Trastevere and A Walk Along The Tiber River

In the afternoon we decided to head over to the Trastevere Neighborhood.

Jenny and Liz.

We ended up visiting The Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere and it was full of glittering mosaics.

My family and I in the Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Mom and dad.

We ended up getting a cozy little outdoor table at La Canonica for lunch.

Photo by unknown.

My delicious ravioli with tomatoes and pesto sauce.

The Tiber River.

My family and I in front of The Castel Sant’ Angelo.

The Spanish Steps and The Basilica di Sant’ Agostino

For our second day in Rome we started off by seeing the Spanish Steps. We were heading for the Biblioteca Angelica (one of the oldest libraries in Rome) and happily stumbled upon them.

Dad and mom.

Despite checking the opening times, the gate to the Biblioteca Angelica was locked when we arrived. Fortunately the church next door - The Basilica di Sant’ Agostino - was open. It was one of the first churches in Rome built during the Renaissance.

The basilica even had a Caravaggio masterpiece on display. “Madonna dei Pellegrini” beautifully exemplifying Caravaggio’s dramatic portrayal of light and shadows.

Basilica di San Lorenzo and Cimitero del Verano

After checking into our hotel I really wanted to visit the Basilica di San Lorenzo. St. Lawrence the Martyr had long been near and dear to my heart. He took care of the sick and was killed for his defiance and devotion. He was tied to a gridiron and placed over a fire, at one point calling out something along the lines of “flip me over for I am done on this side”. He lived and died in Rome as one the earliest martyrs. When I found out that the church was pretty close to our hotel I knew I had to see it. 

For some reason the GPS had us walk through the cemetery behind the church but it ended up being a strikingly beautiful detour.

Walking up to the Piazzale del Verano.

A lovely flower shop on the corner.

As we walked into the cemetery we came upon an enormous wall of tombstones.

The Basilica di San Lorenzo.

Inside the basilica there was a small room under the alter that held the gridiron that was used to kill St. Lawrence.

Light pouring through the doorway and highlighting a piece of stone in the floor with Roman script.

A statue of St. Lawrence.

My mother admiring the alter.

Colorful frescoes on the outside of the basilica. They were done in the 13th century and depicts scenes from the lives of St. Lawrence and St. Stephen. 

The Piazzale del Verano.

Mom and dad.

For dinner one of the people who worked at our hotel suggested that we try La Famiglia Ristorante, which was wonderful! 

The Tagliolini Cacio e Pepe.

Jenny enjoying her pasta and wine.

Greeting the Eternal City

For years I had been trying to get my family to go on a trip. After much planning and preparation I finally got my wish. We headed to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise. My family and I got to Rome a few days early to explore this incredible city.

Myself, mom, and dad on the flight.

Seeing the first bits of tall grass coming into Rome.

Myself and dad on the train.

Getting to see remnants of old Roman walls next to the graffiti of a modern city.

An old section of a Roman wall just outside the Termini Station.

The Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù.

The lovely view from our hotel window. You can see mountains very faintly in the distance.

My parents and sisters getting ready to explore Rome.

More sections of old Roman walls. Just so incredible to see tangible pieces of history all over the city.