Visit Rome for the Festival of the Immaculate Conception

By Go City Expert

There’s no escaping the spiritual presence in Rome. With close to 1,000 churches in the city, not to mention being home to the leader of the Catholic church, Rome channels an undeniable undercurrent of solid beliefs and charming traditions that are widely followed and applied to this day. The Festival of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione) is one of the most sacred celebrations in the month of December, falling on the 8th of the month every year. Originally it was a feast day, as declared by Vatican in 1708, but now it has taken on a slightly different form. As a celebration of the Virgin Mary who was granted a life without sin, it is celebrated with elaborate church masses led by the Pope at the Piazza Mignanelli, followed by street performances, fireworks, processions and cultural festivities. Although it equates to a public holiday, don’t worry if you’re a visitor to the city – by no means are these celebrations exclusive to the church or Roman people; everyone is encouraged to join in with the revellers through the ancient cobbled streets. Most shops stay open should you wish to buy a souvenir or duck into a café for refuge and refreshments but banks and post offices are closed for the day.

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How well do you know these Ancient Rome Facts?

Ancient Rome facts Do you want to learn a little more about the Eternal City and its origins? Then look no further than this handy pop quiz full of ancient Rome facts. 1. Rome was founded by twin brothers Twins Romulus and Remus were abandoned by their mother at birth, but discovered by a lone she-wolf who nursed them. They then grew up to found a city, but had a fatal disagreement over who would rule. Romulus killed Remus in the fight and named Rome after himself. You can find the original bronze statue Capitoline Wolf, of the wolf suckling the brothers, inside the Capitoline Museums. 2. The Colosseum was once filled with water The legendary stadium served as the location for gladiator combats, animal hunts and even... naval battles. That’s right, great ships were built and ‘sailed’ out into the flooded Colosseum where theatrical battles would be held, with hundreds of actors and live animals including alligators in the water! 3. The hills of ancient Rome influenced the language of today Capitoline Hill, the location of political power in Ancient Rome is responsible for the word ‘capital’ we use today. Not only that, but neighboring Palatine Hill, home to temples, monuments and religious structures gave way to the word ‘palace’. 4. Rome is the only city with a whole country inside it Vatican City, the smallest nation in the world, lies wholly inside Rome, taking up just 44 hectares. Governed by the Pope this tiny city has a population of just over 800, its own army, its own currency and its own post office! 5. Ancient Rome was home to the largest stadium ever Circo Maximo was a vast chariot racing stadium. It was so big almost 3 Colosseums could fit inside. On race days, it could welcome 250,000 spectators - the largest stadiums of today cannot even hold half that number! 6. Romans are the inventors of health spas The Romans took bath time very seriously. The word ‘spa’ comes from the Latin term Sana Per Acquam (health through water) and ancient bathhouses are still enjoyed to this day. Check out the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla to get an idea of how the Romans would get clean and unwind. 7. St Peter’s Basilica took 120 years to build To this day, St. Peter’s Basilica is the world’s largest church and the center of Roman Catholicism. With its opulent decorations and stunning vaulted ceilings, is it any wonder construction took so long to complete? In fact, five different architects took the helm during this magnificent structure’s build. 8. Archangel Michel appeared over the city to signal the end of the plague Yep, Archangel Michel is said to have appeared above the citadel sheathing his sword as a sign that the Justinian plague of 590 had ended. Formerly known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the building was renamed Castel Sant’Angelo to honor this event. Pick up an Omnia Rome and Vatican pass and make great savings on attraction admission. You can use your pass to gain free entry to Rome and Vatican City’s top attractions, as well as discounted entry to lots more museums, landmarks and famous locations.

