Day
6 - December 2, 2017 – Rome, Italy
We did sleep in for a bit; but since this is our last day
here, we need to get organized and start packing for the next leg of our
adventure. So after finishing all the
food that was left in the apartment, which wasn’t much, we walked to catch the
hop-on, hop-off bus to take in those final places still on our list to see.
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| The view from the top of the Spanish Steps |
The Spanish Steps … Yes, we did see them a couple days ago, but
I had this great urge to climb them, which we did, all 135 of them. The steps
were built in 1725 linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy to the Santissima Trinita
Dei Monti church on the top. But once
on top of the Spanish Steps, there’s another flight of steps up to the church …
and once on top of those steps, there are still more steps up to the door of
the church! But definitely worth the effort! The top provides a wonderful
panoramic view of the City.
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| Looking up at Santissima Trinita Dei Monti Church |
Santissima Trinita Dei Monti Church … Construction on this
church began in 1502, built next to a monastery by Louis XII of France to
celebrate his invasion of Naples. It was
consecrated in 1585 by Pope Sixtus V. This is yet another lovely church with
side chapels of the Baptism of Christ, the Assumption of Mary, the Passion of
Christ, the Coronation of Mary, the Annunciation and the Visitation, as well as
many other paintings and sculptures. France was the patron of this church until
2006 when it was entrusted to the Monastic Fraternities of Jerusalem. From here
we walk down to …
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| Main altar of Santissima Trinita Dei monti Church |
Fontana di Trevi … I know, we’re all familiar with the Trevi
Fountain, but did you know it is the largest Baroque fountain in the City and said to be the most beautiful in the world? Traditionally, if you throw a coin in it, you are ensured to return to the City! (We tossed a coin in June, 1973) But why is it here? Aqueducts were built starting in 19 B.C., first to provide thermal baths for the Emperor; and by the 4 th century there were 1352 fountains at the end of aqueducts in
Rome. During the Renaissance, the Popes
started to decorate the ends of these aqueducts with beautiful, elaborate
decorations, with future popes continuing to make changes. In 1762 the Trevi
Fountain was officially completed. The facade has symbolic meanings, is very detailed … and seems to be much larger
than I remember from years ago! We hop
back on the bus to our last of the four major Basilicas in Rome …
The Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore (Basilica of Mary Major)
… This first church dedicated to Mary, Mother of God, is truly an amazing Basilica.
From the mosaics in the central nave, the ceiling of gilded wood, the numerous
ornate and/or humble chapels, the elegant high altar, the relic of the Holy
Crib … every color, painting, sculpture and ornament resonate church history
and spiritual devotion. Tradition says the Virgin Mary herself inspired the
location for the church by appearing in a dream to both Pope Liberius and
Patrician John. On August 5, the location was covered in snow and the Pope
traced the perimeter of the basilica in the snow. Patrician John financed the
construction. Once again I am so humbled
and honored to pray the rosary in such a beautiful, holy church.
It was difficult to leave the church … you just want to stay
there and to contemplate all God wants you to know! But we ventured back to the apartment for
more mundane cleanup and packing and getting things in order for our very early
departure tomorrow. But because we’re on
the go all day tomorrow, we attended Mass this evening at …
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| Front altar of St. John the Baptist of Forentini |
Final reflections on Rome … The driving is still crazy with
cars, trucks and buses driving within inches of each other, darting in and out
with smooth transition. But there is a lot less blowing of horns or leaning out
of the windows to give directions or have a few choice words for other
drivers! The weirdest for me are what I
call the “half cars” … those cars that are about half the size of regular cars,
or even smaller, generally without any back seats. They are very common in Rome. Parking can be
nose-to-nose … I have no idea now they get out of the spot once they’re in
because there’s literally only inches between bumpers. And the little half-cars
will often park sideways! And double
parking is just an accepted way of keeping the streets clogged! (my opinion)
Most women are very stylish and everyone, men and women,
wear scarves (the temperatures were in the 40s and 50s all week). The food is
delicious. There are many pizza places which serve pizzas plus other culinary delights.
All pizzas have very, very thin crusts.
Most people eat dinner late … restaurants start filling up after 8
p.m. One weekday evening a birthday
party of 8-10 people started about 9 p.m. in a place where we were just
finishing up. Those entrepreneurs vying for our coins in the plazas are always interesting and entertaining. The washer in our
apartment was unique … just one machine the size of a dishwasher that washed,
then dried the clothes. Because of the
Vatican and so many religious institutions of higher education located here, it
is very common to see many priests and nuns walking the streets, in the shops
and in the restaurants.
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