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Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Panteon


1.Panteon is situated in Rome.
2.This construction is a circular temple built in Rome in the early Roman Empire.
3.Panteon is built in the early Roman Empire dedicated for all the gods.  In the city, is known as “la Rottonna” and the name of the square where is situated is “la Rottonna” too.  The author of this temple was Marco Vipsanio Agripa.
4.This type of construction was very typical in the architecture of the time but it was one innovation in the Roman architecture. The construction is constituted for large round room attached to the gantry of a classical temple and this one was an innovation.
5.Inside the Panteon you can see a copula. This copula is more peculiar that the others.  The copula of Panteon is opened and you can see the sky and when it’s raining the rain passes into but never flooded because the floor has holes through which water passes.
6.This type of temple we don’t have in Barcelona. We have a lot of monuments, but we don’t have a temple like the Panteon.

7.I like the Panteon, but I think that in Roma there are a lot of monuments more beautiful and more important. I like the Panteon because is very peculiar. 
Mónica Navarro Nebot

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Bridge of Saint'Angelo

1-Bridge of Saint’Angelo, Rome.
2-Bridge near the Vatican City, and near the castle that bears its name.
3-Near the Vatican City. The bridge and the castle began to build in the 135 by the emperor Adriano, and in the 139 was finished by Antonino Pío.
4-The bridge was built with the castle. They have been modified several times, but we could talk about Gregorian art.
5-Since the 1906 is used as a touristy part of Rome.
6-The art of Rome is not very similar to Spain, but I can compare the angels in the bridge with the Cathedral or with the Sagrada Familia.
7-The feeling that I get with this monument is peace and quiet, this monument also takes me to the ancient history.

Judith Pérez Cazalilla

Thursday, May 15, 2014

St. Peter's Basilica



1. St. Peter's Basilica located within Vatican City
2. A large church where the pope often says mass
3. The building was completed in the 1600s and it's the largest Christian church in the world with a capacity of 60,000+
4. Both the interior and exterior of the church were absolutely stunning. Works of Michelangelo and Bernini could be seen there. The ceiling of the church (which you can see in the picture below) was my favorite part. 
5. It's a place where you can celebrate or remember the one's you've lost. It's also a place where you can get together with like-minded people.
6.I knew nothing about this church before visiting it but it was really old and Italians seemed to respect the building and it was really important to them.
7.Even if it was full of tourists when we were there, it was peaceful and quiet. You could stroll throught the church and unwind.

-Eveliina Rimmi

Monday, May 12, 2014

Vatican


1.Sant Pietro in the Vatican City.
2.Basilica and town where the Pope lives.
3.The Vatican City, officially the State of Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It has 900 inhabitants and was built in 1929.
4.In the Vatican there is a lot of Catholic artwork. Also in the church we can find Popes exposed. Michelangelo made ​​the arch of the Sistine Chapel.
5.The Vatican is where the Pope lives. The Vatican City is also home to the Holy See, highest institution of the Catholic Church. The highest authority of the Vatican and boss of the state is the high priest, and may be is the only theocracy in Europe.
6.There is no similar construction in Spain. The Vatican is a beautiful and elegant structure that contains many details and monuments.
7.I liked it because it was something I had always seen on TV but I had never been there. When I saw it I felt so smaller in front of its huge monument and columns. The best was to see exposed the Pope Joan XXIII, which gives name to my school in Spain. 

Judith Pérez Cazalilla

Fontana di Trevi


1.Fontana di Trevi, Roma
2.It is the most ambitious and most famous of the baroque monumental fountains in Rome.  It Is located in the rione of Trevi.
3.The source is located at the junction of three roads (tre vie) marks the terminal point of the Aqua Virgo (Italian: Acqua Vergine), one of the ancient aqueducts that supplied water to Rome. With the alleged help of a virgin
4.Bernini's lasting contribution was to change the supply situation across the square to remain against the Quirinal Palace. Though Bernini's project was scrapped in favour of Nicola Salvi, many touches in the fountain as it was built. There is also a striking and influential former model made by Pietro da Cortona.
5.The landscape of Fontana de Trevi its realy beatifull but always have a lot of people and its really funny.
6.In Spain we have a lot of fountains but we don’t have a very famous fountain. We have also a fountain where people throw some money but its not very famous. 
7. I really liked this fountain. It is very funny to throw money, and people make videos and photos. 

