At the north side of the gallery rises the little-known Tower of the Winds, one of the highest points in Vatican City. It takes its name from the anemoscope it possesses, an instrument that gauges the direction of the wind, designed by Ignazio Danti, the papal cosmographer. However, despite its name, Pope Gregory XIII commissioned the tower for the sole purpose of determining the extent of the inaccuracy of the Julian Calendar.
Read MoreAs promised, Wednesdays will be devoted to Roman streets with interesting names, and this week's street is a foot fetishist's dream.Via del Piè di Marmo, or Marble Foot Street, is little more than a alley, an tiny back street that is often not even marked on maps. But there is a rather large and ancient artifact that lives there.
Read MoreCalled by Romans "L'obitorio" (The Morgue) for its marble tables, Pizzeria ai Marmi, in Trastevere, is probably one of the most authentic Roman pizzerias in the city. The pizza is good, but the supplì are magnificent.
Read MoreAfter spending Saturday in the Sabine Hills, I cannot continue with this blog without a nod to those famous women, without whom Rome would never have survived. Especially since our table wine was called--ever so aptly--Il Ratto delle Sabine.
Read MoreAfter a glorious May Day--a national holiday here--in which my passion and love for this country were at an all time high, Italy has once again caused my naive admiration to come crashing down to a new low. This morning I was enchanted. At five minutes to midnight, I am disillusioned.
Read MoreFor anyone who has adopted Italian as their native tongue, anyone who dreams of one day being able to speak it, or anyone who just loves the way it sounds, Dianne Hales' La Bella Lingua is a must-read. It makes you want to run to the library and check out all the Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio you can carry.
Read MoreDespite having set foot in the Vatican Museums over five hundred times in my life, I had never visited the Vatican's Etruscan Museum until very recently. The Etruscan Museum is slightly off the beaten track for the average 2 to 2 1/2 tour. But recently a private group specifically requested it, which gave me a wonderful opportunity to do some exploring there.
Read MoreOne of my favorite curiosities about Rome is its street names. While many seem silly and random, on the contrary, almost all have very specific reasons behind them. It delights me to no end learning just how a particular street got its name. Every Wednesday I will endeavor to discover and share with you a new one.
Read MoreThis is one of my favorite photos from my first year in Rome, over five years ago. This was back when I carried a camera around with me everywhere I went just in case I came upon characteristic moments such as this one. This restaurant is not far from the Pantheon.
Read MoreOn occasion of the birth of this blog, I thought it apt to write a few lines on the birth of Rome, a date celebrated here in the eternal city just last week. April 21st, 753 BC, Rome was founded. Or at least, that's how the legend goes.
Read More
