Rome I hug you tightly, I miss you.

I have ROME in my thoughts, a week ago I followed a course provided by a guy from Rome who works in the tourism sector, the following day a dear friend of mine left for Rome to visit it and today, again by chance, I opened a 2018 drive folder and I felt like telling you about my trip to Rome on New Year's Eve.
During this adventure in the "Eternal City", I had the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic and fascinating places in Italian history and art. Among these, the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Square, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Altare della Patria and the Canova Tadolini Museum and Restaurant stand out. Nothing in the world compares to an experience in this city, unfortunately I stayed only a few days…

Vatican Museum

My first day in Rome started with a visit to the Vatican Museums. The sheer size and richness of the collections in these museums took my breath away. I found myself immersed in a labyrinth of works of art, from paintings and sculptures to precious manuscripts and archaeological finds from all over the world. Among the most famous works that I was lucky enough to admire are the Sistine Chapel, frescoed by the genius of Michelangelo, and Raphael's Room, decorated with his masterpieces. The rooms frescoed by artists such as Botticelli, Perugino and Ghirlandaio gave me an extraordinary artistic and spiritual experience.

St.Peter's square

After the visit to the Vatican Museums, I took a short walk up to St. Peter's Square. The imposing St. Peter's Basilica, with its majestic facade and sumptuous dome.
I joined the many visitors who gathered in the square to admire the spectacular architecture and majesty of the Basilica. I strolled along the square and observed the central obelisk, surrounded by four gigantic columns representing the outstretched arms of Pope Benedict XVI.

Colosseum

The next day, I turned my attention to the Colosseum, one of Rome's most iconic symbols. This ancient Roman amphitheater, built in the 1st century AD, is an impressive testament to the engineering and artistry of the era. I was amazed by the grandeur of its ruins, closing your eyes you can go back in time imagining the enthusiasm and energy that once animated the fights between gladiators and theatrical performances. I walked through the arches of the Colosseum and admired the panoramic view of the city of Rome that could be enjoyed from its upper levels.

Roman forums and food

After leaving the Colosseum, I explored the Roman Forum, a complex of ancient buildings, columns and temples that represent the political, religious and commercial center of ancient Rome. I imagined what daily life must have been like in those times, observing the ruins of buildings such as the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Basilica of Maxentius and the Temple of Vesta. Walking in Rome among the ruins of the Roman Forum was a real journey through time, as I tried to reconstruct the ancient grandeur of this city in my mind.
Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures of the holes but I did at lunch!

Altare della Patria

Subsequently, I decided to visit the Altare della Patria, I must say that it is my absolute favorite Modern monument, the grandeur and its candor and the Italian flag placed on top make it the monument of national recognition of excellence for me in it is actually also known as the National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. This majestic white structure, located in Piazza Venezia, was built in honor of the first king of Italy. I was struck by its grandeur and the intricate details of its architecture. I climbed the staircase leading to the top of the building and enjoyed a spectacular view over the city of Rome.

Restaurant and museum CanovaTadolini

To conclude my visit to Rome, I decided to have a unique experience at the Canova Tadolini Restaurant Museum. This unique place combines art with gastronomy, being both a museum and a restaurant. I was fascinated by the works of art displayed inside the museum, many of which were made by members of the Tadolini family, a dynasty of 19th century sculptors. After admiring the works of art, I sat down at the restaurant and savored Italian culinary delicacies such as the lamb chops that I still remember, Eating in Rome in a RESTAURANT/MUSEUM is a unique multi-sensory experience. I sipped my glass of wine next to Canova's plaster casts and marble busts and the price is definitely affordable. Someone disrespectful ruined the statues with wine and this is truly unacceptable. I am very sorry that there are individuals who do not care about the cultural and historical heritage of the most beautiful city in the world.

Trevi Fountain and Navona Square

In my free time, I strolled through the streets of the city and it was really relaxing, I made a quick stop at the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Navona. The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world, with its imposing structure and its mythological statues that enchant visitors of which it is always crammed. I threw a coin into the fountain, according to tradition, making a wish for a future trip to Rome. Piazza Navona, on the other hand, welcomed me with its baroque splendor and lively atmosphere. I admired the Fountain of the Four Rivers and strolled among the colorful stalls of artists and vendors.

Castel Sant'Angelo

Finally, I spent a day exploring Castel Sant'Angelo, a majestic fortress located on the banks of the River Tiber. This castle, originally built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian, has over the centuries become a prison, a papal residence and a museum. Here on the top are arched openings with a panoramic view of the city of Rome and the Tiber, illuminated at sunset it is a spectacle, I stopped in front of one of these openings to drink tea because there is also a small bar at the top. I walked through its imposing corridors, exploring its dungeons and admiring its collections of art.

Conclusions & Greetings

My trip to Rome in 2018 was an unforgettable experience. The eternal city enveloped me with its millenary history, its timeless art and its vibrant culture.
Anyone who hasn't had the chance to see it yet, make the commitment and book because it's too worth it!
Each place gave me a unique memory and made me fall in love with this extraordinary city even more, now thinking about it I still get excited.
I would like to go back but now I have little time and I want to dedicate at least a whole week to it, to also see the hills and the ruins of Villa Adriana outside the city.