Jenny Henion

Wine in Ancient Pompeii

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Bosco de’ Medici Winery

The fermentation of wine may have been picked up in Ancient Greece, however, it was the Ancient Romans that mastered the mass production of the alcoholic beverage. The wine was considered an integral part of the daily diet of the ancient people, only surpassed by water and milk. It was a drink that even slave’s and women could have, and it is said that for every citizen, a bottle of wine was drunk a day. Whilst women could only drink small amounts of the sweet wine, men could drink however much they wanted. You may wonder how the entire population was not inebriated at all times of the day, and this is due to the fact that the wine was weakened by mixing it with sea water. The wine was safer to drink than water as the alcohol in it counteracted for the bacteria found in the water. The Romans turned the production of winemaking into such a profitable business due to their low-cost methods of production.

The amount of money you spent on wine contributed to your status in Roman society, and it was white wine that the people preferred. The saw red wine as an inferior variation, only drank by soldiers and the poor. In fact, it wasn’t until much later that Romans began to accept red wine, but even then, it was not the deep ruby red shades we drink today, but closer to what we know as rose. It was extremely difficult to drink straight due to its vinegary and bitter taste, however, the Barbarians are thought to have done this. Instead, Romans mixed their wines with herbs and spices, or honey which was called muslum wine. As a result of these mix ins, wine was used medicinally to cure depression, vertigo, and tapeworms.

Winemaking in Pompeii was a lucrative industry and the hub of wine production in the whole of Europe. The people worshipped Bacchus, the God of wine, as evident by the many frescoes that he is depicted on. Their loyalty to the God was so devout that there was a cult of followers who followed Bacchus. In one of the more cryptic properties of Pompeii, the cult of Bacchus, known to the Ancient Greeks as Dionysus, is portrayed in a large fresco, where it is seen that a member is being initiated into this secretive cult. Make no mistake however, there was more to this group than just drinking, they were all deeply spiritual and had to attend many ceremonies and rituals to appease Bacchus.

The proximity to Vesuvius meant that the soil was extremely fertile, combined with the Southern Italian warm temperatures, it became the perfect location for planting grapes. After the grapes were harvested, slaves would stomp on them by foot and then place them in terracotta pots where they were then buried in the ground. The pots were left open during fermentation, however, unlike the wine of today, were only matured for a few months before they were served. The terracotta pots they were held in were called amphorae, each pot with their own label that showed the place of origin and what type of wine it is. We also know now that all amphorae varied in style depending on where they were from, which helps researchers determine the country of origin.

Many residents of Pompeii had patches of land connected to their houses with vines in it, in fact, it is reported that approximately two-thirds of the villas had their own vineyards. The most popular wine was local, from Campania. This variety was called Falernus, which produced the area’s most famous wine- Falerian. It was the most expensive wine in the Empire and was a sweet white wine with the highest percentage of alcohol available at the time, which was 16%. At the House of Amarantus, a wine shop in Pompeii, over 30 amphorae were found with over 8 grape varieties used. Some of these included Greco, Fiano and Piediross. It is also known that the locals imported wines from Crete, Sicily and for the wealthier members of society; Turkey.

In one particular era of the Roman Empire, Emperor Domitian issues a decree banning some vineyards as the people were starving, and farmers were planting vines instead of wheat. After Vesuvius erupted, the vineyards were destroyed making wine extremely expensive and only available to the wealthy who could afford the imported wines.

Thanks to casts of the vines made by 19^th century archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli and the Ancient Roman scholar Pliny the Elder’s book ‘Naturalis Historia’, a team of researches and the winemakers behind Mastrobeardino began a project in the 1980’s to restore the ancient vineyards of Pompeii. Due to the in-depth description of that varieties written about in Pliny’s book, and the frescoes in Pompeii that distinguish what grapes were used, researches have been able to plant the right grapes in the same style as the Romans.

