It was a short stay in Tuscany and we drove back to
Rome on the 3rd day. Arrived at a B&B called Feliz
in Roma based on raving reviews on the net. Indeed another highly recommended accommodation with its cleanliness, coziness and reasonable location. Late afternoon when we got there and just in time to return the car (it's real easy to get around Rome by foot and bus). From the Rome Terminal Station we wandered to a small charming wine place off-the-tracks recommended by a friend who had lived in Rome for awhile. I Colori del Vino. Love it. Nice to be treated to such a great selection of Italian wines.
Next day activity: The Colosseum. Within walking distance from our B&B. You should probably buy tickets the evening before (no queue at all) and download the free audio guide before your visit. The previous time I was in Rome on a packaged tour they only allowed us 15mins to take photo on the outside! So I was quite pleased this time to be able to soak it all in.
Rome is extra-ordinary in that everywhere you go, you find pieces of history. Here and there..with stories behind or not..you see it. Little treasures of what was once..
"The Chiesa Il Gesù (Church of the Gesù), a 16th-century late Renaissance church in Rome, is the mother church of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. Originally very austere, Il Gesù's interior was opulently decorated starting in the 17th century. Now its frescoes, sculptures and shrines make it one of the foremost examples of Roman Baroque art." "Baroque fresco of The Triumph of the Holy Name of Jesus on the ceiling
of the nave by Giovanni Battista.
Truly the most extraordinary painting in the church, and perhaps in all
of Rome after the Sistine Chapel."
- http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-il-gesu
"Seat of the cardinal of Paris in Rome and the heart of the city's French community, San Luigi dei Francesi houses three outstanding paintings by Michelango de Merisi, known as Caravaggio. It is also a riot of Roman baroque art."
Here are 2 of them: "The painting on the left, The Calling of St Matthew, takes place indoors where Saint Matthew, then a finely dressed moneychanger, sits with a group of common types. Jesus has just entered the dark room, raised his arm, and uttered the words "Follow me," (Matthew 9:9). The saint looks up, incredulous with an expression as if to say, "Who, me?" The composition contributes to the drama of the scene. A source of light above and behind Jesus' head slashes the darkness and slants down to illuminate the saint's face. As in many of his religious works, Caravaggio's subjects are depicted at the moment of a miraculous event. However, the contrast between the light of the illumined figures and their surroundings, which become almost indistinguishable as they recede into the dark, increases the dramatic tension of the work. This play of light and dark in painting is called chiaroscuro, and Caravaggio's particular form became known as tenebrism (tenebre meaning "shadow" in French.)"
On the right: "Two figures appear in the painting - St Matthew, at his table poised with pen in hand, and an angel hovering above him, inspiring him to write. Matthew is looking up and over his left shoulder at the angel. He is not seated. Instead one knee rests on a seat and his bare foot dangles. It looks as if he just ran to the table eager and awestruck to complete his gospel. The angel, encircled by floating, heavenly garments, is looking down, enumerating with his fingers the points he wants the saint to record in the gospel. The indistinct background is so dark the figures seem three-dimensional. It's a beautiful painting, and one's eye follows the lines from the angel's garments to the saint's forehead and then down along his robes to the ground."
"These three paintings, Caravaggio's first major church commission, cemented his reputation, and he continued to work constantly until his death in 1610 at the age of 38."
- http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-luigi-dei-francesi
The Pantheon and The Spanish Steps. Then finally drinks at Hotel Hassler Roma and dinner at Hassler/Hostaria Romana with 2 very special friends – Anne & Roger
- http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-il-gesu
Piazza Navona. Touristic (most places in Rome are anyway)
but with a light wispy atmosphere.
"Seat of the cardinal of Paris in Rome and the heart of the city's French community, San Luigi dei Francesi houses three outstanding paintings by Michelango de Merisi, known as Caravaggio. It is also a riot of Roman baroque art."
Here are 2 of them: "The painting on the left, The Calling of St Matthew, takes place indoors where Saint Matthew, then a finely dressed moneychanger, sits with a group of common types. Jesus has just entered the dark room, raised his arm, and uttered the words "Follow me," (Matthew 9:9). The saint looks up, incredulous with an expression as if to say, "Who, me?" The composition contributes to the drama of the scene. A source of light above and behind Jesus' head slashes the darkness and slants down to illuminate the saint's face. As in many of his religious works, Caravaggio's subjects are depicted at the moment of a miraculous event. However, the contrast between the light of the illumined figures and their surroundings, which become almost indistinguishable as they recede into the dark, increases the dramatic tension of the work. This play of light and dark in painting is called chiaroscuro, and Caravaggio's particular form became known as tenebrism (tenebre meaning "shadow" in French.)"
On the right: "Two figures appear in the painting - St Matthew, at his table poised with pen in hand, and an angel hovering above him, inspiring him to write. Matthew is looking up and over his left shoulder at the angel. He is not seated. Instead one knee rests on a seat and his bare foot dangles. It looks as if he just ran to the table eager and awestruck to complete his gospel. The angel, encircled by floating, heavenly garments, is looking down, enumerating with his fingers the points he wants the saint to record in the gospel. The indistinct background is so dark the figures seem three-dimensional. It's a beautiful painting, and one's eye follows the lines from the angel's garments to the saint's forehead and then down along his robes to the ground."
"These three paintings, Caravaggio's first major church commission, cemented his reputation, and he continued to work constantly until his death in 1610 at the age of 38."
- http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-san-luigi-dei-francesi
The Pantheon and The Spanish Steps. Then finally drinks at Hotel Hassler Roma and dinner at Hassler/Hostaria Romana with 2 very special friends – Anne & Roger
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