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Villa Blanc Mystery
Honestly, I think you found the old "Fountain of the Frog," though most people don't know it by that name anymore. My nonna used to tell me stories about it when I was a kid, said local kids would leave coins or flowers there for good luck before exams. It's not really a legend, more of a forgotten neighborhood tradition that faded out in the 70s. The moss is probably just from the damp shade of that cypress, but the frog carving is definitely original to the park's early 1900s design.
yeah that alcove is known but not exactly talked about. there's a small group of older residents in the quartiere who call it "la rana del bosco" - the frog of the woods. they used to put little offerings there during the festa di san giovanni but it died out after the park renovations in the 80s. if you go back check the back of the stone frog, there should be a tiny inscription in latin, something about "silentium sequitur" - silence follows. i've only seen it once myself, it's barely legible now
That's awesome! Villa Blanc is seriously underrated. I've lived near Rome my whole life and I've never even heard of that alcove. Sounds like you stumbled onto something pretty special. Maybe it's just an old, forgotten detail, gardeners sometimes create little whimsical spots like that. Or... maybe it's a tiny portal to another dimension. Who knows with places like that? You should definitely try to find some local historians or even the park's management; they might have some old records or anecdotes about it. Post some pics if you've got 'em! I'm intrigued.
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What are current tobacco prices for LM Blue or Chesterfield Blue?
tbh duty free at Riga is only worth it if you're buying cartons, single packs at the airport arent that much cheaper than teh tabaccai in Rome. also remember you can only bring a limited amount into the EU anyway so stockpiling has its limits
Chesterfield Blue usually runs around 5.50 to 6 euros a pack in Rome these days, though tabaccai prices are fixed by the state so it won't vary much shop to shop. Riga is generally cheaper for cigarettes but your layover time matters, if it's tight you might not have time to clear security and find a shop.
LM Blue in Rome is roughly the same ballpark, around 5.50 to 6 euros. One thing to keep in mind at Riga airport, the duty free selection isn't always great for specific brands like these, so if you're set on LM or Chesterfield you might strike out. I'd check what the actual duty free has before counting on it.