Rome Day 2
Today Shirley and I oriented ourselves to the neighborhood by our hotel. Nearby is the Piazza de la Republica, complete with fountain and busy roundabout. Right behind it are the ruins of the baths of Diocletian–which is huge huge. HUGE.
3,000 people could bathe in the steam room, exercise, swim, get clean, and have a drink all at the same time. In just one small area, Michelangelo was commissioned to design a church dedicated to Mary as queen of the angels. (Santa Maria degli Angeli). Eight of the original Roman porphyri red columns are used in the transept and the soaring ceiling floats above beautiful inlaid marble floors.
The intricate patterns are captured by Shirley’s camera.
Part of the floor design includes a sun dial and a calendar that follows through the night sky and zodiac.
We walked to the Trevi Fountain, but it was very crowded. It was a national holiday today and everyone was off work and in Rome. We didn’t bother with a fountain picture yet. Stay tuned for coin photo-op. We also went to the Spanish Steps, but the crowds were unbelievable…
We retreated to another neighborhood and found, of course, another fountain. This one is in Piazza Barbinieri.
The uncrowded fountain we visited today.
We ended the day with a meal of pasta scampi, crostini, wine, spinach, and coffee.
Shirley dives in to a plate of scampi and spaghetti.
And I want to post a picture of a lion that looks like a sculpture that my sister/friend Neno gave me some time ago…
A lioness delivers clean water to the people of Rome.
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I like the little fountain, especially since you can see it and it’s wonderful sculpture so clearly. Also loving all the variety of place that you are exploring. I may just have to get over there.
There is so much art — it’s absolutely amazing. Let me post a lion that I saw today too. It reminds me of the small sculpture you gave me in Santa Barbara.
Glad to see that food pic! Would have liked to have seen that HUGE bath area. Hope you can revisit the fountains when it isn’t so busy. Hope the natives are friendly!
Hi Stormy and Shirley,
The picture of the marble inlay looks like it is beautiful and the fountain is such an amazing work of art! The picture of the pasta scampi made my mouth water. Looks like you’re seeing some amazing sights.
xo,
Tana
Thanks for your regular posts. It’s sort of, almost as good as being there. But, we need some photos of the camerawoman.
Such smart women avoiding the crowds and having a more authentic experience! And I second Charlie on the need for camerawoman photos.