Modern Rome

Caput mundi, or the head of the world, is the Latinmusic, dance, cinema and festivals and is a true
term many inhabitants of Rome use to indicate thewonder for eye and ear.
importance of their city in world history. But the headJust next to the Tiber river, on the Piazza Augusto
could use a little rejuvenation. Although the countlessImperatore, is the new, revolutionary museum that
historical monuments and artistic jewels still hold ahouses the ancient peace altar of emperor August.
great attraction for the millions of tourists that visitThe entirely white-and-glass building is a design of the
the Eternal City every year, the city seemed to haveAmerican architect Richard Maier and it is the first
missed the connection with a new generation ofmodern building in the historic centre of Rome for
visitors that are also looking for the 21st century vibedecades. The structure has been highly controversial,
of the Italian capital. On matters of music, modernbut is a great example of how beautiful the
art or trendy nightclubs, Rome could not competecombination of an antique monument and modern
anymore with other European cities such as London,architecture can be.
Berlin or Barcelona. But today that seems to change.Finally, just next door from August's peace altar is
Design-hotels, minimalistic restaurants and number ofone of the trendiest restaurants of the capital,
new centres for modern art and architecture are'Gusto'. The restaurant on the first floor serves
rapidly conquering their position in the "dolce vita" ofexperimental Italian cuisine, while the pizzeria
young Romans.downstairs serves fabulous pizzas. The ground floor
If you are planning to visit Rome, do not only spendalso houses a wine bar, a gastronomic bookshop and
your time between the wonderful monuments ofa "formaggeria", where you can taste great cheeses
antiquity and baroque, but save some to enjoy thefrom around the country. The place however is
fresh wind blowing through the city. If you want toextremely popular, but it is worth waiting a while in
discover modern Rome, here are some suggestions:the outside queue.
The new 'Parco della Musica' has put the city back onAnd after a dinner at "Gusto" you will know it too:
the list for classical music. This architectural wonderthe initiatives for the rejuvenation of the Eternal City
north of the center, not very far from the Vaticando not leave room for any doubt - the Italian capital
City, was designed by Italy's most famous architectremains the head of the world, also in the
Renzo Piano who describes the complex as a "culturaltwenty-first century.
factory". It houses a number of halls for classical