It rained mightily here over the weekend -
wonderful for the Red Cardinal Garden of Neglect.
Undeterred by flooding streets, we ventured to a movie:
A movie for art-lovers: a 3D tour of the great basilicas of Rome.
I prepared for the experience by going through my photos of our Roman holiday in 2014:
The beautiful Ara Pacis...
In the courtyard of the Vatican..
The Vatican museums..
a treasure trove of ancient marble statuary..
Raphael: The School of Athens - difficult to photograph in the crowd, but breathtaking indeed..
This is a floor - see my toes...
Michelangelo's exquisite 'Pieta', lovingly explored by the camera in the film.
On our visit, I could get no closer because of the crowds.
The detail, the lush drapery, the beautiful faces, wonderful to behold.
And he was only 24 when he sculpted it!
I love this St Veronica statue shown in the film - and I missed it when we went!
How brilliant to sculpt her swirling like that...
The movie used helicopter cameras to give great aerial views of the basilicas, and of the great city of Rome.
Here are a few more things we loved in Rome, unrelated to the movie:
Marbles in our favourite coffee house..
Coffee break near Piazza Navona..
with its fascinating fountains,
and nearby, an ancient archaeological site,
where I bought my Roman coin earrings:
On our last day:
I think you know what this is..
still standing, after all these years.
It was Summer, and red geraniums bloomed in every sunny spot...
I would love to return one day -
Arrivederci Roma
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That sounds like a movie worth seeing. I visited Rome many, many years ago and I'm sure it has changed a lot.
ReplyDeleteIf you went back to Rome, you will find all the ancient wonders still there Darla. I found it amazing, walking the ancient streets, thinking of Julius Caesar on the same cobblestones... The Ara Pacis is in a new glass purpose built small museum, and looks wonderful.
DeleteWonderful to see your memories of Rome!! It looks as though you had an amazing visit!
ReplyDeleteAs the lover of history and historic places which I know you are, you would really enjoy a visit to Rome, Amy :)
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I'd love to see this movie! Piazza Navona was my favorite place for coffee as well, oh, the memories...
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Twins! Piazza Navona was so beautiful and we loved our morning spent there. Aren't the fountains fantastic!?
DeleteHope you see the movie Amalia.
Dear Patricia - the 3D film is possibly the best way to get the many wonderful glimpses of St. Peter's Rome these days, but of course you don't get the atmosphere of actually being there yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt must be 25 years since I was in Rome, and then it was possible to visit the Sistine Chapel in relative comfort as numbers were restricted. I read an article last week saying that the amount of people now visiting is overwhelming.
Sadly, our experience of the Sistine Chapel was disappointing because of the extreme crowds on the day. Our guide left us at the entrance with the instruction to meet her on the other side; it was impossible to keep together. The only way I could try to look up and not be pushed over was to have HB
Deletehold my shoulders from behind. Obediently I obeyed the 'no photography' instruction, only to see phone cameras and selfies everywhere. There was no sense of the spiritual or religiosity whatsoever. So sad. Perhaps they should once again restrict numbers?
And yes, the atmosphere of Rome is something special, not felt with the film which was otherwise excellent.
So true, the whole city is a historical site of the greatest magnitude. For us it was a marvellous and magical place, and I hope we also can return one day.
ReplyDeleteThe film would have brought back wonderful memories. Rome is a wonderful llace to visit - I was lucky enough to go when DH took me on our honeymoon. We were lucky enough to attend Easter mass with the the last Pope officiating! The feeling was amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory for you to have, Sarah Liz - Easter in Rome would have been amazing indeed. Alas, we did not see the Pope on our visit, but yes, the film was exciting to see. Because it is less than two years since we were there, the helicopter film panning across the city meant I could follow where we had walked, and gazed, in this beautiful city.
DeleteYou've just experienced one of my favourite things about travel, which is looking at photos and thinking about the trip once you've returned home. Jay and I were in Rome over 30 years ago. Back then there weren't the crowds there are now. It must have been frustrating at times when you couldn't get as close to various things as you would have liked.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to know that you also have experienced the delights of Rome. The crowds were a bit much, especially at high summer, but it did not dim our love of the city, and hopes to return some day.
DeleteI too visited Rome years ago and would love to return! You bring back some lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to think so many Red Cardinal readers have enjoyed Rome. I did enjoy going through my photos, and thanks to the wonders of digital cameras, I have dozens of them. When my parents visited Europe in the 1970s my mother took one photo only of each thing or place :)
DeleteIt is my dream to go to Rome one day. Such a beautiful place, rich in history. The coffee shop sounds nice. And to see the colloseums would be amazing. I bet you had the most wonderful time when you visited.
ReplyDeletelove, ~Sheri
We did enjoy it Sheri, walking in the footsteps of Caesar, etc. And it is very beautiful as well - no wonder the Ancients made it the capital of civilisation at the time.
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