Rome Day I

ROME
Day I
Hotel: Palatino
Dinner: Hotel First night/ Tanagra (Opera Dinner) second night


(St. Peter's Chains)

Be Prepared for a long entry ( and possible type-o's I wrote this very fast)!
I don’t think it is possible to not have an eventful and entertaining day in Rome. I had such a fantastic time exploring this historic, cultural and endlessly rich city. Every corner you turn and every piazza you visit, has a new and entirely different tone to it. I know that I will eventually have to come back and do just Rome maybe for a week or two, for it is such an amazing city.





When we woke up our first stop on our walking tour was one of the 7 wonders of the world, the magnificent Coliseum. My camera really suffered damage at this marvel, as I could not help taking tons of photographs. The ruins were so enriched with history and facts that anyone could spend hours wandering between all the crevices and tunnels that made the Coliseum. It’s hard to believe we were able to walk around an over 2,000 year old structure which still stood in the heart of a perpetually bustling city. One of the major roads of Rome literally goes straight towards the Coliseum (courtesy of Mussolini). But I do not want to spend all my time discussing this , there was too much in Rome to see and do for me to dwell on just one of the many things we saw.


(Arch of Constantine)

Just outside of the Coliseum is the Arch of Constantine. It is one of the last standing monuments of the old Rome and was an interesting structure with 3 lard arches. Of course like everything in Rome, it was large, highly decorative and really beautiful. When I think of how much one city, like Rome, has to offer the world in so many ways and then I think of what we have to offer in the U.S. with all of our 200 or so years, things really get thrown into proportion. I remember when we lived in Pennsylvania and I thought that a monument like the liberty bell was ancient, and to think that I’d be able to walk around ruins thousands of years old, I mean that really blows my mind. And the craziest part of all, is people are still living in this city, living right in the ruins from centuries past, it was such an enchanting place!


(Forum)

Well after passing the Arch and walking by an archaeological sight where they were still finding structures from ancient Rome (including now the original Caesar’s Palace) we made our way to the center of an old democracy, The Forum. The Forum consisted of not one large enclosed structure like the Coliseum, but man small bits spread out over a large area. There was the famous area where Julius Caesar gave his speech “Citizens, Countrymen, lend me your ears”, along with many other equally fascinating structures. With so much history in one place after another, it was a rather difficult job to absorb it all, and that’s why I believe Rome really can’t be a 2 or 3 day thing. You need time to spend in this city if you really want to walk away with something special.
While at the forum we also saw the Arch of Titus, which was placed to dictate the Romans victory over Jerusalem. Moving past the forum we got a large view of what the Romans dislike and call the “Wedding cake,” but it is really a government building and is only about 200 years old or so. Romans in the city do not like the structure because of its massive size, which blocks the view of some of the more significant structures which people connect to Rome (like the Coliseum). Also around the same area was the Trajan’s Column, which stands around 98 feet in height and the entire column is decorated with the spiraling story of Dacian campaigns. The entire thing, which is white in color now, used to be painted in rich colors, which were worn off in time.
After seeing all the ancient structures around Coliseum we moved on to our tour of Piazza’s and fountains, where we first visited the Pantheon. The Pantheon, simply put was originally a temple that was built in Rome for all the Gods. It is the most replicated building in the world, and is known for its massive hole at the top of the building which allows the sun to shine through onto the floor, which when striking the ground acts as a gigantic sun dial. The pantheon is also the resting burial for the famous Italian painter Raphael.
After the Pantheon we headed over to the Piazza Navona, where we were supposed to view the Fountain of four rivers, but because the fountain was under repairs we stopped for a chocolate Specialty instead. As everyone was eating I looked around at local artists who had areas propped sporadically in and around the Piazza. Since this fountain was a bit of a bummer I think that really got me excited for the Trevi Fountain. Before we were even near the fountain, I had my coins ready to toss and a wish already prepared. When we did come face to face with the fountain I was shocked. It was so elaborate and was actually built into the side of someone’s house. I wished really hard and threw a total of 6 coins into the large fountain (which I equate to 2 good wishes total). I hope that my first wish will come true, its something that I want from the bottom of my heart.




(Trevi fountain)

The Trevi Fountain was fantastic and after making a handful of wishes, we went to our last stop on the tour, the Spanish Steps. Two large French churches sat at the top of the steps, but where again under construction so we did not have best view. I got my picture and after seeing so much I felt satisfied and happy.
We grabbed a taxi back to the hotel to take a short break, and then it was time to go out and explore Rome on our own terms. And believe me, it was one winding and complicated city. To have to build streets all around historical landmarks makes navigating tricky, but also exciting on the same token.
As I mentioned from Florence, after visiting the Uffizzi art gallery I had fallen in love with work from the famous Italian artist Carvaggio. Since I was on the lookout for more of his work I was delighted when I found out that a small church, the San Luigi dei Francesi contained 3 of his works. We headed over there right away to tour yet another elegantly designed and beautiful church. There were three works of Carvaggio there and they were
- The Calling of St. Matthew
-The Martyrdom of St. Matthew
-St. Matthew and the Angel
After I spent about an hour staring at the works, mum was really tired and we still had yet to go to dinner so it was back to the hotel again. I was still restless for being in such an enriched city so I went with Kyle and his dad to see Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s in Chains again.
Then when we got back (I think I went to a comic store while mom kept resting / Ginko) we all went out to dinner in the Jewish section of Rome. It was a really relaxing night, next to our eventful day and the food was fantastic! I had lamp chops which were absolutely delicious and we also got to try some Roman Jewish specialties like fried artichokes and liver pate. It was a nice treat.
I’m excited for more dinners coming in the near future, and I can’t believe we’ll be seeing the Sistine Chapel tomorrow. Anyway I have to wake up super early and this has been a very long entry as it is (even though I grazed a lot of details, there is just too much!) Till tomorrow.
Ciao