Yes Hotel Rome Travel Blog: The Rome travel guide

Our Blogger: Wanda

This year to celebrate the bimillenium birthday of Saint Paul, who is believed to have been born seven to ten years after Christ, between June 28th 2008 and June 29th 2009 "a series of liturgical, cultural and ecumenical events” take place. The Year is known as ”Paolina” and the various pastoral and social initiatives are set to inspire Christians worldwide. 

So now is a goodtime to go on a pilgrimage to the places which the great apostle visited during the final part of his life. These are some of the most important places.

A l’abbazia delle tre fontane – The Three Fountains Abbey 

The place where St Paul was locked in a cell before receiving martyrdom is found in  the abbey of the Three Fountains (ex.Waters Sages) on Via Laurentina in Rome. The church is S.Maria Scala Coeli inside the courtyard of the abbey. Then inside, underneath, the crypt opens, and there is a sixteenth-century altar devoted to St. Zenone and the Martyr soldiers that kept St. Paul prisoner before his decapitation.

To the right of the church crossing a small piece of land full of trees is the place where St. Paul was killed. As the story goes, he was decapitated and jumped three times on the earth below. On those points of contact, it’s said three springs of water miraculously gushed out, and thus the name “The Three Fountains”.

Il Carcere Mamertino:

The Jail Mamertino or Carcer Tullianum is the most ancient jail in Rome, known also as Jails mamertine.

Here St. Paul was imprisoned together with St. Peter .The story is that there was a miracle release of spring water in the jail and the two saints succeeded in converting the custodians of the jails. And it was from here that St. Paul was taken to be beheaded (The Church of the Three Fountains)

La Basilica San Paolo fuori le mura:

The great apostle was buried on the road that leads to Ostia, and for many centuries pilgrims visited his grave. Later, the Basilica was built on that spot, and today you can visit the sarcophagus of the Saint.

The values of the Saint are considered to have a strong influence on Christianity because his missions helped increase the number of Christians in the Greek and Roman world. After St. Giovanni the evangelist (St John), St Paul is the most wise and gifted writer of all the Apostles.

So don’t miss this great opportunity to visit these monuments of religious and historical importance in Rome. And for your own convenience, why not stop by Hotel Des Artistes? Being so centrally located it’s a great choice for your holiday hotel.

Our Blogger: Arianna

Today I would like to tell you about a small and a big story, regarding The mythology of Rome, the importance and the social function that it used to have in old roman society.

As in every capital city, in order to celebrate its greatness, everything was colligated with myth –the foundation of the city for example, goes back to “Enea”. For those of you who don’t’ know who Enea is, I’m going to explain quickly: Enea is the protagonist of Eneide, an epic poem written by Virgilius, who ran away from Troy and once in Lazio married Lavinia, Latino’s daughter. They had a son called Silvio, who founded the family of Romulus and Remus.

In reality, genuine mythology in Rome started with the adaptation of Greek mythology.

You probably already know about the story of Romulus Remus. The difference between Greek legends and roman ones is that while Greek divinities assume a behaviour prevalently human (they were implicated in loving wars, revenges) the Romans had a social function and they interacted with the normal unwinding of life.

At the beginning, roman working people were very humble – many were farmers and shepherds. So many of the Roman Gods related to this way of life – for example, Jupiter was the god of weather, the elements etc. 

Despite this, it’s possible to glimpse into the “res-publica” concept (the public government).

In this society two figures deserved a particular mention: the Pontiffs and the Vestals.

The pontiffs were the highest ranking priests because they used to decide bank holidays and public celebrations, most of the time the pontiff sovereign was an emperor.

The Vestals were priestesses devoted to Vest, they lived in chastity for 30 years before they were able to marry.

Sadly those who didn’t respect this law were killed in terrible circumstances – infact they were buried alive.

The main gods in Rome were : Jupiter, Giunone and Minerva, Diana, Venus, Ceres, Mars, and finally Mercurius.

In all of Rome it’s possible to research the signs and symbols behind the myths. For example Barbo’s Palace portrays Hercules while in one old heating stove at the Vatican palace you can admire Venus etc.

So why don’t stay here at Hotel des Artistes the perfect base to discover the beauty of myths in Rome?

Our Blogger: Arianna

Have you ever been to Civita di bagnoregio? No? Then let’s go on an adventure together…

In my recent post I told you about Calcata, the “dying village�, which the government decided to rebuild in a different place because it laid completely on dangerous volcanic rock.

