02.
Ciao a tutti! The first week of February has been quite busy here in Roma for us architecture students, but luckily we have still been able to enjoy the 55-60 degree weather! We've been able to enjoy a handful of Rome's most famous features during class time! Most are quick to understand that traveling through Rome is a journey into the past. Below you will get a glimpse, and a few interesting facts, of a couple of the fundamental places that make Rome a historic powerhouse.
"Rome is not like any other city. It's a big museum, a living room that shall be crossed on ones tiptoes" | Alberto Sordi
IL COLOSSEO.
The Colosseum only took about a decade to construct. Titus dedicated the Colosseum in 80 AD to commemorate how he handled the eruption of Mt. Vesuvuis in 79 AD. The final touches were put on by Titus' brother and successor, Domitian.
The Colosseum had proper seating for more than 50,000 spectators. Seating arrangements were thought to be determined by social ranking. It is hypothesized that the Colosseum had a colorful awning that protected the crowd from the elements. This awning had ropes and other structural members that stretched down to the entertainment portion in the center, which created a safety barrier between the spectators and the dangerous animals.
Parts of the original marble facade of the Colosseum were actually recycled and used for the construction of significant works of art such as St. Peter's Basilica.
The cross that stands in the Colosseum today was placed by Mussolini in 1926, after it had been taken down since the 1870s. There is a plaque next to the cross explaining its importance of the Christian Cross, "The amphitheater, one concentrated to triumphs, entertainments and the impious worship of pagan gods, is now dedicated to the sufferings of the martyrs purified from impious superstations."
IL FORO ROMANO e PALATINO.
Dating back to Ancient Roman times, the most important Roman forum was the site for the city's most important religious and secular temples and monuments.
The site of Circus Maximus is located in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine Hills. The Circus Maximus is one of the largest sporting arenas ever to be built. In it's glory days, the hippodrome stretched 2,000 by 600 feet.
The Museo Palatino is housed on the top of the Palatine Hill. Here, there are artifacts dating as far back as the Middle Paleolithic Era. Roman Statuary is also exhibited here.
The city of Rome was founded on the Palatine Hill, which is located South of the Roman Forum at 51 meters above sea level.
ARCHITETTURA ISTRUZIONE.
Rome is home to over 900 different churches. Among these churches there are many lesser known gems that go unnoticed, although they have quite the degree of sophistication. It has been advised that one should walk into every church in Rome that is open to the public. I'm not sure if everyone has the time to do that, but here is one church that you should not walk by.
Santa Maria della Pace is located just a short walk from Piazza Navona. This is the church that I am studying for my first work of the semester to gain a better understanding of mapping urban patterns. Santa Maria della Pace was the starting point for my groups derive through the city of Rome. The final project is due this upcoming Tuesday and I can't wait to show all of you what my group and I have found!
This church is home to the architecture of Bramante and Pietro Da Cortona. The church is further decorated with works of Raphael and Peruzzi.
Bramante's architectural talents are exhibited in the cloister of Santa Maria della Pace, which is was finished in 1504. This was Bramante's first work in the city of Rome. This cloister is greatly considered one of the true masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance. Significant characteristics that allow the cloister to fall within the Italian Renaissance style include symmetrical plans, decorative columns and pilasters and the use of arches.
In the late 1990s, the cloister was renovated to house a complex of exhibition spaces, classrooms, meeting rooms, and a cafe and bookshop. Currently on exhibition is Chiostro del Bramante's Love.
LA CUCINA.
I'd like to start of by saying that I am a true lover of Florida oranges, but, the orange juice prepared in Italy is nothing of comparison. Spremuta d'arancia is just the thing you need for a health kick after you eat an absurd amount of pasta and pizza. Spremuta d'arancia is the freshly squeezed orange juice found in many bars and cafes throughout Italy. The flavor of spreumta d'arancia is not so much just a simple orange flavor, but more so a medley of citrus fruits that include orange, blood orange, grapefruit and lemon. This is by far my favorite thing that I have tried this week in Rome.
