History of Gelato

The history of this decadent dessert today called gelato, dates back 3,000 years ago. I assumed gelato originated in Italy; however, to the contrary, Emperors of China were the first to indulge in what started the evolution of our gelato today. The Emperors made what we call, sorbetto which was wine and honey flavored snow. It is said that the Chinese taught Arab traders their recipe, who than shared the it with the Venetians and Romans.

It took a few centuries before what today we call gelato was created. Gelato was originated in Northern Italy by the Dolomites and consisted of milk, cream, eggs, sugar and other natural flavorings. When gelato was first created in Italy, it was considered a rich man’s dessert because only royalty could afford it in the beginning. Gelato was a major source of income for the Dolomites. Fortunately, as time went on the recipe spread across Italy and now all of Italy, rich and poor, get to indulge in this delectable dessert!

Il Gelato San Crispino

Il Gelato San Crispino voted one of the top ten Gelateria’s in Rome, put nicely, was a major disappointment. Upon entering I noticed it had a different atmosphere about it. It was not bright with gelato overflowing in the glass case like the other gelateria’s I have been to. Rather it was unassuming and had no gelato in sight. However, I do have to say, the store was very clean as they pride themselves for their hygiene.

Hillary, one of my teaching assistants, told me they were known for their Il Gelato di S. Crispino which is honey flavored gelato, so I thought I would give it a try. Thankfully, I sampled it first and realized that it was not for me. I ended up going with the hazelnut and crema gelato hoping it would be a safe bet. To my dismay, the gelato was in fact highly overrated. Both flavors lacked any distinctive taste, in fact, I could barely tell the difference between the two. If that wasn’t enough it was extremely overpriced and due to their high concern for hygiene, they do not serve cones! San Crispino is definitely not on the top of my gelateria list.

A trip to the Catacombs of San Callisto and San Sebastiano

Catacombes: Hilary Hannan, Juliana Haviland, Nicole DiMeglio, Brooke Hersh, Mia Briceno.

Starting from Stazione Centrale Roma Termini Station, take the Archeobus. It is a bright green, open air bus, with a “hop on, hop off” system. It picks you up at the station, on the half hour, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and travels along the Appian Way, with 11 stops. The information we found and details about each stop can be found at Archeobus Route.

Tickets cost 13 Euro for adults and kids under 5 years old are free. They can be purchased online, on board, or at the Termini Station. We suggest that you purchase the tickets online, as there seems to be online discounts available.

Stop number 8 is Catacombe di San Callisto. We suggest you get off the bus and explore this catacomb. The hours are Thursday through Tuesday, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. It opens again at 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. It is closed on Wednesdays and in February. It takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes to complete the tour. Tickets cost 6 Euro for adults, 3 Euro for children under 15 years old and students and free admission for children under 6 years old. The information we found and more can be found at Home Page of San Callisto. After you finish you can either continue walking down Appian Way to our next suggested stop, the Catacombe di San Sebastiano, or hop back on the Archeobus. It will be the next stop on the bus tour.

Stop number 9 will drop you at Catacombe di San Sebastiano. The hours of operation and ticket costs are the same as mentioned above.

The Catacombs of San Callisto span from four different levels which include the crypt of the popes and the crypt of Santa Cecilia. The rooms which are of great importance in the Catacomb contain stucco and frescoes and can be reached by traveling through small hallways of volcanic remains. Also along the Appian Way is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano which can be identified with dull frescoes and graffiti. Although the catacombs seem to be a major tourist site, there are also basilicas located above the Christian tombs.

Direction from Rome's Termini to the Great Synagogue of Rome

Starting at Stazione Centrale Roma Termini facing Piazzi dei Cinquecento, make a left onto Via Cavour. After about four or five blocks you will reach Cavour’s metro station. A few more blocks down the road curves slightly to the right, make sure to stay on Via Cavour. Once you run into Via dei Fori Imperiali make a right. Follow this road until you reach the church of Colonna Traiana on the right. At the church make a left onto Via S. Marco. After about a block turn left onto Via D. Teatro di Marcello. Keep an eye out for San Nicola in Carcere on your right, slightly passed this church make a right onto Via della Consolazoine. Then a quick left onto Longotevere dei Cenci which is along the Tiber River, up a little bit on the right sits the Great Synagogue of Rome.

The Great Synagogue of Rome or Tempio Maggiore di Roma is the largest synagogue in Rome. It was built by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni in 1904. The structure, in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, is a symbol and celebration of the Jewish Liberation. The unique square aluminum dome makes the building stand out from many vantage points throughout the city.

Directions to Santa Maria Concezione from Rome's Termini

Begin at Stazione Centrale Roma Termini on Via Le Einaudi, which is to the left when you are facing Piazza dei Cinquecento. In about 3 blocks or so you will arrive at Piazza della Repubblica. Once here, follow the circle around to the left until you reach V. V. E. Orlando and make a left. After about a block you will pass San Bernardo on your left. Continue on, cross over the main road Via XX Settembre. After crossing the street, on the left is Palazzo Barbereni. Past the palazzo, make a right onto Via Vittorio Veneto. (If you come to Fonta dei Tritone you have gone too far.) Continue down Via Vittorio Veneto for approximately 2 blocks, until you come to Santa Maria Concezione on the left (right before the road begins to curve.)

Santa Maria Concezione, a plain and inconspicuous church, was founded by Antonio Barberini an. In the church lies Barberini, buried close to the altar under a simple flagstone with an inscription “Here lies dust, ashes, nothing.” The realistic quote offers an introduction to the crypt found beneath the church where the bones of departed Capuchin friar’s decorate the walls of the chapels.

Tempio Maggiore di Rome (The Great Synagogue of Rome)

I decided to add a blog on the Great Synagogue of Rome although it is not technically a “church”. It does however, have a connection to the Catholic Church. On April 13^th, 1986 Pope John Paul II visited the Great Synagogue. It was the first synagogue ever visited by a Pope. Pope John Paul II came to visit with the intentions to cultivate the relationship between Judaism and Catholicism.
Ironically, the Great Synagogue is designed more like a church than a synagogue because of its enormous size and the layout with the altar in front of the congregation rather than in the shape of the menorah. In the early 1900’s the Jewish community demolished their five small synagogues, and decided to build a more extravagant synagogue as a symbol and celebration of their liberation. In the center of the Jewish Ghetto overlooking the Tiber River, stands the impressive Babylonian style temple. The unique aluminum square dome distinguishes the temple from the other buildings in Rome, and can be seen at a great distance. Inside, the starry ceiling opens up to a rainbow sky which symbolizes the covenant and invites you inside. The eclectic walls, decorated with Arabic and Hebrew symbols, offer a difference between the interior of synagogues and churches. This beautiful and holy temple is a wonderful tribute to the Jews freedom!

Gelato vs. Ice Cream

What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?

After so much taste tasting and description of gelato, I thought it important to research more the difference between gelato and ice cream. As I mentioned earlier gelato has 35% less air than ice cream, creating that denser creamier more flavorful taste. American ice cream, on the other hand, adds more air in order to produce a bigger quantity. Not only is the quality compromised by the quantity, but the butterfat content is significantly higher in American ice cream as well. The reason being that gelato is not homogenized and is made with whole cow milk instead of cream. On average gelato contains about 2-8% fat depending on the ingredients. On the contrary, ice cream is made with cream and contains 16-30% fat. So here you have it in plain text, gelato is the tastier and healthier of the two!