Five days. That's all the time I had in Rome. It wasn't very much time to spend in this City, given its enormitude to the West. But I - with my esteemed travel companions - did the best we could to steep well in the Roman stew of history while enjoying what Rome had to offer 4 inquiring modern minds.
In that short time, I quickly learned that the concept of 'modern', to the Romans, has a slightly different meaning than I am used to. One phenomenal thing about travel - forced reframing of context.
Inspiring a moment of reflection, this snail slides along this relic of the Empire. Baths of Diocletian.
Another moment inspired, but here on the ruins of the Roman Forum.
My brother in silhouette near the top of this covered stairway - behind the 5th century-era church, San Pietro in Vincoli - known locally as the "Wicked Way" for its association with the nefarious doings of the Borgia's. This day, though barely visible, the old stairway played host to a busker playing his violin.
Hipsters of Rome, unite! Some serious urban resourcefulness in the city's tightest quarters.
"Participate - Organize - Occupy - Don't Delay Squat Today!" Public messages from the Roman Left.
I almost didn't notice this gage on my walk along the banks of the Tiber (THE Tiber!!) which runs right through the center of Rome. It most certainly appears to be in place to measure the level of the river during overflow - and when it happens, one can imagine, may include some volume from the Cloaca.
I had a lot of fun climbing around the hillside north of the Colleseum, and managed to find a great spot to capture some of what this monument may have looked like in a more vegetated space. Kinda nice with the green.
Vatican Fortress-City.
I was struck hard by my first, unexpected impression when seeing this walled city within a city. I realized the primary function of this entire edifice is that of protection and defense, a bulwark It is most definitely militaristic in nature and purpose, and first undoubtedly noticeable when approaching the museum entrance. It was to this entrance where I aimed to arrive early (to something, for once..) thinking to get in before the late Friday night tour I had booked online. They were unfortunately pretty strict about closing down between regular operating hours and the later, Friday Night-at-the-Museum hours - which was an awesome time of the day to be in a museum like the Vatican's, but was also nowhere near enough time for a a full immersion.
So....with almost an hour to spare before my tour time, I walked myself across the street, ordered a drink, and while sipping it took some photos of the nearby fortress walls. This break sparked in me, along with that burning burst of boozy-buzzy energy, an impulse to encircle the entire perimeter of the fortification. So I did. It was an enlightening walk, and as after all my favorite such walks I was left both with more questions about this unique theocractic State and some decent photos.
Even better, I made my tour start time and still I had a few minutes to wait for my group and even managed to scrawl out a few extra postcards. Vibing on the high of a brisk walk and the warm feeling of writing home I was ready for something like a deep spritual experience at this center to Catholicism. Instead, I got a pretty raw dose of early European expansionism and a lesson in opulence that would put to shame the vanity of most of the world's royalty. Sure, a majority of the stuff is priceless, pretty, and much of it ancient. Yet under the veneer is indubitably and unmistakeably the simmering history of brutality, repression, and fear that underlies the Church's evangelical approach to the acquistion of most of the items in the Vatican Museum.
From the southwest hill just outside the City, the fortress takes clear shape. Although the trees do a great job minimizing the dramatic effect.
A rear entrance to the Vatican - for rail! But sealed tight. I found this pretty cool spot on my jaunt around the fort-city, and it's complete with its own raised railway and bridge over this section of Rome.
An old Vatican chapel just inside the fort-city, and rather than have it demolished when the wall was enlargened and rebuilt the Pope had it encircled instead.
It took me about a dozen attempts to get this shot - and still doesn't do it justice. It's at a very cool juncture of an old city wall and St. Peter's Square with the Vatican Fort-City to my back...
...and right across the way from this, the southern side of St. Peter's Square! It's a huge space and it was nowhere close to full, but there were still thousands of people. And surprisingly, a blood drive in the trailer at the far end of the Square.
The number of amazing works art at the Vatican is almost ucnountable. There are all styles, from all eras and places imaginable since the dawn of the Church - and even from before. This intricate modern piece is clearly of Latin american origin and was so overwhelming in its variety of colors thats I had to play with some filters.
Slightly shaky night shot, but I really dug this imagine from inside the courtyard in the Vatican Museum. One of many versions I've seen of "Sphere within a Sphere" by Arnaldo Pomodoro, including one at the de Young museum in San Francisco and at UC Berkeley campus.
One of a small (but apparently growing) number of selfies - this one taken clandestinely from the inside the Sistine Chapel. By this point in the trip I was looking unabashedly rugged, but I envisioned this shot as soon as I walked in to the humbly small chapel.
Even the walls and ceiling here are astounding - a few of the next shots show bits of the intricacy of the entire Musuem. Imagine acres of hallways so decorated in fresco...
...or like this. Of much different style but no less intricate, the moulding on the wall is similarly spectacular...
...or even like this section, complete with statues and textured framing.
This was some kinda centerpiece - statue-altar to the Virgin, behind which is another wall-sized fresco depiction of a holy scene. I was rather awestruck by this room as we passed through on the Museum night tour, and even the lighting was rather haunting and foreboding.
Urban art - from around and within the City.
