TREVI

TREVI

Don’t forget to throw a coin into the Fontana di Trevi with your right hand over your left shoulder!

POINTS OF INTEREST

Trevi Fountain

It is definitely the most famous and beautiful fountain in Rome. It is also the largest fountain in the city with its 20 mt in width by 26 mt in height.

The origins of the fountain go back to the year 19 B.C., when the fountain formed the end of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct. The first one was built during the Renaissance, under the direction of Pope Nicholas V, whereas the final version dates back to 1762, when after many years of works by Nicola Salvi, it was finalized by Giuseppe Pannini.

The name derives from the Italian “Tre Vie” (three ways), since the fountain was the meeting point of three streets.

Have you ever wondered why there are always people throwing coins into the water and taking photos of themselves?

The myth, originating in 1954, says that If you throw one coin, you will return to Rome; if you throw two coins, you will fall in love with an attractive Italian; if you throw three coins, you will marry the person that you met.

You should throw the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder to achieve the desired effect.

Around a million euros worth of coins are taken from the fountain each year. Since 2007 this money has been used to support good causes.

Via Della Dataria – The Palace Road

The city resembled a scary maze of streets and lanes that invariably led to a plaza governed by a church; a light, airy, and delightfully fresh open space. God’s light protects against evil and perdition. Given that Rome was the hub of Catholicism, this all makes great sense, albeit it does seem a little bit megalomaniacal to construct a city in order to graphically express a pretty fundamental idea of any faith. However, take a stroll through Rome’s Old City. without any form of signs, the internet, or a gps. As you watch the city expand around you, consider how uninformed you are. Enter a random piazza with a church after that. You’ll suddenly become aware of your location because, well, that piazza is popular and you’ve seen it countless times online, but also because God led you there (naturally). More or less, that was the intended outcome, and even for people who live in sophisticated cities like ourselves, it is startlingly true.

You can fall through renaissance rabbit holes and land on a baroque chapel, where (hopefully) only a few kind visitors will be waiting for you and no evil head-chopping queen, and that feeling is exactly what makes certain paths so entertaining. Don’t come here during the heat around noon because Via della Dataria is one of those quirky streets and it is hilly.

From behind the Trevi Fountain, a relatively innocent-looking street ascends to the Quirinale Palace. Only a small portion of the palace is visible from the bottom, and as you get closer to the top, its majestic magnificence grows increasingly overwhelming.

The Apostolic Dataria, a department of the Curia Romana, was once housed in the opulent buildings on the left. The Quirinale, the former papal palace, and the Dataria were abandoned by the catholic head of State after the collapse of the Papal States and the creation of a United Italy. The Savoia, Italy’s royal dynasty, adopted the palace as their dwelling in the country’s freshly (re)born capital, thus it didn’t remain empty for very long.

After the Republic of Italy was proclaimed in 1946, the situation essentially remained the same, with the exception that the president of the Republic now resides in the magnificent palace.

A magnificent spectacle unfolds after you reach the top of the street and ascend the few marble stairs to the palace courtyard. Nothing except air and a vast view; there is no church.

Istituto Svizzero- Cross-Alpine Inspirations

The cultural horizon of Rome is varied like its history and, thankfully, it remains true to its past by including the various cultural institutions of other nations. In the historical center the Swiss Institute reigns supreme. The private foundation has been operating in Rome since 1947 to promote cultural, scientific and artistic exchange between Switzerland and Italy.

Their effort to create this exchange is also a condition for their permanence in the fabulous Villa Maraini, just off Via Veneto. The Villa with its spacious garden was donated to the foundation by the Countess Carolina Maraini-Sommaruga, with the intent of creating a space that would be “perpetually at the service of culture, as a sign of the collaboration between Switzerland and Italy”.

True to its founding, the institution has become one of the main players on the cultural field of Rome. The many different events offer something for all ages and tastes, from electronic parties in the lush garden to historical seminars or trips with experts to uncover some grand forgotten palace.

In recent years, the institution has promoted Studio Roma, a residency for young artists and scientists at the institute. The project has grown into an interactive continuous event which regularly hosts seminars, discussion panels and various other events in order to present and create a symbiosis between the work of the residents, as well as the general public who naturally is always invited to participate.

The cultural institutions of other countries in Rome are by some considered as though they are in competition with the purely local institutions. However, the very opposite is the case. The Swiss Institute is the perfect example of how an outside reality tends to harbor different views and opinions, and thus gains a different view of what we consider our “home”, elaborating it in ways we might not have been able to.

Kamispa

Kamispa, in Via degli Avignonesi 12 (Trevi Fountain area), is a relaxing oriental style corner situated in the city center. It develops in a space of 1500 square meters, that, with its sensory pathways, evokes ancient Asian traditions: in particular, the Japanese, Indonesian, Burmese, Chinese and Thai ones.

Visitors have a great onsen bath, Turkish baths and oriental massages at their disposal, all provided by an expert Buddhist staff. There is also a Shanghai Tang shop where they can buy Asian items. Can’t you wait to try this experience? You can visit Kamispa every day, from 10am to 10pm. On Friday and Saturday, the spa is open until 11.30 pm.

Address: Via degli Avignonesi 12

Metro: Barberini

Phone: 06-42010039

Open: Fri-Sat: 1oam – 11.30pm. Sun-Thur: 10am-10pmWebsite: www.kamispa.com

Baccano

If you feel like experiencing a slice of Paris in Rome, Baccano might as well be a good place to start. Very large interior and many places also outside, its décor makes it elegant and cozy at the same time. Waiters are professional and helpful. Even though the place wants to give a sophisticated and formal look, not once you will feel out of context.

The menu offers a diverse range of dishes that include gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options, and the dishes are delicious.

Via delle Muratte 23, 00187 Rome

Open 12:00 – 00:00

Reservations +39 0669941166