City Introduction

Rome is the capital of Italy, and has many zones with unique styles. Almost no city can make you so easily integrated with the locals like Rome. The glorious Roman Empire had Colosseum of Ancient Rome as the eighth wonder of the world, as well as very charming males and females as perfect as the sculpture. Rome is always the place dreamed by the travelers because of its unique urban landscape, beautiful natural landscape, and splendid history and culture. In 1980, the historical zone of Rome was listed as the world cultural heritage.

 

 

 

 

History and Culture

According to the Roman mythology, the city has more than 2,700 years history. It was built on April 21, 753 B.C., by Romulus and Remus who were raised by the mother wolf. And as Rome was built on seven hills with beautiful landscape at first, it is also called “City of Seven Hills”. Romulus and Remus were the twin sons of God of War Mars and priestess Rhea Silvia, so the Romans sometimes call themselves as “sons of Mars”. King Amulius was afraid being overturned by them, so he ordered his subordinate to throw them along the Tiber River, who were fortunately raised by one female wolf. Afterwards, they were brought back by the shepherd Faustulus from Palatine Hill to his home. When they grew up, they overturned and killed Amulius, and decided to build a new city. But Romulus and Remus had conflicts upon the siting of the new city. Finally the elder brother Romulus killed Remus and became the highest ruler of the new city, named this new city as “Roma” after his name, and became the first king of this city. The Romans take this day as the day of Rome city building, and there are still the sculptures of the woman wolf and the twins here and there in Rome till now. Rome City held the Seventeenth Summer Olympic Games in 1960, and FIFA World Cup in 1934 and 1990. It is the only Italian city having held both Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup. Rome might apply for the hosting of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. The first Paralympic Games, 1960 Summer Paralympic Games, was also held in Rome. Stadio Olimpico di Roma (Roman Olympic Stadium) is situated in the north of this city.

 

 

 

 

Natural Environment

Rome is situated in the downstream plain of the Tiber River, and 25km from Tyrrhenian Sea on the east. The urban area of Rome spans both banks of Tiber River, with 24 bridges being erected. Rome is a European ancient civilization city with splendid history. Since it is built on seven hills and has long history, it is called “City of Seven Hills” and “the Eternal City”. Rome is situated beside Tiber River in the middle of Apennine Peninsula, and covers 1,507.6km2, including 208km2 urban area. Rome is composed of 55 living quarters, with the population over 2.64 million. There is the Apennines on the north-south direction of Italian Peninsula, dividing Rome Peninsula into west and east portions. Beside the Apennines, there is Tiber River and Rome is situated at 30km in the lowest altitude of the Tiber River flowing into the Mediterranean Sea.

 

 

 

 

Climate Change

Situated along the Mediterranean Sea, Rome has typical Mediterranean climate with annual average atmospheric temperature 15.5°C and annual precipitation 880mm. From April to June, there is the most comfortable climate; July and August are the hottest and driest season, with average atmospheric temperature 24.5 to 24.7°C, and precipitation 14 to 22mm. In August, the daily maximum atmospheric temperature may be over 32°C. According to the previous tradition, many commercial activities were stopped in August, and the Romans are accustomed to leaving the hot cities for the vacations in summer resorts in the summer days. But this habit is gradually changed, the Rome City still normally operates in the whole summer to cater to the increasing tourist demand, and the work habit of the Romans also changes; from the middle of September to October, it is the most sunny season, called as “beautiful October day in Rome”; from October to December, it is the wettest season, with the precipitation up to 106 to 128mm; average maximum atmospheric temperature in December is about 14°C, and January is the coldest, with average atmospheric temperature 6.9°C.

 

 

 

 

Useful Information

For the shopping in Rome, it is required to know whether tax refund is possible and the tax refund rate before the payment, because not every commodity is tax refundable and different commodities may have different tax refund rates in different stores. Usually, only when the value of the purchase commodities is over Euro 150, can tax be refunded at the rate of 8%-15%. Tax refund for shopping includes four steps:

I. Collect a “tax-free cheque” in the store, then ask the cashier to accurately fill in your address and passport number, and write the purchased articles and the returned tax amount. To avoid any problem at the time of exit, it is required to keep the tax refund cheque with the invoice, and it is better to attach the invoice on the additional sheet of the tax refund cheque. In addition, collect a schedule of cash payment points (for example, a tax-free envelope), to obtain the tax refund in the proper place.

