Rome Gets Rare Snowfall, And It's An Ancient Winter Wonderland

Jenna Amatulli

Rome was greeted on Monday morning by its first snowfall in six years.

The white stuff didn't stop a few hardy souls from visiting the Colosseum. (Photo: Antonio Masiello via Getty Images)
The white stuff didn't stop a few hardy souls from visiting the Colosseum. (Photo: Antonio Masiello via Getty Images)

With 1.2 to 1.6 inches on the ground, the mayor of the Italian capital, Virginia Raggi, ordered public schools closed and many private schools followed suit. Authorities opened several train stations as emergency shelters for the homeless.

The uncharacteristic weather for the city stems from a massive cold front moving over Europe, dubbed by much of British media as “The Beast From the East.” The chilly temperatures span from the U.K. to Moscow, and nearly five feet of snow has fallen in areas of Croatia.

A car carrying Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven skidded into a guardrail north of Stockholm during a blizzard, but no one was hurt.

The cold snap is expected to continue for the next few days, peaking on Thursday, U.K. Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell told CNN.

The wintery scenes in Rome have made for gorgeous pictures in photos and videos that have been cropping up all over, with the city’s most scenic and historical locales ― the Colosseum, the Vatican, etc. ― often serving as the backdrop.

Two canines get acquainted in front of Rome's Arch of Constantine. (Photo: Antonio Masiello via Getty Images)
Two canines get acquainted in front of Rome's Arch of Constantine. (Photo: Antonio Masiello via Getty Images)

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Canale di Tenno

Located in the city of Trentino, <a href="http://www.canaleditenno.com/en/" target="_blank">Canale di Tenno</a> has origins dating back to 1211. It is notable for its architecture, characteristic of the Middle Ages: barrel vaults, underpasses and galleries, all of which have darkened over time. Some houses are decorated with (mostly modern) frescoes, the most exquisite of which are the work of the painter <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gianni_Longinotti_Canale_di_Tenno_anni_novanta.jpg" target="_blank">Gianni Longinotti.</a>

Curtatone Borgo di Grazie

Only a few miles from the city of Mantua in Lombardy, Curtatone Borgo di Grazie has gone by the name of its most prominent architectural monument, the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie, since 1362. Constructed by the famed Medieval architect <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=FtlMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA250&lpg=PA250&dq=Bartolino+da+Novara&source=bl&ots=zZQWGQ-kd7&sig=7fRnYk3FiwO0DZZviWunjaMDkNY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DqM_VZXwHob2sAXkzoDYAw&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=Bartolino%20da%20Novara&f=false" target="_blank">Barolino da Novara,</a> the Gothic church is made up of 13 arches supported by multiple columns, and is noted for its intricate, unforgettable interior decor.

Vogogna

Located in the province of Piedmont, Vogogna is dominated by the imposing Visconti Castle. Established in the 13th century for defense and military purposes, it also served as a prison; today, its imposing walls still overlook the quaint village of Vogogna. The castle and its grounds frequently host medieval history exhibits and events. Another place of interest is the Palazzo Pretorio (central public building), <a href="http://www.lagomaggiore.net/121/palazzo-pretorio.htm" target="_blank">built in 1348 </a>(pictured above).

Dozza

Considered one of the best examples of a medieval village in the mountainous Appenino Romagnolo region, Dozza is notable not only for its incredibly preserved thousand-year-old structures, but for the landscape that surrounds it, rich in vineyards and rolling hills. Its main attraction is the imposing <a href="http://www.fondazionedozza.it/it/dozza/la-rocca-e-il-museo/museo-della-rocca/" target="_blank">Fortress of Dozza</a>, built in 1300 as a military structure and used as a noble residence during the Renaissance. Since 1960, the fortress has been open to the public as a museum.

Apricale

Apricale’s name is revealing in and of itself: "apricale" is derived from the Latin "apricus," meaning "sunlit" or "full of sun." Protected by the Alps and located in the province of Imperia, it does in fact enjoy a wonderful climate. The original urban structure and medieval atmosphere have been preserved intact; the village is a maze of crooked streets, steep stairways and covered passageways. Don’t miss out on visiting the village’s many churches and the Lucertola Castle. In the summertime, check out <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=i0IZYN8iGXgC&pg=RA1-PA75&lpg=RA1-PA75&dq=Lucertola+Castle.&source=bl&ots=B7gUhMr_0P&sig=WhZcg0EJgxqP3D8-NlEMsBKK0DY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=T60_VaLrNomFsAWcVg&ved=0CCUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=Lucertola%20Castle&f=false" target="_blank">plays put on by local actors</a> in the charming Medieval village square.

Cutigliano

Cutigliano, distinguished by its narrow streets and striking angles, is located in Tuscany. The main plaza is dominated by the Pretorio Palace, <a href="http://www.comune.cutigliano.pt.it/index.php?pagina=pagine&id=204" target="_blank">built in 1377.</a> Another remarkable sight is the Church of Saint Bartolome, where you can admire examples of sixteenth-century Florentine painting.

Visso

Set against the stunning natural backdrop of the Monti Sibillini National Park, Visso will take you straight back to the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The imposing walls, medieval balconies, houses, towers and palaces are all testimony to a past rich in history. Noteworthy sites include the Palazzo dei Priori, Palazzo dei Governatori and Palazzo del Divino Amore (Palace of Divine Love).

Castel di Tora

Castel di Tora is located at an altitude of nearly 2,000 feet on the northwest shore of Lake Turano. The baroque church of S. Giovanni Evangelista; the 16th–century palace with its adjoining tower; and the Fountain of the Triton in the main plaza are testament to its rich cultural heritage.
Castel di Tora is located at an altitude of nearly 2,000 feet on the northwest shore of Lake Turano. The baroque church of S. Giovanni Evangelista; the 16th–century palace with its adjoining tower; and the Fountain of the Triton in the main plaza are testament to its rich cultural heritage.

Bova

Bova is one of the most important Greek-speaking areas in the province of Reggio Calabria in Southern Italy. It is an ancient seat of the church, and the first bishop of Bova <a href="http://www.comune.bova.rc.it/oc/oc_p_elenco.php" target="_blank">was ordained in the first century A.D.</a> The village is studded with storied cathedrals to this day. Its most noteworthy sights are the Cappella del Scaramento and the statue the Madonna Isodìa with Child, attributed to Rinaldo Bonanno (1584).

Sperlinga

Nestled between two mountains in the heart of Sicily, Sperlinga is home to just 896 people. Its most noteworthy monument is its castle, a melange of Italy’s ancient heritage:<a href="http://www.castellodisperlinga.it/subpagina.php?idmenu=1&&idsubmenu=1" target="_blank"> initially a prehistoric mountainside excavation,</a> it was built up by Byzantine and Saracen occupiers until it was transformed into a castle by Normans around the year 1080. The village is surrounded by the Bosco di Sperlinga natural reserve, which embraces the rapid Salso river and is shaded by lush tamarisk trees.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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