So today was the day that we did the Rossi-Espagnet Rome Walk. This is supposed to be a 3-4 hour walk (which I’m pretty sure we turned into 5 or 6) that hits many of the smaller sights that aren’t as well known as say, the colosseum.
The walk begins at some old Roman ruins.
Roman Ruins
The first stop along the tour is the American Embassy or Margherita Palace. It was orginally built to house the King’s mother.
Margherita Palace
We then proceeded on to San Maria della Concezione dei Cappucini which is the church that is run by the Capuchin Order of the Monks. This happened to be closed when we were there so we had to return to it later so I will put more details in later about it. From here we went by the Fountain of the Bees. The bees represent the Coat of Arms of the Barberini family but this is only a copy as the original was demolished a century ago. This led us into Piazza Barberini which houses Triton’s Fountain which is a creation of Bernini who was responsible for the above fountain. Triton is the original though
We then walked to the gardens (and entrance) to the palace of the Barberini which is now an important art museum. And just in case you are wondering by now, the Barberini family was an important noble family for centuries in Italy.
That also happens to be the location of a Rossi-Espagnet wedding reception! Finally we moved on after admiring the beautiful gardens. Our next big sight was the walls of the Presidential Palace or Quirinale. Behind the walls is where women in the 18th century would bring their clothes to wash them since there was no indoor plumbing.
Our next stop was lunch. There was a small pizza place that served by the slice that was amazingly good. It was a perfect place too!
Upon leaving lunch, we immediately came to Trevi Fountain. This is one of the most amazing pieces of work in Rome to me. It was gorgeous! This fountain was built in celebration of the re-opening of an aqueduct that was originally built by Roman Emperor Agrippa.
Trevi Fountain
There is also a tradition of throwning coins backwards over your left shoulder to ensure a return trip. So of course, David and I had to do this!
David and I throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain
Before leaving this area, we took a quick look behind us to see a church, Church of Saints Nicola e Anastasio, which although very plain architecurally, interesting in the fact that it holds the organs of popes from 1590 to the mid 1800s in urns. However, we decided to continue on our way. We passed by a monument to King Victor Emmanuel II which is also known as “the Wedding Cake” but more on that later! We then arrived at the remaining Colonnade of Hadrian’s Temple.
This was built in 150 AD so the “moat” around the building is actually the original level of Rome. My question was (as dumb as it may sound!) why is everything so much higher now? Well, it seems that since things were not completely demolished before a new building was started, the general ground level has been built up over the years.
Original Level of Ancient Rome - Moat around Hadrian's Temple
Another thing that was pointed out was that there are holes in all of the columns on this building. These spots were left when metal clips were removed during the middle ages when iron was scarce. This is the case with many buildings and columns that were marble.
Holes in the Marble Columns
Finally after this interesting history lesson, we were on to the Pantheon. Now, this building is steeped in history. It was originally built in 25 AD by Agrippa and expanded 150 years later by Hadrian. It was built as a pagan temple and retained that status because emperors’ bodies (who were venerated as gods) were placed here. In about 600 AD it became a Christian Church which is why it is still around today.
Pantheon
There were a few interesting facts about it that grabbed me. The first is that the cupola (or dome) is the largest one that has ever been built. The second is that there is a small square missing from the dome right above the entrance. This was removed in order for someone to determine what the dome was created from.
Inside View of the Cupola at the Pantheon
Can you find the missing square?
Here's the hole in the Cupola
As we walked we passed two columns that belonged to Nero’s Bath.
Columns from Nero's Bath
We then passed Palazzo Madama which is the current seat of the Italian Senate.
Italian Senate
Our next point of interest was Piazza Navona. This part was gorgeous. It is believed to be where mock naval battles used to take place. The piazza was only the floor of what used to be the arena.
Piazza Navona
In this area, there is a fountain and a church. The church is the chapel of a noble family that used to be in Italy. The architect that built the church is noted to have made the building have a concave facade so if you stand close to it and look up it seems to be falling.
Up close view of the Leaning ChurchThe church is in the background
The fountain was built by a rival architect and represents the four major rivers that were then known to the world. However, upon building the fountain, the architect used it to criticize the church’s leaning facade. He built the Rio de la Plata with a hand up as if to shield himself from the falling building.
The part of the fountain that is shielding from the falling church
The remainder of the fountain
The first architect then placed a statue of St. Agnes on top of the church as if to say “I’ll protect you.”
St. Agnes
We walked down towards the Tiber from here. We crossed it on the Pont Saint Angelo which is lined with angel statues.
Pont St. Angelo
Another view of Pont St. Angelo
At the opposite end of the bridge, we approached Castel St. Angelo. It was originally built to house the ashes of emperors but underwent many changes and ended up as a fortress. It currently houses a museum of old weapons and armor.
Castel St. Angelo
Another interesting aspect to this is that it was and is connect to the Vatican by a tunnel that runs through a wall. The Pope would use this as a passage to the fortress during attacks on Rome whether by barbarians or rival states.
The end of the Pope's passage that enters Castel St. Angelo
The Pope's passage going into Vatican City
Before finishing up our tour, our attention was directed to the building of justice or the courthouse in Rome.
Rome's Courthouse
We then proceeded down Reconciliation Avenue to catch a Taxi in front of St. Peters. Reconciliation Avenue was built by Mussolini in 1936 to celebrate the re-opening of relations between Italy and the Vatican.
Walking to St. Peter's
At this point, we proceeded back to the hotel for a short rest before dinner. We then changed and headed off to see family for dinner.
View of St. Peter's from the family apartment
Enjoying a pre-dinner drink
Family Mingling
After dinner we headed directly back to the hotel to get some rest for what was going to be a busy day to come.
Hadrian's Temple
Lunch in Rome
Presidential palace
Barberini Gardens
Fountain of Bees
Triton's Fountain in Piazza Barberini