Whilst they are mostly sticking to the techniques that the Ancient Romans used, the process has been modified to suit the tastebuds of modern society. The Falerian wine once heavily enjoyed by citizens of Pompeii can now set you back over a hundred dollars for a litre and can be found by the bottle in high end restaurants. If the price tag of Falerian wine seems a little high to you, you can always do the next best thing which is visit Pompeii! While you may picture the ruins as a vast site with solely buildings and frescoes, this isn’t the case. Since the excavations, the fertile soil has begun producing again, with many green vineyards on the rise due to the diligence and research of the archaeological society and Mastrobeardino winemakers.

Price: €129

Tour Company: Sightseeing Tours Italy

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.wordpress.com/2019/09/04/wine-in-ancient-pompeii/

What are the reasons for the fall of Rome?

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Rome

The Roman Empire is a legendary civilisation, known for its iconic structures, inventive creations, and contemporary laws. It was once the most powerful civilisations in the entire world, controlling the majority of Europe and even two other continents. However, after nearly a thousand years ruling, the civilisation meets its end, known as the famous fall of Rome. But how did this once great empire collapse to its knees? There is not one defining reason, but a series of factors that triggered the downfall.

It’s Beginning and Success

Before the Empire controlled the land, the Roman Republic governed the land for 500 years. This was a government body that officially ruled, with people voting in their leaders. However, the control soon shifted, with the leaders of the military coming into power and popularity, in particular, Julius Caesar. His took his powerful opportunity to seize control, becoming the dictator of Rome, which slowly dismantled the government. His assassination was the last nail of the coffin that triggered the official start of the Roman empire. With this new empire, the military was strong, the land vast, and the wealth great. Creativity and originality blossomed, with the invention in engineering, technology, and ethical issues that are still used today.

Military Force

The empire was once known to have the world’s strongest army back during its time. Winning countless battles that gain control to a huge expanse of land. But with this grandeur, remaining in control for all outskirts of land became difficult. With an increase of land, the military became stretched too thin, using all their resources to defend their frontiers. Short on defence, they soon recruited foreign mercenaries in their armies. Unfortunately, these foreign soldiers were not loyal to the empire, and soon the officers turned against their Roman employers, with some even being a part of the final attack on the Western Empire.

Finance Weakens

This once wealthy empire crumbled under their debt, with their distribution of finance distorting their success significantly. With the threat of invaders on the horizon, the empire threw their money to boost the military defence, neglecting a lot of other areas within the empire particularly their infrastructure. Slavery was a key support in the empire’s finance, but soon the supply of slaves dried up, causing the empire to lose its control. As well, the empire suffered inflation after the reign of Marcus Aurelius. This was all due to the empire no longer conquering new lands, and there for the flow of gold ceased. A majority of the gold was being spent by the rich Romans, there was less gold to use in coins. With the amount of gold in coins decreasing, the coins became less valuable, and to make up for this, a rise in cost ensured.

Urban Decay

The wealthy Roman citizens lived in a Domus, otherwise known as a house. These structures had marble walls, complex coloured tiled floors, and large glass windows. Sadly, most Romans could not afford these luxuries and instead lived in small, smelly apartment houses. These apartments housed six or more stories which covered an entire block. There is documentation that at once point there were over 44 thousand apartment houses within the city walls. The higher and more unstable the houses were, the cheaper they became. The houses began to collapse, as well as the renters unable to pay forced onto the streets, ensuring countless homeless people and crime to grow.

Public Health

The Romans although were brilliant in areas, did not possess the hygiene too is essential for long and healthy life. Hygienic kitchens, bathrooms, and streets were unknown, with washing hands after the bathroom or toilet paper non-existence. Blood and disease were spread easily throughout the city, particularly when the Colosseum was hosting games. The citizens were also being slowly poisoned by the water brought into their homes. This was due to the lead pipes used, which caused a much higher death rate.

Technology

The Romans have gone down in history as some of the best engineers, but unfortunately, their technology advancement was also their downfall. This was all due to the last 400 years being significantly limited in their scientific achievements. With their only triumphs in engineering and public services, building marvellous roads, bridges, and aqueducts. Their scientific systems mainly in medicine relied greatly on human and animal labour. As the empire was growing in population, the products made could not keep up, and they failed to invent any new machines to produce more efficiently.

