Follow the Ringenberg Road: Rome Continued

Trevi Fountain

October 23-24, 2015

Rome Continued

We are getting ready to leave Rome in the morning so I want to try and get the blog up to date on our Rome adventures. Yesterday, we decided to get out early and check out Trevi Fountain, of Three Coins in a Fountain fame, and the Spanish steps. We took the Metro and walked the rest of the way. When we got to the fountain, it was closed for renovation so no three coins for us. We did get to see it without water. Boo Hoo.

Spanish Steps

Next, we walked to the Spanish steps, which are a famous meeting point in Rome. They were also under renovation, so we didn’t get to walk up them, just look. We were thinking that we were batting zero but the day was going to improve.

We have some friends from church, Kerry and Susie Shelton, who were also in Rome yesterday and we had planned to meet for lunch, so we boarded the Metro again and headed to their hotel. We even had taken a picture of the Google earth screen with directions but when we got out of the Metro we were all turned around and headed the wrong direction. It didn’t take us long to realize that we were heading the wrong way, so we turned around and headed where we were supposed to be. They were waiting for us in front of their hotel.

Piazza Navona

We walked to the Santo Antonia church, which was beautiful, walked through the Piazza Navona where all the artists were out displaying their art, and ended up at the Pantheon, which served as a model for Michelangelo’s Dome of St Peter’s. It was built around two thousand years ago. The only lighting for the church comes from the top of the dome. It is a masterpiece.

Pantheon

Dome of the Pantheon

By this time, we were hungry and our friends were still in jet lag, so we headed off to Vatican City before it closed via walking. We made it there in time to get into the Vatican Museum/Sistine Chapel via a guided tour. The Vatican is huge so we added thousands of steps to the fitbit, for sure. After viewing hundreds of pieces of outstanding and beautiful art of various forms, we ended up in the Sistine Chapel, which is stunning, to say the least. It took Michelangelo four years to paint the ceiling. With all the other art present in the chapel, as well, it was a breathtaking experience. We then were able to go into St Peter’s Basilica, which is the one of the largest churches on earth. Mammoth comes to mind. It is filled with all kinds of art, elaborate carvings, mosaics, sculptures and anything else you can think of. Gorgeous, but mind-boggling. I’m glad that we don’t have to rely on fancy buildings for worship, but that the Lord lives in the hearts and lives of those who believe in Him.

Last evening we met up with Kerry and Susie again and went out to dinner at a wonderful Italian restaurant. The food and service were fabulous, as well as the company. A great memory to add to our trip.

St Peter's Basilica

This morning, we took the Metro to catch a bus to the Appian way and the catacombs. This particular site is just outside of the city walls. It is a more rural, beautiful and peaceful setting. We walked a two mile section of the road and visited the Catacombs of St Sabastian. No one could be buried within the city of Rome before the 4^th century so there are thousands of underground tombs where the Christians were buried. Most of the pagans were cremated because they didn’t believe in the bodily resurrection. We were able to walk through several levels of the tombs. Very interesting! The tour ended at the church that stands over the site. There are 60 catacomb sites in the Rome area. We just saw one site.

Michelangelo's Pieta in St Peter's Basilica

After returning to the city, we walked around the area of the Vittoreo Emanuele Monument and climbed to some good lookouts over the Forum. We went to a few other churches, one standing over the traditional site of the prison where Peter and Paul spent some time. Unfortunately, the prison site was closed for renovation. In this area is also Trajan’s Column and Forum. We then walked up to the church of Santa Maria Maggiore where they were having mass in two languages, taking confessions in at least four languages, and a male choir was practicing some Gregorian chants. Busy place and elaborate, as well.

Inside St Peter's Basilica

By this time, we stopped to get something to eat, and picked up some groceries for breakfast and our train trip to Naples in the morning. Visiting Rome has been an unforgettable experience. It leaves us with wonder and awe.