Steve's Genealogy Blog

Villa Medici in Rome, Italy has offered guided tours of the gardens for some time but, this summer, the apartments of Cardinal Ferdinando I de’ Medici were opened to the public for the first time this summer. The most striking feature of the Cardinal’s apartments were the coffered ceilings, decorated with beautiful paintings and designed so as to look like they were framed.

The first room is the Elements Room, the second is the Muses Room (which was the Cardinal’s bedroom), and the third is the Room of Jupiter’s Loves . The Elements Room features depictions of the four basic elements and the Muses Room displays paintings of various Muses. While Cosme III was staying at Villa Medici in 1700, he considered the paintings in the Room of Jupiter’s Loves too licentious and had them burned.

Elements Room Ceiling

SOURCE:  Elements Room Ceiling (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Elements Room Central Figure

SOURCE:  Elements Room Central Figure (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Elements Room Corner Figure

SOURCE:  Elements Room Corner Figure (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Muses Room Ceiling

SOURCE:  Muses Room Ceiling (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Muses Room Central Figure

SOURCE:  Muses Room Central Figure (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

In the gardens of Villa Medici in Rome, Italy stand copies of statues of Niobe and her children. Niobe, proud of her ten (or fourteen) children, was scornful of Leto who had only two children. Leto’s children, however, were the twins Apollo and Artemis, conceived during a liaison with Zeus. At the insistence of their mother, Apollo killed Niobe’s sons and Artemis killed Niobe’s daughters with poisoned arrows. Niobe herself, weeping inconsolably, was turned to stone, and even then her stone face continued to weep.

Not far from the statues of Niobe and her children stands the Gypsotheque, a former workshop that now houses plaster casts of statues, busts, and reliefs, many of which had languished in the basement of Villa Medici before being moved to their present location.

Among the statues in the Gypsotheque are the Greek poet Anacreon and the Greek statesman and orator Demosthenes.

Niobe and Her Children

SOURCE:  Niobe and Her Children (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Entrance to the Gypsotheque

SOURCE:  Entrance to the Gypsotheque (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Anacreon

SOURCE:  Anacreon (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Demosthenes

SOURCE:  Demosthenes (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Villa Medici was established by Cardinal Ferdinando I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany who acquired the property in 1576. The villa is located on the Pincio Hill, next to the Borghese Gardens, and enjoys a grand vista of the city of Rome. Napoleon Bonaparte acquired the property and, in 1803, transferred the property to the French Academy in Rome. Today, the Villa Medici belongs to the state of France.

The terrace side of Villa Medici is covered with reliefs that were obtained from other structures including the Ara Pietatis Augustae. Many niches that once held statues and busts are now empty. The two lions in the loggia are modern copies of the originals that once stood guard there.

Near the loggia is a fountain with a sculpture of Mercury and, in the terrace is a copy of an obelisk. The obelisk, originally erected by Ramses II in Heliopolis was purchased by Cardinal de’ Medici and moved to Villa Medici. The original now stands in Boboli Gardens in Florence. The obelisk at Villa Medici is a copy.

Villa Medici from the Terrace

SOURCE:  Villa Medici from the Terrace (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

The Loggia of Villa Medici

SOURCE:  The Loggia of Villa Medici (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Roman Statue in the Loggia of Villa Medici

SOURCE:  Roman Statue in the Loggia of Villa Medici (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Sculpture of Mercury and the Obelisk at Villa Medici

SOURCE:  Sculpture of Mercury and the Obelisk at Villa Medici (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The International Exhibition of Sculpture in Rome which ran from 24 May 2011 to 31 July 2011 included a number of sculptures in the vicinity of Casina Valadier in the Pincio Gardens of Rome, Italy. Included were such sculptures as Nobility of Time and Surrealist Piano by Salvador Dali, Unfurling by Andrew Rogers, and Jelly Babies and Modern Heroes by Mauro Perrucchetti. Fortunately, even though the exhibition was over, the sculptures were still on display.

Nobility of Time by Salvador Dali

SOURCE:  Nobility of Time by Salvador Dali (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Surrealist Piano by Salvador Dali

SOURCE:  Surrealist Piano by Salvador Dali (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Unfurling by Andrew Rogers

SOURCE:  Unfurling by Andrew Rogers (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Jelly Babies by Mauro Perrucchetti

SOURCE:  Jelly Babies by Mauro Perrucchetti (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Modern Heroes by Mauro Perrucchetti

SOURCE:  Modern Heroes by Mauro Perrucchetti (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinití  dei Monti) in Rome, Italy are a popular hangout for tourists. The steps lead from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinití  dei Monti with the church of the Santissima Trinití  dei Monti at the top. At the base of the steps is the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat) and, to the right of the base of the steps is the house where English poet John Keats lived.

The church of the Santissima Trinití  dei Monti is the property of the state of France. In front of the church is an obelisk, a small copy of the obelisk of Ramses IIÂ in the Piazza del Popolo.

Near the Spanish Steps is the Collegium Urbanum de Propaganda Fide, a seminary for training missionaries. In front of the Collegium is the Column of the Immaculate Conception. A statue of the Immaculate Conception stands at the top of a Roman column. Statues of Moses (with horns), David, Isaiah, and Ezekiel guard its base.

A short walk from the Spanish Steps is Pincio Gardens. The Pincio Gardens date back to ancient Rome but, under the orders of Napoleon, the gardens were redesigned in French style. The gardens are famous for the busts of notable Italians, but also hold other delights, including an obelisk constructed under the orders of Hadrian. A rustic chalet serves as a shop for renting bicycles.

