01/10/2002: 

Rome, the millennial city

After a 7-hour journey from Monaco, I arrived at another great city: Rome. The city of the Great Roman Empire of ancient times, where the Christian doctrine set out for the world; city of works by Raphael Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, of great emperors such as Julius Caesar and Maximilian. Travelling in Rome is like travelling in history.

The first attraction could not have been other than the Colosseum, Roma's most famous place. This large arena was also the stage for plays and fights that always ended up in casualties. Set of many epoch movies - "Gladiator" is among the most recent ones - it was at the Colosseum that the Roman population had their fun times. Nowadays, the ruins of what used to be a great arena in the past are visited by many tourists and make up the most famous monument in Rome. Its interior is always open to visitation. A walk across the Colosseum is a good chance to go back in history and wonder how popular the place was at the times of the Empire.

Continuing the "tour" across Ancient Rome, I went walking along the ruins of the Roman Forum. The size of the temples and the height of the still upright columns are impressive. The ruins reveal how great the Roman Empire was. Walking along the ruins of the houses where the people used to live makes us think over how their daily life was, how they managed to survive, what they did, how their interpersonal relations were. Unluckily, or luckily, it started to rain heavily while I was walking along the ruins, thinking about all those things. The thunders gave it a different light, as if the past still haunted the place.

After leaving the ruins – and managed to run away from the rain – I went to the Victorian Museum, a beautiful palace-shaped building, with collections of Italian history. The coolest part was to see Garibaldi's tools, his sword, boots and uniform. Giuseppe Garibaldi is regarded as a hero both by Gaúchos and Italians, for he played an important role in the country's unification process.

At the end of the day, I stopped by Trevi Fountain to ensure returning one day to Rome and, of course, make a wish. Legend says that, to return one day to the eternal city, you have to toss a coin into the fountain over your shoulder, and another coin should be tossed into before you make a wish. Whether this is true or not, the fountain is worth a visit, because it is beautiful. Made in Roman style, with many sculptures, Neptune standing out. Close to the fountain, I could check out the famous Italian pizza at a real "pizzeria". Hmmm… very thin dough, to eat using the hands, and a delicious sauce.

In Italy, every sandwich stand sells the "holy" pizza, some of them folded like calzones. In the restaurants, the drink of choice is wine, accompanied by some water. Of course, pasta and pizza rule in the typical Italian cuisine. For dessert, the gelatos, tasty Italian ice creams.

After a good Italian pizza, it was time to rest in order to enjoy the following day, reserved to a very special place: the Vatican.

Pictures: 

- External view of the Colosseum:   1

  - Internal view of the Colosseum:   1

- The Constantino Arch and the Colosseum:   1

- Basilica of the old Roman Forum:   1  

- Old Roman Forum:   1,   2,   3,   4,   5,   6,   7,   8

- Statue of Moses, by Michelangelo, in the Basílica of San Giovanni:   1

- Cathedral of Rome:   1,   2

- Pantheon:   1

- Di Trevi Fountain:   1

- Boca della  Veritá (Mouth of the Truth):   1 

The smallest country in the world

You may not know, but the Vatican is a country, the smallest one in the world. In fact, this small state is a square in the middle of Rome, but it is a surprising treasure.

I became surprised at the beauty of the Vatican. I had never imagined the Basilica of Saint Peter was so big and so beautiful. On the outside, the Basilica makes up some beautiful scenery along with Saint Peter Square and its columns. But the best of all is on the inside. As soon as I entered the building, I become impressed at so big a church, adorned in gold. The Pieta, by Michelangelo, was the first thing I saw. A very beautiful sculpture, very expressive, that only a genius could have done. I wanted to stay there just staring at the sculpture for a long time… It's not difficult to find it. As soon as you get in, you'll see a lot of tourists gathered on the right side. It's there.

As you walk across the Basilica, you can enjoy a dozen giant sculptures and Renaissance paintings. The Baldachino, a 29-metre bronze altar, sculpted by Nernini, is another of Vatican's relics. As you go down the stairs, you can see the graves of the popes, with its adornments and sculptures. At the same place, there is the tomb where the remains of Saint Peter are.

Better than that, just attending a mass at the Basilica of Saint Peter. I was very lucky to hear a mass conducted in Italian, with some of their parts sung in Latin. Four singers did the chanting along with the organist. Unforgettable. For me, it became clear how significant and imposing the power of the Catholic Church is, and how beautiful the Vatican is, with its rare treasures.

After three days, I left Rome and its millennial history. Despite the short time, I managed to see its main attractions and learn a little of this city's culture. The Rome of very beautiful monuments, several ruins of the times of the Empire, inscriptions in Latin all over the place, porticoes, churches and Renaissance sculptures. And, regardless of some badly maintained buildings, some dirty streets and the crazy traffic, Rome does not cease to be one of the great cities in the world, and a reference concerning the origin of the western civilisation. Adored by tourists, sought for by historians, Rome is a very ancient city, that "exhales" much of its already long history.

Pictures:

- View of Basilica of São Pedro:   1

  - São Pedro Square:   1,   2

- Grave of Pope John XXIII:   1

- Blessed water:   1