Category — Rome

Roman Holiday is probably one of the best known movies on Rome. Shot obviously in Rome, this 1953 movie by William Wyler tells the love story between a foreign princess (played by Audrey Hepburn) visiting the city and a U.S. journalist (Gregory Peck). This film skyrocketed Audrey Hepburn to stardom and her dressing style set a fashion trend. After the firm was released, the number of visitors to Italy from the U.S. increased considerably, above all for the views of Rome included in the picture.

Federico Fellinis 1960 movie La Dolce Vita was quite popular at the time in the States. This was not so much because of its social contents, but on account of the views of Rome that were included in the film. In a famous scene Anita Ekberg walks straight into Trevi Fountain – and to stardom: this has become a classic scene in the history books of the world’s movie industry. Not surprising, seeing that Fellini himself adored Rome, which was not his native city (he was born in northern Italy)and yet seemed to suit him perfectly.

Why would anyone throw a coin in a fountain and nobody standing around would find it strange? To find out you should see Jean Negulesco’s 1954 movie Three Coins In The Fountain. The title actually refers to the old tradition of throwing a coin in Trevi Fountain as a good omen for your return to Rome again in the future. Of course the background of the love story running through the movie is all of Rome, with many scenes being set in various typical parts of the city.

Are you familiar with the 1959 historical colossal movie Ben Hur? Its director, William Wyler, only a few years before had shot Roman Holiday and, quite clearly, fallen in love with Rome. So he decided to set the first “colossal” in movie history in Ancient Rome. The scenes were all shot in Cinecitta – Rome’s “Holliwood” studios – but they are so realistic that you feel as if you are literally stepping back in the past. The glorious, if occasionally cruel, days of ancient Rome are perfectly re-enacted.

Ever heard of Turtle Fountain Square in Rome? Well, if you look up city guides you won’t find this name, simply because officially the square is called Piazza Mattei. It’s a charming little square set in the very heart of the Roman Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest areas of Rome. Anthony Minghella found it so captivating that he set some scenes of his movie The Talented Mr. Ripley right there.

If you ask anybody what is the movie of Ancient Rome that they recall best, probably the answer is The Gladiator. Believe it or not, this movie, that provides a complex picture of power, love, hatred, greatness and cruelty, was not shot in Rome at all. Still, Ridley Scott – who also directed Blade Runner – managed to create an atmosphere and a physical reconstruction of Ancient Rome that very closely resembles the true original. Russell Crowe fits the part perfectly and so do all the other actors in the movie.

Is it true to say that Rome has been the setting of countless movies or parts of them? The answer is obviously yes! Take for instance Norman Jewison’s Only You. Some scenes are shot in Piazza Santa Maria in Trastevere, the very heart of Rome’s most traditional suburb. The love story between the two main characters finds a splendid background in the local setting, which is traditionally considered extremely romantic, particularly at dusk.

* You are walking through Rome and all of a sudden you hear a bang. What is it? What’s happening? Nobody seems to show any concern and people go about their business as usual, except that they look at their watches. It’s midday! And the bang you heard is the 12 o’ clock cannon shot fired every day from the Janiculum Hill. This is a tradition that started in 1847 to give people a time signal to set their clocks and watches by.

* Would you ever believe that a keyhole might be considered an attraction by tourists visiting Rome? Yes, this can happen if that keyhole allows you to view trees lining a garden and in the distance the shape of St. Peter’s Basilica. All you have to do to have that great peep is go up the Aventine Hill – one of Rome’s famous Seven Hills – and wait for the sunset when the Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, closes. Then simply look through the keyhole and… enjoy!

* Do you really think that all artistic masterpieces always have noble origins? You may be surprised to know that is far from true. Take, for instance, the Bocca della Verita, or Mouth of Truth in Rome, millions of visitors put somewhat hesitatingly their hands in that mouth, fearing that they might lose them. Do you think that they would have a picture taken if they were putting their hands inside a sewer? Because that’s exactly what they are doing! The Mouth used to be the top of a sewer manhole located in the Roman Forum. But then again, that was long ago…!

* Ever seen bottled water from Rome in the U.S.? We have, during a tour of the East Coast! And a thought struck us: will those people drinking that water ever realize that almost certainly that water came through aqueducts that were built over 2000 years ago by Roman engineers? This is absolutely true and you can rest assured that water is not only safe to drink, but also nice to taste: many homes and fountains in the city still use that water.

* Have you ever walked up and down the Seven Hills of Rome? If so, sometimes you may have wished that uphill slopes would suddenly go downhill. Unfortunately that doesn’t normally happen, but there is a road known as the “bewitched” climbing slope, at Ariccia, a town near Rome, where objects tend to roll uphill, rather than downhill. Scientists have been wracking their brains to work out why this happens, but to no avail. Why don’t you see for yourself and try to explain it?

