Conversations with Babuino and Paschino and other Rome, Italy Off The Beaten Path Tips

Since the 16th century, Rome's so called "talking statues" have been battling arrogance and corruption in a most humorous way. Anonymous, disgruntled citizens would post satyrical posters at the infamous Paschino and shortly thereafter would be answered by anonymous postings at the Babuino. The posters sometimes had a poem, sometimes a joke; in most cases their satire was addressed to the pope. Even to this day signs are posted at the Paschino.

The statue of the "Pasquino" is a torso of a male figure, probably dating from the 3rd century b.C.; it is so badly preserved that it has been impossible to tell who it represents, probably a king or a hero of ancient Greece.Since 1501, "Pasquino" stands in a small square just behind piazza Navona; also the square is now called piazza Pasquino.

The "Babuino", archaic Italian for babbuino = "baboon", is a statue of a reclining silenus (a Greek mythology woodland deity, similar to a satyr), now standing by the church of St.Athanasius of the Greeks, in the central via del Babuino. It was placed there as a decorative element for a very simple fountain.

Leave a Comment

The Roman Zoo is not a place often visited by tourists unless they have plenty of time to spare. It is small and in many ways dated, still exhibiting the old fashioned steel and concrete cages with little attention given to create habitats for the animals. Although the Roman Zoo is in desperate need for renovations and funding it can still be a nice break from all the marble and the antiquities. Watching the monkey cage was a lot of fun. I encourage all visitors to stop by and patronize the zoo. Every Euro will be put to good use. When I visited they had drastically improved certain exhibits and with any luck better habitats are on the way. One thing that wasn't lacking was devoted keepers so there is a lot of hope left for the Roman Zoo. Don't forget it on your travels to this city.

Leave a Comment

Website: http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/rome/zoo.html

The mouth of truth as it is aptly known is located in Piazza della Bocca della Verita, outside the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. This beautiful, unadorned church was built in the 6th century on the site of the city's ancient food market. It contains many examples of Cosmati work, in particular the mosaic pavement, the raised choir, the bishop's throne and the canopy over the main altar. Set into the wall of the portico of this church is the mysterious Bocca. Although it may onve have been a drain cover dating to the 4th Century BC, Medieval tradition had it the formidable jaws would snap shut over the hands of those who told lies--a useful trick to test the faithfulness of spouses.

Today the church is under massive restoration and the Bocca draws hundreds of tourists seeking that token hand in mouth photo op. We were almost run over by a crowd of Japanese tourists. They come by the bus loads and the only thing snapping are the shutters of many a camera. It's a lot of fun. Don't miss it.

Leave a Comment