The Spanish Steps

SOURCE:  The Spanish Steps (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

The Obelisk in Piazza della Trinití  dei Monti

SOURCE:  The Obelisk in Piazza della Trinití  dei Monti (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Column of the Immaculate Conception

SOURCE:  Column of the Immaculate Conception (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Obelisk in Piazzale del Pincio

SOURCE:  Obelisk in Piazzale del Pincio (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Rustic Chalet in Pincio Gardens

SOURCE:  Rustic Chalet in Pincio Gardens (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy is one of the most famous fountains in the world. Legend says that if you toss a coin into the Trevi Fountain, you will return to Rome. Nicola Salvi designed the fountain which was completed in 1762 by Giuseppe Pannini.

The fountain is set against the Palazzo Poli with its tall Corinthian columns. The fountain itself depicts the taming of the waters, with Oceanus riding in a shell chariot drawn by hippocamps, seahorses of a sort, with the forequarters of horses and fishlike tails. Two Tritons guide the hippocamps, one of which is restless as a wild sea and the other is calm as a tranquil ocean .  To one side of Oceanus stands Abundance with a horn of plenty and a vase from which water flows. To the other side stands Health, holding a bowl from which a snake drinks.

Not far from the Trevi Fountain there is what appears to be a private residence with a statue of a Roman Centurion reclining.

Further on stands the Basilica of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte which was completed in 1826 and dedicated to Saint Andrew. This basilica is home to two sculptures of angels originally designed by Bernini for the Ponte Sant’Angelo.

Detail of the Trevi Fountain

SOURCE:  The Trevi Fountain (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

The Trevi Fountain and the Palazzo Poli

SOURCE:  The Trevi Fountain and the Palazzo Poli (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Courtyard Sculpture in Rome

SOURCE:  Courtyard Sculpture in Rome (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Sant’Andrea delle Fratte

SOURCE:  Sant’Andrea delle Fratte (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 11 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

While in Rome, Italy during the last few days of my Mediterranean vacation, I stayed at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel. I chose this hotel because, while in elementary school, my class was assigned to write to our local bishop who was staying at the Rome Cavalieri while he attended the Vatican II conference. The bishop wrote back to all those who wrote to him, and I still have the two letters he sent me, the first dated 13 October 1965 and the second dated 27 November 1965.

The Rome Cavalieri stands atop Monte Mario in the northwest part of the city of Rome and commands an impressive view of the eternal city. The room itself was as incredible as the view.

Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Window

SOURCE:  Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Window (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Door

SOURCE:  Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Door (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Bath

SOURCE:  Room in the Rome Cavalieri Hotel – Bath (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Patio and Pool at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel

SOURCE:  Patio and Pool at the Rome Cavalieri Hotel (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

View from the Rome Cavalieri Hotel

SOURCE:  View from the Rome Cavalieri Hotel (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The Colosseum (or sometimes spelled Coliseum) in Rome, Italy is so called because of a colossal statue of Nero that once stood near the structure. Upon entering the Colosseum, visitors pass through hallways with numerous arches forming doorways to the exterior. Here, one can see numerous pockmarks in the structure where the metal bands that held the stones together were removed. Most of the seating inside the Colosseum has been removed or destroyed. Still, some seating remains. Romans were seated according to their class and position in Roman society. The Roman Emperor himself had a private entrance and boxes on the north side of the Colosseum. The Vestal Virgins shared private boxes on the south side of the structure. Even now, nearly two centuries after the Colosseum was built, the beauty of the stonework and the care in its construction are still evident.

Pockmarked Colosseum Arches

SOURCE:  Pockmarked Colosseum Arches (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Seating

SOURCE:  Colosseum Seating (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

The Roman Emperor’s Boxes

SOURCE:  The Roman Emperor’s Boxes (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Brickwork Detail

SOURCE:  Colosseum Brickwork Detail (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

The interior of the Colosseum (or Flavian Amphitheater) in Rome, Italy included a basement area or hypogeum which held the staging area for the events in the Colosseum and the cages for the wild animals used in some of the spectacles. Over this area was a wooden floor covered with sand (the English word arena derives from the Latin word for sand). Today, part of the wooden floor at the eastern side of the Colosseum has been reconstructed. The upper parts of the Colosseum once held seating for 50,000 spectators and included awnings for protection from the sun. Now, most of the seats are gone, part of the damage due to earthquakes and the removal of stone to build other structures in Rome. Triangular structures at the ends of the remaining high exterior walls were installed to reinforce the wall.

Colosseum Interior – East

SOURCE:  Colosseum Interior – East (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Interior – North

SOURCE:  Colosseum Interior – North (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Interior -Northwest

SOURCE:  Colosseum Interior – Northwest (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Interior – Hypogeum

SOURCE:  Colosseum Interior – Hypogeum (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko

Near the Arch of Constantine in Rome, Italy stands the Colosseum, one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. Construction of the Colosseum was completed in 80 AD under the reign of the Emperor Titus and it was the largest amphitheater ever built in the Roman Empire. Near the Colosseum is the Roman Forum, with the Temple of Venus and Rome closest to the Colosseum itself. Construction of the Temple of Venus and Rome was completed in the year 141 AD and it is thought to have been the largest temple in ancient Rome. The Arch of Titus was built in about 82 AD and it stands on the Via Sacra, providing an entrance to the Roman Forum.

The Exterior of the Colosseum

SOURCE:  The Exterior of the Colosseum (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Colosseum Wall

SOURCE:  Colosseum Wall (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

The Temple of Venus and Rome

SOURCE:  The Temple of Venus and Rome (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

The Arch of Titus

SOURCE:  The Arch of Titus (Rome, Lazio, Italy); photographed by Stephen J. Danko on 10 August 2011.

Copyright © 2011 by Stephen J. Danko