Rome

Sprawled across seven legendary hills, romantic and beautiful Rome was one

of the great centers of the ancient world. Although its beginning is shrouded

in legend and its development is full of intrigue and struggle, Rome has always

been and remains the Eternal City.

Rome enjoyed its greatest splendor during the 1st and 2nd centuries when art

flourished, monumental works of architecture were erected, and the mighty Roman

legions swept outward, conquering all of Italy. These victorious armies then

swept across the Mediterranean and beyond to conquer most of the known world.

With Rome's establishment as capital of the western world, a new ascent to glory

began.

Today's Rome, with its splendid churches, ancient monuments and palaces, spacious

parks, tree-lined boulevards, fountains, outdoor cafes and elegant shops, is

one of the world’s most attractive and exciting cities. Among the most famous

monuments is the Colosseum. As you walk its cool, dark passageways, imagine

the voices that once filled the arena as 50,000 spectators watched combats between

muscled gladiators and ferocious animals.

Stop to see the remains of the Forum, once the city's political and commercial

center. In later times, Rome's squares were enhanced with such imposing structures

as the Vittorio Emanuele Monument and grandiose fountains like the Fontana di

Trevi. Join the millions who stand in awe of Christendom’s most magnificent

church and admire the timeless masterpieces of Michelangelo's frescoes in the

Sistine Chapel.

Rome jars the senses and captures the soul. Grasp all you can during the short,

precious time you have available in the Eternal City. With so much to see and

do, a day or two will only allow you a sampling of the city's marvelous treasures.

Caution: As in many big cities and tourist destinations purse snatching

and pickpocketing is common. Valuable jewelry and excess cash are best left

in a safety deposit box in your hotel.

Shopping For most visitors shopping for beautiful Italian leather articles,

designer shoes, fashions for men and women, linens, knitwear, silk scarves and

ties is a favorite pastime. Except for tourist-oriented shops, the majority

of stores are closed on Sundays. Some of the department stores, such as Rinascente,

open in the late afternoon on Sundays.

Cuisine Rome's choice of restaurants is mindboggling as is the variety

of cuisine. Whether your meal is at a top-rated restaurant or a rustic trattoria,

you can be sure that you will enjoy your food, especially when accompanied by

wines from the hill towns surrounding Rome.

Other Sights Rome's attractions are endless, and depending on how much

time you have at your disposal a careful selection has to be made about what

to see. Be aware of horrendous traffic conditions and major construction work

all around the city in preparation of Jubilee 2000, the Holy Year. Some of the

sights not to be missed:

Piazza Venezia - This busy square is easily recognized by its imposing Vittorio

Emanuele II Monument. The white marble structure was inaugurated in 1911 as

a symbol of Italy’s unification.

The Forum - Once the civic heart of ancient Rome, today the remains include

a series of ruins, marble fragments, isolated columns and some worn arches.

Colosseum - No visit to Rome is complete without a stop at this awe-inspiring

theater, which is among the world’s most celebrated buildings. Here ancient

Rome flocked to see gladiatorial contests and numerous other spectacles.

Trevi Fountain - Take a stroll to Rome's famous fountain. A spectacular fantasy

of mythical sea creatures and cascades of splashing water, the fountain is one

of the city's foremost attractions. Legend has it that visitors must toss a

coin into the fountain to ensure their return to Rome.

St. Peter's Square - Part of Vatican City, this square created by Bernini

is considered one of the loveliest squares in the world. Twin Doric colonnades

topped with statues of various saints and martyrs flank either side of the square.

In the center stands an 84-foot obelisk, brought from Egypt in 37 A.D.

St. Peter's Basilica - At the head of the square stands Christendom's most

magnificent church, which was begun in 1452 on the site where St. Peter was

buried. Throughout the following 200 years, such Renaissance masters as Bramante,

Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini worked on its design and created an unparalleled

masterpiece. Of special note are Michelangelo's Pieta and the bronze canopy

over the high altar by Bernini. The immense dome was designed by Michelangelo.

Vatican Museum - To see this museum's immense collection would take days.

As you enter, there are special posters that plot a choice of four color-coded

itineraries. They are repeated throughout the museum and are easy to follow.

It is a good idea to pickup a leaflet at the main entrance and concentrate on

exhibits of major interest. Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must. Most likely

you may have to wait in line to enter.

