Hello my friends. 😍 Today I want to tell you about Rome, the heart of Italy. We had the opportunity to spend a weekend there and I couldn’t resist sharing our experience with you. Our first stop was the Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. This church houses Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s sculpture group, The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa. We admired the sculpture and to be honest, I had imagined the chapel’s architecture to be somewhat different. I expected the central sculpture group to be farther away, but everything was laid out in a compact design. Despite this, Bernini’s craftsmanship was impressive.
In the evening we wanted to experience the nightlife of the Italian capital. Our first stop was the Trevi Fountain. As usual it was crowded. Even in winter, which we didn’t expect. Afterward, we walked towards Quirinale. My friend didn’t have any specific requests for this trip, except for one: to see the Quirinal Palace. We went there, took some photos and admired the square. From there, we could even spot the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Next up was the Roman Forum.
After an intense day of sightseeing, we were ready for dinner. Finding an empty table in Rome’s tourist hotspots, especially in restaurants with high Google ratings, isn’t easy. Finally, we found a trattoria called Taverna Romana near the Forum. We chose dishes unique to Roman cuisine: Roman-style artichokes, pasta with tomato sauce and carbonara.
The next morning I woke up to an unpleasant surprise: my nose was blocked and I had a headache. So, we had to tweak our plans a bit. Instead of heading to the Vatican, we decided to walk toward the Spanish Steps. The weather was fantastic and we continued our tour while enjoying the Roman sunshine. Even though things didn’t go as planned, I felt better and enjoyed wandering around. Later we headed to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi, where we had the chance to see Caravaggio’s paintings on The Life of Saint Matthew. I had seen these paintings before, but back then, I wasn’t as interested in art. So I was excited to see them again.
We had a small adventure during our visit to the church. Generally taking photos in Rome’s churches isn’t an issue because they are so tourist-friendly that they almost feel like museums. To view Caravaggio’s works in the chapel, you need to turn on a light by inserting a small fee: 1 euro for 2 minutes or 2 euros for 4 minutes.
We came prepared with our pockets full of coins. However, on our way to the church, we saw a young boy around nine years old singing on the street. I didn’t want to take a photo of him without his permission, but his brave singing touched us so much that we gave him all our spare change, including the 2 euros coins. As a result, we only had 1 euro left for the church and had to wait for other tourists to turn on the light. 😂
There were two women near us and when they learned that they needed to pay to turn on the light, they reacted with surprise saying, “1 euro? No way.” However, for just 1 euro, you could see three Caravaggio masterpieces.
Caravaggio's works as always, deeply moved me. But this time, I couldn’t form the same emotional connection as I do when looking at photos of them in the quiet comfort of home. Perhaps it was the usual tourist crowds or the relaxed, carefree mood of this trip that influenced my experience.
Our next stop was Piazza Navona. From there we proceeded toward Castel Sant’Angelo. Passing by the Italian Senate building, we noticed the doors were open and we could see people inside. We even spotted a senator entering, though we weren’t sure if it was for work or a personal visit. It was an interesting detail nonetheless. Eventually, we arrived at Piazza Navona.
As we exited the piazza, we caught the scent of a famous sandwich shop from Florence. People were enjoying these sandwiches even at 11 am. We also noted the archaeological excavations of the Domitian Stadium beneath the square, though we didn’t visit the museum this time, just made a mental note for the future.
Heading toward Castel Sant’Angelo, I hadn’t expected the crowds. The bridge was bustling with people, but the view was amazing.
Then we made our way to St. Peter’s Basilica. There was a long line at the entrance. I had visited St. Peter’s several times before on guided tours, but my friend hadn’t been there yet. Still we decided to skip the interior visit this time and save it for another trip. Instead we opted for a relaxing lunch. My friend, as usual, was glued to his phone. But he was actually planning the route for our next destination. A less pleasant event unfolded at the table next to us: someone’s bag was stolen. I want to warn all tourists traveling to Italy, especially Rome, to always keep an eye on their belongings. Pickpockets and thieves are prevalent here. The theft happened so quickl. A person approached the table, grabbed the bag and disappeared. Even the restaurant staff admitted that they’re hesitant to provide extra chairs for bags because the risk of theft is so high.
After a long walk through the streets of Rome, we stopped for lunch at a restaurant. Although we didn’t have traditional Roman dishes, all the ingredients were fresh and sourced from local producers. After the meal we continued exploring. We visited the Pantheon and later met with an old classmate of mine. Our short but delightful conversation became an unforgettable memory. The evening didn’t end there; we met some friends of my companion who live in Rome. They took us to a restaurant off the beaten tourist path.
Surprisingly the restaurant featured primarily Tuscan cuisine. Our friends wanted to treat us to something familiar, but we would have preferred to try more local flavors. Fortunately the menu included a few Roman dishes, which my friend chose, while I ordered a classic tartare. However, at such gatherings, the food isn’t the highlight. It’s the conversation that matters. Spending time with people you haven’t seen in a long time is far more valuable.
The next morning we planned a walking tour through the city, covering the main attractions of ancient Rome before heading to the train station. To quickly reach our starting point, we took the metro. Along the way we passed by the Capuchin Crypt. The decorations made entirely of human bones are fascinating, but we weren’t in the mood for such a macabre visit, so we skipped it.
At Circo Massimo we learned about a virtual reality tour with 3D glasses showing how the ancient site looked in its prime. However, with limited time we chose a simple walk around the area. This trip also served as preparation for a future visit. We plan to bring our nephew to Rome for his birthday to show him the Colosseum. Thinking about how to organize a trip with two kids, including his younger sibling, we jotted down some notes.
During our journey we came across monuments that reminded us of past struggles. One located in the former Jewish Ghetto, was particularly moving. Why does humanity struggle to live in peace? These thoughts weighed on me as we witnessed history and embraced the tranquility of the present.
Finally we reached Teatro di Marcello, one of Rome’s lesser-known treasures. Its sheer size and aesthetic beauty are awe-inspiring and you can visit it for free. It’s a must-see for anyone interested in archaeology or photography.
As we continued walking the city’s constant buzz became evident. Sometimes we were tempted to enter a basilica, but the weariness from climbing stairs held us back. Despite my friends lack of specific requests, the dynamic streets of Rome always offered something to marvel at: important delegations bustling to and fro. Lately I’ve been pondering an intriguing theory I recently heard: some claim that ancient cities were deliberately buried, that history as we know it is a lie and that humanity developed differently than we’ve been told. But walking through Rome and witnessing its layered growth over thousands of years is enough to debunk such theories. The city’s architecture and art stand as evidence of a culture shaped by centuries of life.
At the Roman Forum every corner revealed a new marvel. The historical richness and artistic brilliance surrounding us were breathtaking. Our last stop was the Church of Santa Francesca Romana, one of Rome’s hidden gems. With its elegance and lack of tourists, it offered a peaceful visit. The intricate decorations and art inside could be explored in detail.
This day in Rome offered a captivating blend of art, history and culture. Yet, with the physical exhaustion and emotional overflow, we knew it was time to conclude our journey. I hope this recount captures the spirit of Rome for you. Thank you for your support and comments. I wish you a wonderful day, week or weekend ahead, my friends. 😍
