Sunday, November 7, 2010

Day 3 - Rome

Sunday - November 7, 2010
KS didn't sleep much last night so was up early finding a church to attend mass at - while EC slept and slept and slept!  By the time EC finally rose, we had time to get to a 10:30am mass.  I picked Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, Rome's only Gothic church, the church contains the tomb of Pope Paul IV (died in 1559) is here also.  There is a beautiful center alter and two smaller chapels on the sides.  The mass was in Italian, and the priest saying the mass was at least 110 years old and stood all of about 4'-6" - we certainly missed the meaning of the homily - but understood the structure of the mass, was very very nice to attend a mass in Italian.  There were only about 7 of us attending the mass - I think all the Catholics must be divided among the 100's of churches - which results in lower attendance.  No collection and no wine - interesting differences.

Piazza delia Minerva with the marble elephant - Pantheon visible in background

Remembrances - EC and KS lit candles for loved ones

Roof of the church entrance

Interior of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

Michelangelo statue "Risen Christ with the Cross"

Small side chapel where we went to mass

Santa Maria Sopra Minerva - very unimposing exterior

So many Piazzas!


Interior with random tourists :-)



Outside the church in Piazza della Minerva, is one of Rome's best loved statues, a 6th century Egyptian obelisk on the back of a marble elephant.  The inscription at the base reads "A strong mind is necessary to support solid wisdom".

The surrounding streets of this area of Rome is called the Regola district - along Via dei Giubboari is a fascinating area was once the Theatre of Pompey (built between 61 and 55BC).  It has a diameter of 480 feet and could hold 18,000 spectators - it has a sunken area in the middle where the remains of the original structures remain.  It is just so unbelievable that these structures (although partial) are still standing today.

We saw ALOT of cats - in the sunken area - do they control the mice? 

Remains of the Theatre of Pompay

Remains of the Theatre of Pompay - dating back to 61BC

Theatre of Pompay

Theatre of Pompay

A fabric store - want to stop?
 Across the street looks to be a GREAT fabric store - closed on Sunday but marked on the map to return on "Tessuti" day :-) (The day we are going to all the fabric stores ;-)

We were surprised and delighted to find that "Our" bakery was open - Amaretto cookies?  Shaum Torte?  Biscotti that is very tasty and many great ideas for Christmas Cookies.

We visited an exhibition that is dedicated to the genius of Leonardo Da Vinci called Big Machines - it was great but of course I loved the wooden bicycle the best :-)




Helicopter over Rome = Pope is in the city

Oh look - is that a LUSH store in Italy?

Pasta Pasta Pasta - so many colors and shapes!



They wouldn't let me ride it, but it works!


The Bridge
Entrance of the Bridge of Angels with Castel Saint Angelo in the background

Bridge of Angels

Bridge of Angels


Next was the Bridge of Angels (remember it from Angels and Demons?) that leads to the Castel Saint Angelo.  The building is built as a fortress but today is a museum of collections of ceramics and weapons.

 The bridge with all the stone angels - which are replicas of Bernini's original statues line the approach.  It is a very peaceful setting as the bridge runs across the Tiber River.





 It was Sunday - and most shops closed, but we walked along a street called Via Dei Coronari - it made you feel like you were back in medieval times with antique shops lining the street.  EC has this on her list to come back to!

We headed back to the Piazza Navona, people watched with the best Gelato that we have tasted yet.    Because it was Sunday night we made dinner in - fresh Fettuccine, tomatoes  - the tomatoes are fabulous!


One thing I forgot to write about was the KS took a fall on cobblestones on Saturday.  I caught the toe of my shoe on a raised cobblestone and was headed straight down to a face plant.  Having broken my right wrist a few years ago, I actually had time to roll onto my shoulder - but yes, flat down in the street.  EC was behind me wondering if 911 would work in Rome, or do you have to dial 1-911 or 011-1-911.  The good news is that I didn't get run over by a car or a scooter or anything else, and that the dampness on the cobblestones appeared to be water!  No worse for wear - but feel lucky.  I understand with every passing year why my mother always feared taking a spill.

Happy daylight saving day to all in the states - onto more adventures tomorrow.
K and EC

Human Statue in Piazza Nevona

Is that really a VOLVO SUV? 

Fresh Mozzarella, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and Italian wine - YUMMM


St Peters from the Bridge of Angels

Tiber River that flows through Rome

Beautiful stone angels

Castel Saint Angelo

Saint Peters

Stone angel on the bridge




Yes, on the right is a BIKE PATH!!




ALOT of angels!





















1 comment:

  1. I showed Mel Da Vinci's wooden bike picture!!! It was a new invention to me...almost looks like my new folding bike!?!?

    ReplyDelete