All roads lead to Rome
Let's start exploring Rome with a walk through a bit of the unknown city, the so-called Coppedé neighbourhood, You, like me, will simply be enthralled by the beautiful entrance to the magical area with an arch and a chandelier. But,let's give a look at a very nice church - Chiesa di Santa Maria Addolorata - just before we pass the archway.
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Don't you think Coppedé seems to have been touched by a wizard's wand that changed the everyday into a sumptuous visual feast? Let's go to the centre of a square and see a gorgeous fountain with a ring of frogs sitting on the rim of a giant dish.
This neighbourhood was a bit of a surprise in Rome, and many of its buildings (pcture below) reminded me of the Art Nouveau walking tour that I did last year in Riga. If you have been to Riga, you may agree with me...
Let's continue walking and, in less than half an hour, we are at Villa Torlonia, the most recent of the villas belonging to Rome’s nobility. It still retains a particular fascination due to the originality of its English-style garden (one of the few examples in the city), and to the unexpectedly large number of buildings. The photo below pictures the House of the Owls.
A park with something for everyone: history, flora, fauna, palm trees... 'palm trees???', may be you question.... Yes, no expense was spared in the early 1800s when the famous Rome architect Giuseppe Valadier designed the buildings and grounds for the super-rich Torlonia banking family. The today's public park was – from 1925 to 1943 – the residence of Benito Mussolini, who lived in the Noble House paying a symbolic rent of one ‘lira’ (Italian currency at that time) to the Torlonia family!!!
We have no time to see every corner of this treasure close to the city centre, which contains the beauties of art, architecture and nature combined. After lunch, we will pass by the Pia Gate, the Republic Square, the Fountain of the Acqua Felice and its beautiful statue of Moses, the Aurelian Wall, the Pinciana Gate, and we will end the day by walking down the Via Veneto and see Bernini's Fountain of Bees. From now on, don't miss looking at the several holy aediculae (niches that in Roman architecture have had an important representation in the society) that we are going to pass by here and there.
For instance, the photo below pictures the gorgeous 'Madonnella' of the Fountain of Trevi that regretfully is currently out of service. We can only see some sites through plexiglass barriers. No water in the fountain, yet the crowds of tourists are quite large.
Rome is not a specially colourful city, like Mexico city, but the Romans love their flowers, and the shops that sell them brighten many street corners, not to mention the cars of vibrant colours we often see either running or parked.
For instance, the photo below pictures the gorgeous 'Madonnella' of the Fountain of Trevi that regretfully is currently out of service. We can only see some sites through plexiglass barriers. No water in the fountain, yet the crowds of tourists are quite large.
Rome is incredible, you cannot remain indifferent when you stay there…
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That was a lovely walk about, and gets me wondering if the craftsmanship will ever be used again or be lost forever. I also wonder if I will ever be able to walk about for a reasonable length of time.
ReplyDeleteNo final results yet, one more lot of tests to go to see if an operation will help and Christmas is knocking on the door. Yikes. lol
Take care my friend.
Huggles.
Hi Shayna! Each person has his own pace and I have been told that mine is consistent but not fast... I really hope tests come back favourably to you and prevent you from going on a surgery...
DeleteChristmas is knocking the door but here, in LIsbon, I don't notice the sound, very clearly ...
Hugs back at you!
Great moments of Roma, interesting architecture and lovely collection...
ReplyDeleteHi Viera! Rome is like a box of surprises and that Coppedé was a magical one, indeed...
DeleteThanks for the visit and comment
A wonderful start to your tour of Rome. Classical architecture I was expecting, but I was surprised by the beautifully painted exteriors of some of the buildings. Interesting people shots, too. I look forward to the next part of the tour.
ReplyDeleteHi Mitch! It was my 3rd time to be in Rome and intentionally I tried to visit other than re-visit...
DeleteThanks for the visit and comment!
Excellent taste of the Rome I was not expecting to see! Interesting, diverse and eye-catching! I had to laugh at the photo of the men watching the woman with the umbrella! Nice sights, thank you Belita!
ReplyDeleteHi Monica! You, like Mitch, have had the same expectation... sorry if you got upset, but as I have replied above, this time my purpose was visiting and not much revisiting, though I did the latter as you will see soon...
DeleteYou are always welcome to join me... thanks to you too...
I love the amazing photos you share with us here :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, KB! I am glad to welcome you on here and read your kind words....
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day!
Bello bello bello! Your Rome novel looks very personal and I really love it, specially the first part.
ReplyDeleteI visited Rome many times but you were able to surprise me anyway. Thank you :)
Btw Rome is my fav city. Indeed.
Ciao Edoardo! Roma è una cittá magica, una bellissima città dove passegiare alla scoperta del sconosciuto é un vero piacere Ho fatto questo tutti i giorni del mio soggiorno e ho sempre trovato un' atmosfera quasi fantastica. Purtroppo non voleva andare ai luoghi turistici, forse la raggione perchè i miei ochi sono stati sempre aperti e mai disturbati dalla presenza dei turisti.
DeleteGrazie mille per la visita e opinione molto interessante...