Day 372 – EU – Italy [Rest Day in Rome]

11/04/21

 Rest day in Rome (Italy, Europe)

A city like I’ve never seen before, totally blown away by Rome

Foro Romano

I let the morning rain pass and waited till late morning to venture outdoors. The plan was clear, I wanted to crisscross the city centre and pass by all the major landmarks of the city. I knew that one day to visit Rome would be very short. Yesterday’s arrival into Rome was fairly hectic, busy with loads of traffic. I was hoping for a quieter Sunday. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The Coliseum

What struck me instantly is that everywhere I walked, there was something of interest. I started from Villa Borghese and walked towards the Coliseum via the Basilica Papale Santa Maria Maggiore. Then towards the Forto Romano, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. I then crossed the Tiber River via the Bridge St Angelo, towards the Castel Sant’ Angelo and over I walked to the Vatican. St Peter Piazza, the Basilica… Of course I could not visit the inside of any of the monuments. I will have to come back later to see the painted roof of the Sistine Chapel. But what a pleasure this walk across Rome has been.

The Trevi Fountain

I could have stayed all day just by the Coliseum and the Park scattered with all the ancient ruins of the Foro Romano. In the absence of any tourists, the place was almost magical with tranquility and you could nearly be transported in time just looking at it long enough. The Vatican was equally surprising and eerie. I was almost on my own on Place St Peter in front of the Basilica. This place is immense. How humbling to stand there, in the middle of it, surrounded by all the roman columns and beautiful architecture. And what a feeling to “discover” at the corner of an empty street, the Trevi Fountain. A police car parked in one corner, two youngsters eating a sandwich, and there, in the middle, stunning, the fountain… for no other but me today… how incredible.

It was a fabulous day – and I know I will come back there one day, Rome is an extraordinary city – I’ve seen many… but nothing quite like this one!