Albergo Abruzzi-Moderately Priced Hotel in Rome

Concerned more about the location of your hotel than over-the-top luxury? Don't mind walking up a few flights of stairs (with your bags)? Then you should be aware of the many mid-range hotels that Rome has to offer within the Centro Storico (historic center). A perennial favorite is the Albergo Abruzzi, perfectly situated on the Piazza della Rotonda opposite the Pantheon. While the noise from the piazza at night is considerable, the view is incomparable and the location can't be beat. The rooms are simple, clean, and recently renovated. A double room starts at 195 Euros, which is certainly a deal considering you get a private bathroom (the hotel used to have only shared bathrooms), continental breakfast, and the most fascinating part of Rome at your doorstep. Check out the special discounted rates in February. With your discounted airfare, you'll have enough left over for a shopping spree on the Via Condotti!

Obelisks of Rome-Piazza della Rotonda

You may notice that Egyptian obelisks feature prominently in almost every piazza. There are thirteen obelisks in Rome which came from Egypt or were made in Rome. The first obelisks came to Italy from Egypt with Augustus (then called Octavian) after his defeat of Antony and Cleopatra in 30 BCE. The obelisk in the Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon was commissioned by the pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE and erected in front of the temple of Ra in Heliopolis, Egypt. The obelisk was brought to Rome in the 1st century BCE and set up in the Temple of Isis. In 1711 Pope Clemens XI moved the obelisk to a fountain in the Piazza della Rotonda and placed the Chigi family crest, an 8 sided star above 6 mountains, atop it.