Saturday June 15
Woke up this morning to rain. Thought a cool change had come through, but the clouds soon cleared and the temperature rose again, but now with increased humidity.
An early, but uninspiring, breakfast (again). Limited choices, and the bread and pastries are stale.
Out the door just after 8:00am.
Sometimes you see a display, and something just resonates…
First real stop is the Trevi fountain. By repute, one should throw a coin over the left shoulder using the right hand and make a wish. Bottom line, they make over €1 million each year.
The way through to Pantheon is a series of narrow alleyways.
The Pantheon
Literally, dedicated to all gods, and built probably in the first century, it was soon taken over and converted to a Christian church. It is probably the best preserved of all the early Roman buildings..
At first glance from the outside, it is not terribly impressive, but once you walk inside…
At the Ginger cafe, we came across Chili/Harley.
Next stop on our wanderings is the area of Sacra di Largo Argentina
The Area Sacra was discovered between 1926 and 1930 during construction work on a building. The area was occupied by four temples built in the third century B.C., and by the Theatre and Curia of Pompey, the place in which Julius Caesar was murdered.
As it is not known to whom the temples were dedicated, they were renamed with the letters A, B, C and D.
Lots of cats inhabit and are protected, even have their own website: http://www.romancats.com/
As the Tiber flows through Rome, there is only one island – Isola
On the far side of the bridge is Trastevere – Rome as it used to be, narrow streets, local shops and the Basilica of Santa Maria.
The boys and their dog..
What else could you call it?
Piazza Navona
Built on the site of the original Stadium of Domitia (1st century AD), it still has the general shape used for chariot races and other games. The area was rebuilt in the mid 1600’s, the main fountain, called Four Rivers, was sculpted by Bernini, while his rival Borromini did the palace.
Legend has it that one of the figures in the fountain has his hand up to protect himself in case the palace falls, while another covers his face with a cloth so he doesn’t have to look at the ugly palace. Meanwhile a statue on the palace smirks at their stupidity.
The column of St Paul
After an uphill trudge back to the hotel, we finally arrive after round 6 hours in the heat.
Evening meal is a meet and greet with the others on the tour, and it is a very convivial group, only 19 people and loads of laughs.