 Gisela Montañés.

Colosseo di Roma


1.Colosseo di Roma 
2.Colosseo  is an amphitheatre  very famous and beautiful. When you arrive there for the first time and you see the big amphitheater is  impresionant.
3.The Colosseum is an amphitheater of the period of the Roman Empire, built in the first century and located in the city centre of Rome. For conservation and history, the Colosseum is one of the most famous monuments of classical antiquity. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1980 by UNESCO. In ancient times had a capacity of 50 000 spectators, with eighty rows of bleachers.
4.The Roman Colosseum was perhaps the greatest work of Roman architecture, and in it the most varied construction techniques were used. It’s very big and impressionant, it’s a really good monument to visit.
5.The colosseo have a nice landscape and its really beautifull.
6.This type of monuments in Spain we don’t have. We have a lot of monuments but are very differents like this.
7. I like a lot this monument because I haven't seen anything like this and, when I first saw it, I was impressed by all the people coulod be there and haow big it was. I liked most than other monuments in Rome.

Gisela Montanés

Sunday, May 11, 2014


Colosseum




  1. The Colosseum (the Flavian Amphitheatre) is located in the centre of Rome, Italy.
  2. It is an amphitheatre and the main monument of Rome.
  3. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD, and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus. These emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius).
  4. The Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world. It is an ancient building built of concrete and stone.
  5. The Roman architects and builders designed the Colosseum to provide the biggest arena in the world capable of holding between 50,000 - 80,000 people. It was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torch lit  "Way of the Cross" procession  that starts in the area around the Colosseum.
  6. 100,000 prisoners were bought back to Rome as slaves after the Jewish War and built this monument.
  7. These impressions and feelings are long lasting. It surprised me how beautiful and extremely magnificent the Colosseum is.

Friday, May 9, 2014

We had a great journey to Italy. The airplane landed in Rome at 10 o'clock pm. We were the first who have arrived to Italy, so we could meet our hosts on Monday. The other participants arrived only on Tuesday. Every day we went to school but on Tuesday we also had some lessons. After 5 lessons we had free time with the host family, and in the evening we went out together. The big welcome event was on Wednesday in the school, later on we were separated in groups and spoke about environmental, economic problems in our countries. We had a surprise  from the Italian students, they danced  in front of the school. A On Thursday we played volleyball in mixed groups. After that every country showed their presentations and filled a test about So Eco Green meetings. On the next day the whole group went to Rome,where we  admired the most famous tourist attractions,for example we have seen the St Peter Cathedral, the Pantheon, Colosseo, Altare della Patria. We tried and enjoyed  traditional Italian ice cream. During the week we ate pizza several times, it was very delicious. We tried out other Italian foods too, such as lasagne, tortellini, and  Carbonara spaghetti. The atmosphere of the project was very good and we could meet our friends from the other countries. I really enjoyed this week and I hope that I can take part in similar projects like this in the future.

Róbert Brunczvik
It was a wonderful experience for me, to explore the Italy and get to know more about Italian life and culture.  We arrived one day earlier, so we had one day to go to school and see what school life is like. The school was a little bit different from ours; they have fewer lessons, less breaks, but better buffet.
The Italians organized many interesting and useful programmes. We spent a lot of time in Rome and in the school, where we were met by the headmistress, had a good concert and presentations.
We tried typical Italian food different types of cheese, ham, gnocchi and lasagne.
I want to thank my host Matteo and his family for their kindness and hospitality.
Don’t forget, the next meeting is in Budapest!
Csaba Lesták