Religious Change

All while the empire faced these issues, a new threat approach, in the name of a new religion; Christianity. The old religion saw the emperor as a god, with the focus on the glory of the state. However, Christianity disagreed with this, and soon changed the people’s mind in their religious beliefs. As the Emperor once had complete control because of his god status, the decrease in belief soon decreased the power the empire had over the public. Church leaders also took political roles within the governance, which created more power for the Christians.

Power Struggles

Government corruption, political dispute, and power struggle all became leading issues by the end of the empire. Being Emperor turned into a death sentence, with more than 20 men taking the role of Emperor that ensured on-going assassinations and replacements in the span of 75 years. This weakens the emperor’s status and complete ruling, with different emperors focusing on different issues in their small reign.

There are many more theorised factors that created the domino effect of the empire’s downfall, but what is known is that the Roman Empire took not just one day, but a series of years to completely crumble into ruin.

Tour Company: Sightseeing Tours Italy

Price: €119

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.blogspot.com/2019/09/what-are-reasons-for-fall-of-rome.html

What was the Roman Forum?

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Standing between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills in the centre section of Rome lies an ancient region. Jam-packed with crumbling buildings and early Roman stories which detail the past citizens of the city.

The beginning of the Roman Forum

The crumbling ruins of the ancient Roman forum date back all the way to the 7th century. It is thought that the city of Rome developed from a small area of huts nestled on the Palatine hill. This theory is supported by the evidence found at the forum today, with many different strata of ground layers beneath the buildings. It is also thought that the large city centre was created as a result of a deliberate landfill plan. Regardless of its beginning, the majority of the buildings remaining in the ancient city centre are from the Roman Empire era, with temples, arches, and buildings all detailing

The daily habits of the Forum

During the empire’s era, the Forum first served as a large marketplace. However, over time it developed into the main region for public affairs, being an economic, political, and religious centre for the Roman Empire. This powerful civilisation ruled for almost 1000 years, controlling not just Rome, but a huge portion of Europe, Asia, and Africa. The civilisation was extremely developed, being gifted in engineering, architecture, and technology. Because of this the buildings and architecture of the city were built in the classical Greek style, but in a highly industrialized and stable way, which is the reason why the buildings Forum still exists today.

In the centre of the forum sat the Via Sacra, which was known as the main city street. Rome was famous for its roads, building the finest road system the world had ever seen of that time. The Via Sacra street was no exception, being large enough to fit all the citizens and visitors leaving/entering the Forum, as well as being linked with a number of religious and political landmarks. The road was so big it hosted a number of celebrations for Roman war victories, triumphal marches, and festival events.

The massive temples and political monuments were displayed on Via Sacra, not just for convenience but for a reason. Essentially establishing the religious faith of Rome and the political power to any newcomer.

How the Roman Empire fell

After the Roman Empire fell into disarray, the Roman Forum soon fell as well.
It was not just one definite reason why this once great empire fell, but a number of events and issues that lead to the collapse. The mains ones included military issues, financial debt, religious change, and power struggles.

For the military issues, the army of Rome started from the most legendary and strongest army ever formed, into a vulnerable and defeated militarily group. The grandeur of the army was stretched too thin with the more land the empire conquer, with regions vulnerable to take back. The empire hired more soldiers, but due to them being loyal to their pay-check, they followed their officers more than the Emperor, which made the officers particular powerful. One of the most famous officers was Julius Caesar, who took advantage of his power and popularity to seize control.

The financial debt was linked with the military as the majority of the empire’s money was going into the army and nowhere else. This led to a neglect in a number of areas, most particularly their infrastructure. Slavery became key support in the empire’s finance, but soon the supply of slaves dried up with the empire losing control on invading new regions. The decrease in invasions also caused the money of Rome to become less valuable. This was all due to the new invading areas providing a large amount of gold to the empire. With the decrease in gold accumulation, less gold was put into the Roman coins. With less gold in them, they became less valuable, and there for a rise in cost ensured which the citizens could not afford.

