Torre dei Conti is medieval fortified tower in near the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, it was one of the most impressive towers dominating medieval Rome. It was built in 1238 by Richard Conti, who was the brother of Pope Innocent III, as a fortified residence for his family, the Conti di Segni. It now stands at 29 metres (95 ft), but it was once 50–60 metres tall with the nickname of Torre Maggiore (Major Tower).
It was originally covered in travertine salvaged from the ruins of the Imperial Fora but this covering was stripped for use in the construction of the Porta Pia in the 16th century, designed by Michelangelo. The upper floors were destroyed by a series of earthquakes culminating in the earthquake of 1348. It was abandoned until 1620, when it was rebuilt by the Papal Chamber. Other earthquakes in 1630 and 1644 caused damage, these damages were repaired at the end of the 17th century by Pope Alexander VIII, who added two buttresses.
The tower was left isolated from other buildings due to the opening of the Via Cavour in the 19th century and the Via dei Fori Imperiali in the early 20th century. In 1937, Benito Mussolini donated the tower to the Arditi (Italian stormtroopers), who retained ownership until 1943. The tower now contains the mausoleum of General Alessandro Parisi, whose remains are preserved in an ancient Roman sarcophagus. Parisi, was the leader of the Arditi, who died in an automobile accident in 1938.
Opened in the year of the 60th anniversary of the movie Vacanze Romane (no prizes for guessing that is Roman Holiday), the basement place of this building hosts some legendary Vespa models, including the first body produced by Piaggio.
This permanent exhibition of original specimens, originated from an idea by Claudio Sarra, the founder and CEO of Bici & Baci, as an act of love for Rome and for the Vespa. We had such fun exploring this exhibition displaying the Vespa revolution from 1946 to today and to learn more about this scooter which has influenced Italian culture in the last 70 years.
Who can spot the Colosseum???
Meanderings post the Vespa Museum visit …….
After finding a spot to sit in the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, to eat a snack, drink some water and just enjoy the sights, sounds and generally people watch, in this pretty piazza with the usual fountain, we wandered into a tiny church just off the Piazza, the Chiesa dei Santi Sergio e Bacco degli Ucraini (La Madonna del Pascolo). This Church is also known as the Ukrainian Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus in Rome and icons of the Blessed Virgin Mary In Rome.
It is a Catholic church of the Byzantine Rite. Saints Sergius and Bacchus are alleged to have been early fourth-century Roman military officers and Christian martyrs buried in Syria. In the 9th century the church was known as Sergius and Bacchus in Callinico, and in the Middle Ages as Sergius and Bacchus de Suburra. From the 18th century onward it has been known also as the church of Madonna del Pascolo. In 1970 it became the national church of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome with the official title as the "Parish of Ukrainian Catholics of Madonna del Pascolo and Saints Sergius and Bacchus." Since 2019, the church serves as the cathedral for the Ukrainian Catholic Apostolic Exarchate of Italy.
Fatamorgana in Monti, a gelato chain which reputation precedes it and so worth visiting!This was a short walk away from the church situated in a quaint piazza
My Gelato consisted of scoops of Liquorice, Pawpaw, Apple, Cinnamon and Walnut flavoured gelato – yum!!!
Johan’s gelato consisted of scoops of Texas Tobacco, Moccha and Oreo flavoured gelato – double yum!!!!
Delicious refreshing treats on our Saturday perambulations and explorations.
Chiesa dei Santi Quirico e Giulitta
The Roman Catholic titular church of Santi Quirico e Giulitta (Saints Quiricus and Julietta) was our next stop.
This Church was named after a son and mother who were martyred in 304 AD in Tarsus. It is today administered by the Third Order of Saint Francis.
There were preparations under foot for a children’s nativity play which we ended up staying to watch after visiting the incredible Presepe Museum in the basement of the church building – the play was performed by some young, energetic, enthusiastic nuns and whilst we could not understand a word (apart from Maria and Giuseppe – yes, Mary and Joseph!) we enjoyed the music, the costumes, the energy and the fact that the dialogue was obviously very funny …. The families who came in to watch and participate all seemed to enjoy the service and it was a very relaxed, casual and welcoming environment.
Museo Tipologico Internazionale del Presepio
A. Stefanucci" Nativity Scene Museum
The International Typological Museum of the "Angelo Stefanucci" crib is a private museum situated in the basement of the church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta. It is only open to the public on a Wednesday and Saturday from 17h00 to 19h00 and it is closed in July and August. The Museum which was started in 1968 collects dozens of nativity scenes / presepe from all over the world, which are made of various materials using different techniques, as well as books, medals, posters, stamps anything and everything always related to cribs/nativity scenes/Presepio.
In 2018, this museum celebrated its 50th Anniversary – you can view a delightful video at https://youtu.be/yQtTQc_ict0
Homeward bound for the evening ….. The time was approximately 18h30
During our passeggiata on the Friday evening, we were handed a voucher for 25% discount off an eat-in meal at Bella Napoli 2 which was celebrating its 20th anniversary …. Bella Napoli 2 is situated on Viale Giulio Cesare, in “our Roman neighbourhood” so we treated ourselves to Saturday evening dinner at Bella Napoli 2. It was our “Christmas meal treat” as we knew we would not be eating out at any restaurant on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.
We ordered a pizza and the Roman traditional pasta dish, cacio e pepe … we shared both dishes and they both were simply sublime!!
Cacio e pepe is made of pasta, pecorino or parmesan cheese, butter and pepper – 4 ingredients and a truly memorable taste sensation!!
On our walk home to Domus Getsemani from Bella Napoli 2 – much needed exercise after such a delicious dinner
