Walking in Rome, Italy

 

When you walk around a city you have the opportunity to see the small things that make it special. What you see might be something iconic or run of the mill. It might show the interaction of people and place. If you take your time, slow down, and look around, you can find the really special sights that define a place.

Some restaurants offer experiences to tourists

The Prati neighborhood is the area north of Castel Sant’Angelo along the west bank of the Tiber River. It is a residential area, and was the working home for the class I was taking.

Scooters are a major mode of transportation in Rome

Fountains are everywhere

Just south of Sant’Angelo is the Hospital Santo Spirito in Sassia. The hospital is the oldest in Europe, first built in 1198 by Pope Innocent III. Santo Spirito was destroyed by fire in 1471 and rebuilt at that time. While there are several interesting historic things, including a museum of “sanitary arts”, what caught my eye was outside, at the rear of the building. There I found a “foundling wheel”, now closed off. The hospital was created to care for the children of the poor in Rome, and the Foundling Wheel was a way for parents to anonymously leave their babies in the care of the church. 

Hospital Santo Spirito in Sassia

Foundling Wheel

The historic center of Rome offers many historic buildings and storefronts, some of which haven’t been changed in many decades.

Piazza Navona is home to three fountains. At its north end is the Neptune Fountain, featuring the god fighting a giant octopus.

In the center of the piazza is the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Built in 1651, its statues represent the major rivers of the four continents under Papel control at the time - The Danube, The Nile, The Ganges and The Rio de la Plata.

Rio de la Plata

The Danube

The southern end of the piazza is home to the Fountain of the Moor, which was undergoing restoration when I visited. In front of the work area, a busker was using soapy water and long ropes to create large bubbles, entertaining children and offering some unique views of the surrounding buildings.

Many people walk through cities they visit with their heads buried in a guide book or map. Others rush around, trying to pack too many things into too little time. Slowing down and taking the time to observe the place you are walking through offers wonderful sights to see.