As well the new religion Christianity emerged in the empire, with many citizens turning to its new style of belief. The old religion of the Roman Empire saw the emperor as a type of god, which deflected any rebellion. However, Christianity said another thing, stating the emperor was no more than a mortal man, and that even the lowest class citizen was important. Creating the poorer citizens to rebel against the empire.

As well, one of the remaining main factors on the Empire’s fall was the political corruption and rebellion with the Roman officials and the emperor. With the backstabbing, assignation, and traitorous behaviour crumbling the strong structure of Rome.

What became of the Roman Forum

The ancient buildings and streets of the Roman Forum were destroyed around 410 A.D. by invaders. During the Middle Ages, the land was reduced to a pasture for grazing animals, known as the grassland ‘Campo Vaccino,’ translating to the Cow Field. The buildings and ruins remaining were extensively plundered, with the restoration of the ruins not beginning until the 18th century.

What Remains today

Despite the majority of the city crumbled into nothing, there is a large part of the forum still standing tall. With the few sights remaining filling the area with a sense of history and giving a hint to the grandeur of this lost empire. Important historical sites not worth missing are the Temple and House of Vestals, the Funeral Altar of Julius Caesar, as well as the Arch of Titus.

Price: €119

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.blogspot.com/2019/09/what-was-roman-forum.html

How to see Pompeii in one day?

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Pompeii Today

Pompeii is one of the main attractions in the entire country of Italy. With a smorgasbord of history laid out in a picturesque open-air museum, the city is the largest and longest continuous archaeologist site in the entire world. If you’re limited on time within this grand expanse of history, don’t stress yourself silly with organising! As this article has all the tips and tricks into making all you need to know and plan for your day trip to Pompeii!

How to get there

Getting there can be tricky depending on where you start off. With main cities such as Rome or Naples being the home bases for most travelling to Pompeii. Therefore, working out the quickest, easiest, and cheapest option prior to heading off can help you cut down on any frustration and limit your morning.

Car

For those independent travellers out there, hiring or taking your own car to Pompeii will most likely look like the most attractive option. From Rome, it takes around two and a half an hour, without any breaks along the way. If you are planning on doing this, make sure to set off early to leave plenty of tourist time for the day, and to avoid the peak hour, as Italy roads can be notoriously busy.

Train

If you aren’t a fan of driving, simply hop on a train in the morning and sit back and relax. The train head down the entire coastal area, guaranteeing you a stunning scenic ride along the way. This route usually takes around a couple hours, with ticket prices going up or down in price depending on where you are coming from, and which cabin class you choose.

How to see it

Tours

Not sure what to do once you get there? Instead of making your own way to Pompeii, hop on a tour! Here you can get picked up straight from your hotel door, cruising down the coast on the luxury bus. The guide can inform you of all of Pompeii’s secrets along the way and take you to each spectacular attraction once there. Instead of flipping through a brochure or looking up the city online, simply ask your guide for all the incredible facts of the historic region.

By Yourself

A lot of folk travel to Pompeii without a plan set in place, simply saying that they’ll wander around until they have had enough. To do the entire area efficiently in a day without missing out on anything, this is probably not a great idea. With many using a lot of their time deciding on the next attractions and losing steam after only a couple sites. Working out what you want to see prior to arriving, as well as looking at the map of each site to route your trip well, can cut out the frustration and fatigue you might get otherwise.

The Best Season to go

The most popular time to travel to Pompeii is during the April to October period. With hot sticky days filling up the months, and herds of foot traffic taking over the streets. The tours are bumped up in price, and the trains become swarmed with visitors. Although you do get better weather in the high season, the multitude of tourists and stinky hot days can make this an exasperatingly sweaty adventure. Skip this and instead travel in the offseason, starting from November to March. Although you will face chiller days, you can enjoy the peaceful ancient streets of Pompeii without bumping shoulders with others. Prices also drop in this time so the cheaper, the better!