Under the dome, on the left; and Triumph in the Name of Jesus, by Giovanni Battista Gaulli
This ridiculously detailed ceiling fresco graces the impressive, if not now iconic, Mideval era Church of the Gésu. From its inception it has been a Jesuit bastion, and clearly associated with the Borgia dynasty as a result. Regardless of it and its earliest benefactors reputation, the meticulously preserved and maintained church is undoubtedly impreasive. Catholic idolotry (and the pews) aside, the interior naves are akin more to an urban noble's throne room than a supposedly austere Order's stronghold.
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Discovering this incredible church - Church of the Gesu - was like falling into a TV show. Specifically, the HBO's series titled "Borgia". An ostentatious flair in design, the Jesuit iconography, the gold gilding and sunburst everywhere - it was like a palace hall more than a church. Still, it was in the very literal sense awesome.
Frescoed ceiling and gilded stucco moulding, the main high altar is an expensive homage to the Church paradigm. Somehow, however, my eyes could not get enough of this visual feast!
Too cool for school in the Church of the Gesu - this painting of angels united under the Papal standard in armed struggle against the demon oppressors was enrapturing. ...or at least very badass.
Statues at the front entrance of the Church of the Gesu, depicting early influential Jesuits, include this one of St. Ignatious Loyola (or St. Francis Xavier) stepping all over an immoral sinner.
Found this cheery fellow in the Crypts, too. Supposedly, this early fresco-like painting was part of a larger mural crafted in the 12th century. Under its glass casing, the already well-faded colors were hardly visible to the naked eye... but with the careful use of new tools my snazzy camera I able to capture the old saint's smile to share with you here!
While those who know me rather well may recall I'm adherent to no single religion, it should be clear to my faithful readers here that religious imagery and art worldwide fascInates me. This one mosaic, in it's present context, caught my eye and made me laugh - it's a depiction of Jesus healing a blind man adorning the waiting room of the eye care center at a major hospital! Pretty clever, I thought.
Older and bolder - I took a risk here with some of the imaging functions of the camera to highlight the colors and contrasts of another faded fresco in the Temple of Romulus. This alcove was so striking to me because it's one of the better preserved and oldest examples I saw of the Church's pogroms to eliminate opposing religions during its rise to dominance over the Roman peninsula. Thought to have been sited initially by Romulus, the founder of Rome, at the very spot where the Latins halted their flight during a battle with the Sabines, it was cleared out and repurposed for the veneration of the Christian Saints Cosmas and Damian in the 6th century C.E.
This acclaimed fountain - which after centuries of urban development around it now sits about 15 feet below street-level and still towers over the street - was the setting against which our traveling family troupe was again reunited after our parting of ways in Florence. Like a cheesy Hollywood reunion - only way more fun and, you know, real - we literally all bumped into each other on the main descending staircase right at sunset before strolling back together through the Italian capital for the evening, unplanned and sans coordination.
Maybe a comforting image to some, this sculpture almost evoked a sense of foreboding and maybe a little fear in me. I could see where it was going though - the comforting embrace of the Church fellowship - and I, honestly I was impressed with the craftsmamship. The thing is solid bronze!
From the outside - separated from the room only by a gate in spite of an open door - I spied this cubby hole and starkly painted ceiling of this building's entrance hall and I had to take a shot. The whole building's purpose was a mystery to me but the decor here was pretty cool.
Like in Florence there is art everywhere in Rome. While the streets are more numerous and over a larger area, and so these urban gems are rather hidden in plain sight, they remain exquisite adorments to the cityscape. The influence of the Church is strong here but the craftsmanship remains a highlight. When in Rome, remember to look up.
One example among many - and here a particularly well-maintained example - of the richness in architectural diversity of Rome's Churches. I can't say much more about this one since by this time I was at the end of a really long day of being overwhelmed by Rome's... by Rome.
Now for some of what I readily considered modern, as did the Italians - the Gelato! Although it's purported to have been first invented in 16th century Florence (see post!), I recognize it as a contemporary treat. The selection at this awesomely local spot was overwhelming, and my couchsurf host had to help me choose - and eat, as the portions were hearty.
I love these shots: bins, buckets, bags, tubs, tables, shelves, racks, bottles, coolers, and all manner of containers for every variety of food and culinary goods. Anywhere in the world it is the market that may best capture the essence of a place. Here, inside a labyrinthine covered/indoor market that remained alive and well, I spied mountains of spices...
...and buckets and buckets of dried and preserved goods - in a manner and place where this kind of commerce had been going on for centuries. Maybe millenia. Again, the perfect example of Rome reframing and enhancing one's context.
I loved this guy's setup - essentially a produce seller, he also crafted fresh, edible food art and sculpture. I got lucky enough to snap off ths shot while he was absorbed in his work - which is just fascinating, really a trip! I mean, look at the bikini on that radish-thing.
And... packing up. Market time is almost over. Another market in Rome I stumbled into, but this one open-air and extraordinarily packed, was held in a relatively small local square in one of Rome's numerous neighborhoods. It was quite a spectacle, but all in all fun and envigorating.
No wonder the Romans do what they do - and others continue to follow. Hasta luego, Roma.
No wonder the Romans do what they do - and others continue to follow. Hasta luego, Roma.
This work by Tim Paez is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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