* Why would four soldiers fuss around a cannon piece placed on top of the Janiculum Hill in the centre of Rome? The answer is simple. It's nearly 12 o' clock and at noon they will be firing a shot, as has been done every day since 1847. At the time this practice was intended to enable people in Rome to set their clocks and watches at a standard time.
* Haven't you always taught children never to peep through a keyhole? You'll be surprised if instead we suggest you peep through a keyhole... and then maybe you will do the same with your children. We believe you will agree with us if you simply follow our instructions: just wait for the sunset, go up Aventine Hill in Rome, look for Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, and when it closes enjoy the glorious view of St. Peter's Dome through the keyhole of the gate.
* Do you really think that all artistic masterpieces always have noble origins? You may be surprised to know that is far from true. Take, for instance, the Bocca della Verita, or Mouth of Truth in Rome, millions of visitors put somewhat hesitatingly their hands in that mouth, fearing that they might lose them. Do you think that they would have a picture taken if they were putting their hands inside a sewer? Because that's exactly what they are doing! The Mouth used to be the top of a sewer manhole located in the Roman Forum. But then again, that was long ago...!
* Ever seen bottled water from Rome in the U.S.? We have, during a tour of the East Coast! And a thought struck us: will those people drinking that water ever realize that almost certainly that water came through aqueducts that were built over 2000 years ago by Roman engineers? This is absolutely true and you can rest assured that water is not only safe to drink, but also nice to taste: many homes and fountains in the city still use that water.
* The "bewitched" climbing slope. Ever been driving downhill along a road and suddenly found yourself backing up or at least coming to a stop? You can have this experience along a road near Ariccia, in the vicinity of Rome! Don't ask us why. All sorts of explanations have been given, but none really satisfactory. It's fun to watch, though, a soccer ball or a tennis ball rolling back along the road!
* How often do you think a phrase uttered against everybody's wishes really carried the day? Who knows, but there is one instance in the history of Rome when this was actually true. One day in 1586 workers were trying to set upright the obelisk at present standing in St. Peter's Square. To ensure all possible concentration for the 800 workers on the job, other people in the square had been told to be absolutely quiet, on pain of death. Noticing that some ropes were giving way, someone shouted WATER TO THE ROPES! The hemp then shrank and everything turned out ok. Instead of getting a death penalty the man was awarded a prize and bestowed a title.
* Jealousy has always been important in the relations of men, particularly artists. A popular story that is frequently told about two great Italian artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, is very much to the point. When Bernini built the fountains in Piazza Navona, Rome, one of them was designed to show that it seems to turn its back on the Church of St. Agnes designed by Borromini and another appears to cover its eyes with its hand to protect them against such a horrible sight.
* Have you ever heard of modern-day Romans' laid back attitude to life, but also of their basically kind-hearted approach to other people's problems? Here is something for you to think about. Carol Wojtyla, who was in Rome for the conclave after the death of his predecessor, was delayed by a hitch and was looking desperately for a lift to the Vatican. A passing bus driver who was going back to his depot was puzzled to see a priest thumbing a ride and stopped to find out. When he heard what was happening, he decided off his own bat to take him straight to the Vatican on his bus. The grateful Wojtyla, now a Pope, got in touch with him some time later to thank him for allowing that unknown priest to become a Pope.
* Highways are one of the symbols of modern-day transport, aren't they? Well, not exactly. 2000 years ago the Romans had already their own highways. Sure, there were no motorcars or motorbikes dashing along at 100 and over miles per hour, no gas stations, no speed traps. But communications between all major cities of the Roman Empire and Rome were possible thanks to a highly efficient road network, thousands of miles long in various directions. Facilities were provided to allow a change of horses, places where to rest, sleep and eat. Fast-food service was also invented for a quick bite or for takeaway meals served in hot stone containers that were left by travellers at the next service area!
* Would you ever have thought that a ship could actually reach the very heart of Rome? Well, these days it would be pretty difficult to manage, but the ancient Romans did sail their ships up the River Tiber right into the city. This was possible because the mouth of the Tiber was 11 kilometers closer to Rome than it is now and the river was deeper than it is at present. So the Romans had food and other supplies right at their doorstep from all the world known at the time. Incidentally, the current mayor has recently announced his intention to make the river navigable once again and to return the port to the people of Rome.