The Top Day to visit

Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are by far the most popular days to visit, with even some Europeans stopping in for a visit on the weekend. Visiting in the middle of the week won’t guarantee you a completely deserted city but it will help with the lines and price!

The Quietest Time

Due to most tourists travelling to Pompeii from Rome or Naples, the majority of the crowds won’t arrive until later in the morning. Therefore, staying the night prior nearby or setting off before the sunrise emerges can help you arrive at a completely deserted Pompeii. Giving you a good hour to walk around freely before the lines start forming. This occurs during the afternoon as well, the with the crowds packing up after lunchtime.

Top Tourist Attractions

Amphitheatre

Pompeii’s crumbling stadium is known as the oldest roman amphitheatre in existence. Back in the day, it was a towering stadium able to seat a whopping 20,000 people at once. It held violent entertainments, such as the famous gladiator games, or executions.

Baths

To ancient Romans, bathing was both a public and social activity, completely different from our modern-day bathrooms. It was unheard of to ever have a private bath, with both the rich and poor all visiting the public baths once a day. These baths were more like pools, with different temperatures pools, spa rooms, and courtyards to relax. These baths are still scattered around the city, with some still having their elaborate frescos and decorations remaining.

Brothels

For a more tantalising venture, visit the many brothels lining the streets. Brothels were both a legal and a common occurrence within Pompeii, with many men visiting the buildings frequently. The buildings contain small intimate rooms, with the walls covered in erotic frescos. Although the Pompeii people were comfortable with their sexual indulgences, the reality of the sex worker’s lives is quite tragic. Visit these ancient buildings and learn about the truth behind these brothels while seeing the spectacular art spattered on the walls.

These are our top picks of attractions, but there are many more to see. By squeezing these sites at the start, you will have plenty of time to see the rest of the iconic sights before heading home.

Recommended Pompeii Tours: Pompeii Day Tour from Rome

Price: €129

Tour Company: Sightseeing Tours Italy

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.blogspot.com/2019/09/how-to-see-pompeii-in-one-day.html

What to drink in Italy?

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Italian Wine

It is a known fact around the world that Italy has conquered the world of food. They are the creators some of the world’s most beloved and famous cuisines, including the iconic pizza, pasta, and more. But what about drinks? Many of Italy’s liquid creations are just as popular as their food counterparts, but unfortunately these drink’s creators aren’t as well known. However, Italy still does these liquids best, so its only right to taste test them when visiting their birthing place.

Limoncello

Probably the most famous Italian drink; the delicious limoncello. It is known as a digestive, traditionally drank after dinner to help digestion and to cleanse your palate. It is a sickly-sweet taste, sweet tasting limoncello. South Italy is famous for their lemons and limoncello, selling their produce around the world for all to enjoy. So, stopping in to a local restaurant along the Amalfi Coast will guarantee you a free shot of homemade limoncello to end your night beautifully. Try the original as you enjoy the sunset setting over the beachside.

Wine

Wine is a very important drink in Italy, with a long history that ties in with their values, religion, and traditions. With wine not just a drink, but a culture. Its importance began way back to ancient roman times, with wine being a close second to water for the most valued liquid around. It was said to be used in religious purposes, to reduce stress, and to be rid of sadness. A dinner table or celebration without a jug of wine was seen as a travesty. Not much has change, with Italians paring their traditional cuisines with delicious reds, whites, or roses. Try a classic Italian Chianti when you are in Tuscany, a mouth-watering Valpolicella in Veneto, or a simple white wine in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Prosecco

If you prefer a bubbly drink, look no further, for Prosecco is a light, crispy, and delicious drop to try. It differs to a classic sparkling wine due to Italian’s difference in production. They use the secondary fermentation of producing the fizz in large steel tanks rather than in bottles-making it a lighter and less yeasty product. For Italians, prosecco is seen as a pre-dinner drink, a refreshing and delicious treat before you tuck into the heavy foods.

Aperol Spritz

Aperol Sprintz have shot up in popularity in the past years, but the cocktail has been around for centuries. Mixing Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, to make a brilliant orange drink. The Aperol is made from bitter orange, rhubarb and herbs, and has a unique blend of both bitter and sweet. It was invented in Venice to pair with the small snacks served before dinner, named cicchetti. But it transformed into a summer drink, with many locals drinking it not just before dinner, but throughout the day.

