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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.