Visit history at the Italian pavilion

The two sides of the arched entrance, which itself are of Florence style of the beautiful Rinascimento period of Italian history, are flanked by a breath taking visual treat of Rome.
On one side is the piazza di Spagna, one of the most popular meeting places in Rome, and also one of the most visually pleasing squares. And on the other side, the Campidoglio, which is on the smallest of Rome's seven hills, and was the religious and political center of the city since its foundation more than 2500 years ago.
Capturing these two famous landmarks through his lenses was no easy feat for photographer Roberto Piva.

"These town squares are usually thronged by visitors and local people. In order to photograph these areas, there was a lot of planning involved", says Rafaella Carnevale, General Manager, and organizer of the Italian Pavilion, in co-operation with Bassam International company in Dubai of which she is the Italian partner and managing director.
"After cordoning off the area, it was photographed from a helicopter, using special sophisticated equipment, so as to create the 3-D effect that you see. Since we wanted to get similar lighting of the sun for both pictures, it had to be done on two separate days, but at the same time of the day. Those pictures have been blown up to this size and been recreated in specialized material that has withstood the winds and rains of the past days."
The idea was to be different from the neighboring pavilions, says Rafaella, whose brilliant idea to woo visitors into the feel of Italy has worked brilliantly.

"I simply wanted every passerby to feel that he or she were in Italy itself. Seeing the number of visitors who lean against the piazza steps to take pictures, I think our effort has worked very well. We strove for visual emotion, and we have succeeded!"

The combination of a monumental staircase, an obelisk and a rosy church of piazza di Spagna draw photographers to the square, both in original Rome, and the Global Village. Delving into the history of the piazza makes for interesting reading. The church is connected to the Piazza di Spagna via a long staircase, known as the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti or Spanish Steps. The idea of connecting the church with the piazza di Spagna originates from the 17th century. The French also planned on adding a statue of King Louis XIV of France at the top of the staircase. Papal opposition caused the plans to be shelved until 1723, when it was built without the statue. Italian architect Francisco de Sanctis presented a design that satisfied both the French and the papacy and the elegant staircase consisting of 137 steps over twelve different flights was the result. It has an irregular albeit symmetric structure, and is said to be especially beautiful in May, when it is decorated with azaleas.

At the bottom of the Spanish Steps is the Piazza di Spagna or Spanish square. The long, triangular square is named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. In the 17th century, the area around the embassy was even considered Spanish territory.

So realistic is the façade that when you turn your head, you almost see the Trevi Fountain and get ready to traditionally throw those coins into the famous Fontana.

"The second scene of the pavilion entrance, The Capitoline Hill or Campidoglio is also marked by history. The mosaic, done by Raffaello, are still all original today", says Rafealla.
Several important temples were built here down the ages : the Temple of Juno Moneta, the Temple of Virtus and the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maxims Capitolinus, the most important temple in ancient Rome. The hill, and the temple of Jupiter in particular were the symbols of Rome as Caput Mundi, capital of the world.

During the middle ages, the site became the center of civic government and several palaces were built on the hill. But when Charles V planned a visit to Rome in 1536, the muddy Capitoline Hill was in such a bad shape that the Pope asked Michelangelo to design a new square, the Piazza del Campidoglio, including a redesign of the existing buildings surrounding the square.

Michelangelo came up with an original design for the square, including an intriguing ground pattern. Also in the plans were a monumental staircase, the Cordonata, leading from the bottom of the hill to the new square. Construction of the Piazza di Campidoglio started in 1546 but was unfinished when Michelangelo died in 1564. The project was only finished in the 17th century, but most of Michelangelo's designs were implemented.
The long, beautiful staircase to the Piazza del Campidoglio, known as the Cordonata, is adorned with granite statues of Egyptian lions at the foot and two large classical statues of Castor and Pollux at the top.
History. Know where you stand at the Global Village.

Bringing a glimpse of the history of Italy to Dubai, the Italian Pavilion in the Global Village promises more Italian treats to visitors who enter.