Archive for 'Latium'

Bucatini all'amatriciana, or alla matriciana (in Romanesco dialect), is a traditional Italian pasta dish made with a famous sauce based on guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, tomato, normally, onion. It is now one of the best known pasta sauces internationally and originates from the town of Amatrice in the mountainous Province of Rieti in the region of Lazio. The dish has origins that stretch to a recipe called gricia, which came from the name that Romans (of modern, rather than ancient history) had for bread sellers.

Troubled, gifted and dramatic, Caravaggio is as intriguing as his groundbreaking work. The great Baroque artist was lost to history for a while but was incredibly famous in his own lifetime and is now considered one of the greatest artists of his age once more. While he was born in Milan and spent his relatively short life all over the country (a portion of it on the run), Rome remains one of the best places to see his work. Despite his controversial life, the Church was a big supporter and important patron throughout his career and, as such, much of his work still exists in Rome. Just find a holiday rental in Rome and seek out these examples.

1. Boy with a Basket of Fruit, c.1593

Located in in the Galleria Borghese, this work dates to when Caravaggio was newly arrived in Rome. The model was his friend, the Sicilian painter Mario Minniti, who was around 16 years old at the time. A kind of genre painting, it displays Caravaggio's ability to paint everything from flesh and hair to fabric and fruit.

The last post focused on some stunning historic interiors but this article will focus, instead, on some of the chicest and coolest contemporary interiors that will make design and décor enthusiast giddy, particularly all of the minimalists in the house. Read on for some of our most stylish and elegantly decorated vacation rentals in Italy.

6. Poggibonsi Si Itc829

This rental has that lovely and catchy name because it is just one of several properties on Poggibonsi, a farm-complex consisting of a farmhouse (originally a lookout tower from the 15th century), a small church from the 18th century, a former barn and two independent rural buildings. This rental, specifically, is the converted barn and is an independent property. It has undergone an attentive and skillful restoration work and, like the other rentals on the grounds, has been excellently decorated in a sleek, minimalist style that has been executed to absolute perfection.

Here are some more of the architectural gems that Rome has to offer, just find a holiday rental in Rome and begin exploring!

3. Pantheon

The magnificent Pantheon is a beautifully preserved temple dating back to 117AD. Built under Emperor Hadrian in honour of the ancient Roman pagan gods, it was given to Pope Boniface in 608 AD by the Byzantine emperor Phocas and was used as a church thereafter. It is a building of ingenious design and construction that was far ahead of its time. The soaring Dome, in particular, is immensely impressive. Inside, the church is richly decorated with paintings, stone carvings, statues and frescoes. Located in the Piazza della Rotonda in Rome, it is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 6.30pm and Sun 9am to 1pm.

Rome is a city that is very much defined by her architecture. In fact, the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and St Peter's are probably the very first thing to come to mind when one thinks of the city. While defining monuments becoming shorthand for a city is not at all uncommon, Rome has just so many that are incredibly iconic and well-known all over the globe. Here are some of the other architectural gems of Rome that you need to check out once you have found a holiday rental in Rome.

1. Torre Argentina

Torre Argentina is a fascinating architectural gem that is both a historic ruin and one of the largest cat sanctuaries in the whole world.