What happened to Civita was almost the same. In fact, the village lies on a steep volcanic rock, which is apparently risky because two gorges were built between it.

Like all the towns in the province of Viterbo, this area was inhabited by the Etruscans but rocks have been found which the link the area back to the stone age.

If you do a quick search on the internet you will be able to find a lot more information about this so I’m just going to write about my own personal experience in this magical place.

I went to Civita earlier this year on Easter Monday and spent the first part of the day visiting Bomarzo and the monster park. However, because the weather was bad (a bit cold and rainy) I didn’t stay there a long time.

On the way back to Rome, still in the daytime , my friends and I decided to see the famous “dying� village.

First of all I have to point out that today the village is divided in two parts: the new part is actually called Bagnoregio and Civita is the original.

I parked the car at the front of Bagnoregio and I took the bus that brings you very close to the big pedestrian bridge that joins the two parts. The bridge was built only a few years ago and is the only way to reach the medieval area.

In fact, as I explained in my last post, a lot of wealthy people decided to rebuilt the ancient village and buy a small house in the suburb. It now costs much more in respect of the past.

Crossing the bridge is an unusual experience because you feel as if you are arriving at something that really belongs to another age. A small curiosity: Civita today has a population of just eight people.

Inside the village, you can find small café’s, wine cellars, and even restaurants where you can try pasta with medieval sauce.

The view is wonderful: eroded mountains and blue sky – and the most important thing: no cars!!!

Christmas is very close. In Civita a real nativity is held with 50 actors recreating the holy scene… Don’t miss it. And with Hotel Des Artistes so ideally placed near Termini station your journey can be easily planned.

How to get there

From Hotel des Artistes: Go to Termini station (5 minutes), and take a train to Viterbo. From there, take the Viterbo Cotral bus until Bagnoregio.

Our Blogger: Arianna

Only 47 Kilometres away from Rome, there is a typical example of medieval architecture, one of the most well conserved fortresses in all of Italy.

Calcata is located on the Treja valley, characterized by volcanic material and red tuff in particular.

In the magic atmosphere that surrounded the suburb, history and mythology come into play together.

The legend says that the area was built by the Falisci people who originated from Haleso, Agamemnon’s son.

But we really don’t know when Calcata was constructed because the first stories about it go back to around 772 – 795, under Adrian’s I papacy.

During the XIII century Calcata became well known because the Anguillara family erected a tower with fortified walls and many doors. What we know for sure is that according to an old legend, a prepuce and an oil bottle used to wash Jesus Christ’s feet was conserved.in Calcata.

During the pillage of Rome in 1527 made by lansquenets, one of them steeled the relic and hid it in a barn. Another story is that someone else hid the relic inside a cavern.

Only after 30 years was the relic found and collocated inside the church of S. Cyprian and Cornelius.

Visiting the entire village doesn’t take a long time but it’s a spectacular walk .It’s like going back 100 years in time. The houses are small and compact, the paths in the streets are extremely straight and are infact built on previously active volcanic land.

Calcata has another strange history. In 1930 the government decided to evacuate the village because it believed the foundations of the buildings’ were fragile and there was a risk of rock fall. A new calcata was also built 2 km away from the old village.

At that time, Calcata, together with another village called Civita di Bagnoregio, became knows as “the dying villages�.

What happened after that?

Well, starting from 1960 approximately, a lot of old hippies, artists and writers, started to rebuild the “dying village�, giving it new life.

In fact, its actually like a status symbol nowadays to be a Calcatan and its even possible to rediscover the simple life there once was, with nature and spiritualism bearing real significance.

For example, in the treja area just below the village there is a temple of spiritualism where you can try a different kind of life – keeping contact only with the land and its animals.

Visitors (no more than six at a time) are asked not to use electrical appliances and for water there is only a barrel.

I hope I made you curious enough to come and visit this beautiful town. And if you are curious enough, why not check out our special prices at Yes Hotel in Rome? Being so centrally located, our hotel is the ideal spot for transport connections to other places in the Lazio region.

Directions by car

From Rome’s “great ring road” (Grande Raccordo Anulare): take the exit 5 – S. S. 2bis Cassia V. (Veientana) -, go past the third exit for Campagnano Romano, after 200 m turn straight into the exit for Mazzano Romano – Trevignano, and then follow the signs for Calcata.
Otherwise, take the Flaminia Road (Via Flaminia) in the direction of Civita Castellana as far as Rignano Flaminio, then follow the signs for Faleria-Calcata.

