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Though named after Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned the chapel construction, the Sistine Chapel was given everlasting fame by Pope Julius II. For, in 1508, it was he who commissioned Michaelangelo to paint frescoes to cover the 10,000 square foot ceiling. But on the way to the ceiling there are many delights for visitors to Rome and Vatican City, of which the Sistine forms a part. The chapel is nearby the Vatican Museum, itself worth a day or two. And, St. Peter’s is also not far away with another Michaelangelo masterpiece, th Pieta not to mention the dome of the basilica.

The chapel itself is on the small side, only 41m (135 ft) by 13.4m (44ft). But within these walls are works of art that would happily be acquired by any of the major art museums in the world. All have benefited from a large restoration project carried out from 1979 to 1999. Many famous names are represented and many others that should be better known. There are several Botticelli works here, including the 1482 Life of Moses and The Punishment of Korah. Alongside and nearby are Perugino, Ghirlandaio and Rosselli, master artists of the period.

Of course, the main attraction - and properly so - remains the Sistine Ceiling. Formerly decorated only with a bland covering of painted stars, after four years of literally back breaking labor, Michaelangelo transformed it into the glorious nine-panel magnum opus it is today. Drawing from stories in the Old Testament, Michaelangelo festooned the ceiling with Sibyls, prophets, Noah, obscure nude males, and - not least - Jehovah giving life to Adam with the touch of a finger.

Cleaned and restored in the 1990s, the ceiling shows the magnificent colors of one of the five greatest painters the world has ever seen. As Goethe described it: “Without having seen the Sistine Chapel one can form no appreciable idea of what one man is capable of achieving.” Spending four years on a specially constructed scaffold, the paint nearly making him blind, the great artist had to devise and supervise a dozen innovations. Just as one example, an entirely new plaster - intonaco, still in use today - was created to resist mold and hold the paint properly.

Though the main sections were completed in 1512, Michaelangelo returned to the work more than 20 years later to paint the Last Judgment, beginning in 1535 and finishing the work in 1541. It too is not to be missed. Nor can it be, really, since it covers the entire wall behind the altar of the Sistine Chapel. Among other fascinating aspects is the depiction of St. Bartholomew, a self-portrait that shows the figure having his skin flayed. Michaelangelo was heavily criticized at the time, and by powerful figures, for his frequent depiction of nude figures. Though he won a temporary victory, the genitalia were later painted over.

Even those not usually interested in fine art come away from seeing the Sistine Chapel with a sense of awe. No visit to Rome is complete without a viewing of this site of so many masterpieces.

The fountains of Rome have an ancient and glorious history. Examples range from the Eternal City’s glory days in the 1st century AD to its even more glorious days during the Renaissance to the 18th century and beyond. Other cities offer fountains that are barely beyond the utilitarian. But not Rome. Rome must have a water display that is a work of art, because Rome is itself one enormous museum.

The Trevi is unquestionably the most famous, but it has many competitors for the attention of Rome’s many visitors. The Fountain of Triton (Fontana del Tritone) is just one stellar example. Designed by the renowned Bernini in 1642, it is a masterpiece in the Baroque style. The central figure is a merman (the male equivalent of a mermaid), seated on a giant clamshell and flanked by dolphins.

Near the Spanish Steps is another Bernini work, his first in the genre. Displaying a half-sunken ship, the Barcaccia was a progenitor of the Baroque style in outdoor sculpture. There is the Fountain of the Moor (Fontana del Moro), also by Bernini, yet another example of a sea-oriented theme. Sited at the southern tip of the Piazza Navona - itself worth a visit - the fountain depicts Neptune surrounded by his subjects. Four Tritons expel water as sea creatures frolic below. The Fountain of Neptune adjacent to The Moor was a 19th century addition that features many of the same elements, but in a vastly different style.

One not by Bernini, but clearly influenced by his style, is the Fontana dei Tritoni by Francesco Bizzaccheri located in the Boario Forum in front of the Church of St. Maria. Set between the Temple of Male Fortune and the Temple of Vesta, it was built in 1715 at the dawn of the Age of Reason. Two powerful Tritons kneel on a large outcropping of rock and support a basin from which the fountain’s water shoots.

But without a doubt the Fontana di Trevi, the Trevi Fountain, is the foremost example of the genre in Rome. Originally built in the 1st century AD, it was re-built between 1732 and 1751 at the orders of Pope Clement XII. At 85 feet (26m) high and 65 feet wide (20m) it is the largest fountain in the city, and among the most beautiful. Sited at the rear of the Palace of the Dukes of Poli, it displays a familiar subject: Neptune, but this time riding a clamshell chariot behind two horses, amid Tritons and flanked by the gods of Health and Wealth.

