Roma [antikvár]

This city, one of the most hospitable in the world, is also one of the simplest to know ; famous travellers of the past found themselves at home here, as do the numerous foreign colonies of our days. Capital of Italy, centre of the Catholic world, Rome offers its symbolic citizenship to all those who cultivate history and the arts, both of which have known some of their greatest moments here. The businesslike but sincere hospi- tality of the people together with the pleasant features of a climate that lends itself to strolling through the streets help to make the visitor feel a part of the life of the city. This little booklet — that obviously is not intended to replace more detailed guide books in completely satisfying all your cultural and practical requirements — is aimed at simplifying your contact with Rome by presenting an outline of its features, monumental, scenic and environmental as well as some of its customs and habits. Furthermore there is a collection of sum- marized information, useful hints and suggestions that in the course of the tourist's day may turn out to be of service. In this city of complexities where the classic blends with the romantic, where the glory of the emperors is not hostile to the glory of the saints, where the ancient lives side by side with the modern, it follows that there is no lack of interest for anyone while at the same time there are special attractions for spe- cialized categories of visitors ; it is hoped that these pages will help everyone to discover what most interests him. Once upon a time, illustrious guests arriving in walled cities were presented with the keys of the «gates». In its modest way our little booklet hopes to be the keys of Rome, and is offered with the sincere desire to make you a citizen and to help you to understand the Eternal City as she really is, what is behind the facade at which you glance on the compulsory sight- seeing tour of the famous monuments. The universality of Rome, in its true meaning, lies in its ability to make everyone a Roman ; if you, too, accept this invitation, these pages may be the beginning of the road you will take, both actually and symbolically, to learn to know this city which is also yours.