Trying so hard to capture the cupola in the twilight.

Alla prossima! I’ll keep trying until I get it right!

Deep within the Villa Borghese park lies a sunken oval field, called the Galoppatoio, historically linking the villa to equestrian activities.

Currently underway: THE GREEN PROJECT: NINE YEARS OF GREAT SPORT, RESTORATION AND BIODIVERSITY

In 2017, in the wake of a new and revolutionary concept, the “Piazza di Siena Green Project” was launched, a sporting event model which found its natural home in the Piazza di Siena Horse Show.

It was a zero-impact bio-architectural project, marking a complete and definitive break with the past, through the use of eco-sustainable materials and an overall vision designed to create a show reminiscent of the competitions of the early 20th century.

The silica sand on the historic oval-shaped arena was removed and the grass turf restored, and, in line with the original design and construction plan, Sport e Salute, the project organiser alongside FISE (Italian Equestrian Sports Federation), signed an agreement with Roma Capitale for the maintenance and upkeep of the Piazza di Siena area throughout the year.

THE HISTORY OF THE CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, the internationally renowned equestrian event

First let’s talk about the Piazza di Siena itself within Villa Borghese. This Piazza area takes its name from the city of Siena, from which the Roman noble family, the Borghese, came. At the end of 16th century, Prince Marcantonio Borghese commissioned architects Mario and Antonio Asprucci to create a new location within the park, one able to remind him of the places he loved most. He wished, in fact, to bring to the city of Rome the traditional popular equestrian celebrations that had been enjoyed since the Middle Ages in Tuscany. Think of the Palio in Siena. Unfortunately Prince Marcantonio died before it was completed.

Piazza di Siena’s debut in equestrian events started in 1922, but it was only in 1926 that the International Equestrian Federation included the Roman competition in the international calendar and the official listing of the Rome CSIO began. After three editions held at a different location, in 1929 the horse show returned in Piazza di Siena. Some of the most important events in the history of Italian equestrian sports took place in this public park, considered the largest and more elegant among Rome’s: unforgettable shows, with extraordinary leading riders such as Bettoni, D’Inzeo and Graziano Mancinelli as well as other standard bearers of this noble sport.

This was a fun discovery to make, even if we missed the horse show itself. But, for me, I didn’t mind. I’ve been to more horse show events in my lifetime already!

The Peroni company was established under the founding family name in the town of Vigevano, Italy, in 1846. Business boomed and a second brewery was built in Rome. The company was moved to Rome by Giovanni Peroni in 1864, just six years prior to Rome becoming the Italian capital in 1870.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the company became one of the most prominent brewing companies in the newly unified Italian nation.

For decades I got to call this area home! I am leaving and it is bittersweet. I’m excited about my future, but want to record the beauty of the area. I love this drive home.

And I love my old street!

Thank you Denver! It was a good time!

Driving back down the mountain, into Boulder Canyon. The stunning Rocky Mountains

I was just feeling nostalgic for Paris, and wanted to look back at my something I loved on my last visit to the City of Lights! What a lovely fountain this is, with a very strong Italian connection.

Built in about 1630, it was commissioned by Marie de’ Medici, the Italian-born widow (she was born in the Palazzo Pitti in Florence in 1575) of King Henri IV and regent of King Louis XIII. It was moved to its present location and extensively rebuilt in 1864-1866.

I did my best to capture a view of this beautiful creature, but it was a surprise and I wasn’t prepared!

And neither do I! That is what makes exploring new and even old cityscapes so interesting and fun for me!

This day in Rome it was this sign for a flower shop, in a font I liked, in a color that was striking!

Never have I ever seen a house lit up for the 4th of July!

I mean I’ve seen patriotic themed decorations, but never colored lights. This is in an elite neighborhood in Denver, where outdoing your neighbors in showiness is all the rage!

After visiting the Horti Sallistiani in Rome, my friend took me to his favorite gelateria in the city. I don’t have good pictures of it, because I was kind of overwhelmed by the experience of this very modern, chic looking ice creamery. I also had to choose flavors and whether I wanted the cone or cup (Francesco insisted I wanted the waffle cone, which was first glazed inside with melted chocolate before the gelato was added, so I did and he was right). Then I had to choose 2 flavors although I prefer only one. I chose pistachio and salted caramel, and then, did I want a topping of whipped cream or no? Yes, of course! Si, certo!

What I received was a cone of some of the best gelato I’ve ever tasted and with the housemate waffle cone dripped inside with melted chocolate and the whipped topping, this was not an ice cream treat, it was a sensory explosion of intense flavors and textures. It was a vivid experience!

After finishing our gelato, Francesco bought us a cookie/ice cream sandwich topped with chocolate to split. It was intensely good but sweet upon sweet left my tongue too sated to truly appreciate the second treat.

Alla prossima!