopping in Rome

Rome may be famous for its designer stores, but for thriftier shoppers and those looking for unusual and original pieces, the city has a variety of places to buy vintage clothing. Although the offerings aren’t quite as comprehensive as those in New York or London, the vintage clothing scene in Italy is slowly gathering momentum and in the last couple of years the capital’s vintage stores have become popular with crafty fashionistas.

Via del Governo Vecchio

Tucked away behind Piazza Navona, Via del Governo Vecchio is the heart of    the capital’s antiques and used clothing scene. There are several smallish vintage clothing stores dotted along this winding street, each identifiable by the colourful clothing displays spilling out onto the road.

The stores are fairly similar in terms of merchandise, stocking mostly 60s, 70s and 80s apparel for both men and women. They also carry a good range of accessories and you can find some fantastic designer sunglasses, although they won’t necessarily be cheap. However, as with most vintage outlets, you get what you pay for when it comes to quality. Women’s dresses range from about 30 to 100 euros.

The atmosphere in the stores tends to be relaxed; store clerks are often smoking inside and the occasional dog may appear from behind a rack of clothes. Despite their surroundings, the clothes are generally in good condition. After a long day’s shopping, the neighborhood is a perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or grab a bite to eat.

There are a number of good restaurants and enoteche (winebars) in the surrounding streets -  among them, Cul de Sac, a cosy winebar in the nearby Piazza di Pasquino with an extensive wine list and an excellent selection of classic Italian dishes with a twist.

Pulp

Located only a few minutes from the Via Cavour metro station, parallel to Via dei Serpenti, Pulp is a popular haunt for designer aficionados. If you’re looking for high quality, high end clothing at lower prices, Pulp offers a more tranquil  – and more organized – environment to browse vintage classics from Chanel and Versace.

Primitivi

Primitivi is one of a handful of vintage boutiques in the Trastevere area and probably the best selection of clothing among them. Just a few steps from Piazza San Cosimato, the store carries a sizeable collection of costume jewellery and an extensive range of women’s dresses and coats. The men’s clothing section is small, but of impressive quality. In January and August Primitivo has a sale, with all merchandise from 40% off. Go early during the sales season to get first dibs!

Rome may be famous for its designer stores, but for thriftier shoppers and those looking for unusual and original pieces, the city has a variety of places to buy vintage clothing. Although the offerings aren’t quite as comprehensive as those in New York or London, the vintage clothing scene in Italy is slowly gathering momentum and in the last couple of years the capital’s vintage stores have become popular with crafty fashionistas.

di San Giacomo – bespoke handmade sandals and accessories from Claudio

One minute from Piazza Navona and Piazza della Pace, precisely in Via di Tor Millina, 10/11 (tel.0039-06-96847938, web-site www.disangiacomo.com), is this special shop / workshop, heaven for Italian and foreigner fashionistas and celebrities… 

Handmade jewels for handmade sandals! You cannot ask for more uniqueness, elegance and luxe…

Hand-sewn soles for the bottom of the sandals as well as stripes for the upper part of them are made by using best quality Italian leather.

Costume jewellery (mostly inspired from antique and vintage jewels) – also produced by Claudio in his workshop – gives then the truly amazing touch to the sandal.

Unique pieces in a mass-production world! Enjoy the fact you’ll be the only one to wear it and… don’t forget to ask Claudio for the matching earrings, necklace or bracelet!

Parks in Rome and green areas in the historic centre

As the temperature rises with the onset of spring, tourists and Romans alike flock to Rome’s green spaces to sunbathe or relax in the shade. The city has a wealth of parks and gardens offering calm oases in the chaotic centre.

Villa Doria Pamphili

Among the largest of these is Villa Doria Pamphili, nestled high up on the Gianicolo hill. At about 1.8km, the garden is an ideal space for joggers as well as those seeking an open space to enjoy the sun. Even despite its size, on sunny weekend days the park becomes packed full with picnickers, children playing and teenagers hanging out. While it may not be the best place to escape the crowds on a warm Sunday afternoon, it’s an ideal spot for people watching and there is ample bench seating to do so. Read the rest of this entry »