 In April 2014 I had the opportunity to go Italy, thanks to the Comenius Project and my teacher Adriana, who was really kind and she invited me to join this programme.  Our flight to Rome from Budapest was quite pleasant, and short. On our very first day we went to Liceo Scientifico Bruno Touschek in Grottaferrata, where we met with our hosts’ awesome classmates, and after a few hours we had a whole free afternoon and evening. On Wednesday the Italian teachers and the headmistress welcomed us to their school, and they showed us around the school.  In the afternoon we met with officials at the Town Hall and after that we visited the Grottaferrata Abbey. On the next morning, we had a Volleyball tournament in the school, around noon every nation gave their presentations on the environmental project. After 1 PM we had a free afternoon and evening, some of us visited the Vatican. On Friday we went on a sightseeing tour in Rome, we visited Colosseum, Roman Forum, Campidoglio, Altare della Patria, Trevi Fountain. In the evening there was a big farewell ceremony, we watched videos and photos that were taken in Spain, Hungary, Latvian, Finland, and Italy. It was great to see pictures of the group and how close we got and how many friendships have started. On Saturday,  sadly we had to leave, and we flew back to Budapest. I really enjoyed my time in Italy; we already started talking about our next meeting in the near future. I would like to thank again my host, Mario and his family for being so nice with me. I would also like to thank the Italian students for the programmes and for the whole group! This will stay as an everlasting experience!
Martin Diósi
That week was a great experience, and it was a very good time, too.
The Comenius project gave us a big possibility to improve our language skills and meet people from other countries (that was the best!). During the week we were in Italy we had a lot of programmes  on the theme of the Comenius project and each country informed the others about actions they have done to make their environment better. There were many cultural programmes when we visited famous places in Grottaferrata, the town of Grottaferrata and The Monastery .We visited Rome too , especially its famous places: the Colosseum , The Altar of the Fatherland, Trevi Fountain, Piazza del Popolo,  and St. Peter's Basilica.

Our hosts and their parents were lovely and hospitable. We tried Italian food (they made us fantastic pastas!). In our free time we were with our hosts and other Italian students (Italian people are very friendly and energetic). Thanks to the Comenius project we made new friendships and that is very great thing. We met a lot of people with different visions of life, different attitudes, but at the same time so much like all of us. The Comenius project was the greatest experience of my life. I hope the friendships we made will last.

Bálint Vranek
It was a great pleasure to meet Carlotta, Noemi, Elisa and Mario after a year, and get to know students from other countries! It was great to talk to them and have fun together. I really enjoyed all the programmes, lessons and sport activities and I loved sightseeing in Rome. Oh, all that beauty, churches and monuments, fountains and squares!
I would like to thank everybody, especially my host and her family for being so nice and friendly. I enjoyed every second of the time spent together and I really hope we will keep in touch in the future.

Márk Scridon-Siklódi

Lake Albano


1.Lake Albano or Lake Castelgandolfo in the town of Castel Gandolfo in Rome, Italy.
2.A volcanic lake of 3’5 km long near Rome.
3.Its geographical origin you can find it in the 406 b C. while the period of the Roman Empire.
4.It’s really singular because of its volcanic origin that has made that the sand of the lake has a peculiar colour between grey and black instead of the brown colour of the normal sand.
5.It hosted the canoeing and rowing events of the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome and also it is located in the town where the popes used to go on holidays.
6.I have seen a lot of lakes but this one was bigger that all the lakes I have seen. Also it was really impressive the black colour of the sand.
7.It gave me like the feeling of calm and also really beautiful and impressive views.

Marisa Montoya Prades, Barcelona, Spain

Piazza San Pietro


1.Piazza San Pietro in the Vatican City.
2.Square located in front of the St. Peter’s Basilica.
3.The square was redesigned and officially named square in 1656 by an Italian architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
4.It is a big square with round shape. It has columns with the sculptures of 47 saints, two fountains in the centre of the square and an obelisk. Its style is baroque.
5.It’s the square where the believers in the Pope come to see him and also to visit this square and the basilica. It’s a place of meeting for the religious people.
6.I’ve seen this square many times before but it isn’t similar to the squares that I have seen.
7.It is so big and impressive. You can imagine how it feels when the square is crowdy. It’s really beautiful and, even if you don’t believe, it’s a place that everyone should go.
Marisa Montoya Prades  
Barcelona, Spain

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Spanish Steps

1. Spanish steps are climbing from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità, in Rome.

2. Spanish steps is a stairway.

3. Spanish steps were built from 1723 to 1725 with the funds of the french diplomat named Étienne Gueffier.
The architects in charge of designing it were Alessandro Specchi and Fransesco de Sanctis.