Directions By bus

Take a bus from Saxa Rubra, Roma.

The Real Name

What can be surprising when it comes to talk about evidence of the past one could find in Rome ?

You might remeber that film (see the picture)…Yes, that one. Russel Crowe was named Maximus Decimus Merida, but that was not the real name of the Gladiator. 

A great discovery was made recently in Rome by a group of Archeologists! The tomb of the Roman commander who inspired the Gladiator of Ridley Scott, a magnificent funerary monument that came to light on the Via Flaminia, in the Eternal City.

The inscription discovered in the marble mauseoleo, give the name of Marcus Nonius Macrinus, the soldier Roman patrician, who would be named many centuries later as Maximus Decimus Merida, the heroe with the face Russel Crowe, to fight in the arena..
The archaeologist of the Superintendence of Rome, Daniela Rossi announced in a press conference at the headquarters of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage this "exceptional discovery" this month. "It’s been at least twenty or thirty years since pieces of such importance were found in Rome"

The monument is located close to Vitorchiano street and was discovered by chance during the construction of a building. The works had been stopped immediatly.
It is remarkable not only because of the beauty of the pieces considered individually , with fragments finely decorated, but also for the fact mentioned by Daniela Rossi: ‘’It is possible to recreate the whole monument. The tomb has been kept almost intact, this was produced by the action of the silt of the Tiber, the tomb had been covered by a flood’’.

So this flood, almost two thousands years ago, give us now in the present the chance to know a little bit more about the life of Mister Marcus Nonius Macrinus.

Do not miss this opportunity and visit this tomb, once you are in Rome.

Book our strategically located YES hotel  and make your Roman stay unforgettable!

Rome Anniversary

On April the 21^th is celebrated in Rome the legendary foundation of the City. According to legend, the foundation took place in 753 BC. The tradition says that the founders of Rome were the twins Romulus and Remus. 

Romulus and Remus were sons of Rea Silvia. She was the daughter of Numitor, king of Alba Longa. But Amulius, Numitor’s younger brother, in order to take the throne, expelled Numitor and forced Rea Silvia to become a Vestal virgin.

This would prevent any threat from her children, he thought. Nevertheless Rea Silvia conceived by intervention of gods and gave birth to twins, Amulius ordered the boys to be thrown into the river Tiber in a basket.

Romulus and Remus survived the attempt on their lives, however. They landed on a riverbank and were saved by a she-wolf. The twins are often pictured drinking the wolf’s milk. Recently there has been some polemic on whether Italian archeologist found the place where she-wolf saved the twins on the Capitoline Hill.

Faustulus, a shepherd, found the twins and raised them.

When time arrived and they were old enough, Romulus and Remus took their revenge on Amulius. They killed him and restored their grandfather Numitor as king of Alba Longa. Romulus and Remus decided to found their own city in the land in which they had grown up.

They argued about exactly where to start building and the rule of it, and eventually Romulus killed Remus. Hence Romulus actually founded Rome. They were believed to be descendants of the Trojan hero Aeneas.

Beautiful story, don’t you think?

In this Myth there are many interesting coincidences with other sacred stories: a virginal conception by divine intervention (Christ), babies left in a basket on a river (Moises), one brother’s killing (Cain and Abel). The fact that the twins were raised by a shepherd remind us the main activity of the first member of roman community. 

Spontaneously groups of people, like the ‘’Gruppo Storico Romano’’ or the ‘’Scuola Gladiatori Roma’’ meet in commemoration performing the ‘’The Trench Diggin’’ at 11.45 a.m. in Via Appia Antica 76 close to the Priscilla’s Tomb (Free entrance)

So, visit Rome in April. Enjoy variety of Special offers of fancy YES HOTEL, and wish Happy Birthday to ROMA- Eternal and always Gourgeous!

The  Rome Pantheon is one of the greatest buildings of the World.
It was buid as a temple around 125 AD.
Later it has been used as a Catholic Church and it is still active as such.
The Pantheon is situated at Piazza della Rotonda in the historical centre of Rome.
Passing through the colonade people enter through a big bronze doors and after they see the huge circular room.The interior is with a cylinder shape and above the top is a perfect hemispherical dome.

