Rome to quieten up

Rome's council is taking steps to reduce youth-generated noise pollution during the evenings and at night.

Two resolutions have been approved to help reduce noise pollutions in the historic centre. The source of which tends to be the younger folk enjoying their nights out, rather loudly, in in spots such as Campo de’ Fiori and Trastevere.

The first resolution tackles the noise issue and the second one is an increase in the number of vigili urbani to patrol areas that are prone to noise and trouble.

As of next August anyone under the age of 16 will be prohibited from purchasing alcoholic drinks and underage kids will not be allowed to work in any position selling alcoholic drinks. Also, bouncers will be replaced with ‘stewards’ and CCTV cameras.

It will be interesting to see if these initiatives will help make Rome a more quiet place. As with most Italian rules there is usually a big discrepancy between what is agreed on paper and its implementation.

Oldest depiction of Saint Paul discovered in Rome

The discovery was made during the restoration of the Santa Tecla catacombs on the Via Ostiense.

Archeologists were using an innovative laser-based technique when they suddenly came across one of the most expressive and elaborate depictions of Saint Paul. The hope is that more of the same will be found.

The fresco dates back to the 9th Century and its style is typically classical, depicting a big nose, eyes and a face full of expression. The red background and yellow ring shape around it are similar to iconography found in Pompeii.

The archeologists believe that Saint Paul was chosen to protect those who were buried in the catacombs.

The fresco was discovered on 19 June during work carried out by the Pontificia Commissione di Archeologia Sacra, a commission created by the Pius IX in 1852 to “ take care of the ancient sacred cemeteries, look after their preventive preservation, further explorations, research and study, and also safeguard the oldest mementos of the early Christian centuries, the outstanding monuments and venerable Basilicas in Rome, in the Roman suburbs and soil, and in the other Dioceses in agreement with the respective Ordinaries.”

Berlusconi fields hot candidates for June’s European elections

Why candidate old, fat, ugly politicians when the likes of Barbara Matera and Camilla Ferranti are keen to represent Italy in Europe?

However, Mr. Berlusconi’s wife (Veronica Lario – a former actress) wasn’t amused. She branded the whole thing as a ‘shameless’ election stunt.

This isn’t the case, absolutely. The truth is… two-fold:

1. Berlusconi has the “mental and sexual activity of a 50-year-old” and is “almost immortal”, as his doctor, Umberto Scapagnini, explained in 2004. Veronica is obviously jealous of this.
2. The candidates in question are, in fact, qualified for the job. Don’t let their background and appearance distract you from their great minds, judgement and… assets.

A fine selection of Euro candidates

• Barbera Matera – Miss Italy 2000 finalist, actress and TV presenter, now serious politician
• Camilla Ferranti – Dancer and TV personality, now serious politician
• Eleonora Gaggioli – Former actress, now serious politician
• Angela Sozio – Former Big Brother contestant, now serious politician

STOP PRESS! Eleonora Gaggioli, Camilla Ferranti and Angela Sozio did not make the cut. Perhaps they were not sexy enough.

Unfortunately based in Brussles

If they get elected, of course. So we can’t suggest visiting Rome to stalk out parliament for a furtive glimpse of them. Click on the images below instead and appreciate Italian politics at the highest level.

Earthquake hits Italy

A powerful earthquake has hit the central part of Italy near L'Aquila, about 95 km from Rome.

The earthquake struck at 3:00am and up to 10,000 buildings have been damaged.

Sadly, reports say that 40 people have been reported to have lost their lives so far.

The earthquake shook Rome violently too but caused no damage. Many people walked out of their homes into the streets, fearing bigger shocks.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have suffered this terrible event.

You can read more about this on the BBC website.

The Times: Rome not fit for final of Champions League

The Times Online is campaigning for the Champions League final to be removed from Rome.

The Champions League final is scheduled to be played at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday May 27 and the British newspaper is concerned that there will be a repeat of violence that has dogged a number of games between English teams and Roma in the capital.

It is true that football-related violence is a problem in Italy and yes, there is a risk that there will be more violence. However, with an event of such importance you can assume that the authorities will do what it takes to prevent any kinda of problem from erupting. The whole world will be watching.

“Say no to Stab City”

What is particularly irritating about The Times’ article are the words used in the last paragraph: “Say no to Rome. Say no to Stab City”.

They have every right to campaign against anything they want but it’s unfair that a whole city is characterised that way, even in the context of a football match.

If we’re talking safety lets look at some stats

There may be added risk because of a football game but rest assured that Rome remains a safe place to visit. Unlike Britain that, as The Telegraph puts it, ‘tops European crime league’:

Britain has one of the worst crime rates in Europe, a report said yesterday.

It is the most burgled country in Europe, has the highest level of assaults and above average rates of car theft, robbery and pickpocketing. Only Ireland has a worse record.

Risks of being assaulted were highest in the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden and Denmark and lowest in Italy, Portugal, Hungary, Spain and France.

That’s right, the risk of being assaulted is highest in the UK. As far as Europe is concerned, the risk of being assaulted in Italy is one of the lowest. That’s because we like pizza, pasta and Pavarotti and don’t binge-drink ourselves stupid.

Stay away from Rome when the final is on

We suggest the following: don’t come to Rome during when the final is on because the the game will be the focus of… everything. Football is fun but not worth the hassle. Prices for things will be inflated and the streets will be noisy.

Come to Rome any other time and have a great time.

As far as the UK is concerned, whatever the stats say it remains a great place to visit.

Law enforcement keen to make Rome a safer place

They called it operation 'Movida Sicura' and was aimed at establishing an 'emotional climate of trust and respect between residents, visitors and the police'.

The idea is for law enforcement officers to patrol hot-spot areas but not in an aggressive way, their presence acting as a deterrent and to send out a message of pro-active policing.

Last Saturday Dino Gasperini, representing Rome council and Cesarino Caioni, head of the Vigili Urbani (traffic police) met up at 11pm in Campo de’ Fiori to see for themselves what the area looks like when all the kids are out and about drinking beer. Perhaps they were inspired by the words of the La Terrina fountain there: Do well and let them talk, as far as the policing strategy is concerned.

This is good news for the city. Not that street violence was ever a big problem. In this day and age that ‘security’ is a big issue at every level – from terrorist attacks to padlocking your bicycle – more policing is certainly welcome.

The areas of Rome that are covered by operation ‘Movida Sicura’ are Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, Testaccio, Trastevere and the ZTL area (area of the historic centre you can only access by car if you have a permit).

• Source: Sicurezza, operation Movida Sicura (in Italian).

Bike sharing service lives on (but it's not something for you anyway)

Roman's mayor, Mr. Gianni Alemanno, has announced that the initiative will not be terminated. Bless him.

Cemusa, the company that manages the bike sharing service called Roma’n‘Bike, was all set to close shop next Saturday due to a failure to resolve certain contractual issues with the council. A typical scenario if you’re trying to do something different (and perhaps not convenient for certain third parties).

The good news is that Mayor is keen to for the service to not only remain active but to be extended. With of luck this good-will will translate into a resolution, as far as Cemusa’s contractual needs are concerned.

Bike sharing means hopping on a bicycle at one ‘station’, say in Piazza Navona, and hopping off at another one, say Piazza Venezia. If you manage to reach your destination alive and within 30 minutes it will not cost you a thing.

The bad news for readers of this blog (mostly travellers) is that it’s not a service they can use. Only residents can register.

Or is it?

Perhaps with a vacation rentals contract our clients are eligable? We’re going to email Cemusa and ask. Watch this space.