4. The architectural style of stairs is probably quite close to baroque. I personally find them aesthetically really pleasing.

5. The view of Piazza Di Spagna is famous worldwide, therefore it is a must-see for most tourists visiting Rome. For me it was a place where we could rest for a while and meet each others after having walked around for hours. And it certainly has had a similar meaning for many other people.

6-7. The view of the stairs was buried deep in my mind for years before finally seeing them for real, even though not having been there before.
To put it simply, I really liked the place, its atmosphere, and the architectures of both the stairs and the surroundings.

- Bent Harnist



Trevi Fountain

1. The Trevi Fountain is situated downtown in Rome.

2. According to its name, the Trevi Fountain is indeed a fountain.

3. The construction of the fountain (as we know it today) began in 1732 and it was finally completed in 1762. It was constructed by order of the Pope, who thought that the previous fountain standing at the same place wasn't "dramatic" enough. The fountain was the original design of Nicola Salvi, but he died before its completion, leaving it unfinished. The work was eventually completed by Giuseppe Pannini. The Fountain also features sculptures from Pietro Bracci among others.

4. The fountain exhibits characteristics of baroque style.  The most of it is built out of Travertine rock. I personally find the building very beautiful and majestic but at the same time quite harmonious.

5. The place is a very popular touristic spot. Probably it is due to the refreshing atmosphere which the fountain creates, but maybe also to the fact that it is commonly told to be one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. There is also a legend which says that if you throw a coin into the fountain, it will ensure you a return trip to Rome. More than 3000€ worth of coins are thrown into the fountain each day.

6-7. I hadn't been there before, so it was quite an exotic and exciting experience for me. Overall I really enjoyed that new experience.

- Bent Harnist


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Capital Hill

Capital Hill is the most important of the 7 hills of Rome. It has been home to the Eternal City's government since the days of Republic. On the Hills highest point stands a Church Santa Maria in Araccoeli. You can visit the Capital Museum there.

Piazza Navona


The main attractions of Piazza Navona is the tro of fountains. The largest fountain is Fountain of the four rivers. It was constructed on request of pope Innocent X. The two other fountains of the Piazza are The Neptune fountain and The Moor fountain at the southern and of the square.



Colosseum


 Colosseum is situated east of the Roman Forum. It could hold between 50 000 and 80000 spectators an was used for gladiatorial contests. The Colosseum was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.


St. Peter's Basilica

The church was built on Vatican Hill, across the Tevere River from the historic center of Rome. The location is symbilic. It was the site, where St. Peter died a martyr and where he was burid in 64 AD. St. Peter is considered the 1. pope.


Trevi Fountain

Trevi Fountain was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and completed in 1762. The central figures are Neptun, flanked by 2 Tritons.

It has a tradition: If you throw a coin into the water, it guarantees you will return to Rome.

Grottaferrata Abbe

Grottaferrata Abbey is known as the Greek Abbey of Saint Nilus It was founded by a goup of monks from Calabria. The monks here follow the teaching of St. Nilus and St. Bartholomew. They are Catholics of the Byzantine- Greek rite. Grottaferrata Abbey is the last of the many Byzantine-Greek monasteries.

 

Tevere

Tevere river is the second largest river after the Po.  It is 405 km long.Tevere is a historic river of Europe. Vatican city is situated across the Tevere River from the center of Rome.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Cathedral of St. Peter

The Cathedral was designed by Ottaviano Nonni, known as "Mascherino", and the original structure was completed in 1598. A new high façade was added between 1698–1700 by Gerolamo Fontana. The cathedral was demolished by bombing in 1943, and the reconstructed interior appears bare. On the inner side of the façade is the tombstone of Charles Edward Stuart.

