Around Rome

Wednesday, December-15-10  9:30 PM

Today was a fairly leisurely day. We left the hotel around 10AM to head for the Time Elevator experience/ride on a small street,  an alleyway really, off the Via Del Corso. It was cool, about 5C degrees but sunny, a briskly fine day. Walking through neighbourhoods, using our noses where we could and the map when it became too confusing, we ambled along past shops of all descriptions, over cobblestone alleys, and across broad boulevards. In all directions we could glimpse bits of gardens, courtyards, ancient and modern buildings merged into a united landscape. On the way we passed by a section of the Roman Forum which is currently under excavation. The Forum was originally an inhospitable marsh; once drained it became a place for trade and barter. Eventually shops were built and a large central market was established. Next came places for public ceremonies, for the administration of justice, and for religious worship. By the time of Augustus inthe early 1^st century AD it had become Rome’s secular, religious, and commercial centre. Once Christianity took hold churches replaced some of the former temples. The area was greatly damaged during raids by invading barbarians (our ancestors) and fell into disuse – in the Middle Ages it was simply used as pasture land and as a site for building materials. Now extensive archaeological work is showing much about the everyday life of the people of Rome under the Republic and the Empire. We passed one place where the niches used by shopkeepers stood clearly out from their surroundings.

Close by is the immense Trajan column, about 40 meters in height; its surface is covered with an elaborate frieze, as-it-were unscrolled up the height of the column. On the frieze are hundreds of figures, depicting the narratives of the two great victories of Trajan around 100AD. A statue of Trajan which at one time stood at the head of the column was replaced in the 16^th century by one of St. Peter – the nouveau conqueror.

After a few false forays we found our way to the Time Elevator “exhibit.” The company owning the “Elevator” has developed several short films that are shown in a special room with seats that move about, as well as other special effects. Their main film is a 45 minute tour of the history of Rome, stressing the way in which the past and the present in fact co-exist in Rome, just as we would have to agree, they do everywhere all of the time. It is cleverly done, giving a rapid overview in an amusing and entertaining way that children or adults can appreciate. We saw another 15 minute program as well called, An Ode to Life. It was in 3D but had many of the special effects of the Rome film as well. It began with the Big Bang. The narrator was careful to say that “some experts” believe that that is how the universe began. From there we were taken through a rapid-fire look at evolution up to the present. Again, fun and interesting, though not for the fundamentalist crowd.

On our way back to the hotel we came across a park barely visible behind ancient walls. Mark was convinced that there was a way into the place though none was in evidence. Looking down a side street we saw a small open gate, and yes, that was the entrance – available to the public during daylight hours. To enter one had to climb up two or three flights of stairs. At the top was a lovely setting: islands of raised greenery with various kinds of trees and surrounded by flat stones. Around these were paths that meandered through the not overly large area. On one side was an ancient villa, fenced off from the park; on the other was the Via Nationale with its heavy traffic two flights below. Benches were placed throughout for resting and contemplating the beauty of the scene.

Close to the Termini we came upon what looked like an ancient church, which we entered. It had been constructed in the 16^th century within the walls of the Diocletian baths. Michelangelo, who seems to have had a hand in so much in Rome had been one of the architects who worked on its design. The church is an unusual shape because of the constrictions of the original building. On entering one sees three large chapels, any one of which could be the main altar. Off to one side is an exhibit area with photographs of work that has been done to understand more about the original baths and the changes made when the area was converted to a church.

After our long walk and adventures we purchased sandwiches and retired to our room for a lazy afternoon of eating, reading and snoozing. Later we left the den to forage for supper and to walk about a now much chillier neighbourhood. It is going down to about 0C degrees here at night, nothing like what we understand you are experiencing in Canada.

Remember to scroll to the bottom for more photos. And, take a minute and send me an email to tell me how things are in Toronto and with you. Cheers. Brenda.