Day 13
We take our time getting on the road today and make it an exploring day. We find a bus and head off in the direction of the Jewish Ghetto which is north of us. This is a lovely area beside the Tiber River and very ancient.
In 1556 Pope Paul ordered all the Jewish people to move here and live behind walls. They had a curfew and were not allowed to travel outside the area after sunset until sunrise the next day. This area still suffers attacks and is under guard every day. There are very ancient diggings here. Temples from 23 BC have been found and the remains of a fish market from the same period. There are perfectly preserved remains of 2 and 3rd century Roman houses can still be seen.
There are many kosher businesses here and we stop to have a lunch break.
We pass the palaces of Farnese and Spanda are tucked away in little side streets. One of the palaces considered the piazza in the front of their building to be their property and no one was allowed to open a window onto this piazza. Around a corner we come on a street market with vendors selling all manner of food and flowers. Campo de’Fiori. (Flower Market) This is held Monday through Saturday.
Next is the Plaza al Temps. It is a 15th century palace that now houses the collections of the notable families of Rome. Art and possessions from each of the families has it’s own room. We also get a peek out of the upstairs window onto the Piazza Navona which used to be the site of chariot races. Since the medieval times they used to flood the plaza to create a cooling effect for residents. They also enacted naval battles. It was a social event to “take the cooling”. Today it is filled with artists selling their work. There are 3 fountains in the piazza with the centre one taking top honours. These were designed by Bernini. Wonderful! Fountain of the Four Rivers. The four people represent the four great rivers, the Ganges, Nile, Danube and Della Plata. The south end fountain is Fountain of the Moor also by Bernini and the north end is Fountain of Neptune and added in the 19th century. A very busy spot.
We caught the bus home again and Lyn whipped up one of her special Italian dinners. Spaghetti with stuffed chicken breasts. Another good day.
We take our time getting on the road today and make it an exploring day. We find a bus and head off in the direction of the Jewish Ghetto which is north of us. This is a lovely area beside the Tiber River and very ancient.
In 1556 Pope Paul ordered all the Jewish people to move here and live behind walls. They had a curfew and were not allowed to travel outside the area after sunset until sunrise the next day. This area still suffers attacks and is under guard every day. There are very ancient diggings here. Temples from 23 BC have been found and the remains of a fish market from the same period. There are perfectly preserved remains of 2 and 3rd century Roman houses can still be seen.
There are many kosher businesses here and we stop to have a lunch break.
We pass the palaces of Farnese and Spanda are tucked away in little side streets. One of the palaces considered the piazza in the front of their building to be their property and no one was allowed to open a window onto this piazza. Around a corner we come on a street market with vendors selling all manner of food and flowers. Campo de’Fiori. (Flower Market) This is held Monday through Saturday.
Next is the Plaza al Temps. It is a 15th century palace that now houses the collections of the notable families of Rome. Art and possessions from each of the families has it’s own room. We also get a peek out of the upstairs window onto the Piazza Navona which used to be the site of chariot races. Since the medieval times they used to flood the plaza to create a cooling effect for residents. They also enacted naval battles. It was a social event to “take the cooling”. Today it is filled with artists selling their work. There are 3 fountains in the piazza with the centre one taking top honours. These were designed by Bernini. Wonderful! Fountain of the Four Rivers. The four people represent the four great rivers, the Ganges, Nile, Danube and Della Plata. The south end fountain is Fountain of the Moor also by Bernini and the north end is Fountain of Neptune and added in the 19th century. A very busy spot.
We caught the bus home again and Lyn whipped up one of her special Italian dinners. Spaghetti with stuffed chicken breasts. Another good day.
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