Roma - Day 1

Ah, Roma...

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Giorgio's parents, Francesca and Sergio, pick the three of us up at the airport, and we all cram our bags in and squish together like sardines. I have about 10 mini-heart attacks on the way to the hotel as we dodge accident after accident.

We arrive at our hotel about 9 am and immediately decide to take naps since we have a night tour of the city from 8pm to 10pm. We slept until 12 and decided we were ready to go see the city. About 2pm, Giorgio came to pick us up and we set out into the city to see the Catacombs of San Callisto, however when we arrive, we sadly discover that it is closed until February 24. Ah, but the beauty of Rome is there are several catacombs throughout the city and luckily, we turn out of the gates of San Callisto and VOILA! There is the Catacomb of San Sebastiano.

The Catacombs are outside city walls due to ancient Roman laws that prohibited burials within the sacred pomerium(city boundary). There are 65 known catacombs in Roma but only a few are open for public viewing. The San Sebastiano Catacombs are more intimate and better-preserved then the San Callisto Catacombs. The typical Roman practice of layering architecture and faith is fascinating.

Then we went to the Basilica di San Clemente, which was beautiful. I wanted to come to this specific church since it shares the name of my home town and because they call it the "lasagna of churches." It is said to be the best place to learn about the city of Roma's archaeological evolution. This church had several layers to it (hence the lasagna..) and you descend from the most recent to medieval and paleo-Christian layers, to the lowest where the adherents of the ancient cult of Mithras met and performed grisly rituals in the long, rectangular mithraeum.

Unfortunately, neither of these places allowed photos to be taken within, but I have found some online that will give you an idea.

Next, Giorgio brought us over to his parents house for dinner. Francesca made us lasagna (how fitting!) and then served proschetto and mozzerella. His family owns a farm out in the countryside and makes their own wine, so of course, I had a taste. I'm not sure what they called it but it was good! We were then served a dolci, and I cannot exactly say what it is, but from my understanding - flour rolled up and cut into tiny balls small enough to look like peas, then fried and somehow mixed with honey and formed into a circle. It was different, not bad, not fantastic.

Then we departed to the Piazza di Repubblica where we met up for our night tour. The city is incredible at night. We drove around and saw the Colosseum and Roman Forum which gave off a majestic glow, walked through the Piazza Navona and saw the three fountains by Bernini, the Fontana del Moro, Fontana di Nettuno and of course the fantastic Fountain of Four Rivers - which unfortunately was under repairs and partially boarded up. We drove by several other places which names I have forgotten, but one of my most enjoyed was passing by the Castel Sant' Angelo and into Piazza San Pietro to view the Vatican city, enjoying the lights of Saint Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

My favorite, we took a walk to the Trevi Fountain - which is the most celebrated fountain in Roma - and it is spectacular.

Thousands of gallons of water per minute thunder to the awaiting blue pool at the base. PS... this thing is HUGE! Built in 1732 to 1762 by Nicola Salvi. It is hidden in a Piazza which we wandered through the narrow walkways hearing the thundering water proudly pouring over the magnificent sculptures.

Rumor has it that if you throw one coin into the fountain you will return to Roma, and if you throw a second, you will find love - or it will find you.

So, I grabbed one American quarter, and one Costa Rican  50 colones piece, relished in the moment and tossed my two coins wishfully into the depths of the water.

As for the how true this rumor is... 

only time will tell - but it is wonderful thinking!

Con Amore..

Bri