Wilson College Does Rome: May 29

 After our first week, our group was beginning to feel the strain of our busy schedules, but thankfully today’s schedule was less structured than most so far, which gave us the chance to explore the city at our own pace.  Most of the group woke up early for a trip to St. Peter’s Basilica (Photo 1), where we were able to take in the beautifully detailed architecture as well as the underground tombs of previous popes.  Since we arrived early, we were able to find a spot in the shade to watch Pope Francis deliver the Angelus from his apartment (Photo 2).  The message was delivered in Italian, so our understanding was very limited, but it was still an interesting experience to see the energy and excitement of the crowd when he appeared at the window.  At this point, the group split up to explore the city in smaller groups or as individuals.  Personally, I visited an indoor market with booths set up by local artists and merchants who were selling clothing, jewelry, art prints, and more.  

By mid-afternoon, most of the students were ready to embark on the main journey of the day by following the route of the Roman Triumph, following a map and audio recordings provided by Dr. Rock-McCutcheon.  We started at Largo Argentina, the site of several temples and other significant buildings (including the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated), which is now home to a cat sanctuary.  Next, the route led to Porta Octavia, then to the Theater of Marcellus (Photo 3).  We then passed the Forum Boarium, which was located near several temples and a more modern basilica, which provided an excellent opportunity to see how time and other civilizations have influenced architectural styles in this area.  The next stop on the agenda was the Circus Maximus.  Next, we passed by the Arch of Constantine, which also provided a unique view of the Colosseum, followed by a walk alongside the Imperial Forums.  Some parts were more difficult to view since there was a significant amount of construction along the road, seemingly to provide seating for the upcoming Republic Day parade.  With that said, we were still able to see the majority of the sites mentioned from the next stop: Capitoline Hill.  The stairway to the top was a bit steep, which was tiring after the rest of the walk, but the view from the top was absolutely incredible.  I had taken a break for a coffee and pastry midway through the walk, so I was arriving near sunset, and the view of the golden sunlight over the ruins was absolutely breathtaking.  The experience was an amazing opportunity to reflect on the fact that I was standing in what was once the heart of one of the most powerful empires in the world, and it was incredible to see how much of it remained even after so long.

In the evening, the group remained split across a variety of activities.  Some chose to go for dinner and to see a movie, while others took the opportunity to get dinner and continue exploring the city as well as its nightlife.  A relaxing day of setting our own pace was much-needed at this point in the trip, and I was thankful for the ability to relax a bit more to recover from a busy week as well as to prepare for the next day’s trip to Florence.