This post continues the chronicles of Steve Bridge’s class trip to Rome.
After the past week or so of early mornings, we got a much-needed morning to sleep in.
After a leisurely breakfast, our first stop was to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs. The Basilica was designed by Michelangelo to repurpose the Thermal Baths of Diocletian.
We timed our visit in order to watch the sun cross over the site’s Meridian Strip.
Constructed in the 1702, the Meridian Strip is a brass line around 150 feet long that is embedded into the floor of the church.
There is a small hole near the ceiling, angled so that the sun’s rays produce a small circle/ellipse along the floor. The path of this circle intersects the meridian strip at different points along it, depending on the time of the year. At summer solstice, the sunbeam hits the nearest point of the strip; at winter solstice, it hits the furthest. It was pretty amazing to see the Meridian Strip in action, and it gave us considerable appreciation for the precise engineering that must have gone into it. The other impressive feature of the Basilica is the Grand Organ. Roughly the size of a house, it was given by the citizens of Rome to Pope John Paul II on the occasion of the Great Jubilee of the year 2000. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hear it played. Next time, perhaps…
After our visit to the Basilica, we headed over to the Capuchin Museum and Crypt. The Capuchins were founded in 1520, and acquired their names due to the type of robe (the cappuccino) that they wore. These monks lived in extreme poverty and were only allowed to keep the minimum necessary items. They were also were very knowledgeable about medicine, and used that knowledge to help others. The small but well-appointed Capuchin Museum contained a number of interesting items connected to the history of the order. However, the real draw is the Capuchin Crypt. The crypt is composed of six small chambers decorated entirely with the bones of deceased monks. I felt a strange mixture of feelings when I walked in. On one hand, the bones are arranged in detailed and artfully stunning ways. On the other hand, I realize that all of the decorations are made from human bones. Overall, it is just a very different experience compared to anything else I’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the crypt, we were not allowed to take photos.
Following the Crypt, the group decided to do some shopping. Because some of the lowest prices in Rome can be found around the central metro station (Termini), that’s where we headed. Many of us were trying to find gifts for friends and family, as well as shoes, purses, and other items for ourselves.
We spent a few hours at a number of different stores before heading back to the apartment. Later that evening, Ms. Fecteau and Dr. Bridge made us an authentic Italian dinner. Our appetizers were tomato slices with buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil. Our main course was spinach gnocchi, with our choice of Romano cheese or pesto sauce. Then we also had zucchini with olives and parmesan cheese on the side. All of it was delicious! Aprille had bought a bottle of wine for 1 Euro, so we sampled that as well. (Needless to say, it wasn’t very good.)
To end the night, we went to a well-known gelato spot near the Coliseum. We then recorded a video in front of the Coliseum, singing “Happy Birthday” to Ms. Fecteau’s sister and dad (who shared the same birthday today).
Submitted by Charlotte Mattingly