The answer is yes and the damage is €2 per night for a maximum of 10 nights.
The most you will ever pay is €20 – the price of a pizza in fairly good restaurant.
The Rome City Tax was introduce at the beginning of the year to help the administration pay for the upkeep of the city.
One can then assume that Rome’s authorities are not happy with the millions of Euros that tourists spend in the City when they visit.
Romans are relieved. For once they are not the ones getting taxed. A quick look at the National Consumer’s Union website reminds us of the ridiculous taxes they have had to endure:
- Bananas – These were considered a luxury item between 1965 and 1991
- Coffee – When this tax was introduced in 1917 Italians soon discovered that you could make coffee out of chicory. The tax was also abolished in 1991
- Chicory – Introduced in 1924 to discourage those who were using it instead of coffee
- Balconies – Introduced in 1931 because they ‘insisted’ over roads.
- Gardens – Still applicable today
And if you ever plan to develop march land into something useful there is a tax for that too.
To be fair, Rome isn’t the only city to tax for occupancy. New York City has been doing it for a while now and it isn’t as straight forward as Rome’s version.
So, next time you’re in Rome visting the Trevi fountain you may think twice before throwing your hard earned Euros in.
The design hasn't changed much but the overhaul has been radical.
Do you see something missing?
You’re right, all out apartment profiles have gone and we’re not accepting bookings via this site.
Our eagled-eyed readers will have noticed that the co. bit in our name has evolved into… Consultancy.
We’ve tidied up the interface a bit too, but the main point of the exercise was to evolve this site into a place where you can find good, unbiased advice about visiting Rome, vacation rentals and experiencing the city more like a local. The latter remains our theme throughout what we do.
We have teamed up with Passeggiate Romane Cultural Association to feature some interesting walking tours. And we will be partnering up with other organisations like them.
The apartments section hasn’t been completely removed but now points to our sister site City Apartments Rome. There you will find the apartments that were listed on this site — many of them in the Luxury Apartments section.
We hope you like this new format. Let us know either way by contacting us or leaving a comment below.
Not quite. Diego Della Valle, owner of the Tod's brand of shoes, is footing the 25M Euro bill for the restoration of the monument.
Every few years the local news has been reporting of some rich American, Russian or Chinese tourist wanting to purchase and transfer the Colosseum abroad, with the locals having a good chuckle talking about it over a coffee.
But the jokes are turning into reality and nightmare for the proud Romans. The Colosseum is not being sold to the yanks but its restoration sponsored by the private sector. More specifically, by Diego Della Valle, owner of, amongst other things, Tod’s shoes.
The deal will not allow Mr. Della Valle to set up shop amongst the Colosseum’s arches but there will be subtle reminders that the crumbling walls have been saved by pricey his loafers. Read up more about the deal on Reuters’ website.
Rome’s mayor has managed to fix a major problem without digging into public finances – quite a result – and the Colosseum will not be dismantled and shipped to Texas. Given the economical situation in Italy, most people will be happy about the deal.
The Colosseum will not be closed down during the two year long restoration, which is also much appreciated.
A much bigger concern these days is that another local icon has been sold off. AS Roma, the local soccer team, has been sold to an American tycoon called Thomas DiBenedetto.
Tamara de Lempicka was the first female celebrity artist, making a name for herself thanks to her bold and sensual style.
In her youth she visited Italy with her grandmother and was able to appreciate the works of Italian masters and in 1925, under the sponsorship of Count Emmanuele Castelbarco, she had her first major show.
But that’s about as far as her her connection with Italy goes. Unless you recognise similarities between her style and Futurism, which characterised the Italian art scene during the 20s? That certain ‘dashing’ quality… those bold, square lines…
But we won’t say that or we risk the wrath of the experts in the field. One of which Ms. Gioia Moris, curator of the exhibition and a specialist in the subject. She’s top her field which means you will get great content to complement the pieces on display.
If you’re a fan of art deco and in Rome at the time this one’s not to be missed.
But we also recommend this exhibition to those who have passed in front of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II at Piazza Venezia and wondered what goes on inside those big, white walls.
Exhibition times and transport options
- Mon/Thu 9.30 –19.30;
- Fri/Sat 9.30 – 23.30;
- Sun 9.30 – 20.30
Please note that visitors are admitted up until one hour before closing time.
