On my third day, I went to Ghetto di Roma, one of the oldest ghettos in the world as well as stopped over at the Roma Farmers’ Market. It was very similar one to New York’s Union Square Farmers’ Market where you can find organic fresh vegetables, fruits, natural products such as Bio-Nutrici.
I took a walk though Palatine Hill where the Roman Emperors once live and now you will find mostly ruins of palaces and homes of some Rome’s richest familes. From there, it was a stones throw away to the Roman Forum, which originally was a marsh, but the Romans drained the area and turned it into a center of political and social activity. The Forum was the marketplace of Rome and also the business district and civic center. It was expanded to include temples, a senate house and law courts. It is considered one of the most important archeological sites in the world.
The Colloseum was built in the center of the city of Rome between 70-72 AD, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering. It can seat 50,000 spectators and it was used to be a place for gladiatorial contest and public spectacles.
After a very long day, I capped off the evening at Hotel Locarino where I relaxed over an apperitivo with some friends.
On my second day in Rome, I wanted to seek out some of the local residents and traditions. I went to a public square and saw many talented musicians and I even witnessed a couple getting married! That was very special.
Then, I was off The Pantheon, the world’s oldest dome building with the entire roof still in tact built between 25-27 BC It stands as the most complete Roman structure on earth, having survived 20 centuries of plunder, pillage and invasion. The Pantheon contains the tombs of Rafael and of several Italian Kings. Pantheon is a Greek word meaning “to honor all Gods.”
I walked to the Fontana di Trevi, the largest Baroque fountain in the city.
A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Among those who are unaware that a reported current interpretation is that two coins will lead to a new romance and three will ensure either a marriage or divorce. A reported current version of this legend is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one’s right hand over one’s left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain. It may look familiar was also featured in the very famous movie “La Dolce Vita”.
An estimated 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome’s needy.
Of all of the trips that I have taken I have been dreaming of this one for a very long time. 5 amazing days to Rome, Italy, a city rich in cuisine, culture and history.
On my first day I dove right in! First stop: The Colonnato del Bernini (the colonnade of St Peter’s Square), take a look at the Swiss guards (they are the Pontifical Guards in the Vatican City), I drank from running water in the streets of Rome, and take in the sites at Castel Sant’ Angelo (initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family, the building was later used as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum).
My first dinner was at “Mimi & Coco Wine Bar” and it was delicious! I followed dinner by roaming the streets in search of the best Italian Gelato Rome had to offer.
I felt that Rome was more beautiful at night, the way the lanterns illuminate the narrow cobbled stone streets that are the same today as they were 2,000 years ago. With the he statue of Giordano Bruno in the background, the Colosseum a short walk away, the silence of the city left me questioning what other pieces of history that was hidden in the shadows.