It is here at the Trevi that hopeful tourists toss coins into the base, prompted by the legend that those who throw three coins into the water will one day return to Rome. The coins represent a healthy sum for the city’s charities. Clever marketing was not unknown even in centuries past. Nicola Salvi is often credited as the designer, but there are elements that suggest Bernini had a hand in its creation. The water source is from the Aqua Vergine aqueduct, the name of a legend depicted in the fountain itself. A virgin is said to have offered water to thirsty Roman soldiers.

No visit to Rome could be considered complete without seeing at least a few of its many famed fountains, outdoor sculpture at its finest.

Some of the sights and sounds we were able to capture, dancing, floats, costumes and tons of happy people. Watch the video!

Hay, Did I mention this festive party last for 5 weeks! No wonder the Italian live a long and happy life.

Tonight January 5th. Befana will be arriving on her broomstick visiting all the children throughout Italy. Leaving candy and gifts to those that have been good or lump of coal to those that have been bad. Now a days, Befana even takes away the decorated tree ending the Christmas holidays. For many kids Befana is just as important as Santa Claws if not more so, since she is searching in hopes of finding Baby Jesus.

According to the legend, it all began when 3 Wise men seeking the manger of baby Jesus ask direction from a lady. She was invited to join them in their journey. She refused having to much work that must be done. Later, the same night a lonely shepherd came by her cabin and also invited her to join him seeking Baby Jesus, again she refused saying I work that must be done.

As it turn out, she later changed her mind and began her journey in hopes of meeting-up with the 3 Wise men and the shepherd in their search for Baby Jesus but got lost. Till this day, Befana flies on her broomstick stopping at every house in search of Baby Jesus.

The moral of this legend, all work and no time for whats important in life “family, children, friends, strangers, and nature” will curse you to the end of time.

Oh, the joy and excitement living in Italy after moving from USA. Everyday was something new to see and learn about this country and its people. The feelings I had were like a child in a candy store for the first time, wide eye, mouth watering, ready to experience the new flavors that life offer.

After a few months in this wonderful land, I discovered something so unthinkable as to knock the socks off my feet! What I wanted was apple pie, no such thing in Italy, how can this be I said to myself!

Not one bakery in town had anything similar to an apple pie, all kinds of pies where presented; cream filled pie with slice pear, cream filled pie with strawberry, cream filled pie with wild fruits, but no apple pie. While this was going on, my mind reflected back to a movie I once saw. The criminal was to be killed, the executioner ask if he wish death by stabbing, death by hanging, death by firing squad and on and on the list went. The key was death as in cream for pie in Italy.

This wasn’t going to STOP me. I’ll bake a real American style apple pie myself. It simple and easy to make thinking to myself. Well, again I ran into a brick wall. After making a pit stop at several grocery stores I could NOT find all the items needed, starting with correct pie pan to bake. The ingredients was another cause for concern.

It looked hopeless! After drinking few bottles of beer I decided to push ahead. Testing different combinations of ingredients, replacing ingredients, more test and after about a month I finally made an apple pie not perfect by close. Within 2 more months, I had perfected the apple pie to the point it tasted better than my mother use to make. More rectangle than round as you can see. But, this pan has served me well!

I tell you this story, because tonight New Year 2008 eve dinner we’re invited to celebrate this once a year  special event with friends. The family asked if I would be so kind to make my famous American apple pie. It’s become a big hit among my Italian friends.

To All A Happy New Year

Its our intent to offer you our guests a behind the scene views, covering many topics discussed by Tony a US citizen living in Italy for over 10 years and Giuliana a Italian citizen. By-the-way husband and wife team. We plan to also create videos presentation on YouTube.com the channel to be announced later. You can expect humor at times, and of course heated debates as the views bounce from two different worlds. North America vs European on matters of money, travel, family, love, war, love, health, friends and everything in between.

Stay tune and join our program with your questions!

The countdown is underway in less than 48 hours the end of 2007 and the beginning of a New Year 2008. Wish to thank all of our customers for their support during 2007, its been a very busy year for the staff of Goporta.com. While we celebrate the New Year among friends and family, lets not forget the soldiers and family who have lost there lives in the Iraq war. Nor the poor people of the world without food, the small children without parents, victims of crime, the old and the sick.

2008 holds many premises, hopefully the election in November will bring a president that truly have wisdom, understanding and whats good for people of America and at the same time use the power of a great nation to perform bold deeds for the good of all mankind instead of WAR… lost of life, destruction, suffering. On the other side of the coin, its time that the US government offers a health care free to all Americans that allow all sort of testing and treatment for life threating illness for a healthier nation as many other nations already doing for its citizens.

Happy New