FONTANA DI TREVI



  • Trevi Fountain (it. Fontana di trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi district in Romedesigned by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci.
  •  Standing 26.3 metres  high and 49.15 metres wide.
  •  It is one of the most famous Baroque fountains in the world.
  •  Legend holds that in 19 BC thirsty Roman soldiers were guided by a young girl to a source of pure water thirteen kilometers from the city of Rome. The discovery of the source led Augustus to commission the construction of a twenty-two kilometer aqueduct leading into the city, which was named Aqua Virgo, or Virgin Waters, in honor of the legendary young girl. The aqueduct served the hot Baths of Agrippa, and Rome, for over four hundred years.
  •  Coins are purportedly meant to be thrown using the right hand over the left shoulder in this fountain. An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day.
  •  Although near the fountain there were lots of people, but I really enjoyed being there. It is very magnificent and mesmerizing
Ieva 

Piazza di Spagna

In the Piazza di Spagna at the base is the Early Baroque fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the ugly Boat), built in 1627-1629. In the piazza, at the corner on the right as one begins to climb the steps, is the house where English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821, and  it is now a museum dedicated to his memory. The Spanish Steps climb a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top.  The monumental stairway includes 135 steps. The 1953 film Roman Holiday, with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, made the Spanish Steps famous to American audience.

National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II

The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II is a controversial monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. The structure is 135 m wide and 70 m high and  has a total area of 17,000 square meters. The base of the structure houses the museum of Italian Unification. The monument holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with an eternal flame, built under the statue of Italy after World War I.

Basilica of St. John Lateran

Dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist, the Basilica of St. John Lateran (Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano) is the first among the four major basilicas of Rome. It is also the cathedral of the bishop of Rome, the Pope, and is thus known as Omnium urbis et orbis Ecclesiarum Mater et Caput - Cathedral of Rome and of the World. Built by Constantine the Great in the 4th century, San Giovanni in Laterano was the first church to be built in Rome. It contains several important relics, a lovely 13th-century cloister and an ancient baptistery (San Giovanni in Fonte).


San Pietro in Vincoli

San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor basilica in Rome, built under the generosity of an Imperial matron, Eudoxia, daughter of Theodosius the Younger and wife of the Emperor Valentinian III. The interior of the church is imposing, the central nave is lined with twenty columns of antique marble.

The Moses

The Moses  is a sculpture by the Italian High Renaissance artist Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome. Commissioned in 1505 by Pope Julius II for his tomb, it depicts the Biblical figure Moses with horns on his head.

Parco di Villa Torlonia

A public park in Frascati, which was built between 1721-1724. It is one of the most beautiful of the Ville Tuscolane, an extension of the natural beauty of Tusculum. The garden is set on two levels: a terraced garden and an upper part, which follows the natural slope of the land with a forest of oaks, where a pond spoils into a cascade.

The Altare della Patria

  1. The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) or "Il Vittoriano"  located in Rome, Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill.
  2. The Altare della Patria  is a controversial monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy.
  3. The eclectic structure was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885; sculpture for it was parceled out to established sculptors all over Italy, such as Leonardo Bistolfi and Angelo Zanelli. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925.
  4. To date, the Vittoriano is the largest monument in white marble Botticino (Brescia) ever created, and features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas.
  5. The base of the structure houses the museum of Italian Unification. In 2007, a panoramic elevator was added to the structure, allowing visitors to ride up to the roof for 360 degree views of Rome. 
  6. The monument was controversial since its construction destroyed a large area of the Capitoline Hill with a Medieval neighbourhood for its sake. The monument itself is often regarded as pompous and too large. 
  7. Maybe it is really too large, but I liked it. Although in Roma there are a lot of incredible places, it is one of the most beautiful place in Roma.


Altare della Patria



1. The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) in Rome, Italy.
2. A controversial monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy.
3. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885, inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925.
4. It features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel made out of marble and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas.
5Though not held in the highest esteem by present-day citizens, it was the source of great civic pride at the time of its construction, at the turn of the 20th century.
6. I find it really impressive and beautiful.

-Kamilė Skorupskaitė

Monday, May 5, 2014

Colosseum


1.  The Colosseum or Coliseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheater), in the center of the city of Rome, Italy.
2. An elliptical amphitheater.
3. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 70 AD and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus.
4. An ancient building built of concrete and stone, it was the largest amphitheater of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
5. The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops and quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.
The Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torch lit  "Way of the Cross" procession  that starts in the area around the Colosseum.
6. It is the largest amphitheater in the world. Nothing like it is anywhere else in the world.
7. The Colosseum in Rome arouses more emotion than any other structure from this ancient culture. I was moved to tears at all that this structure stood for. It is truly colossal.

