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| Official Languages |
| Insurance |
| Currency, Tipping |
| Entry to Italy, Passport, Entry Visa and Official Letter of Invitation |
| Getting around in Rome |
| Weather and climate |
| Time Zone |
| Electrical Power |
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| Congress Venue |
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Monumental Complex of Santo Spirito in Saxia
Borgo Santo Spirito 1
00193 Rome, Italy |
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Rome, the eternal city, the eternally young city, does not hide its fabulous beauty. In exhibiting its fairness generously, Rome bewitches visitors with unmatched fascination of its light, its colours and entranced atmospheres, alluring new-comers to stay on and fully enjoy all this magnificence. Rome offers an artistic and cultural landscape of unequalled vastness, variety and importance.
Invaluable "treasures" stored in the city's numerous museums, richly endowed galleries, grand historic palaces, exhibition centers and superb archaeological areas, are among the reasons why Rome shines like a breath-taking star in the celestial vault of the cities of art. |
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During the last years a great deal of work has been done to enhance this immense wealth. A great deal more is still being done in order to unearth precious remains, buried or hidden under stratifications of history. So far, only archaeologists or researchers could see these discoveries.
Rome never ceases to amaze and the future undoubtedly has great surprises in store. |
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| Congress Center |
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The origins of the Santo Spirito in Saxia complex date back to A.D. 727 when the Saxon king Ina founded the “Schola Saxonum” (from where the word “Saxia” derives), a refuge centre for pilgrims arriving in Rome to visit the Apostle Peter’s tomb. This explains the strategic location of the complex situated close to St. Peter’s Basilica. The complex, destroyed by fire and pillage, was rebuilt by Marchionne d’Arezzo in 1198 under the pontificate of Innocent III. This Pope entrusted the Order of the Hospital of Santo Spirito, established by Guido di Montpellier, with the creation of a hospital to help the sick, the poor and the “proietti” (abandoned and illegitimate babies).
Its subsequent reconstruction and enlargement are thought to have been carried out by the architect Baccio Pontelli between 1471 and 1478. |
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The Palazzo del Commendatore, sixteenth century extension of the hospital structure of Santo Spirito in Saxia, was created during the pontificate of Pio V (1566-1572).
Just past the entrance you can admire a wonderful marble portal called “Portale del Paradiso” (the gate of Heaven), attributed to Andrea Bregno (1416 – 1501).
Moreover, the S. Spirito Complex is composed of a series of cloisters, built in the XV and XVI centuries, as well as the Antique Pharmacy, once famous for the studies carried out on china bark used in the treatment of malaria, and nowadays set up as a gallery, containing XVI – XVII century paintings and a collection of vases.
Finally, the Museum of Medicine, located in the XVIII century wing of the Hospital, is the largest Italian museum of the History of Medicine due to the quantity and variety of documents and collections it holds.
The Complesso Monumentale S. Spirito in Saxia has been improved and restyled in order to organize every type of event.
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Two of the biggest halls, Baglivi and Lancisi together form the Corsia Sistina. These magnificent halls are painted with frescos dated around 1450. The two halls together measure 1500 mq. and they can host more than 1000 people. Many important events have already been organized in these majestic halls where technology and art have been commingled in a perfect harmony, with the realization of beautiful staging within an ancient atmosphere. |
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| Official Languages |
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| English and French are the official languages of the Congress. Simultaneous translation in Italian will be provided as well. CME course in Italian will be organized. |
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The Congress Organizers cannot accept liability for personal injuries, loss or damage to property belonging to Congress delegates (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the Congress or during their stay in Rome.
It is therefore recommended that delegates arrange their own personal health, accident and travel insurance. |
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Euro is the official currency in Italy. Notes are in denomination of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denomination of €2, €1 and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. ATMs will issue local currency.
Tipping is not a rule in Italy as the service is already included in the bill. However, according to circumstances, some tipping is appreciated. |
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| Entry to Italy, Passport, Entry Visa and Official Letter of Invitation |
Participants are strongly advised to make sure they fulfill all legal requirements to enter Italy. Besides a valid passport, an entry visa may also be required. Please check with your nearest Italian Consulate or Embassy. Information about visas and addresses of Italian Embassies can be found at www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp.
Official letters of invitation for visa purposes will be supplied upon request to the Congress Secretariat, only after complete registration and payment of fees. Please allow sufficient time for this procedure. Note that such letters do not commit the Congress to any kind of financial support, hosting arrangement, nor do they guarantee an entry visa issue. |
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| Getting around in Rome |
Rome has an extensive integrated public transportation system, which includes buses, subways, trams and a suburban train network.
Subway
There are two subway lines, A and B. Line A runs east to west and stops at many tourist sites such as the Vatican, Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Barberini and Piazza del Popolo. Line B runs northeast to southwest and stops at sites such as the Coloseum, Circo Massimo, and St. Paul’s Basilica. Both lines intersects at Termini Central Station and runs from Sunday to Thursday from 5.30 am to 11.30, and until 1.30 am on Friday and Saturday. For information about times, costs and routes: www.metroroma.it.
Buses
There are buses to almost everywhere in greater Rome. The ATAC local buses serve the city center and most nearby suburbs. Buses run from 5.00 am to midnight. Many buses and trams are wheelchair accessible and can be recognised by the international symbol for accessibility on the front and side of the vehicle. For information about times, costs and routes: www.atac.roma.it.
Fares
There is a single fare structure and ticketing system allowing you to travel on buses, trams, trains and the subway with the same ticket. On April 2006, the Municipality of Rome instituted the Roma Pass Program. This Pass costs € 20 and is valid for 3 days including the day it is validated. It entitles the holder to full access to the public transportation system, free admission to the first two museums and/or archaeological sites visited, reduced tickets and discounts to many other museums and sites. Roma Pass can be purchased from all museums and sites that have joined the Program and from Tourist Information Centers in the Municipality of Rome including Fiumicino Airport and Termini Central Station.
For all information, visit the website Metrebus.
Taxi
Licensed taxis are all white and have a taxi sign on the roof of the car as well as their license number inside the car. In every official taxi there is a card that explains the extra charges for luggage, late-night travel, Sunday and holiday travel, and airport journeys. Always make sure the meter is switched on. Be careful of unlicensed and illegal taxi drivers who approach you at the train station or the airport.
For more information about fares, please click here.
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| Weather and climate |
Rome is known for having comfortable weather throughout the year. In September, the average minimum and maximum temperatures vary between 16 and 23°C with little rain. |
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| Time Zone |
| Italy is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). |
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| Electrical Power |
The electrical system in Italy is 220 volts. To use 120 volt appliances you need both transformer and an adapter plug. |
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