I know Zeppole did already tell you about this some time ago but in case sm didn't read his post or has forgotten about it : I'd just like to remind fodorites that tomorrow is bank holiday in Italy because of the ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIFICATION OF THIS COUNTRY WHICH HAPPENED 150 YEARS AGO (TOMORROW). THE CENTERS OF THINGS WILL BE ROME AND TURIN ( BECAUSE TURIN USED TO BE THE CAPITAL OF UNIFIED ITALY, BEFORE ROME TOOK THIS ROLE) . NEVERTHELESS EVERY SINGLE CITY, TOWN AND VILLAGE IN ITALY WILL DO ST SPECIAL TOMORROW: LIKE PARADES, MUSIC , FESTIVALS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH TO MARK THIS EVENT. MOREOVER ITALY IS ALREADY AWASH WITH ITALY FLAGS. NORMALLY THERE AREN'T MANY NATIONAL FLAGS AROUND IN ITALY, AS IN THE US OR OTHER COUNTRIES LIKE GERMANY. BUT THESE DAYS IT' S DIFFERENT. IF YOU ARE IN ANY PART OF THIS COUNTRY RIGHT NOW YOU'LL HAVE NOTICED : NATIONAL FLAGS EVERYWHERE

Ah! Flag waving.

More outlets for Silvio to distract the locals from his philanderings. I suppose The People of Freedom are really pushing this one.

Happy Birthday Italy.

humptynumpty I didn't like your comment, which (by the way) suggests you don't know the first thing about Italian domestic affairs because one of Berlusconi Key allies - the Northern League- is opposed to the celebration and the Italian media which are opposed to Berlusconi could't choose a better moment to accuse Berlusconi and his allies of being anti-Italian and of course they are right. The "locals" as you call us already know everything about the scandals and don't need be "distracted", but what are you trying to say???: that the "locals" should be ashamed and hence not celebrate? That's wrong because I just want to remind you of the fact that Italy didn't just "produce" Berlusconi but also people like Dante , Ennio Morricone( do you happen to know the "mission" soundtrack?) , Cristopher Columbus(ok, he was born LONG before the UNIFICATION but he is from Genua )who discovered America by the way, Amerigo Vespucci, from whom America is named. So, your comment is totally out of place. And this forum is not about this stuff, I APOLOGIZE TO OTHERS FOR ABUSING BUT I FELT I HAD TO ANSWER YOUR SHALLOW (TO SAY THE LEAST) COMMENT. THE REASON WHY I've POSTED THIS IS THAT TOURISTS WHO ARE IN ITALY RIGHT NOW MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN JOINING SOME OF THESE EVENTS, OR -IF THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED- THEY HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT TOMORROW IT'S BANK HOLIDAY like MAY THE 1st WITH ALL THE INCONVENIENCES FOR TOURISTS. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WHY I HAVE POSTED IT . But I already regret posting it.

Feda, I was in Rome in December last, and noticed how much restoration work was being done to Garibaldi's statue and the area around it. I had not realised that it was preparation for the 150th anniversary of Unification, so I'm glad that you posted your comments.

I wrote a bit about seeing Garibaldi's statue:

We’ve been to Rome a couple of times, maybe half a dozen days in total, and never really appreciated Rome. I suppose that it’s easy to concentrate on the big ticket sights, the Forum, Palatine, Aventine, Colloseo, Trevi fountain, Vatican, Spanish steps, and we’d never really got a handle on the geography of Rome, the seven hills and all. From Trastevere, we walked up the Via Garabaldi, and I suppose became acquainted with Italian, as against, Roman history.

The church of Santa Maria in Trastevere stands at the top of the hill. I’d never known much of the history of Italian unification, never realised that the Papacy was a military power in the 1850’s. And I suppose, while I’ve seen a lot of monuments to Garibaldi, how significant he was in Italian history. I think that all nations have their sacred, special places. For Americans, maybe it is Bull Run, or Gettysburg, for the British it is Dunkirk or Agincourt, for we Australians, it is the Gallipoli peninsular or Kokoda. Places that have somehow burned themselves into the national psyche, places of heroism. The top of Trastevere is maybe the same place for Italians, Garibaldi leading a doomed defence against French forces, mobilised to support the papacy. I’ve never walked across a battlefield before, and the church of Santa Maria was pretty well shelled by French forces – the remains of the defenders are buried in the mausoleum on top of that hill. It’s the equivalent of our Melbourne Shrine, for Sydneysiders, the Cenotaph, for Americans, Arlington. At the very top of the hill, there is a monument to Garibaldi. It is presently being refurbished, along with statues of others who were important in the campaign that created the Italy that we know out of a bunch if disparate states.

It made me think a bit, and to be not proud of my ignorance.

Peter S Aus , thanks for your comment. I bet you are a very attentive person. And you seem to know a lot about Italian history as well , I'm impressed ! I admire broaden- minded people like you who are interested in getting to know more about countries and cities they visit. It also makes the visit more interesting, doesn't it?
I also like your concept of "national psyche", I think I'll jot it down somewhere: it's really fascinating.
I'm sorry you didn't appreciate Rome much because I love it even though very rarely do I go there( I'm from the north). I'm glad someone appreciated my post. It was worth it then .

I think you have it all wrong. The big celebration in Italy tomorrow is because it's St. Patrick's Day. Buon Compleanno!

Feda, when I say that we never really “appreciated” Rome, what I mean is that there’s much more to Rome than the ancient monuments, Forum, et al.
I think that when we walked up the Via Garibaldi, it put us in touch with more recent Roman and Italian history.

We’ve had a happy time in Rome each time we have visited.

Sorry Peter S Aus, know I get it.
Actually how could have you been such interested in the city if you had not liked it. I should have got it. Thanks!
And once again: I'm impressed by your knowledge as far as Roman history is concerned