* Haven't you always taught children never to peep through a keyhole? You'll be surprised if instead we suggest you peep through a keyhole... and then maybe you will do the same with your children. We believe you will agree with us if you simply follow our instructions: just wait for the sunset, go up Aventine Hill in Rome, look for Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Garden, and when it closes enjoy the glorious view of St. Peter's Dome through the keyhole of the gate.
* Do you really think that all artistic masterpieces always have noble origins? You may be surprised to know that is far from true. Take, for instance, the Bocca della Verita, or Mouth of Truth in Rome, millions of visitors put somewhat hesitatingly their hands in that mouth, fearing that they might lose them. Do you think that they would have a picture taken if they were putting their hands inside a sewer? Because that's exactly what they are doing! The Mouth used to be the top of a sewer manhole located in the Roman Forum. But then again, that was long ago...!
* Ever seen bottled water from Rome in the U.S.? We have, during a tour of the East Coast! And a thought struck us: will those people drinking that water ever realize that almost certainly that water came through aqueducts that were built over 2000 years ago by Roman engineers? This is absolutely true and you can rest assured that water is not only safe to drink, but also nice to taste: many homes and fountains in the city still use that water.
* The "bewitched" climbing slope. Ever been driving downhill along a road and suddenly found yourself backing up or at least coming to a stop? You can have this experience along a road near Ariccia, in the vicinity of Rome! Don't ask us why. All sorts of explanations have been given, but none really satisfactory. It's fun to watch, though, a soccer ball or a tennis ball rolling back along the road!
* How often do you think a phrase uttered against everybody's wishes really carried the day? Who knows, but there is one instance in the history of Rome when this was actually true. One day in 1586 workers were trying to set upright the obelisk at present standing in St. Peter's Square. To ensure all possible concentration for the 800 workers on the job, other people in the square had been told to be absolutely quiet, on pain of death. Noticing that some ropes were giving way, someone shouted WATER TO THE ROPES! The hemp then shrank and everything turned out ok. Instead of getting a death penalty the man was awarded a prize and bestowed a title.
* Jealousy has always been important in the relations of men, particularly artists. A popular story that is frequently told about two great Italian artists, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini, is very much to the point. When Bernini built the fountains in Piazza Navona, Rome, one of them was designed to show that it seems to turn its back on the Church of St. Agnes designed by Borromini and another appears to cover its eyes with its hand to protect them against such a horrible sight.
* Have you ever heard of modern-day Romans' laid back attitude to life, but also of their basically kind-hearted approach to other people's problems? Here is something for you to think about. Carol Wojtyla, who was in Rome for the conclave after the death of his predecessor, was delayed by a hitch and was looking desperately for a lift to the Vatican. A passing bus driver who was going back to his depot was puzzled to see a priest thumbing a ride and stopped to find out. When he heard what was happening, he decided off his own bat to take him straight to the Vatican on his bus. The grateful Wojtyla, now a Pope, got in touch with him some time later to thank him for allowing that unknown priest to become a Pope.
* Highways are one of the symbols of modern-day transport, aren't they? Well, not exactly. 2000 years ago the Romans had already their own highways. Sure, there were no motorcars or motorbikes dashing along at 100 and over miles per hour, no gas stations, no speed traps. But communications between all major cities of the Roman Empire and Rome were possible thanks to a highly efficient road network, thousands of miles long in various directions. Facilities were provided to allow a change of horses, places where to rest, sleep and eat. Fast-food service was also invented for a quick bite or for takeaway meals served in hot stone containers that were left by travellers at the next service area!
* Would you ever have thought that a ship could actually reach the very heart of Rome? Well, these days it would be pretty difficult to manage, but the ancient Romans did sail their ships up the River Tiber right into the city. This was possible because the mouth of the Tiber was 11 kilometers closer to Rome than it is now and the river was deeper than it is at present. So the Romans had food and other supplies right at their doorstep from all the world known at the time. Incidentally, the current mayor has recently announced his intention to make the river navigable once again and to return the port to the people of Rome.
About the Author:
Cristiano Rubbi is a savvy traveller: he knows the ropes when it comes to travelling abroad. Why don't you surf on his website? You'll find a few handy tips on how to avoid typical pitfalls and really enjoy your Italian vacation. Want to know some more? Simply email him at info@niceandeasytravel.it or join his forum. Be part of his guestbook.
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