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Among the various museums that Rome has, in addition to the city itself, which is like an outdoor art gallery, full of monuments and statues (especially in the historic centre), there is one group of museums that you should not miss: the Capitoline Museums.

The appreciated Capitoline Museums are housed in two buildings facing each other: the Conservatori Palace and the New Palace. The museum dates back to 1471, when Pope Sixtus IV gave the town a large collection of Lateran bronzes (including the Lupa Capitolina), which was placed in the courtyard of the Conservatori Palace in the Campidoglio Square. Because of that this is the oldest public museum in the world.

The former collection was enriched over time thanks to the donations from other popes. The museum was opened to the public thanks to Pope Clement XII, almost a century later, in 1734. This museum houses several collections: the Art Museum, the Protomoteca, the Castellani Collection and the Medagliere Capitoline. The masterpiece of the museum is the wonderful equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. There are two copies: the original one, which is located in the new Glass Room, and a copy, which is located in the centre of the square (the Marcus Aurelius Esedra, in the Roman Garden, behind the Conservatori Palace). In 2005 another wing was added which has been established as a new space to house the statue of Marcus Aurelius, the fragments of the bronze colossus of Constantine and the statue of Hercules. But there are many other important works located in this new wing.

The Capitoline Museums are open every day except Monday, from 9.00 am to 20.00 pm. The normal ticket costs 6.5€ or 4.50€ for young people between 18 and 25 years. For people over 65 it is totally free.

If you like art and you want to take in the Capitoline Museums in Rome travel to the Eternal City and rent apartments in Rome.

Trastevere is the most special and charming neighbourhood of Rome. It was built on the right bank of the Tevere River, while the others appeared on the left bank, making it the main river port of the city (Porto di Ripa Grande). Trastevere has received people from everywhere: merchants, visitors from the peninsula and foreigners coming from the Alps. With plenty of beautiful cafes and markets, it has a vast network of narrow streets and a lovely main square, the Santa Maria Square.

This is a cosy neighbourhood, open to outside influences, but also a deeply traditional Roman place. Over the time, the Trastevere charm has not changed beyond the obvious social changes which have gradually modernized it due to the beautiful tourist restaurants, the pubs, the ethnic stores, alternative libraries or Cybercafés. Nonetheless, it still retains a large number of typical and traditional craft shops.

Apart from the Romans who have lived in this neighbourhood for several generations, rich people and intellectuals who live in large, expensive houses and many foreigners attracted by the charm of its streets have also moved in and made it their home.

Some of the most charming places are: the Santa Maria Church, the Santa Cecilia Church, the Santa Maria Della Scala Church, the San Pietro in Montorio Church and the Bramante’s Temple. It also highlights L’Isola Tiberina, the Gianicolo, where you can enjoy a splendid view of Rome and the L’Orto Botanico. There are many other incredible places: the Plaza Del Mercado de San Cosimato or the chaotic market of Porta Portese. One must also try the delicious Vicolo del Cinque cakes, or the De ‘Noantri folk festival held in August.

In Trastevere there are all kinds of people because there is place for everybody. The day changes leaving space for the Rome evenings. To have a drink is pleasant and cheap and there are excellent ice-cream parlours and crêperies!

Come to one of the most beautiful city in Italy! Trastevere in Rome is a charming place and of course rent apartments in Rome for the best in cheap and comfortable accommodation.

From the hustle and bustle and the chaos to the silence and most absolute desolation: Once upon a time, cities that are now completely deserted use to be immersed in the everyday din of noisy life. A continuous flow of people and cars and the roar of civilization were witnesses of their essence till the day everything stopped. They were completely abandoned, left empty and silent.

The ghost towns are spread throughout the world: there are abandoned cities in the United States, in Ukraine, in France, in Japan, in Spain and Italy. Why these towns were left as this depends on each case, but often due to impossible architecture, a nuclear accident, a natural disaster, a war or a crisis time have left these cities totally empty.

This is the case of Zhi Shan, located in northern Taiwan. What was to be a luxury futurist vacation complex was reduced to a ghost town of strange shapes. The complex, composed of small round modular units of glass and concrete, was left unfinished due to the construction company falling into bankruptcy because of the high accident rate of the workers during the first weeks of work. This has established it as a kind of mausoleum in memory of the deceased workers. Some people say that the city is inhabited by the evil spirits of these ones.

Another amazing story is that of the medieval town of Craco, known as the “Città Fantasma” of Italy. Located in the south of the Italian peninsula, Craco was evacuated in the 70’s by a possible collapse due to earthquakes. It is situated on a 400 metre high hill of sand and clay and it is very vulnerable to earthquakes. Thanks to its medieval appearance it has been the setting for numerous films such as “The Passion of Christ” by Mel Gibson. Its streets full of destroyed houses, castles and even a church, give it a ghostly and romantic appearance. It is both beautiful and desolate.

Perhaps the most terrible story is that of the ghost town of Pripyat, located in the Chernobyl region. Pripyat suffered the most serious nuclear accident in human history on April 26th, 1986. The explosion of reactor number 4 of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant caused 500 times more radiation than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. After the accident, the city was so heavily contaminated that it had to be evacuated immediately. In fact, it is not expected to be re-inhabited for several centuries. As if it were a joke, on the streets there are still signs which read “Forests are the lungs of the planet,” “Keep away the trees of fire”, “Health for the workers of Chernobyl,” as if the city was still alive and nothing had happened. Pripyat, which in the 70s had 47.000 inhabitants, was a young, avant-garde city city, and today it is totally empty and forgotten.

But these are not the only ghost towns of the world. There are so many that we could spend hours writing about them. For example Oradour, located in the south of France, which was massacred by German soldiers in World War II has never again been inhabited; Kolmasnkop in Namibia, where people use to go in search of gold became abandoned and semi buried by the sand; Or Detroit in the United States, which after the economic crisis in the 50’s, passed from being an industrial city to a city with neighbourhoods similar to a ghost movie, totally uninhabited. Who knows what other hidden treasures will appear in the future? Maybe your town is next!

Rent apartments in Rome and take a trip to Craco in southern Italy to see this ghost town, you’ll be amazed!

The 8th edition of the famous International Photography Festival is about to commence in Rome. After several disputes and revamping it, there is no doubt that today it is one of the most important showcases for photographers, paparazzi, artists and photography lovers the world over. The festival will take place in the famous Palazzo delle Esposizioni and is promoted by the Rome city council, produced by Zoneattive and directed by Marco Delogu. The festival is a European reference in the photography world and the event will begin on May 29th and will extend until August 2nd.

Last year the main theme was everyday life, but this year’s edition is based on the joy of life under the heading “Declinazioni della Gioia” (declinations of Joy): the displayed photographs arouse positive emotions, smiles and happiness.

Many famous photographers will be participating: some of them are already winners of past editions, such as Giorgio Barrera under the title “Through the Window”, or Nan Goldin and David Monteleone with “From the Body”. They all show their own vision of happiness through their photographic work.

In addition, many academies and institutes such as the French Academy, the American Academy and the Royal Academy of Spain will participate too.

This edition counts on the following awards: Baume & Mercier Award, La ILA Award, the Book Award, and the new Portfolio Award, an important prize for young and up and coming photographers.

Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity! Rent apartments in Rome and live an unforgettable experience.