Since our very own Araceli Cardenas-Bon scooped the Angels and Demons Premiere in Rome earlier this month, we thought it appropriate to make Rome our next city of the week. For those of you entranced with the Dan Brown movie, or planning a vacation to the eternal city, you’ll need a generic history lesson first.The capital of Italy and home to the smallest country in the world (the Vatican), Rome holds one of the most unique historic centers, making the city an UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s over 2000 years old, with Greek, Etruscan, and Gaul origins, and once governed the Middle East and Northern Africa during its’ “Empire” status. Rome also lived through “paganism,” which was brutally killed off in the Middle Ages, only to be seized by Christianity and eventually an aristocratic papacy—leaving behind the beautiful Pantheon. Additionally, due to its’ southern location in Europe and the Mediterranean, its art, architecture and culture survived World War II (and a fascist Mussolini). Therefore, cobblestoned streets still unfold to brilliant piazzas holding extravagant churches constructed during the Renaissance period, as well as Baroque masterpieces crafted by geniuses such as Bernini, Caravaggio and Michelangelo.
Modernly, tourists head to the capital to re-live Rome’s history; however, the city’s selling points are art, architecture and by far, cuisine. Of course, if you can afford high-fashion retailers like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada, then you can head to Via del Corso or Piazza de Spagna for shopping too.
Join us on Wednesday, for a step-by-step guide to touring the historic center!
