Vatican, Trastevere, and more Churches

Papa and I set off soon after breakfast, walking to the Vatican.  We stopped along the way at Chiesa Nuova di Santa Maria in Vallicella, just a block from our hotel.  The door was difficult to find due to all the construction in front of the Chiesa.  We stepped inside and out were amazed at how beautiful it is!  The Chiesa was built in the late 1500’s on the site of an earlier church built in the 12th century.  The side aisles were lined with chapels, each more ornate than the last. 

We continued walking with another stop at Basilica di San Giovanni Battista dei Fiorentini. 

We crossed the Ponte Principe over the Tiber River and walked up the hill to Vatican City.  St. Peter’s Square was lively with hundreds, maybe thousands of people standing in line to get into the Cathedral.  There were even more standing in line for tickets to the museums.  Papa and I walked around the Vatican walls, then sat in the Square and watched all the people, enjoyed the sculptures, the fountains, and the extraordinary architecture.

We left the Vatican at noon and walked along the river to Castel Sant’Angelo, closed for lunch.  Castel Sant’Angelo was “initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family.  It was erected between 134 and 139 AD.  The pope later used the building as a fortress and castle dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel, and it is now a museum.”  We crossed Pont Sant’Angelo, passed the Torre dell’Orologio, built 1647-1649,  then stopped for a lunch of pizza.

We stopped at our hotel for a quick break after lunch, then walked through Campo de Fiori and across the Tiber to Trastevere, for gelato at Un Gelato a Roma - delicious!  We are addicted!  We continued our walk to Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere and visited the Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere - another beautiful Basilica!  “Considered one of the oldest churches in the city dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has served as a cardinal titular church since the 3rd century.  The present basilica, large rebuilt under Pope Innocent II in the 12th century, is renowned for its medieval mosaics and Baroque interior.  It remains a vibrant parish today.”

Papa’s 80th Birthday

Today, 24 May, is Papa’s 80th birthday!  We had a nice B&B breakfast, then met Audrey’s family at 10:30.  We walked toward the Coliseum, stopping at Basilica di Sant’Andrea Della Valle.  I went there yesterday, and it is one of the most beautiful basilicas in Rome.  I enjoyed it all over again, and the rest of the family took lots of photos.  

We walked past the Coliseum enroute to lunch at a local bistro, Pasqualino Al Colosseo dal 1956 - Trattoria Romana.  We had pizzas and Napoli salad, and stopped later for gelato. 

We parted ways at 1:45, with Audrey’s family meeting a guide at the Coliseum, and Papa and I taking a self guided tour of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.  We have passed it many times, but never saw the ancient archaeological site up close.  Built between the 9th century BC and AD 608, and occupied as early as 1200 BC, it was the center of Roman life for centuries.  We enjoyed exploring.

We had a delicious dinner at Osteria Di Ponte, on the street, under an umbrella.  The waiter brought a birthday tiramisu to Papa for dessert and we sang Happy Birthday.  After dinner, we had a family video call.  Papa had lots of email birthday wishes.  He had a wonderful 80th birthday!