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Ara Pacis

Detail of a scene of the gods 
1.Museo dell’Ara Pacis in Roma
2.Roman temple with altar in honour of Augustus’ return from Galia & Hispania
3.The Roman Senate voted for its construction in 13 B.C. on Campus Martius
4.It is an almost square monument of marble of 10 mts. side and 6 mts. high depicting ornamental plants in lower part and roman personalities tied to Augustus on higher part and some mythological high reliefs
5.Ara Pacis is located close to Tiber river in a museum and it is visited frequently by groups of students
6.This kind of Roman temple is very singular and original, very different than other interesting Roman constructions like triumphal arches and columns.
7. Ara Pacis is isolated from the busy transit in the outside. It can be visited slowly and see all details, decorations and characters who appear there. Its visit transport us back 2000 years to the glorious Roma past.

Jordi Ribas

Friday, May 2, 2014

Saint Nilo Abbey Grottaferrata


1-     Grottaferratta Abbey
2-    Abbey of Saint Nilo, church of Santa Maria, library and walls.
3-    Started in XI century, it was enriched with frescoes in XIII and XVII century
4-    It combines art from different styles from Romanesque to neoclassical
5-    The location of the Abbey dominates a nice landscape scenery.  
6-    The abbey buildings are rather familiar. The type of church and its tower are not very different of those in Spain
I liked the different places of the abbey we visited: the entry with the walls, the cloister, the church and the surrounding landscape and mainly the frescoes inside the church and the celebration there which remind me of the orthodox way
Jordi Ribas

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport

1. Name and Location
Fiumicino – Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, more commonly known as Fiumicino Airport, is located just a little bit over 35 km from the center of Rome

2. Kind of attraction
Fiumicino is the largest airport in Italy. Over 40 million passengers traveled to/via the airport last year, which makes it the sixth busiest airport in the world!

3. Century or year of construction, geological or geographical origin, historic era, author.
The airport was opened to passengers in early 1960s and has stayed pretty the same ever since. They have made 4 new runways and the old ones been renewed. Several new projects are starting in the near future.

4. Comments on art style, singularity etc.
The airport was well-maintained and clean. The terminals looked modern and everything worked really well, which is quite rare when we're talking about one of the world's busiest airports.

5. Place with a social function where people meet to celebrate, demonstrate, talk, commemorate, youth meeting place etc.
None of the above, but I think airports are always the kind of places where you bump into some old friends you haven't spoken or seen in a while

6. How new or familiar did you find the attraction?
It looked quite new to me so it definitely came to me as a surprise that they haven't been renovating the airport so much since the 1960s

7. What emotions and feeling did you have while visiting the place?
It was literally a warm welcome and I think that it's impossible to be sad at an airport you just landed on because you know that your journey has just started.

-Eveliina Rimmi

Monday, April 21, 2014

Ponte Sant´Angelo

Ponte Sant´Angelo is a Roman bridge completed in 134 AD and it is made of marble. In past times pilgrims used it when they walked to St Peter´s Basilica, and it was called Bridge of Saint Peter. The bridge took on the name Sant'Angelo after the legend that an angel appeared on the roof of the castle to announce the end of the plague.

When you walk on the bridge you can admire the beautiful statues of ten angels and an amazing view. The angels escort you quietly and gently over the Tiber river. The Ponte Sant´Angelo takes you from the holy Vatican atmosphere to the lively Ponte quarter. This bridge is worth seeing and experiencing. 




Angel with the Garment and Dice

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Michelangelo´s Pietà

Michelangelo was only 25 years old when he sculptured this famous, unforgettable piece of art (1498 - 1499). It is located in St. Peter´s Basilica in Vatican. You can find it from the first chapel on the right as you enter the basilica. 

The virgin Mary sorrows the body of Jesus in this beautiful statue. When I looked at this young mother´s face, I feel like time stops running. Mary´s face impress many mixed feelings: she is sad, but she doesn´t try to resist. She must be broken but she looks calm. I stood there a long time and just looked at this master piece. Every single detail, clothes, hands, feet, are intricately made. When I think of  25-year-old Michelangelo I think he must have been the most talented artist at the time.