Negroni

A mouth-watering cocktail made sweet vermouth rosso, Campari, and gin. normally served over ice and garnished with a piece of orange peel. It is found all over the world, being one of the number one cocktails listed on funky bars or lively restaurants. However, its roots can be traced all the way back to 1919 in the country of Italy. The rumour of its creation states that Florence’s Caffe Casoni was the first to produce this delicious drink. It was said that a local aristocrat and regular to the bar, enjoyed a kick to his usual tipple of Campari and Vermouth. So, the barman Forsco Scarselli added gin instead of the regular soda water and changed the lemon garnish to a twist of orange. The new cocktail soon spread out to other bars, and eventually to the rest of the world.

Campari

Campari, a red herbal liqueur, has a bitter but delicious taste to it, served with soda water or citrus juice usually. It is a refreshing boost to digestion, and today, just like vermouth, is the staple drink for Italians in their Aperitivo, their pre-dinner drinks. It was first sold in Italy during the 1800s by a gaspare Campari. He was the tenth child of a farmer and was a barman at the age of 14. He created the recipe of Campari using 60 different ingredients, including fruits, herbs, and spices. A trip to Italy is incomplete without having the ruby red drink before at least one of your delicious dinners.

Espresso

The first drink that isn’t alcohol! Although coffee is popular everywhere, it is necessary for Italians. With no fancy cameral frappes or almond milk lattes on the menu, rather the typical order can be made by uttering a single word; espresso. A single shot of pure coffee, served in minu cups locals with chug back quickly, or lightly sip. If you don’t enjoy the pure coffee taste, try out a macchiato which pops in a dash of milk to make a creamery delight.

The Italian Drinking Custom; Aperitivo

It is a simple idea, but for Italians, Aperitivo is a traditional ritual. It is time with friends and family, sitting around together pre-dinner from 7-9pm to catch up and to prepare the stomach for an enormous carb-filled dinner. It is meant to sharpen your appetite by opening your stomach for the feast. The tradition began in the 19^th century, with the traditional drinks used in it being vermut, Negroni, Americano, Spritz, and finally Prosecco. It is said to bring families, friends, and communities together, giving everyone a happy time in the day to relax, socialize, and cleanse your palette to enjoy your food even more. If travelling to Italy, taking part in Aperitivo is highly recommended. With locals welcoming you to this tradition with open arms.

Check out all the Italian Tours from the Sightseeing Tours Italy.

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.wordpress.com/2019/09/05/what-to-drink-in-italy/

Who were the most charitable Popes throughout history?

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Jenny Henion

The Pope

You’ll probably see the changing over of Popes at least once in your life time, but how does the Supreme Pontifical leader get chosen? The College of Cardinals; the most prominent officials in the Catholic Church hold a Papal election known as a Conclave where they decide who is to be the next leader. The maximum number of cardinals in this prestigious group is 120 men and anyone over the age of 80 are not allowed to participate in the voting. The importance of this group is crucial as they are the governing body of the Church from the moment a Pope passes away or resigns till the election of a new Pope. With over 265 Popes throughout the years, there lives both infamous Pope’s who were fierce and warrior like and then there was the more humble, studious Popes. So, who are the most charitable and gracious Popes in history?

St. Peter

Often regarded as the first Pope, St. Peter was named by Jesus himself as ‘the rock of my church’ and it is from St. Peters liturgy that the Catholic Church was born. He spread the word globally until he finally established roots in Rome, where the head of the Catholic Church still resides today. He is known to have performed the first miracle after Jesus and was the main figure after his death, imperative in the continuation and growth of his teachings. His spirit lives on today through the entire Catholic world, with 5 feast festivals dedicated to him. Known as the first leader in the early church movement, he is now the patron saint of locksmiths and fishermen, a homage to his previous role before meeting Jesus.

