Historic Walks - 2010-2011

We are very pleased to announce that our own Olivia Ercoli is able to recommence her popular walk series a little earlier than expected. She has prepared an exciting season of rambles through Rome that has something to appeal to all our members and friends of all ages.

The new series of walks focuses on themes of current interest in Italy and things Italian: the celebration of Italy's 150 years of Unification (1861 - 2011), the London exhibition of Raphael cartoons for the Sistine Chapel Tapestries (ending 17 october 2010), as well as traditional celebrations held in the city in November and December.


Sunday, 24 October: The Story of the Roman Republic of 1849
Follow the impetuous charges of Garibaldi’s volunteers in their desperate bid to defend the Roman Republic against the French troops led by General Oudinot. Learn about the dramatic events of the life and times of one of Italy’s favourite heroes and his gallant companions, a story few Romans remember today.

Time: 1000 a.m.
Meeting Place: Largo 3 Giugno 1849 (Villa Pamphilj entrance parking lot).
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
No extra fees.

Deadline for booking: 16 October through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com

Saturday, 13 November: Verano Cemetery and San Lorenzo fuori le mura
Traditionally, November in Italy is the month in which we commemorate the dead. The great cemetery of Campo Verano along the Via Tiburtina boasts a long history as a burial ground for the first Christians, close to the basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. First set up under Napoleonic Occupation, Verano cemetery increased in size and splendour up to the 20th century. Its many monuments help tell the story of the city of Rome, and the early phases of its new role as capital of modern Italy.

Time: 1000 a.m.
Meeting Place: Cimitero del Verano's main entrance in Piazzale del Verano
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
No extra fees.
Deadline for booking: 6 November through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com

Sunday, 28 November: Raphael and Michelangelo at the Vatican
Trained in Florence and steeped in the love of antique art, the two great geniuses of the Renaissance were summoned to Rome by the energetic, domineering and visionary Pope Julius II (1503-1513). Nowhere else as in the Papal Palace and in St Peters' church does the rivalry and admiration, the intense exchange of ideas and their shared enthusiasm for antique art come to life. After the closing of the great London Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum on the Raphael tapestries and their genesis, we follow in their wake as we trace the origins of the collection and the influence of the antique works on the two Renaissance artists.

Time: 1000 a.m.
Meeting Place: Vatican Museum entrance on Viale Vaticano.
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
Earphones: 1,50 euro per person.
Deadline for booking: 13 November through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com.

Saturday, 18 December: Roman festivities in the forum, a children's tour (adults also welcome).
The Forum with its temples and statues was the last refuge of the pagan gods as Christianity spread through the Eternal City. This walk takes you through the Roman Forum by retracing the pagan processions, festivities and ceremonies which were to be seen here at different times of the year. The memory of such festivals lives on in one of the city's most impressive archaeological sites.

Time: 1000 a.m.
Meeting Place: at Largo Corrado Ricci, off via dei Fori Imperiali.
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
Extra fee: entrance ticket to Forum also valid for Palatine and Coliseum, 12 euro.
Deadline for booking: 11 December through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com

Sunday, 9 January: Créche Tour
The traditional Christmas Créche was turned into a form of art in Southern Italy during the 18th century. This walks links up some of Rome’s most spectacular examples and provides an insight into the origins of some of the traditional elements of Christmas traditions and customs.

Time: 1000
Meeting Place: in front of Church of Santi Cosma e Damiano on via dei Fori Imperiali.
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
Entrance ticket: 1 euro.
Deadline for booking: 28 December through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com.

Sunday, 30 January 2011: Il Vittoriano – The birth of a Nation
Also known as “the Type-writer”, “the Wedding Cake”, and “the Great Inkpot”, the Vittoriano, or Monument to Victor Emanuel II, was inaugurated in June 1911, to celebrate Italy’s fifty years of Unity. Since then it has been the focus of strong debate in architectural circles. After 17 years restorations the monument is now open to the public, supplying an insight into the contradictory and fascinating climate in which modern Italy took place.

Time: 1000 a.m.
Meeting Place: in front of monument in Piazza Venezia.
Cost: CCR Members - €10.00 Non-member - €15.00
No extra fees.
Deadline for booking: 22 January through Olivia at 349 8064341 or oercoli@yahoo.com.

Some General Information:
All tours last approximately 3 hours.
Wear sensible walking shoes and this time of year layered clothing is suggested.
Please observe booking deadlines.
Public transporation information can be found at ATAC.