Roma, part III.

 - Day 5 -

On Friday, in anticipation of the city was getting more and more crowded with pilgrims for the canonizations, I had planned a little excursion out of Rome. We took the metro west and stopped at the last of the four major basilicas in Rome - St. Paul Outside-the-walls. This church was the last big construction project of Imperial Rome, circa 380 A.D. and the largest church in Christendom until St. Peter's. There was a tragic fire in the 19th century and then the church was rebuilt in the same style and size of the original.

The church had a nice courtyard which Michael enjoyed exploring.

Michael playing hide and seek with a new friend.

 

He had great fun climbing up and down the stairs and on the pillar bases.

 

Column pieces from the original church.

 The chain which bound St. Paul.

The sarcophagus of St. Paul, only discovered in 2006 during some excavations under the church!

 Around the perimeter of the basilica are images of all 266 popes of the Catholic Church, beginning with St. Peter...

...and ending with a light shining on the current pope's image. Pretty cool.

We had a quick lunch then continued on our way to Ostia Antica near the coast. After a 30 min. train ride, we arrived to the ruins of this important sea port near the mouth (ostium) of the Tiber, founded in the 4th century B.C. It was abandoned between the 9th and 10th centuries A.D. Two-thirds of the original city have been excavated  - one could spend all day here exploring!

 Michael saying, "All gone!"

Michael had fun peering through the ancient windows.

 

Oh, the places this boy will have walked by the time he is 5...

 The theatre.

The gods of comedy?

Climbing up the steps of an old temple.

In the Plaza of the Guilds.

Here, each section had a mosaic signifying the trade of a particular guild on its floor.

Dominic is finally big enough to go on my back and loved being able to look around.

Don't worry, the above structure is NOT a well - just a very shallow hole - the remains of a small monument related to the Temple of Augustus and Rome in the background.

Public latrine...looks cozy.

The heads of many of the statues could be found in the site's museum, along with many other artifacts from this city; we didn't take the time to go in.

This area is called Tabernae of the Fishmongers, and is right next to a Christian church, so not sure if that was used as an altar at one point.

A nicely preserved facade of a "horrea" or shopping center.

 Michael had been such a good, patient boy the entirety of the trip, we really wanted him to have a whole afternoon to run and play around as much as he wanted. This was the perfect spot for it!

 The Capitolium - a temple dedicated to the Capitoline triad of gods - Jupiter, Juno and Minerva.

We passed the gymnasium and baths on our way out. Great mosaic work here.

We had such a great time and there was so much we didn't have time to see; will have to return someday! I found this cool interactive website for Ostia Antica which was very explanatory while reviewing the pictures we took:

http://www.ostia-antica.org/dict.htm

- Day 6 -

Saturday morning we slept in a little bit and discussed the necessary preparations that we needed to make for attending the canonization. We decided that we would get in line at the time St. Peter's Square closed that evening around 7pm and attempt to stay all night for a good spot the next day. After all, we had come all this way and it is not every day, one is able to attend the canonization of a pope so pertinent to our day and especially, families. And, the boys sleep quite comfortably and warmly in their chariot of a stroller, so being out all night wouldn't affect them. The final plans made, we set out for a little coffee/pastry and walk, and found these delicious, fresh plain-type donuts sprinkled with sugar granules. They were a hit.

Then we shopped for some rosaries and saint cards to take to be blessed at the canonization. This is Borgo Pio, one street over from where we were staying, and it is lined with small, but very busy religious item shops.  

Then we walked away from the Vatican to the Castel Sant'Angelo and the bridge, the Pont de'Angelo. The Castel was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian to be built in 130 A.D. as his family's mausoleum. Popes converted the structure into a castle fortress, to which they retreated whenever Rome was attacked. Legend has it that the Archangel Michael appeared to Pope Gregory I in 590 above the Castel, and sheathed his sword, signaling the end of a terrible plague that had been besieging the city. Hence, the statue of St. Michael on top of the Castel, sheathing his sword. I especially wanted to take Michael here to show him his patron's statue and the Pont de'Angelo or "bridge of the angels."

 Showing Michael the Tiber River.

 The angel statues on this bridge each carry a symbol of Christ's Passion.

We all really liked this bridge and spent some time on it.

 Love these shots.

 Then we walked over a bridge adjacent to the Ponte de'Angelo for another view.

 The bridge and statues only interested Michael momentarily, then he was back addressing the important things of life, like trucks, vans, and wheels. Such a boy.

 

Walking up the Via Della Conciliazione which ends right in St. Peter's Square. Michael wanted to help push "baby brother" quite often on this trip.

Of his own accord, he sat down on the curb to "rest" he said. "Too tired." We headed back home for naps before the night's big adventure! To be continued...