II. In the customs, if you leave the EU countries, it is required to submit the purchased objects and tax-free cheque to the customs, which will affix the seal on the tax-free cheque, as the certification of being exported. The customs will not affix the seal if the object is not presented!

III. In the airport, it is required to present to the customs official the customs seal and the flight ticket to the country other than that in EU, proving that you will straightly leave EU, without long-term halfway stay, then you can place your objects into the case consigned for shipment.

p.s. It is required to preserve at least 30 minutes, to handle the procedures for tax refund.

IV. Payment: in the frontier with important highways, and in the passenger liner and airport in Europe, there are the cash payment departments for European tax-free stores, where the cash may be directly refunded by presenting the seal affixed by the customs.

p.s. The interval between the shopping and exit, that is, the interval between the shopping date and the time for affixing the seal by the customs, shall be no more than three (3) months. Actually, this is calculated from the month end of the shopping month, that is, if you purchase the objects on March 1, you may obtain the tax refund if you leave before June 30.

Information of Embassy and Consulate

Chinese Embassy in Italy

Address: No. 56 Via Bruxelles Street

Tel: 06 - 96524200 06 - 96524266 (passport handling)

Working time: 9:00-12:30 for Monday to Thursday (a break in holidays)

Website: http://it.chineseembassy.org/chn/

 

 

 

 

Visa Information

1. Italy is a Schengen Agreement country and tourists holding a valid visa for any other Schengen countries can enter Italy, and the people having an Italian visa can also enter any other Schengen countries.

2. Chinese citizens and foreigners living six months or more in the consular district can submit an visa application to the Italian Visa Center (IVAC) in person or by proxy at 8: 00-15: 00 from Monday to Friday.

3. Applicants are advised to submit applications at least four week before departure.

4. Materials needed to apply for the Italian visa:

Tickets (round-trip) and accommodation bookings and all travel information: specific itineraries including train tickets, airline tickets, ship tickets and international driver's license in English. Overseas travel insurance, and this insurance policy must cover the following expenses during the stay in Schengen countries: the cost of retuning home due to physical emergencies, emergency medical care costs or hospital costs; this insurance policy has the minimum insured amount of thirty thousand euros; 3) the on-the-job work or leave proof of the applicant: Chinese company’s English letter-headed paper, bearing the official seal and the signature of the person in charge of issuing the proof. Including the company’s address, telephone and fax numbers, the applicant's position, salary and working time at the company, and the specific time of the stay in Italy (or any other Schengen country), the guarantee to return to China, and the machine-printed alphabet name and position of the person in charge of such issuance. Original and duplicate copies of qualifications (doctors’, teachers’, reporters’ and so on) and a copy of business license of the Chinese company with annual inspection and a reddish seal. Original and duplicate copies of a temporary residence permit (already registered for at least six months), property ownership certificate, driving license (original and duplicate copies), pay slips (original and duplicate copies) and proof of funds at temporary residence place: Consumption statements of credit cards or debit cards in recent three months or the applicant’s personal bank current deposit proof, with recent three-month records (original and duplicate copies). When the applicant is under 18 years of age, you shall submit a birth certificate (original and duplicate copies) and its Italian translation version certified by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a letter of permission granted by the applicant’s parents to travel abroad (certified by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the application form to be filled out at the embassy). If the applicant’s parents are dead, it is required to submit the proof of death certified by Chinese Foreign Ministry. Household register (original and duplicate copies), two recent color photos of the size of 3.5cmX4.5cm with white background, and application form to be completed.

 

 

 

 

Currency Exchange

Italy belongs to the euro zone, where there is a common use of euros with symbol "€" and the letter logo "EUR".

