CCR Walks: Museum of the Forma Urbis - November 9, 2024

1186 fragments of a 3rd-century map of the city of Rome have gradually surfaced since 1562. They have been studied and drawn, used in repair work, lost and sometimes destroyed or rediscovered. Considered one of the rarest documents from antiquity, a museum close to the Colosseum was set up this year to chart the Forma Urbis and its amazing history. 

When: Saturday, November 9, 2024

Time: 11:00 a.m. walk starts; optional meet-up at 10:30 a.m. for coffee or 10:45 for briefing.

Meeting Place: registered participants will be informed of the exact spot by email.

Cost: Guided tour is €10 for CCR members, €15 for non-members. Museum admission is free for MIC card holders. Otherwise the cost is €6.50 full for Rome residents, €5.50 reduced for Rome residents, €9 full for non-residents, and €6.50 reduced for non-residents.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Linda by Wednesday, Nov. 6. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Day Trip: Orvieto - June 1, 2024

Come and discover the enchanting city of Orvieto in Umbria, on a lovely day trip just an hour from Rome. Its rich history saw Etruscans, Romans, Goths and Longobards before becoming a self-governing medieval township within the Papal States. Many of its most beautiful constructions, including the magnificent duomo, date back to this period.

Upon arrival, our English-speaking guide will meet us and accompany the group from the station to the historic centre to visit the famous Santa Maria Cathedral, providing a detailed description of the two levels, its architecture, paintings, mosaics, and bronze statues. Afterwards our guide will take us for a walk and tell us about the history and the architecture of this very picturesque city. Stops will include the gardens of the Fortezza Albornoz and the breathtaking view of the valley.

Those who wish can then have lunch together and explore more afterwards. Our guide will suggest some food and other options.

When: Saturday, June 1, 2024   

Transportation: Participants may drive to Orvieto with their own vehicle or take the one-hour train trip from Termini (about €25 return).

Meeting point and time: for those taking the train, meeting point in front of Termini Platform 14 (inside the gate) at 8:45, to take 9:05 train to Orvieto Scalo. Meeting point in Orvieto with those coming by car at 10:45 in Piazza Matteotti, the small square between railway station and funicular piazza.

Cost: €15 per CCR member, €20 for non-members for the walking tour with a certified guide. Other charges each will need to cover on their own include train or car transportation to Orvieto, funicular (€2.60 return) and bus tickets, any entrance fees, and lunch. Advance payment of the guide cost required.

N.B. Spaces are limited, so book early.

RSVP at canadarome@gmail.com by May 29, 2024.

Party Like It's the Ides of March Aperitivo - March 14, 2024

Hac nocte pars amet est similis XCIX like "Senator Prince" used to sing! The theme of this aperitivo will be ancient Rome around the Ides of March. Feel free to don your most authentic or most kitschy ancient garb as we head for the ancient senate.

Who exactly stabbed Julius Caesar and why? We'll also have historian Christine Contrada at hand to give us insights into his fate, since we'll be at a venue precisely over the site of his assassination -- luckily one day before the ominous event! So join us for the big reveal, 2000 years after the fact.

When: Thursday, March. 14, 2024

Time:  6-8 p.m.

Where: Appetito Emporio della Torre, Via di Torre Argentina 41

Cost: €10 for an Aperol Spritz or a glass of wine and two slices of pizza. Additional drinks will cost €5 for a spritz and €6 for wine. Other food options available. Each participant is responsible for payment of whatever they order, including water.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Marina by noon on Mar. 12th to secure a spot at our table.

CCR Walks: The Palatine and its Palaces - October 2, 2022

Despite the fact they lived over two thousand years ago, upper-class Romans of the late Republic still loom larger than life. On this tour, we uncover their splendid yet extremely uncomfortable Palatine and Forum mansions and meet their quarrelsome, fastidious, and absurdly wealthy owners and neighbours, wives, lovers, friends, and enemies. Their stories and the way they acquired and retained wealth provide (useful?) insight into the context within which a new Imperial regime rose to power.

When: Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022
Time: 2 p.m.
Meeting Place: Monti area. Confirmed participants will be informed by email of the exact meeting point.  
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members. There will be an additional cost for radio transmitters, which will be advised. 
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Sept. 27, 2022. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Talks: Italy, the Land of Wine! - January 19, 2022

It is safe to say that for a couple of millennia now Italy's name has been closely associated with wine. Both its production and consumption have been identified with a certain Mediterranean lifestyle, which other peoples -- be they contemporary Canadians or 3rd-century BC Gauls -- have embraced with gusto. In this lecture we shall delve into some recent research, carried out using innovative techniques, into the very first phases of wine-growing. They are revealing the rich and enterprising world of early winegrowers -- and their valiant consumers!

When: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Time: 6 p.m. (lecture duration is approx. 75 minutes)
Where: on Zoom
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Saturday, January 15, 2022. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Talks: Let's go to... Constantinople! - March 16, 2021

This month our CCR Lecture will visit a city which started out as a flourishing Eastern Greek colony, Byzantium. After it was refounded by Constantine in 324, the city came to see itself as the sole, real capital of the Roman world. A flourishing, cosmopolitan city, with a stunning heritage, the glory of Constantinople lives on today in a multitude of ways. Into the city we shall wander and an imaginary walk through its streets awaits!

When: Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Time: 18:00 (lecture duration is approx. 75 minutes)

Meeting Place: Your Place!!

Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members.

RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Saturday, March 13, 2021. You are financially responsible for your reservation.

CCR Talks: Santorini & Pompei - December 12, 2019

Join us for an explosive evening as we learn about the two most famous eruptions in the Mediterranean, currently brought together in a single exhibition at the Scuderie del Quirinale in Rome (closing January 6, 2020).

One might argue that the exhibits from the cities of Akrotiri (present-day Santorini) and Pompei bring modern viewers as much pleasure as the anguish felt by the ancient inhabitants who suffered through both cataclysmic events. We will delve into what the remains of these cities and their inhabitants tell us about their lives, as well as reflect on how these eruptions have affected those who have followed.

Please note that the lecture is equally suitable for those who have already seen the exhibition as well as those still planning to go.  Why not join us for an interesting evening with some light libations?

When: Thursday, December 12th
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: In the Trieste Neighborhood of Rome; exact location will be sent to confirmed participants by email.
Cost: €10 for members and €15 for non-members. Optional potluck contribution: not obligatory but those wishing may contribute a dish (savory or sweet) or a bottle of wine/prosecco to share with other participants at the lecture.  Please advise Joe when reserving if you would like to do so.
RSVP: canadarome@gmail.com ATTN Joe by Monday, December 9, 2019. You are financially responsible for your reservation.