St Stephen’s Feast Day / Il giorno di Santo Stefano (Boxing Day), another beautiful day in Rome.
We started our day visiting Piazza Navona as the Christmas Market had re-opened there on Christmas Eve (it was closed down on the day we had arrived because of lack of fire extinguishers on the carousel, merchandise not adhering to trade and industry regulations and other contraventions).
The Christmas Market was very busy on this St Stephen’s Feast Day with families, children and dogs out and about exploring all the delights of the market just like us!
We had such fun wandering around, watching a few minutes of a puppet show which obviously we did not understand but enjoyed the puppets, we looked at all the Christmas decorations on sale and the various items on sale to create nativity scene/preseppo – preseppo are more important than Christmas trees in Italy – and stalls selling dolci (sweets), and lots of typical fairground games.
A lively and fun atmosphere with everyone having a lovely time.
Wherever you wonder and go in Rome, there are fascinating items and sights to appreciate whether it is architectural, art, different objects d’art in the windows of shops, and there are always tempting aromas from the cafes, restaurants, street food stalls ….. Rome (and this must apply to everywhere and anywhere in Italy) is a place where every sense is heightened because of the sights, aromas, tastes and experiences from simply being in Italy!
La Dolce Vita!
Affogato for Johan (his all time favourite dessert) and a crepe for me filled with Nutella, were an ultimate treat for the two of us at Fiocco di Neve (THE very best place for affogato according to TripAdvisor) …..
I also enjoyed a big pot of tea as I was longing for tea and it is usually really expensive in Rome (average price of €5 to €8) but at Fiocco Di Neve it was €2 for a big pot of tea – it was lovely and I made the very most of that pot of tea!
Fiocco Di Neve is a must if / when you go to Rome!
Various gelato at Fiocco di Neve
The Pantheon which we walked past on our way to Chesau of St Ignatius
The Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Campus Martuis (Italian: Chiesa di Sant’ Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio, Latin: Ecclesia Santi Ignatii a Loyola in Campo Martio), a 4 minute walk from the Pantheon, is a Roman Catholic titular church, of deaconry rank, dedicated to Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. It was built in the Baroque style between 1626 and 1650, the church functioned originally as the chapel of the adjacent Roman College, which moved in 1584 to a new larger building and was renamed the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Andrea Pozzo's painted ceiling with trompe l'œil architecture in the Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola in Campo Marzio
Medallion of Ludovico Ludovisi by Le GrosMedallion of Ludovico Ludovisi by Le Gros
Annunciation by Della Valle (1750)
The "Dome“ of Sant’ Ignazio
Monument to Pope Gregory XV and Cardinal Ludovisi (c. 1709-14) by Le Gros
Glory of St Aloysius Gonzaga by Le Gros (1697-99)
The Isola Tiberina (Tiber Island) is a tiny island in the middle of the Tiber River in Rome. The island is possibly the smallest inhabited island in the world.
This was the meeting point for our next free walking tour, with Vidi Vici Vedi Walking Tours, discovering the Rome suburb, Trastevere.
The Martyr’s Memorial on the Isola Tiberina
We could not get over the colour of the sky in Rome - just gorgeous
Trastevere
Christian Basilica of Saint Cecilia
Saint Cecilia in Trastevere is a 5th century church devoted to the Roman martyr, Saint Cecilia
The first church on this site was founded, it is thought, in the 3rd century, by Pope Urban I. The church was devoted Cecilia, martyred it is said under Marcus Aurelius Severus Alexander (A.D. 222-235). According to tradition, the church was built over the house of the saint.
The martyrdom of Saint Cecilia
We had a break from our walking tour to enjoy this delicious tiramisu; others went to other places near by to use their facilities for a "comfort break"
Street art in Trastevere
More street art in Trastevere
Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere
The Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere / Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere / English: Our Lady in Trastevere is a titular minor basilica in Trastevere. It is one of the oldest churches of Rome. The basic floor plan and wall structure of the church date back to the 340s with much of the structure to 1140-1143. Pope Callixtus I built the first sanctuary in 221 and 227, which was completed by Pope Julius I. The church has large areas of important and beautiful mosaics from the late 13th century by Pietro Cavallini.
When we arrived at the church, mass was still being heard so we waited and enjoyed the big model of Roman life (see the previous slides) in the covered walkway area of the church structure.
Animated model in the window of a restaurant
Walking home from the CIPRO Metro station to Domus Getsemani, we always passed this building with its lit up smile – so cheerful and heart-warming. Christmas in Rome was certainly exceptionally memorable