There are eight kinds of euro coins: 2 euros, 1 euro, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents, 2 cents and 1 cent. There are seven kinds of euro banknotes: 500 euros, 200 euros, 100 euros, 50 euros, 20 euros, 10 euros and 5 euros.

Exchange of Euro in China

Such exchange gives good exchange rate. At present, most banks supporting the currency exchange support the exchange into Euro

 

 

 

 

Religion

Travelling in Italy, it would be helpful if you understand some knowledge about religion. Christianity is a religion believing in the God and the kingdom of heaven, originating from the Middle East region. In the early time, it was called Cristiano, and due to the reasons such as subsequent religious reform, there are mainly three schools, Catholicism, Orthodox and Protestantism. In China, the Christianity is universally known as Protestantism.

The most influential religion in Italy is Catholicism. Though Catholicism is not listed as the national religion in Italy, more than 80% of the Italians believe in Catholicism. During the long history, Catholicism has been fully integrated into the Italian life, and you may find the religious elements from the churches in different sizes to various cultural relics and treasures here and there. The religious center of Catholicism is situated in Vatican (a country in country in the Rome City), and the Pope (also called “Holy See”) also lives here. The Pope is Bishop of Rome, and also the leader of Universal Catholic Church and the head of the Vatican Country. The incumbent Pope is Francis. The classics of the Christianity is “The Bible”, which was initially written in Hebrew, including Old Testament and New Testament. The Bible is considered as the publication printed in the highest quantity in the global history.

The tourists coming to Italy shall certainly visit the churches, such as Piazza San Pietro, Duomo di Milano, and Basilica di San Marco. But, there are some taboos when visiting the churches, for example, it is prohibited to enter the church by dressing up with the sleeveless clothes and the skirt or trousers above the knees, it is prohibited to wear the hat in the church, and it is not allowed to open the flash mode when taking photos etc. What’s more, either the believing person or not shall keep quiet when entering the church out of the proper respect for the religious belief.

 

 

 

 

Tourism Service Number

First aid tel.: 113, 118

Police Tel: 112

Fire Tel: 115

Tax Tel: 117

Offshore first aid: 1530

Overland rescue: 803803

Overseas customer service hotline of China Union Pay: 800-873045

 

 

 

 

Notes

Rome has complete public transport system, consisting of bus, tram car and subway. And the traffic is busy. Considering that the construction of too many subways will destroy many historical buildings and facilities in Rome City, the subway planning projects in Rome are relatively conservative, which is different from other big cities. At present, there are two subway lines, often in the overload operation in the rush hours, and there is the connection with bus network among other links of the city. The first subway line in Rome was completed in 1955, and total length of two subway lines is 36.6km, one subway is under extension construction, and the third subways is in progress. Tramcar system in Rome was started in 1877, including six lines, formulating the tramcar network with total length of 51.31km. From 1937 to 1972, the trolleybus ran in the public transport system in Rome. After the operation stop for 33 years, trolleybus was restarted in 2005, with total length 11.3 km.

 

 

 

 

Festivals(Important/Historical/Folks Ones)

Date of New Year: January 1

January 1. Some scenic spots and supermarkets in Rome are closed, then you may go to Vatican, where you may see the Pope, as well as the procession consisting of the religious believers from various places in the world.

Date of Epiphany: January 6

It is an important traditional festival, but no public holiday is allowed today. It is said that the good children could receive the sweets, while the bad children would get black coal balls.

April

Date of Liberation Day: April 25

Easter Day: The Easter Day is the first Sunday after the full moon after the Spring Equinox every year.

Generally, the holiday period is three days, and the whole country will rest in this holiday.

June

Date of National Day: June 2

This is a public holiday, when there is the military parade on Piazza Venezia in Rome.

December

Date of Christmas Eve: December 24

December 24. Usually, there are the activities in Vatican. But only the believers can join into it, and others can only watch the live play on the large screen in the Square. There is also the Mass or pray in other churches.

Date of Christmas Day: December 25

The most important festival in Italy, with public holiday in Italy.