Capri

Known as the "Island of Love" since the days of the Roman Empire, Capri offers stunning views, dozens of international cafes, fine Mediterranean restaurants and sophisticated resort shopping. Enjoy a boat trip around the coast to witness the hypnotic beauty of the Blue Grotto.

Positano

Laid at the southern feet of the Mounts Lattari, which protect it from the

Northwinds, Positano enjoys - thanks to its favourable position - all the advantages

of a mild, dry climate. It is surrounded by green mounts, which form a sort

of crown: Mount Comune, Mt. S. Maria del Castello, Mt. S. Angelo a Tre Pizzi

(1444 metres high), Mt. Conocchia, Mt. Campo dei Galli and Mt. Paipo; towards

south and east the gaze sweeps over the sea up to Punta Licosa and Capri. Three

miles away from the coast a little arcipelago rises from the sea - "Li Galli"

or "Sirenuse" - composed by three islands: "Gallo Lungo", "Rotonda", "Castelluccio",

which was always supposed to be the abode of the bewitching Syrians.

The origins of Positano, like those of many other towns, are lost in the mists

of time, so that it is difficult to distinguish between history and legend.

As it often happen in the past, myths supplied for the lack of data: one of

these myths tells us that Positano was founded by Poseidon - the Latin Neptune,

the god of the sea - for the sake of the nymph Pasitea, whom he loved. It is

certain that Phoenicians and Greeks, travelling westwards, landed in Positano,

which at that time, was inhabited by Oschi and Piceni. The Romans built near

the 'great' beach a rich patrician villa, which has now been buried by gardens

and by the church devoted to Our Lady of the Assumption. With the fall of the

Roman Empire Positano became a part of the Republic of Amalfi, the first maritime

republic, and went through flourishing period, owing to the commerce with the

other countries of the Mediterranean area.

Unfortunately this period was followed by gloomy ones, particularly during

the Angevin and Aragonese domination, when our village was more than once exposed

to the offence of the Saracen pirates, first, and, then of the Turkmen. A legend

referring to that period says that the Saracen pirates, during an incursion,

sacked the main Church and brought away, among other things, the Byzantine picture

of Black Virgin, which was kept in the church and is now to be found in the

apse over the high altar; they had just left the shore, when a voice was heard,

that said: "Posa, posa". The pirates became aware of having committed a sacrilege,

repented came back ashore and restored all the ill-gotten goods. To defend themselves

from the very frequent raids of the pirates the inhabitants of Positano built

three guard-towers, which can still be seen today in the quarters called "Fornillo",

"La Trasita", "La Sponda" and some others in the inner part of the village.

In the same period the mountain villages of Montepertuso and Nocelle enlarged

to harbour the inhabitants of Positano and Laurito, who feared the pirates.

In 1700 there was a thriving period as it is shown by many villas in the late

Baroque style, built on the East coast. The Unification of Italy forced many

inhabitants of Positano, as it happened for so many other people of South Italy,

to migrate to America, where fortune smiled on some of them. After the First

World War - during which Positano also paid its great tribute of blood - this

village, which was already the refuge of some Italian artists, like Vincenzo

Caprile, harboured many Russian, German artists and men of letters, who chose

it for its peace and quiet. Among others we can remember: Semenov, Zagoruiko,

Essad Bey, Clavel, Escher, Massine, Kovaliska, Ghillausen, etc., who with their

works maid this flat of land known all over the world.

The tourism booming took place after the Second World War; but despite of an

intense expansion our village preserve its characteristic vertical structure

and its bright architecture with suggestive, panoramique corners. Thanks to

the innate sense of hospitality of its inhabitants Positano became one of the

most famous tourist places all over the world. Our village is also internationally

known for its clothing production: many little, but elegant boutiques, which

are almost everywhere on both sides of streets and lanes, can satisfy all the

requests of a cosmopolitan clientele. Its favourable position put it in the

centre of a land rich of history and natural beauties. During the summer a series

of patronal feasts - among which we can remember that on the 2nd of July in

Montepertuso and that on the 15th of August in Positano - and cultural events

- like the International Award for the Art of Dancing to the memory of the great

dancer-choreographer Leonide Massine - gladden the evenings, making the stay

in this charming place, also called the "Gem of the divine coast", more pleasant

and suggestive.