In contrast to the neglected Colosseum, Pip found St Peter’s Basilica to be a glistening display of shining marble filled with glorious art. Perhaps Vatican City doesn’t have the same funding problems for the upkeep of its heritage buildings as does the city of Rome, he thought.
The lengthy tour conveniently ended in the Vatican gift shop, where waiting in line for the toilets, Pip was able to contemplate the 2,300 euro price tag on a small copy of the statue of David.
Across the timeless Tiber River, Pip discovered the magnificent Pantheon, a shrine to all gods built by the Emperor Hadrian. Nearly two thousand years after its construction it’s in remarkable condition.
The impressive gigantic columns were cut from single blocks of stone and its dome is still the largest of its type in the world. Becoming consecrated as a Christian church during medieval times saved it from the vandalism inflicted on many Roman temples in that period.
The iconic and stylish Trevi fountain is almost loved to death. Made famous in films such as ‘Three Coins in a Fountain’ and ‘Roman Holiday’ with the inimitable Audrey Hepburn, Pip found the site to be swarming with tourists. Everyone was jostling for position, photographing themselves like adolescents at a school formal, while simultaneously trying to throw a coin in the fountain and make a wish.
It was a only short walk to the Spanish Steps, but Pip ran into a Roman soldier and got into a spot of bother. He had to pay money to be released. This was another ancient sport.
Adjacent to the Steps, he visited the house, now a museum, where the poet John Keats had died at the age of 25. From his bedroom was a view of the Steps. Pip was so moved by the exhibition that he was inspired to think he might try to find the Protestant cemetery in Rome to visit his grave. Another day.
But first – it was off to the island of Sicily.
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