Breakfast in our apartment and then downstairs for espresso at the cafe on corner.
Ww then walked across to look around Piazza Navona during the day time. It's a large long elongated piazza rather than a square or circle like most. It is mostly full of tourists and hawkers selling artwork. The main fountain in the middle is quite impressive and has a large obilisk attached to the top of the statues.
We then headed further across the old town area of Roma to see the Pantheon. This is a stunning round old Roman temple. This building has been in continuous use since it was built and since the 7th century it has been used as a Catholic church/basilica. The marble marble interior is stunning, and the concrete dome is also impressive and almost two thousand years after it was built is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. Even though there were plenty or visitors inside there was still a feeling of tranquility. This building is at the edge of yet another Piazza, Piazza della Rotonda which has the Fontana del Pantheon fountain in the middle. This Piazza has a really welcoming feel to it and seems to draw many people just relaxing or enjoying the many restaurants around it's perimeter up one of the many adjoining lane ways.
After some time in the Pantheon we made our way over to the Old Roman city area of the Roman Forum and Coliseum. There is some stunning archaeological buildings in this massive area of Roma. The Roman empire was certainly an impressive civilisation. These buildings when all erected and at the height of their dominance of over the city must have been stunningly impressive. We spent a few hours wandering around the old forum area exploring the ruins that have so far been excavated. We then made our way over to the Coliseum. This is yet another amazingly impressive building. It is now in a severe state of ruin compared to what it would have been at the height of it's use in Ancient Roman times, yet it is still amazing to stand in front of. Unfortunately, and unbeknown to us, we missed the entry cut off by 3 minutes so we couldn't venture inside to explore. Not a problem as our entry ticket to the old roman forum areas is valid for two days so we can return tomorrow.
We then made our way to Trevi fountain which is yet again stunningly impressive. This is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world, which is certainly confirmed by the hordes of people gathered in front of it. Still well worth the look, yet I am very happy we are not here in Roma during peak summer tourist season.
We continued our walk north and found yet another Italian restaurant for some very late lunch. Great pasta and bruschetta and a huge bottle of Italian mineral water to wash it down.
After the break and some food for sustenance we made our way to the famous Spanish steps. There were plenty of people relaxing on the steps and around the Piazza in front of the steps. Heading further north we made our way up to the Piazza del Popolo which is an enormous Piazza with a large obelisk and fountains in the middle, an arc on the north side and two almost identical churches on the Southern edge. This is another impressive place in Roma and seemed to be full of many locals, especially younger ones meeting up for the night.
We then ventured down Via del Corso which is one of three main roads that stretch out from the Piazza del Popolo. The road was blocked off to traffic and absolutely teeming with people. This seems to the one of the main shopping areas of central Roma as the road was lined with all sorts of brand name clothing stores. It was quite an unexpected vibe though. We're not sure if this is a regular Sunday evening in this part of Roma, after everyone has spent the day at church and with family or whether we stumbled on a once a year or once a month event. It was really a happening place and great to be a part of. Intermingled with the shops every so often was a door into a church. We stuck our heads into many of them as they seemed to have an area in the entry section at the front with a viewing window/chamber. All were amazingly stunning. Amazing roof murals and intricately decorated interiors that leave any church in Australia, even our biggest ones, for dead. We ventured into one just before 6:30pm and were treated to the 6:30 mass commencing. A bell was rung and then a procession of nuns/choir singers emerged from a doorway followed be senior clergy carrying candle sticks with lit candles, and finally the Priest. It was quite an experience. Peaceful, eerie and engaging all at once. I can see how people can get caught up in the Catholic religion. This was more like a performance than any church service I have seen. It made you feel happy and peaceful. Two things that are hard to come by in everyday life.
We then continued our walk down Via del Corso stopping into a few shops for a quick look, before making our way back across towards our apartment. We wound our way through some of the amazing Roma lane ways and after we found a great Gelato store with a massise range of flavours, including about 15 soya ice cream options we found another restaurant for our dinner and some well deserved red wine after a massive day of walking. Again the food was great and cheap.
We made our way back past the Pantheon and hung around in the Piazza enjoying the atmosphere for a while before heading back towards Piazza Navona and back to our apartment around 9pm.
Another fantastic day in Roma.
