June 29th: Feast of Saint Peter and Paul, patron saints of Rome

Posted on June 28, 2018 by cristina

Great celebrations in Rome for the feast of the patron saints, with performances, shows, exibitions, fanfare, and fireworks in musical sync, called Girandola (pinwheel), originally created by Michelangelo and reworked by Bernini. This is a liturgical feast in Rome, and offices and shops are closed. Civic museums and Vatican Museums are closed for the solemnity. Statal Museums and Archeological sites (as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, Castel Sant’Angelo, Galleria Borghese) are regularly open. Continue reading →

5 of the most important works of Michelangelo in Rome (and 4 of them can be seen for free!).

Posted on May 12, 2018 by cristina

Michelangelo Buonarroti is considered one of the greatest artists of all time. He was a sculptor, a painter, an architect and a poet of the High Renaissance, and undoubtedly a great genius. His contemporaries admired him so much for his style and his temper, that they often called him “il Divino” (the divine one). Continue reading →

Carnevale: 5 things to do in Italy

Posted on February 8, 2018 by cristina

Carnevale is one of Italy’s biggest winter festival, celebrated in every town from the end of January. All over Italy you can found masquerade balls, costume parties and parades along the streets and in the squares. Masks, sweets and having fun are the most important things during Carnival: it’s a chance to be happy and cheerful, to dress up in costumes, even if you are not a child anymore! Continue reading →

5 things to do in Rome on Epiphany 2018

Posted on January 5, 2018 by cristina

Epiphany is national holiday in Italy, and is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God as a human being in Jesus Christ. Is the commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, and of the Adoration of the Magi. In popular folklore, the “Befana” is an old lady riding a broomstick through the air. On the Eve of January 6 th, the Befana visits children and leavecandies and presents in their socks, if they have been good, or lump of sugar coal and dark candies, if they had been bad. Continue reading →

3 ways to enjoy New Year’s Eve in Rome

Posted on December 28, 2017 by cristina

The last day of 2017 is coming, if you are in Rome and have not decided what to do yet, here are some ideas of what you can find in the Eternal city!

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5 Romantic Things To Do In Rome On Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 8, 2017 by cristina

Valentine’s Day! There’s not a better place to be in this day than Rome, one of the most romantic cities in the world, and the cradle of the myth.

The first legend about the Saint, and perhaps the best known, began when the Emperor Claudius II “The Cruel”, cancelled marriages and engagements in Rome, to convince men to leave their cities and join war. The priest Valentine defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine’s actions were discovered, he was sentenced to have his head cut off on the 14th day of February. While in prison, Valentine fell in love with his jailor’s daughter, who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, he wrote her a letter, which he signed “From your Valentine”… Continue reading →

5 things to do in Rome for Halloween

Posted on October 25, 2016 by cristina

Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, but it has become very popular in the last few years. While the main holidays are still All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), the custom of celebrating the night of Halloween has taken hold everywhere in Italy. Continue reading →

Italian Carnival: events and celebrations in Venice, Viareggio and Rome

Posted on January 20, 2016 by cristina

Carnevale is undoubtedly one of Italy’s biggest winter festival, celebrated in every town from the end of January, with masquerade balls, costume parties and parades taking place in streets, squares and restaurants. Continue reading →

Halloween 2015: 5 things to do in Rome.

Posted on October 28, 2015 by cristina

Halloween is not a traditional Italian holiday, but it has become very popular in the last few years. While the main holidays are still All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), the custom of celebrating the night of Halloween has taken hold everywhere in Italy. You can find Halloween costumes and decorations on display in many shop windows and many costume parties along the cities, during the afternoon or early in the evening for children, and during the night for adults. Continue reading →

European Heritage Days 2015 in Italy

Posted on September 17, 2015 by cristina

Like every year, the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and of Tourism (MiBACT) adheres to the European Heritage Days (EHD), promoted to strengthen and increase dialogue and exchange in cultures among the European nations. It is an important occasion to reaffirm the central role of culture in the dynamics of the Italian society. Continue reading →