If you’re heading there by metro get off the Colosseo stop. If you’re catching a bus jump on to any one passing by Piazza Venezia. Head for the massive white building and watch out for the posters advertising the exhibition — they are huge and hard to miss.
Enjoy!
Every year returns to Rome the most awaited sports event in Italy.
There are already many bookings to guarantee for the marathon in the city of Rome 2010, which will leave from the Fori Imperiali with the participants arriving at 8.00 with the marathon start time of 9.00, followed by the citizen athletes.
The Rome Marathon is reserved to only professional Italian and foreign athletes who run 42 km of the most beautiful streets of Rome along a course where the start and finish is the same Fori Imperiali.
Novelty for this edition, will be the introduction of Nordic Walking, a marathon for those who want to run with the “skis”.
On Twitter people announce what they are doing every half a second. That's micro-blogging for ya. We are using it to announce new content.
OK, so we’ve added RSS, Email alerts and a What’s new page. Now you can follow us on Twitter too.
Don’t worry, we will not abuse the system. We will not post thing such as…
Rome Rentals Co. is scratching its head
Rather, we’ll post web site updates and any particularly interesting piece of information we come across that is relevant to what we do.
Follow us…
To follow us you need to have a Twitter account and then click on the Follow link on our profile page:
If so, get in touch to get listed in the 'Useful links' section of our site.
We’ve just added a new category to our useful links section: Blogs about Rome
If you have one and want to be listed get in touch with the following info:
- Name of the blog
- URL
- A one sentence description about it
Also, it would be super if you could link back to us like this: Rome Rentals Co
We will not accept blogs that are, in our opinion, nasty (racist, obscene, etc…) and those of our competitors (obviously).
So far we’ve added Katie Parla’s blog about Rome and Southern Italy. Check it out, it’s very good.
Today, Rome celebrates Vespasian's 2000th birthday by holding the an exhibition called "Divus Vespasianus: Il Bimillenario dei Flavi", which makes one wonder whether a figure such as Vespasian would help Italy get through the current socio-economic crisis.
When talking about the Flavian Dynasty (Vespasian, Titus and Domitian) the focus is usually on the impact their policies had on Rome: the financial, social and development reforms aimed at improving the quality of life of the population. Similar initiatives that are desperately needed by Italy today.
The end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty – good news for Rome
To better understand and appreciate the success the Flavians enjoyed one has to look at the challenges that presented themselves following the turbulent years of the preceding Julio-Claudian dynasty.
Nero’s suicide in AD 68 marked the end of a reign of tyranny, extravagance and… fire (supposedly). Namely, the Great Fire of Rome of 64 AD. The year following his death was a period of politcal and economical instability, including a civil war. It was a remarkable year, in fact, as 4 emperors ruled in quick succession: Galba, Otho, Vitellius and finally Vespasian.
The Flavian Dysnasty (69–96 AD) was a turning point for Rome. The political system was improved and started to function effectively again. Finances where restored and major landmarks built.
The Flavians (starting from Vespasian)
Vespasian was born into a family of equestrians from a village near the modern city of Rieti. Not the typical background of an emperor. Julius Caesar, for example, was born into a Patrician family, the Gens Julia, that claimed to descend from the Venus and Mars.
His rise to power was due, in part, to his success as a military commander. In 66 AD, for example, he subjugated the Judaea province during the Jewish rebellion of 66 AD. He was also a person of integrity, charisma and experience having been elected a consul and subsequently governer of the Africa Province.
In 69 AD is succeeded to Vitellius and was declared emperor by the Senate.
Rome under the Flavian Dynasty
Vespasian arrived to Rome with a plan in mind to deal with the instability inherited from the previous years. He quickly gained support from politicians, the Senate, the military and the public by rewarding loyalty (and removing those against him).
Vespasian was ‘media savvy’ too and understood that controlling the perception people had of him was key to ensuring his power and influence continued. What current Italian politician shares the same trait?
However, the financial situation he inherited was dire as a lot of resources has been consumed by the civil war. But thanks to his fiscal policies and taxtation he was able to restore economic stability and order, characteristics that Romans valued a great deal.
