JUNK BOAT TRAVELS: May 15 Rome

Saturday, June 1, 2019

May 15 Rome

May 2019 - Rome Italy

We're on a mission on a cold dreary morning. A gluten free bakery in the Vatican. A 30 minute walk as the crow flies, but we have to check stuff out on the way.

Right around the corner from us is the Supreme Court.

Palazzo di Giustizia fronts the Tiber River and is one of the major modern architectural works in Rome. Designed and built by Guglielmo Calderini between 1889 and 1911, it is the seat of the Supreme Court. . The enormous building (170 x 155 meters) was entirely constructed in travertine, borrowing 16th century and Baroque motifs. The elaborately decorated facade has three orders of windows with balconies and loggias, and a portal framed by a triumphal arch.

The imposing palace was built as a symbol of statehood after Rome was declared the capital of the newly unified nation. It was inaugurated by King Vittorio Emanuele III in 1911.

The massive bronze statue is a "quadriga," with four horses pulling a chariot, depicting the bringing of justice.

That's me!

Biblio bar!

The 1349 bridge was built in between the banks of the Tiber river in 134 AD by Emperor Hadrian in order to connect the center of Antique Rome with his newly built mausoleum (today better known as Castel Sant’Angelo). At the time the bridge was known as the “Aelian Bridge”, which simply meant “Bridge of Hadrian”. For many years the bridge was used as a passageway for Christian pilgrims on their way to St. Peter’s Basilica.

Bridge designed by Bernini..

Ten strikingly beautiful angel sculptures, designed by famous sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, line the spectacular travertine marble made “Ponte Sant’Angelo” or “Bridge of Angels” in Rome. Each sculptured angel symbolizes a part from the story of Jesus Christ’s suffering and death by crucifixion. Statues of the saints Peter and Paul watch over the entrance way of the bridge.

The current name of Sant’Angelo is used since the 7th century for a legend in which Archangel Michael was seen atop the castle with his sword drawn to indicate the ending of the plague of 590 AD. The impressive Statue of Michael can now be seen on top of Castel Sant.Angelo, facing the bridge. During the 16th century, the bridge was used as a place to display bodies of the executed in order to convey a warning to the people.

Construction of the building began in the year 135 under the direction of the Emperor Hadrian, who intended to use it as mausoleum for himself and his family. It was finished in the year 139 and a short time later, it became a military building, which in the year 403 would be integrated to the Aurelian Walls.

In the year 1277 an 800 metre fortified corridor was built that connected the castle with the Vatican City so that the Pope could escape in the event that he were in danger. During the sieges that occurred in Rome during 1527, the Pope Clement VII used the fortress as a refuge.

John zoomed St. Peter's from the bridge. Can you see the hordes of people? Again so different than when we were here in May 2004.

We do have a destination and it is raining steadily so we just skirted St. Peter's/

Behind St. Peter's.

It's almost 11:30 by the time we finally find the bakery but it was so worth it.

Le Altre Farine del Mulino Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, 155 (Vatican)

Still raining we decide to walk to Trastevere. Yarn bombing, a different kind of streetart.

Through the arch is Trastevere, normally a bustling neighbourhood but the rain has driven everyone indoors, there are even any tour groups at the moment.

Random street art.

This neighbourhood square is dominated by 12th-century Basilica di Santa Maria; step inside its dimly lit interior to see the glittering Cavallini mosaics depicting the font of oil that spouted when Christ was born – according to myth, the church was founded on that very spot.

Rome has this really annoying habit from noon until 2, when most tourists, not locals, have lunch. Most restaurants will not serve you a drink if you are not having lunch (it was too early for lunch for us). Our server was happy to, the place was empty as was the square as the rain poured down. Another couple came in, wanted wine and their server said no. So they went next door...

The view from our table, there really isn't anyone about.

We noticed yesterday as we hit touristy spots that armed soldiers are deployed around those areas. This square had just a few.

Via del Moro, with its many shops and cafes.

I love good street art, but not the kind of graffiti that we witnessed everywhere in Rome. Doors, walls, signs, boxes are all covered.

By 3 PM we are cold and miserable so we look up the address of the gluten free restaurant we had chosen. It is one minute away!!!

Mama Eat
Via di S. Cosimato, 7/9