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Pantheon


1. Pantheon,  Rome (Italy)
2. Ancient Roman building.
3. Built in 126 AD
4. The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment.
5. It was built to all the gods of ancient Rome.
6. I hadn't seen it before.
7. Pantheon was huge. It surprised me how cool and beautiful it was.
Akseli Aninko

Monday, April 14, 2014

The statue of Baby Jesus in the Basilica of Santa Maria



The Holy Baby Jesus in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli made me an indelible impact.  The word Aracoeli means “altar of the heavens.”

The statue of the Baby Jesus dates back to the 15'th century.  The story is that a Franciscan friar carved it from the wood of an olive tree that is said to have grown in the Garden of Gethsemani. Over the centuries this holy image of the Baby Jesus has been honored with gifts made of gold, jewels and rich garments.

Every year, little children of all ages from Rome and all around the world address letters to the Baby Jesus. During Christmastime the children of Rome visit the Baby Jesus in the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, to preach little sermons, to recite poems, and to sing to Him.

On the 25th of every month it is customary to bless oil taken from the lamp that burns near the Holy Baby Jesus. The oil is distributed in small bottles and is used in praying for the sick.

The statue is kept in the sacristy (a copy sits in a private chapel on the premises), but on Christmas Eve, it is brought out and unveiled at the sound of the Gloria, processed to a nativity scene, placed in Mary's lap, and kept there until the Feast of the Epiphany (6 January). On that day, the statue is taken to the top of the staircase outside the church so that Romans might blow it kisses. Then the statue is returned to its private chapel. Nowadays, all of these purposes are served by use of a second copy, as the original was stolen in 1994.

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Colosseum


1. Colosseum,  Rome (Italy)
2. It is an elliptical amphitheatre.
3. Built in 70-80 AD.Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers.
4. It derives its basic exterior and interior architecture from that of two Roman theatres back to back.
5. The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era.
6. It was full of tourists and I had seen it before in pictures so i think was kinda familiar but of course different than in picture.
7. Colosseum is very large and  I liked the way it was builded. It is a nice place.


Akseli Aninko

Villa Aldobrandini in Frascati

The Villa Aldobrandini is a villa in Frascati. It has a very charming location overlooking the valley toward the city of Rome.


Alessandro Rufini built the villa in 1550. It was later on given by Pope Clement VIII to his nephew Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini in 1598 as a reward for the negotiations with France.The castle is named after Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini. The villa is aligned with the cathedral down its axial avenue that is continued through the town as Viale Catone.

The villa has an imposing 17th century facade and some other interesting architectural and environmental features, such as the double gallery order on the rear facade, the spiral-shaped flights, the large exedra of the Water Theatre and a magnificent park.

Villa Aldobrandini was the first castle we saw on our journey. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the access to view the castle inside but instead settled for an outside view. It was very impressive especially after we heard the story behind it: The tunnel between the Villa Aldobrandini and the town turned out to be a fatal mistake for lots of people during the World War II. People sought refuge in the tunnel but were instead trapped because of the the bombings and died. Despite its shocking history, Villa Aldobrandini doesn’t show any signs of these horrible memories as it seems to be untouched with its extremely wonderful artistic features and wonderful garden that surrounds it.

The garden seems to be an important place for people living in the area. Families gather around in the evenings, have lots of activities or just enjoy themselves. For tourists it is a peaceful place to rest. 

Sunday, March 16, 2014


Pietarsaari lukio

During the trip to Finland I had many great experiences and saw many great things. One of them witch sticks out was Pietarsaari lukio, school of finnish and swedish students, where most of the program took place in. It was really interesting to see in what environment people in other countries study. I was very impressed by what I've seen. The whole school was so modern and cozy. I liked the set up of the classrooms, it was interesting to see the schools library, the whole place seemed to be so spacious and relaxing. I especially liked the cafeteria, because of this huge glass wall that opened up an impressive scenery to the beautiful school park. It was very nice and I enjoyed visiting the Pietarsaari lukio.

Tadas Jakubauskas