by Ximena Amarales | Oct 28, 2024 | Rome, Scooters in Rome |
Exploring Rome: A Journey Through Time and Architecture
Rome, known as the Eternal City, offers a tapestry where history and modernity blend together, creating a captivating mixture of culture, architecture, and lore. In this blog post, we invite you on a journey through Rome’s most iconic landmarks, uncovering the rich history and architectural marvels that have come to define this revered city.
The Island of the Tiber: Rome’s Foundational Core
Our journey begins at Tiber Island, a small but profoundly historic piece of land in central Rome. Not only was the island crucial to Rome’s foundation, acting as a strategic crossing of the Tiber River, but it also connects the city via some of Rome’s oldest bridges. Constructed in the first century BC, when Rome sat at the heart of the Empire, these bridges are enduring symbols of the city’s lasting heritage.
Once home to a temple for Aesculapius, the Greek god of healing, the island took on a new sacred role in the 1500s when a hospital was established, remaining one of Rome’s vital medical centers to this day, and currently under Vatican administration. Myth adds another layer to the island’s significance with tales of a sacred snake from Greece that inspired the Romans to shape the island like a ship.
The Synagogue of Rome: A Testament to Resilience
Progressing through the city’s fabric, we find the Great Synagogue of Rome, erected in the 19th century following the demolition of the old Jewish ghetto. For the Jewish community in Rome, the synagogue signifies resilience and rebirth. Once bound by papal decree to the confines of the ghetto, the construction signaled a new chapter of freedom and inclusion for Roman Jews, mirroring wider societal shifts in Italy at the time.
Bridges of the Tiber: Connecting Past and Present
The bridges that crisscross the Tiber are not just functional crossings but narrators of history. The Ponte Sisto, initiated in the 1400s by Pope Sixtus IV, once served as a crucial passage for the city’s workforce. Rome today features 23 bridges, evidencing substantial growth from the four that existed during the papal period, and these structures do more than link neighborhoods; they connect epochs.
One bridge, in particular, honors Victor Emmanuel II, the architect behind a unified Italy. This bridge not only represents Italy’s unification but also Rome’s shift from papal satrapy to vibrant capital city.
Castel Sant’Angelo: A Bastion of Sanctuary
Our exploration leads us to the mighty Castel Sant’Angelo, originally built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum. It eventually transformed into a papal fortress, symbolizing ecclesiastical might and offering refuge in times of strife. The bridge to the castle marked a pivotal pilgrimage path to the Vatican, highlighting its vital strategic relevance.
The Transformation of Rome: From Papal Abode to National Epicenter
The unification of Italy in the late 19th century triggered monumental changes within Rome to accommodate its new role as the capital of the Kingdom. New neighborhoods emerged to house officials and facilitate the city’s governance. The construction of the Supreme Court of Justice between 1885 and 1911 reflects the neoclassical aesthetic that marked this era of urban evolution.
Discover the heart of history and the soul of architecture with every step in the Eternal City. ✨🏛️ Follow us on Instagram @rome_with_an_architect as we bring the treasures of Rome right to your feed! Snapshots of hidden gems, whispers of ancient stories, and the pulse of modern life await. 📸🇮🇹 Join our community, engage with fellow Rome enthusiasts, and share your own experiences using #RomeWithAnArchitect. Let’s embark on this visual journey together—your Roman adventure is just a click away! 🔍👣
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Modern Rome: A Melange of Venerable and Contemporary
Though replete with historical layers, Rome equally embraces contemporary dynamism, showcasing modern architecture within its ancient environs. One such instance is a building inaugurated by Richard Meier for the 2000 Jubilee, housing an age-old altar highlighting the remarkable synthesis of Rome’s ancient history with modern design.
The Timeless Appeal of Rome
Rome captivates by articulating its narrative through its edifices and landmarks. From the historic Tiber bridges to the modern structures punctuating the skyline, the city stands as a living chronicle of humanity’s endeavor and tenacity. This journey through Rome affirms the city’s perpetual spirit and its enduring capacity for reinvention.
Rome extends an invitation to history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, and wandering visitors alike, offering layers of discovery to exhilarate the mind and delight the spirit. As you roam its pathways and unravel its enigmas, you’ll discern that Rome is more than a metropolis—it’s a timeless expedition across historical annals.
by Ximena Amarales | Oct 1, 2021 | Scooters in Rome, Vespa tour Rome |
The Campidoglio https://roma-bella.com/tours/rome-on-scooter/ square is Michelangelo’s masterpiece as an Architect, created just after he conclude the Last Judgement (1541) in the Sistine chapel. In the pope Paul III’s intention had to become Rome’s civic centre not only ritually but visually. The space that Michelangelo saw was informed and chaotic, still with a medieval shape.
