Today was the second day of classes and I only had Italian, so despite some sleeping in, Noelle and I decided to venture into the city after school. We had no plan in particular but we knew that we wanted to explore so off we went.
9.7 miles later...
Greatest self-guided tour ever.
We left school and picked up a slice of pizza from the nearest Pizzeria and headed back through the Aurelian walls (which contain downtown Rome). We walked through the Piazza del Popolo and followed the road straight back to the Spanish Steps to snap a couple more photos and look around a bit more without a tour guide. As we took in the view, we couldn't help but ask ourselves what set these steps apart from any other. Yes, I admit they are beautiful to look at and certainly one of a kind, however, the amount of tourists that just plop down on and occupy them for hours make them an eye sore. I am hoping to revisit them for a third time on a day that is not quite as busy tourism-wise.
From there, we walked to the Trevi Fountain. As we approached the Piazza di Trevi, the sounds of splashing water filled the air. We came around the corner, coming face-to-face with the famous fountain. I was truly speechless (which is a miracle on its own if you know me). You hear about the fountain, see it in movies and snapshots on the internet but you cannot truly grasp the grandeur of it until you are close enough to smell the water. I honestly did not expect the fountain to be as large or detailed as it is in person. I threw a penny into the fountain, made a wish and savored the moment as the coin floated to the bottom. When we got home we were informed that according to Roman legend the number of coins you toss equates to the different types of luck you will receive:
1 coin-- Guarantees a return trip to Roma before you die.
2 coins--Guarantees a new love
3 coins--Guarantees marriage... or divorce haha
Looks to me like we'll be making a second trip to the fountain during our stay. I am hoping to take it in at night. I can't even fathom how gorgeous that would be.
Next, we stumbled (quite literally) upon the Holy Apostles' Basilica. Thank goodness for Noelle and her gate fetish or else we would have never taken notice of the incognito church, which from the outside looks like a glorified apartment building. Unfortunately, the church did not allow photography once inside. There was very low lighting in the church but it boasted about 12 of the most beautiful chapels off-shooting on each side of the equally magnificent church. Each of which had been built, cared for and passed down through generations of the same families for centuries. The one plaque read that it had been cared for by the family since 1494. The main altar boasts the entrance to the tombs for whom the church was built to honor: Phillip and James (the younger). Above the alter is a beautiful, 3-dimensional painting of the heavens opening up and angels falling from the sky. The painting is known as the Fall of the Rebellious Angels. I could not look away. It was amazing and terrifying all at once. This will sound a bit dramatic but it was the type of art that makes you have to hold on to a something to steady yourself as a reminder that it is inanimate. Here is a photo I found of it (although it in no way does it justice):
After spending an hour or so inside the church I left convinced that there could not be a more unbelievable building on this planet but I was incorrect.
Next, we accidentally headed into Ancient Rome and checked out the Forta d'Imporli, the Monumento a Victorio Emmanuel II and the Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven. Unfortunately, I am getting a bit sleepy (It's almost 2 AM here) so here are some photos:
Forta d'Imporli:
Monumento a Victor Emmanuel II:
Basilica of St. Mary of the Altar of Heaven:
After all that we were EXHAUSTED and decided to call it a day with only one question left on our minds: Which way was home?
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