Roads to Rome
In this first episode on Rome we discuss how people went to the eternal city in the past and how you can arrive there today. We start by talking about the Appian Way, the best preserved of the ancient consular ways which connected Rome to it's empire. In the second part we discuss how in the Renaissance and Baroque eras the Popes radically changed the urban shape of the city. Their interventions are explained using Piazza del Popolo and the Trident as an example. In the third part we talk about the Grand Tour, an initiation trip typically undertaken by the upper classes in the 1600s-1700s. Finally, we conclude by describing how you can reach Rome today and what you should be careful about.
Gallery
Map of placed we discussed
A model of Piazza del Popolo and the Trident. Unfortunately I can't remember where I took this picture
Via Condotti
The Appian Way, near Ciampino
Links & Show-Notes
- 04:37 The volcanic material Pozzolana helped the ancient Romans to produce their concrete.
- 06:12 We discuss the path of the Appian Way. Confused about the places we mention? Wikipedia has a useful map!
- 11:36 The Parc of the Appian Way is huge and there is a lot to see. On the official website some nice tours are presented, but unfortunately only in italian.
- 18:56 You want to visit the Seven Pilgrim Churches as well? Here is a complete list!
- Here is the spelling for some people we mention in the Grand Tour part: 26:32 Karl Friedrich Schinkel, 27:05 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
- 34:08 Fixed Taxi fares from downtown to the airports.
- 41:42 Picture of a “nasone”, the typical roman water-fountain. More pictures of fountains
Episode Chapters
- 00:02:02.000 Geography and origins
- 00:05:13.000 The Appian Way
- 00:11:36.000 Parco Appia Antica
- 00:13:54.000 Papal Urbanism
- 00:17:35.000 Pilgrimage
- 00:19:14.000 Obelisks
- 00:22:10.000 Piazza del Popolo
- 00:23:09.000 Grand Tour
- 00:33:50.000 Getting to Rome today