Jasmine and the Clothesline

The beautiful blooming jasmine in my parent’s backyard.

Dune Sunflower

Campo de’ Fiori

After visiting the glorious St. Peter’s Basilica we headed to the earthly garden that is Campo de’ Fiori market. Back in the Middle Ages the area was a meadow and the name Campo de’ Fiori translates to “field of flowers.” 

The market has been operating since 1869. 

Treating myself to some fresh squeezed pomegranate juice.

Liz (towards the right) checking out the produce.

Jenny enjoying the flowers and a vendor’s adorable little black dog.

 Vibrant produce on display.

At the center of the square is a statue of Giordano Bruno. He was born in Naples in 1548 and had become a Dominican Friar in his early twenties. He was interested in forbidden books and became controversial for his free thinking. When it was discovered he was hiding a copy of the banned writings of Erasmus, he fled Naples and traveled around Europe for a number of years. Having a fantastic memory and a keen intellect, he published several books and even gained the patronage of King Henry III of France. 

He was most known for his cosmology and the belief that stars were distant suns surrounded by other plants that may contain life. He wrote that other planets “have no less virtue nor a nature different from that of our Earth” and similarly, “contain animals and inhabitants”.

He came back to Italy and was turned over to the Roman Inquisition for accusations of heresy, blasphemy, and immoral conduct. He refused to recant and was burned alive at the stake at Campo de’ Fiori on February 17th, 1600. 

His contributions to modern science are still controversial, as he seems to stand on the threshold between the old ways of thinking and the beginnings of modern intellectualism. Many still regard him as symbol of free thought and a martyr of science. The statue was dedicated in his memory by sculptor Ettore Ferrari in 1889. 

Zucchini flowers.

This vendor displaying piles of sliced vegetables.

All the colorful tomatoes.

Dad with his fresh squeezed mango juice.

Dad’s and my shadow cast over the bouquets of flowers.

A flower vendor crafting beautiful bouquets.

Mom and Jenny. 

Mom, dad, and Jenny.

Jenny and dad (towards the left).

We ate lunch at Cantina & Cucina. I got the Tonnarello Cacio e Pepe, and we also got fried artichoke to share. Jenny’s tomato and pasta is on the top right.

Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù and The Borghese Gardens

On the way back to our hotel we decided to visit The Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù. It was across the street from the Termini Station and we had already walked past it a few times earlier on our trip. Now we finally got to step inside.

After checking into the hotel, dad decided to take a nap while my mother, sisters, and I made our way to The Borghese Gardens.

The Temple of Asclepius, built in the late 1700’s.

Myself, Liz, mom, and Jenny.

Continuing our walk along the Via Vittorio Veneto.

Jenny, mom, and Liz in front of part of an old Roman wall.