Pope Leo I

The next Pope on this list is well remembered for his diplomacy, and urgency for human rights. Born into an aristocratic family, while he was acting as Pope, he singlehandedly convinced one of the world’s greatest warriors- Attila the Hun- from invading Rome, a massive feat in itself. After the sacking of Rome, he was also imperative in the re-building of the city, and never let the power deter him from his mission. At a time when there were many heresies that were threatening the sanctity of Catholicism, Pope Leo I is regarded as one of the most significant leaders in the Church history from his ability to resolve disputes that would arise between different groups. He was gracious, a truly great Pope in history who used his power never for greed or malicious intent, but for the people. He was canonised as a saint after his death and remains known as Leo the Great.

Pope Gregory I

Born in 540AD in Rome, Pope Gregory I was born into an influential family and had an ancestor who was a Pope as well. He excelled in his studies, being a master of law and eventually was given the title of Prefect of Rome. He considered himself a servant of God and is the only Pope in history who had his beginnings as a monk. His life’s work was missionary and he is noted to have played an important part in sending missionaries to newly Christianized Britain at the time. He was generous with Papal funds and was known to have given much of it to the poor, making it his mission to ensure that all clergy members were meeting the needs of the poor. Because of his popularity, immediately after death he was canonised as a saint and his relics now reside in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Pope John XXIII

Halting his religious training to volunteer as a military chaplain in World War I, by the time World War II came to pass, he was beneficial in aiding Jews who were seeking refuge from the Nazi’s by issuing transit visas. As the oldest Pope to be elected at the age of 76, many didn’t realise the massive strides he would make during his time as leader. A strong advocate for world peace and human rights, he was awarded the International Balzan Foundation prize in 1962. When he passed away from cancer in 1963, the world was left in mourning for the kind hearted and holiest of Popes. In 2000, he was canonised as a saint for his dedication for the faith and the humility he displayed during his life.

Pope John Paul II

In 1978, the first ever Polish Pope was elected. His name was Karol J. Wojtyla and he remains one of the most cherished Popes due to his generous nature and kind heart. Living through World War Two in Poland, this Pope was witness to unimaginable tragedies at the hands of cruel dictators and worked hard in the future to create a peaceful union between countries. He was a firm believer in the power and stance of women in society and played a significant role in breaking down the Iron Curtain and building relationships back up with Russia. He is fondly remembered as ‘The Great Pope’ and remained sovereign until his death in 2005.

Pope Francis

The current Pope is unlike his predecessors due to his strong advocacy in political matters as well as environmental ones such as climate change. The first of his name, Pope France is humble, and has a deep passion for helping the poor, as evident by the saint he chose his name from; St. Frances of Assisi. The first Pope from Argentina, he is currently breaking long held traditions like choosing to stay in a simple apartment unlike all other Popes who stayed in the luxurious Apostolic Palace. He is known for his compassion and is much more progressed in his ways of thinking on topics that have long been regarded as controversial in the Catholic Church. More notably is his digression on climate change and the significance he places on global social justice issues. He is admired by officials around the world, such as Barrack Obama who commented kindly when Francis became Pope, due to his accepting nature of communities that the Catholic Church had previously ignored or criticized.

Price: €53

Tour Company: Sightseeing Tours Italy

This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.wordpress.com/2019/09/13/who-were-the-most-charitable-popes-throughout-history/

A Summer’s Guide to Rome

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Jenny Henion

Summer in Rome

Visiting Rome during the summertime can be bittersweet. On the one hand, you get to visit the city when it’s most alive, but you’ve just got to deal with the heat! As most locals take the summer period off and head to the seaside, the months of June and August see a lot of shops and restaurants closing, however, there is still a range of activities and events to keep you entertained! In a city as ancient as Rome, you’ll always have something to do whether it be a walk through a museum or visiting one of the city’s many rooftop bars. Make your way to Rome in summer and you won’t be disappointed by the floral and lush greenery you’ll find hidden around the city and have your very own Roman Holiday.