His proposal was first to create a classic layout, symmetrical, in fact he suggested the construction of a new building, the Palazzo Nuovo,https://roma-bella.com/tours/rome-museums/ that would fulfil his purpose. This resulting new space ought to be opened as a telescope toward the “papal street” that meandering through the different neighbourhoods would arrive to the Vatican. The ramp designed was an invitation for those coming from the Rome’s XVI century centre as well as those pilgrims that from the Vatican were heading toward the civic centre.
Michelangelo’s space was conceived for the people as a dynamic space, in fact his pavement design departing from a 12 edges star would expand the space through the sequence of rhombus up to the square edges and would extol Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue.
Moreover, Michelangelo curated each detail, like the proportion of the new façades for the symmetrical buildings, recalling the ancient basilicas and the decoration of the entire space, to reinforce the architecture. Several ancient sculptures were selected accurately by Michelangelo like the two fluvial lounging figures matching with the ramps , Minerva’s sculpture as a column of the Senate entrance and the two magnificent sculptures of Castor and Polux, facing today, the Vatican, differently to Michelangelo’s conception: to flanked the people’s arrival.
by Ximena Amarales | Mar 29, 2019 | Scooters in Rome, vespa |
Vespa tour in Rome: 5 reasons to ride a scooter through the city
Experiences like visiting a city as beautiful as Rome are the kind we can never forget about.
Every visitor coming to Rome carries home those truly amazing sightseeings, breathtaking sceneries and the best memories of all times.
But activities like visiting historical architecture and museums for a whole day can sometimes be tiring: so here is something for you to twist it up.
Just follow me on a super fun and joyful Vespa tour in Rome!
Why should you do that?
Here’s my 5 reasons to ride a scooter through the Eternal City.
1. Learn all the secrets with an architect.
What better way to know all deepest secrets that have affected the growth of Rome through the history than exploring the city with an expert.
My name is Ximena and not only I am a passionate Architect specialized in Urbanism, I also have been a licenced tour guide in Rome for 24 years.
I have been taking all sorts of groups, big or small, from every corner of the world, to visit the most beautiful sceneries in Rome. How? Riding the unmissed italian classic: a Vespa.
So far, I am just about to reach 100k kilometres on the “capital-S” scooter but am planning to drive as many more as I can: why don’t you join me?
2. Live Rome like locals do.
When travelling to any city it is advisable to start living like a local: that is in fact the best way for a tourist to learn all deepest secrets of a place, avoiding tourist scams and pumped up prices.
What about Rome: can you picture a better way other than exploring the city on a traditional Vespa scooter?
Give me a buzz if you are looking for a special experience and let’s build together the perfect customized itinerary in Rome.
And not only sightseeing: let’s pick the best non touristy spots for a drink or gelato and live the city just as locals do.
3. Get to the most beautiful spots faster.
The city of Rome develops on a 1200 km² area. You can work it out yourself: there is so much to see and do here that the biggest efforts are put into maximizing time consumption in between the spots you want to visit.
Well, let’s say it out loud: a Vespa can easily be driven through the streets in Rome and will get you from one side to the other in less than half the time (comparing to a tourist bus, for example).
And again, you will be completely free to decide when it is the right time to leave to new ventures.
4. Visit the whole city in just one day.
Moving faster across different locations in Rome will also help maximize the amount of basilicas, squares, museums or fountains you can see in Rome in just one day.
This isn’t your everyday tour: amongst my best Rome tours, this is by far the most popular.
Wondering why? It’s because this tours lets you explore the whole city in a full day, with totally no hussle and enjoying every single moment of it.
5. Move freely and safely through traffic.
This Vespa tour is made for everyone: there is no particular needs to join.
There are in fact 2 options for you to pick:
● Self-driving tour, where you will need to own a driver’s license.
● Experienced driver tour, where you can sit back and enjoy the views.
Whichever way you’ll go for, keep in mind that all routes will be covered safely and minimizing time loss usually due to the traffic in Rome.
So what? Jump on, ride your Vespa and have fun!
by Ximena Amarales | May 14, 2018 | Scooters in Rome |
Discover Rome with our Vespa Tour
There is so much art, architecture and history to discover in Rome, and as many ways to explore the city.
Today we are going to join a Vespa Tour Rome, a fun and different way to discover all beauties in Rome on scooter.
Not only you will be able to enjoy the breathtaking scenery from different points of view, with this Vespa tour you will also get to learn almost every little secret of the Eternal City, Rome.
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