Of all policies that Vespasian was responsibile for the most famous remains the vectigal urinae, a tax that was originally levied by Nero upon the collection of urine. This tax could be justified as urine (a source of ammonia) served as the raw material for a number of chemical processes. This did not stop him from gaining a reputation as somewhat stingy leader and have urinals named after him – you can still see modern versions of Vespasiani around Rome today.
Vespasian continued to invest time and money making Rome a more prosperous and habitable city, but it was his sons Titus and Domitian, who become emperors after him, who are credited with much of the architectural and urban development work that was completed: the Colosseum, the Arch of Titus, the Odeon of Domitian, the Stadium of Domitian (now Piazza Navona) and the Domus Flaviae e Augustana palaces on the Palatine hill.
Architectural achievements of Vespasian, Titus and Domitian
This list is by all means complete, but if you happen to be in Rome you should make an effort to see the following:
- Temple of Peace (Templus Pacis) – Inaugurated un 75 AD by Vespasian to commemorate victory in Judea
- Colosseum – A joint production: commissioned by Vespasian, inaugurated by Titus in 80 AD and completed by Dominitian
- Templum Gentis Flaviae – Built by Dominitian in 95 AD to celebrate the Flavian family.
- Arch of Titus – Built by Dominitian in 95 AD and dedicated to his brother, Titus
- Flavian Palace and the Domus Augustana – Started by Vespasian and finished by Dominitian. The former was more an exercise to show off the Flavian dynasty’s power and influence and the latter is was their private residence.
- Stadium of Domitian – Built by Domitian to for athletic contest later become Piazza Navona.
Does Rome need Vespasian today?
The situation in Italy today is quite bleak. There may not be civil wars in Italy but security is an issue just the same. Even before the global economic hit Italy the economy wasn’t performing particularly well – now thousands are losing jobs. The closest parrallel is, however, the disfunctioning political system. If you want to learn about the corruption and excesses of modern Italian politics you should read a book called La Casta (the caste), by Sergio Rizzo.
Italy needs a new Vespasian desperately. A leader with integrity, charisma who is not afraid to make tough decisions. The current ‘Emperor Berlusconi’ may share some of the qualities but lacks integrity.
Want to know more about the Flavian Dynasty?
Simpe. Visit the Divus Vespasianus: Il Bimillenario dei Flavi exhibition that runs until 10 January 2010, and give yourself enough time in Rome to visit the above mentioned landmarks.
There is another way you can shop that doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. In fact, it doesn't cost you anything: take photos of your favourite items and shop fronts.
This is what the Allen family did when visiting Rome last February. The blog’s author introduces the post saying:
here’s a look at shopping in the eternal city. after a couple of fruitless days, i accepted that the italians, for the most part, do not make clothes that fit my body and i would have to be content with acquiring things in another manner: by photographing them.
A great idea and some great photos too. Check them out on her blog post titled rome, 2010 shopping pictures.
Four hundred years after Galileo the Vatican Observatory together with the Vatican Museums and the National Institute of Astrophysics (INAF) have organised an exhibition in occasion of the International Year of Astronomy.
If you’re visiting the Vatican Museums over Christmas and New Year don’t miss AStrum 2009, and exhibition about astronomy and instruments used throughout the centuries to look deep into the sky.
Things have changed since the 17th Century when Galileo was tried by the Inquisition that found him “vehemently suspect of heresy”. But he was right. The world isn’t flat.
The exhibition will display an important selection of rare instruments for astronomic observation and its particularly interesting to see how these have evolved and become sophisticated over time.
All items are property of the National Institute of Astrophysics but there are also instruments belonging to the Vatican State.
Visitors will also be able to admire works of art that relate to the subject matter depicting, for example, celestial and earth globes.
Opening hours
The Entrance Ticket to the Vatican Museums enables the visit of the exhibition.
- Opening hours of the Vatican Museums.
- Open Monday to Sunday: the Ticket Office is open from 9 am to 4 pm.
- The Museums close at 6 pm. Closed: Sunday; 8, 25, 26 December 2009; 1, 6 January 2010.
- Free Entrance the last Sunday of every month from 9 am to 12.30 am. The Museum close at 2 pm.