The only natural light that enters is through the center of the dome and through the doors.
It is beautiful to observe as the sun moves different and intersting patterns of light illuminate the walls and floors , made of granite and yellow marble. 
The Pantheon is also known as Chiesa di Santa Maria ad Martyres.
Here are some facts about this amazig and precious historical and architectural achievment from ancient times:
It is tall 43 meters and wide 43 meters which makes its dome a perfect hemisphere.It is standing on a solid rig wall which is thick 7,5 meters.
It has been the largest dome in the world until Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence (1420-30)
The main alter of the church is opposite the entrance. The original 7-th century icon   of The Madonna and Child can be seen bove the alter.
There are monumental tobs build into the walls of the pantheon. One of them is of the artist Raphael-on the left side as you enter.  In the piazza outside the pantheon is a beautiful fountain with  an ancient Egyptian obelisk on the top of it which is erected by Pope Clement XI.

Useful Tourist Information:
The Pantheon is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday.
On Sunday:from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On holidays that fall on week days except Christmas Day,New Year’s Day and may 1 -closed.
There is NO admission to enter into the Pantheon.

It is located near our Yes Hotel Rome.

Of Early Rome: 

Cermalus

Cispius

Fagutal

Oppius

Palatium

Sucusa

Velia

Of Later Rome:

Aventinus (Aventine)

Caelius (Caelian)

Capitolium (Capitoline)

Esquiliae (Esquiline)

Palatium (Palatine)

Quirinalis (Quirinal)

Viminalis (Viminal)

Though the Capitoline is the only distinct hill today, all seven hills were once discernable. The Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, and Caelian hills are really promintaries of an ancient volcanic ridge. The Palatine Hill, Aventine, and Capitoline hills were hills seperate from the others (not part of the same ancient ridge). There were once marshy ravines between all of the hills, and between the hills and the Tiber River, but these were drained in antiquity and the ravines are now filled in with the remains of civilisation.

Archaeological evidence supports the notion that there were walled cities on each of the seven original hills. It also suggests that there was a wall that surrounded the Palatine, Esquiline, Velian, and Caelian hills but left out the Capitoline , Quirinal, and Viminal hills.

Historians and Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient enmity between peoples living on the Quirinal and Esquiline hills against those on the Velian and Palatine hills. This could help explain the reasons for choosing Remus and Romulus as leaders of the warring peoples living on the Aventine and Palatine hills respectively.

Though the Capitoline is the only distinct hill today, all seven hills were once discernable. The Quirinal, Viminal, Esquiline, and Caelian hills are really promintaries of an ancient volcanic ridge. The Palatine, Aventine, and Capitoline hills were hills seperate from the others (not part of the same ancient ridge). There were once marshy ravines between all of the hills, and between the hills and the Tiber River, but these were drained in antiquity and the ravines are now filled in with the remains of civilisation.

Archaeological evidence supports the notion that there were walled cities on each of the seven original hills. It also suggests that there was a wall that surrounded the Palatine, Esquiline, Velian, and Caelian hills but left out the Capitoline, Quirinal, and Viminal hills.

Historians and Archaeologists have found evidence of ancient enmity between peoples living on the Quirinal and Esquiline hills against those on the Velian and Palatine hills. This could help explain the reasons for choosing Remus and Romulus as leaders of the warring peoples living on the Aventine and Palatine hills respectively.

Aventine: Mons/Collis Aventinus

This hill is where Remus chose to live. In historical times it was the home of the plebeans, who built a temple to Ceres in the 5th century BCE. It also had temples for Liber and Libera.

Caelian: Mons/Collis Caelius

Many of Rome’s elite lived on this hill during the Roman Republic.

Capitoline: Mons/Collis Capitolinus

This hill was the site of many of Rome’s earliest fortresses. It was also the hill of the government. The temples of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, Juno Moneta, and Concord are located on this hill.

Esquiline: Mons/Collis Esquilinus

This hill had a walled city on it since at least the 700s BCE.

Palatine: Mons/Collis Palatinus

This hill is the hill of Romulus. In Classical times it was the hill where Rome’s rich and powerful chose to live. Walled villages and tombs have been found here, and the people who lived in those villages seem to be dominant to their contemporaries since the 700s BCE. The temple of Magna Mater is located on the Palentine.

Quirinal: Mons/Collis Quirinalis

It is on this hill that the Sabines once lived and built their city. Archaeological evidence supports habitation of this hill since at least the 8th century BCE through tomb and walled village excavations.

Viminalis: Mons/Collis Viminalis

This is the smallest of the Seven Great Hills, and was one of the last to be included inside the walls of Rome.

All 7 hills make a pleasant walk , ideal for those who just want to chill out some, and no doubt  you will be happy to come back to your cosy and new  Yes  hotel Rome, conveniently located and tucked away from the noise