Summer Events

The great thing about summer in Rome is that there really is an event for everyone. With theatre performances, open-air concerts, ballet and live bands, here’s your chance to live it up in the Roman summertime. Rock in Roma brings music lovers to venues across the city in their 11th edition of performances that began in 2009. Previous acts have included the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as headline acts. This year British singer-songwriter James Black and iconic band 30 Seconds to Mars will make their way to Rome to an adoring and united crowd of music fans.

Cool off at the beach

When the weather gets really hot, it’s best to do what the locals do and make your way to the beach. A day trip out of Rome might be just what you need to get out of the sweltering heat and into the cool water and it’s surprisingly easier than you think. A 30-minute drive out of Rome will you find you in Ostia, contently sitting on a sunbed or splashing in the water. This ancient seaside town dates back to the Bronze age and offers great seafood restaurants serving up fresh local produce.

Lungoli Il Tevere Festival

This festival is celebrating its 17th edition along the River Tiber where trendy pop up bars and exhibition line the riverside. Running from June to early September, there’s also live music and restaurants to venture to on a warm summer’s night. Try your luck at table football, a feature of the festival that the locals seem to love or grab a fruity slushy while the sound of live music reaches your ears.

Explore Trastevere

This medieval town is just a stone’s throw away from Rome after you cross the pretty Ponte Sisto bridge. It’s become quite a hotspot for the local young people to meet up in the piazza before they make their way down cobbled laneways to hidden bars. The Basilica di Santa Maria dominates the Trastevere skyline, a 12th-century basilica supposedly built on the site where a sprig of oil rose from the ground on the day Chris was born. The area is lively and becoming a real hub for foodies, try bar Freni e Frezioni for apertivo, or the Osteria da Zi Umberto for the best of classically Roman pasta. If you’re after a pizza fix, Trastevere is also home to one of the best pizzerias in Rome; Pizzeria Ai Marmi. Make your way here for starters of fried zucchini flowers and traditional thin crust pizza bases.

Take a walk in the gardens

If ever you need to escape the sometimes-chaotic bustle of the city, head to the Borghese Gardens as it’s conveniently located in the centre of Rome. The Eternal City might be known for its antiquated architecture but it’s also one of the greenest cities in Europe. The Borghese Gardens are the most famous in Rome and the third largest of its parks. It was established by Cardinal Scipione Borghese in 1606 and features artworks by Raphael, Caravaggio and Raphael in the on-site museum. Some features of the garden are a large lake, temples, statues and fountains.

Villa Doria Pamphili is Rome’s largest park, built in the 17th century by a papal family. The gardens are landscaped in a distinctly 17th-century manner and are the site of an art gallery featuring the private artwork of the Doria Pamphilj family.

The perfect summer dessert; Gelato

The best way to cool off in summer is always with ice cream, right? Well, what better way to satisfy your sweet tooth than to have a gelato in the birthplace of this icy delight in Rome. It might be overwhelming at first when you see just how many gelaterias there are in the eternal city, however, there are a couple tips you should follow to find the best gelato in Rome. The first is don’t be afraid to step out of the city centre to find good gelato, the best ones are usually those who have finely tuned their craft and aren’t inundated with tourists lining up for the first ice cream shop that they see. The second rule of thumb is that stick to gelaterias which only use fresh and natural ingredients. If you see a fruity gelato, don’t go for the one that’s bright and unnatural in colouring. An apple doesn’t remain bright green when it’s blended, so opt for those that look truer to form.

Il Gelato di San Crispino is an institution in Rome, so much so that though they don’t give out cones, serving only in cups so that you can fully savour the taste of the gelato. It’s located next to the Trevi Fountain and was first opened in the 1990s, now known for their artisan gelato. There are three sections for you to select from cream to sorbet and even meringues.

Rome’s oldest gelato shop opened in 1890 and has been extremely popular in the years since. Gelato Giolotti was once the suppliers of the royal Italian family, so if that isn’t a good enough reason to visit, then what is! It’s conveniently located near the Pantheon so after you’re done exploring the Pantheon’s intricate dome ceiling, head over for a perfect scoop of lemon gelato.

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