* How often do you think a phrase uttered against everybody’s wishes really carried the day? Who knows, but there is one instance in the history of Rome when this was actually true. One day in 1586 workers were trying to set upright the obelisk at present standing in St. Peter’s Square. To ensure all possible concentration for the 800 workers on the job, other people in the square had been told to be absolutely quiet, on pain of death. Noticing that some ropes were giving way, someone shouted WATER TO THE ROPES! The hemp then shrank and everything turned out ok. Instead of getting a death penalty the man was awarded a prize and bestowed a title.

* Jealousy has always been important in the relations of men, particularly artists. A popular story that is frequently told about two great Italian artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, is very much to the point. When Bernini built the fountains in Piazza Navona, Rome, one of them was designed to show that it seems to turn its back on the Church of St. Agnes designed by Borromini and another appears to cover its eyes with its hand to protect them against such a horrible sight.

* Have you ever heard of modern-day Romans’ laid back attitude to life, but also of their basically kind-hearted approach to other people’s problems? Here is something for you to think about. Carol Wojtyla, who was in Rome for the conclave after the death of his predecessor, was delayed by a hitch and was looking desperately for a lift to the Vatican. A passing bus driver who was going back to his depot was puzzled to see a priest thumbing a ride and stopped to find out. When he heard what was happening, he decided off his own bat to take him straight to the Vatican on his bus. The grateful Wojtyla, now a Pope, got in touch with him some time later to thank him for allowing that unknown priest to become a Pope.

* Do you think that highways are a modern invention? Think twice. Over 2000 years ago the Romans had their version of highways. They certainly didn’t have vehicles hurtling along at breakneck speed or gas stations, but they did have a road network that even these days would be second to none in length (thousands of miles) or quality (many stretches of Roman roads are still partly in use or have been used as tracks for new highways). They were also fairly sophisticated: they had service areas where people could relax or rest during their trip, facilities to change horses and a sort of diners where you could have a full hot meal or take it away with you in hot stone containers to be left at the next service area.

* There is a street in Rome named Via del Porto di Ripetta (Port of Ripetta Street). What has this peculiar name got to do with Rome? The answer is that in Roman times ships could sail up to the city because Rome was 11 kilometers closer to the sea (the Tiber has discharged huge quantities of silt and sand at its mouth over the years) and the Tiber was navigable. Perhaps it will be possible to sail up the river again before long if the mayor of Rome has it his way: he is pressing for it.

While you are on a sightseeing tour of Rome, probably you wont need all that much money. So, keep only 50 Euros cash in your wallet, preferably in 5 or 10 Euro bills. Put any other money, credit cards and documents you are taking with you in your money belt or in other spots (i.e. socks, shoes) ” in any case NEVER in a handbag or purse.

Before entering a restaurant in Rome have a look at the price list (usually its on a stand outside the restaurant). Please keep in mind that a cover charge is always applied.

Are you doing your shopping during your tour in Rome? Fine! Just remember there is a list of ‘Tax Free’ stores of the city. When buying goods at any of these stores, you should always request a document stating that you paid the full price for items totaling at least 150 Euros in value. You should produce this document at the ‘Tax Free’ desk of the last European airport you are departing from when returning home. You will be refunded the 12 % European VAT Tax.

Sometimes taxi drivers are also tax dodgers or are unauthorized. So here is our suggestion: ask the driver if he will issue a receipt at the end of the ride.

Always have on you a list of telephone numbers you can call for an emergency – it will help a lot if your contact speaks both Italian and English.

Before leaving home, make sure you arrange with your mobile provider the activation of international roaming. You phone will then work automatically on your arrival in Rome.

As far as possible pre-pay all the services that you will require during your tour of Rome. You will then know exactly what your costs are. In any case, if necessary, always change your currency at a bank: you will avoid possible problems.

Are you looking for a tour operator to arrange your tour of Rome? Just a word of advise. First quality Tour Operators will always provide all these details: a street address, a telephone number you can call, an email address, VAT and Tour Operator license numbers. Plus, they will show their commitment to their customers by providing them with a 24-hour assistance through an emergency phone number.

This is just something that travelers from the U.S. and Canada should know. Visitors from outside the European Union are entitled to free or near-free medical treatment at Italian hospitals in case of an emergency.

The phone number of the U.S. Embassy, located in Via Vittorio Veneto 121, Rome is: 0039 06 4674 5929, while the number of the Canadian Embassy, located in Via Zara 30, Rome is 0039 06 854441.