piazza cavour

Finally! The long awaited remodeling of Piazza Cavour was unveiled 3 weeks ago, and I for one was very happy about the new look. I'd had enough of the towering cranes and fenced off construction site, bus detours and loud noise surrounding the central Prati neighborhood square. Now Romans can finally admire the massive Palazzaccio again, salute the statue of Camillo Benso di Cavour, and enjoy the nice grassy areas between the gravel paths.

mistero...

What is this mysterious object? Anyone who's been to Rome has seen it virtually everywhere...
Today is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community, and the topic of this month is MYSTERIOUS OBJECTS. Please click on the link to see more mysterious objects from around the world!

campidoglio

The Campidoglio area––Rome's Capitoline hill––is closed off to traffic. This also means no parking anywhere at all times. But according to the sign in the top image, only wedding vehicles are allowed on the weekend.
Rome city hall celebrates civil marriages in its richly upholstered Sala Rossa, a spacious room decorated with red tapestries and gold finish. So unless you're saying, "I do" on Saturday and Sunday, you can forget driving up the 100-step stone incline.

S·P·Q·R

{Arch of Septimius Severus}

This carved travertine marble masterpiece is one of Rome's many triumphal arches. It was erected in the year 203 in the Forum to celebrate the victories of emperor Septimius Severus and his sons Caracalla and Geta in the wars against the Parthians and the Osroeni in 195-197.

For an interesting and detailed description of this beautiful monument and its inscriptions, Click Here

{Senatus Populus Que Romanus

Incendio Consumptum Restituvit}

Gradual deterioration since the 4th century BC has left nothing but the Temple of Saturn's eight surviving portico columns and partially intact pediment, which displays the inscription, "The Senate and People of Rome restored what fire had consumed." 

Sometimes we Romans forget what it means to live here. What it feels like to walk on roads paved thousands of years ago, and touch the same sun-warmed marble that Emperors touched.


We are so fortunate.

altar of peace

Richard Meier museum, housing the Augustan Ara Pacis

The Ara Pacis is an altar to Peace envisioned as a Roman Goddess. You can see a portion of it to the right of the picture. It was commissioned by the Roman Senate on 4 July 13 BC to honor the triumphal return of the Roman emperor Augustus, from territories now known as France and Spain. It was then consecrated 4 years later to celebrate the peace established in the Empire after Augustus's victories. The altar sought to portray the peace and fertile prosperity enjoyed in Rome as a consequence of the Pax Augusta, The Augustan Peace.

The 2006 Ara Pacis Museum, designed by the noted American architect Richard Meier, was at one point in danger of being demolished or relocated to a suburban site.

Rome’s newly elected Mayor, Alemmano had announced at a news conference that “Meier's building is a construction to be scrapped.”

What is your opinion on this Roman controversy?

In the meantime, while you ponder this, head over to Newton Area Photo for more  

Weekend Reflections

piramide cestia

fine print

The tiny inscription on the east facing side of the Pyramid of Cestius below the larger dedicatory one, records the circumstances of the tomb's construction: "This work was completed in accordance with the will in 330 days under order of Lucius Pontus Mela, son of Publius of the Claudia family, heir; and Pothus, freedman."

In his will, Cestius expressly asked his heirs to build his Egyptian-style pyramid tomb in 330 days. If the deadline was not met, the heirs would not benefit from the rich bequeathed inheritance. 

Lucius and Pothus hurried in delivering the testament order, so much so that rumor has it the monument was completed a few days early. 

A freedman is a former slave who has been released from slavery, usually by his owner. 

Hollywood material, if you ask me.

mercato ortofrutticolo

Marketplace back door

My camera and I took a walk in a less notorious part of the city today. The Quartiere Africano owes its name only to urban layout, not ethnic tissue. The names of the many avenues, boulevards and streets of this particular district are of borrowed from countries and cities of Africa. This specific covered neighborhood market occupies an entire block between Via Dire Daua, Viale Libia and Largo Somalia.

The colorful stalls and busy agora vibe provided plenty material for my photos. Plus I managed to shop for fresh produce and groceries at very affordable prices. Today is a good day.

tombino

Rome manhole cover

S.P.Q.R. stands for the Latin phrase, Senatus PopulusQue Romanus, "The Senate and the People of Rome" referring to the government of the ancient Roman Republic.
S.P.Q.R. is the motto of the city of Rome and appears in the city's coat of arms, as well as on many of the city's civic buildings, manhole covers, drinking fountains and municipal establishments.