Rome: An Initial Dive

Hi. Took a minute. But I’m settled in Florence and dashing off a few posts here about Rome while I recover from a night of FAR too little sleep. Let’s dive right in, shall we?

After taking a day to bounce back from a day of travel and general sad news, during which I did a bit of neighborhood wandering but nothing too ambitious, I leapt into the heart of the city: The Pantheon, Campo de’ Fiori, Trevi Fountain, and points around and beyond. It was my favorite kind of day: a relentless and energetic wander.

This isn’t news to anybody who’s been there, but it really is stunning the way that ancient Rome coexists with modern neighborhoods. It’s not that the area around the Pantheon is working class, but it’s… just a neighborhood in a big city. Then you turn a corner and, oh, one of the most significant buildings in architectural history. Neato.

The other thing that surprised me is the depth of the city. In literal terms: you can tell when various structures were built because they are physically lower than those around them. Because when a city has existed for over two thousand years, you eventually get enough dirt built up that street level ends up being several floors up from where it used to be. There are a few places this is super apparent (an ancient arena entrance almost entirely below street level near the Pantheon is a good place to spot it) but it’s evident everywhere once you know to look for it. Again: madness.

After an orientation walk through the heart of the city, I ventured northward, eventually arriving at a huge park north of the Borghese villa and near a set of catacombs that I hoped to tour. No photos of the catacombs (they ain’t allowed!) but other bits of the day are photographed below, after the jump. Up next (later today or tomorrow, perhaps?) – going deeper on the ancient sites!

Rome is full of these obelisks because, apparently, they were obsessed with Egypt? Some of them are stolen from Egypt (like any good empire is supposed to do) and some are imitations, complete with typos.

Another obelisk, all spitty and whatnot! And there's some building behind it Iunno. (JK JK it's the Parthenon we'll get there in a minute.)

Light in the Parthenon. This space is extremely dope, to use an art history term.

Piazza Navona! I think! It's been a week or so! This is not the most impressive fountain there (sometime this month I hope to have a "fountains in Italy" video up) but it's definitely got the most dudes blowing goofy faces up.

This photo, and those that follow, all come from this one piazza north of the city center, which was deliberately designed to throw together a variety of architectural styles. It was an EXTREMELY COOL spot.

More buildings from that place! Wow isn't that exciting, buildings with cars in front of them, what a remarkable age we live in.

ANOTHER BUILDING! But seriously if anybody wants to buy me a flat in one of these houses I will take it NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

A park in Rome! This place was great. Sprawling and full - with an outdoor gym, no less! - and easy to completely forget you're in a city. In short, my favorite kinda park to stumble across on vacation. Hooray for parks!