There are several large piazzas in this area, all thriving today with tour groups following guides with coloured umbrellas held high. Plenty of buskers too; today piano accordions seemed to be the go. And no end of street hawkers, mainly Africans, and today mostly trying to sell selfie poles. The first of these was the Piazza Colonna. It is dominated by the Column of Marcus Aurelius that has stood there since 200. Just nearby is the Parliament Building. The stroll down the Via del Corso takes one past a string of high fashion stores-- but none to match DJs or Myer in size. They seem to be more specialised and therefore smaller here.
I skipped the Trevi Fountain (because of the crowds mainly), and had a look at the Jesuit HQ Chiesa San Ignazio. Frrom there I passed the Collegio Romano, one of the main theological colleges in Rome: an uninspiring building. In front of the church Santa Maria Sopra Minerva there is a delightful piazza, with an Egyptian obelisk supported by a carved elephant. This area was originally Campus Martius, a military training area outside the city walls. Att some stage a temple to Minerva was built here; and the christians wasted no time knocking it over and building a church on the site -- hence the name sopra Minerva.
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Around the corner is the Pantheon, built in 126 as a place of worship for all the gods. It is a marvel of construction. Circular in shape (with an added entrance porch), its dome is made of concrete varying in thickness from 25 feet at bottom to 5 feet at top. The dome is as high as the floor is wide. Apparently Michelangelo and Da Vinci both studied its construction before they set to work on the domes of St Peter's in Rome and the Duomo in Florence. It is now a church dedicated to all the martyrs; but is easily the most disrespected church in Rome with crowds wandring and chattering and tour guides using speakers. But it is a marvel to examine. Big problem: not a single seat in the place. Hard on the legs after an hour's walking!
Next to the Piazza Navona. This isn't the typical small circle or square piazza. It is built on the site of Domitian's Stadium where Romans came to watch the agones or games. So it is a long (3 or 4 blocks) open space with the great Four Rivers Fountain by Bernini supporting another Egyptian obelisk. Lined with coffee shops and restaurants. In the centre is the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, built where St Agnes was martyred in the stadium. It has a most beautifully painted dome inside enititled the Glory of Paradise. As with other churches, no photos allowed. (I guess one interested needs to do a Google).
By now lunchtime was drawing on, so I headed in the direction of the Tiber and the Ponte San Angelo. Chris was delayed, so I had time to wander onto the bridge and get a good look at the Castel San Angelo, the old fortress that belongs to the Vatican on the banks of the Tiber. A 2 hour lunch (mostly chat) followed, and then I had only a short stroll tio catch the #46 bus back home.
Tonight I have done my own thing for tea: bought some nice sliced roast pork, which I warmed in the microwave: added a bought salad, and even treated myself to a small choclate custard. After I get the photos online, time for a little TV then bed.
Not a big collection today as most churches were "no photos"; but what I took are here.
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