Three courses in Rome’s best restaurants

As Elizabeth Gilbert rightly points out in her book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, Rome is a city renowned for its gastronomic delicacies and where neighbourhoods are lined with pasticcerias, pizzerias and gelaterias. When you’re visiting Rome, you most certainly won’t leave hungry and even if you try, it is hard to find a bad meal – though be careful, you can find an overpriced one. Whatever the premise of your trip to the Eternal City, make sure you allow yourself time to have a true taste of the Roman culture. To make it easier for you we’ve come up with a simple itinerary to experience the best of local delicacies and traditions, from starter through to desert. Freni e Frizione An old car part garage, Freni e Frizione (whose name actually means ‘brakes and clutches’) is the place to go for a true sense of young, vibrant Roman foodie life. Nestled in a cobbled corner of Trastevere, this bar isn’t just visited for its strong drinks as much as its legendary antipasti. The place attracts drives of locals to join the culture of ‘little nibbles’ that Italy is so famous for, so make sure you get there early. Doors open at 7pm and the rule is that when you buy a drink you are entitled to as much food from the antipasti selection as you can stomach. Well, within reason. Laid out like an artisan buffet, you’re invited to choose from plates of chickpea salads to fresh mozzarella and tomato, baked ‘zucchine’ and Moroccan inspired cous cous. It’s an antipasti tradition given a modern makeover. Freni e Frizione is the perfect excuse to indulge in some pre-dinner snacks and whet your hungry appetite, so go and sample some rustic Roman delicacies whilst sipping on a refreshing, well made, cocktail crafted by the talented Roman bar staff. Via del Politeama, 4/6, 00153 Rome, Italy L’Economica In the heart of local San Lorenzo, near the main La Sapienza University, L’Economica is an unassuming and uncomplicated pizzeria. To taste some of the best home-made pizza, San Lorenzo offers tourist-free restaurants and tourist-free prices to leave you both satisfied in stomach and in pocket. Served up in a small restaurant with a mezzanine and tables spilling into the street when it’s warm, there’s plenty of room to sit- providing you don’t mind knocking elbows with your neighbour. The pizza choice is varied and true to its Roman roots where you can choose from simple Margheritas to meat feasts of spiced pork and salsicce (sausage); opt for toppings of heart of artichoke, parmesan shavings with fresh rocket, or even try some deep-fried courgette flowers for a true delicacy. These pizzas are lovingly made in the one-man kitchen of L’Economica, where the restaurant staff are all related in some distant Italian way. Wash your dinner down with some house red and leave feeling pleasantly full. Via Tiburtina, 46 00185 Roma Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi Fassi, as it’s known locally, is one of the oldest and most famous gelaterias in Rome. Founded in 1880, as it proudly advertises, the shop is 700 square metres with 200 of them dedicated to ice-cream making workspace. The Italians love their gelato so what better way to taste some of the flavours of the Mediterranean tradition than by sampling some heaped scoops to cleanse the palette. Lined with glass cabinets and diner-style tables and chairs, Fassi is a proper old-school ice cream parlour and you can even see the vintage ice cream makers on display as well. Open all hours Fassi caters to only the most knowing of tourists and is a local hot spot serving a mix of unique and classic flavours. From traditional tiramisu and exotic fruits, dark chocolate, hazelnut and even rice, to name but a few, choose your serving style of heaped generous scoops, ‘semifreddo’ or ‘granita’ (sundae-style ice cream). Just south of the main train station Termini, it’s a short walk from Vittorio Emmanuele metro station so if you want to space out your meal and walk off a course or two, Fassi is well worth a visit. Via Principe Eugenio, 65, 00185 Roma Make your trip to Rome that extra bit easier and invest in a OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. Not only can you visit the top attractions and monumental landmarks for free and with discounted entry, but you can travel round the city with a Travelcard and experience the sites from the comfort of a hop-on, hop-off bus tour. To find out more about how the OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass works, click here.

Celebrate the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbott

One of the many celebrated traditions in Rome is the feast of Saint Anthony Abbott, or ‘La Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate’ as it’s called locally. Celebrated on the 17th January it’s the perfect excuse to extend the festivities of the season and banish those January blues after all the excitement of New Years and the Epiphany. To give you a bit of context, originally the Feast of Saint Anthony Abbott stems from the celebration of Anthony, the ‘Father of Monks’, who is believed to be the founder of monarchism. He lived his years in the dessert and dedicated himself to charitable acts and those of piety and assistance. Nowadays the celebration of Saint Anthony Abbott involves street processions, local food stalls and artisan crafts laid in the grounds of the Church of Sant'Antonio Abate and Sant'Eusebio on the Esquiline Hill in Rome. The Church of Sant’Antonio Abate is a medieval 15th century church, nestled around the corner from the grand Santa Maria Maggiore basilica, that used to serve as a hospital and convent church, dedicated to ‘Anthony of Egypt’. From the late 1400s there was a ceremony in honour of Saint Anthony known as the ‘Blessing of the Animals’ that took place at the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate on the 17th January. Unfortunately, as it rose in popularity over the centuries, and after the invention of cars, the livestock was a little endangered as they wandered the grounds of the church. So much so it was decided to move the celebrations around the corner to the piazza outside Sant'Eusebio just to be safe! So whether you’re with or without a pet on your trip to Rome, and especially if you’re an animal lover, make sure you attend this family friendly celebration at the beginning of the year. It’s a good enough reason to continue celebrating for just one more weekend (this year it falls on a Friday) so head up to the Esquiline Hill and explore the ancient churches in the area, participate in the ceremonies and appreciate one of Italy’s longest standing traditions. Don’t forget to take small change so you can make the most of the arts and crafts stalls and take something home as a little reminder! Make the most of your trip to Rome with an OMNIA Vatican & Rome Pass. With free and fast track entry to the Vatican and Museums, as well as top attractions such as the Coliseum and the Capitoline Museums, your holiday itinerary is sorted. Hop on a bus tour and get free travel around the city as well, all included in your three day pass. Click here for more information on how you can make your trip all the more memorable.

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