The Sistine Chapel Tour

What do you think of when you hear the word “Rome”? Chances are the word evokes images of history - the Coliseum, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican. When you win this opportunity of a lifetime, and decide what to see, near the top of the list no doubt will be the vaunted “Sistine Chapel.”

You may want to spend an afternoon here and imagine what it was like when Michelangelo worked here.

  

Key things to remember: the Sistine Chapel is at the end of a series of Vatican Museums that you must first go through in order to reach the Chapel.

The recommendation: Set aside no less than 90 minutes to see the Chapel. Since it is at the end of the museums, getting to the Chapel and going back to the exit takes time. On top of that, you must budget time for viewing the Chapel.

  

Entrance on the last Sunday of each month is free, but you can count on spending a decent amount of money on any other day.

Wear proper attire for your visit: shorts, miniskirts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. This is a very important point to keep in mind, as they will refuse entry to those not dressed properly.

  

The drawing for the Romantic Trip to Rome for Two is only 10 weeks away.  Remember that each time you dine at Carlino's restaurant, you'll have another opportunity to win.  So please come and join us often. Who knows, you may be the lucky winner on your way to Italy!

 

Warmest regards,

Carlo Corteo
http://www.carlinosrestaurant.com/

Spotlight on Vatican City

Vatican City
The excitement is palpable today as we take a stroll through the Via della Conciliazione,  the route to Vatican City, a place like none other in the world.  Men and women, young children, middle aged and in their golden years,  pilgrimage here to experience the deep rooted spiritual connection common to those who have come before to bask in the glory.

Nothing demonstrates the profound spirituality of Christianity today more than this holy land that sits on top of a walled enclave of 110 acre within the city of Rome. 

Vatican City, established in 1929, is the sovereign territory of the Holy See and the location of the Pope's residence, referred to as the Apostolic Palace.

The Vatican is also home to St. Peter's Basilica, the indescribable majesty of the Sistine Chapel, and the priceless art collection of the Vatican Museums.  The territory which includes St. Peter's Square is reached through the Via della Conciliazione which runs from close to the Tiber River to St. Peter's.

The medieval Gardens, established during the Renaissance and Baroque era, are decorated with fountains and sculptures and account for more than half of Vatican’s territory. The Vatican obelisk was originally taken by Caligula from Egypt to decorate his circus and is its last visible remnant. The Gardens became the site of martyrdom of many Christians after the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64. Ancient tradition holds that it was in this circus that Saint Peter was crucified upside-down.

 In 326, the first church, the Constantinian basilica, was built over the site that was the tomb of Saint Peter.  The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzinger in Bavaria, Germany.  The Pope resides in the Papal Apartments of the Papal Palace overlooking Saint Peter's Square.

Trevi Fountain

Spotlight on

Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain, completed in 1762, is Rome’s largest Baroque fountain and the most famous fountain in the world.

The Fountain gets its name from being located at the junction of three roads (tre vie) and marks the end point of aqueducts which supplied water to ancient Rome.

The fountain’s sculptures represent two main stories. Taming of the Waters depicts water mixing with rock that fills the small square. Tritons guide a shell chariot, taming mythological sea horses. Urns spill water into a cup from which a snake drinks.  Above all this, sculptures illustrate the origin of Rome’s aqueducts.

Legend says that a visitor who throws a coin into the fountain is ensured a return to Rome. Another legend states that luck will follow anyone who throws three coins into the Trevi Fountain with their right hand over their left shoulder. Based on these legends, visitors throw about 3,000 Euros each day into the fountain which is used to fund food for poor citizens of Rome.