We then headed for Capitoline Museum, where ancient Roe’s most famous statues and art are housed in two palaces that flank the equestrian statue in the Campidoglio. this square, Piazza del Campidoglio, was once the religious and political center of ancient Rome. It is still home of the city’s government. In 1530 the pope called on Michelangelo to reestablish this square as a great center. He placed the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius as its focal point (the original statue is inside the museum). He built his grand staircase off Piazza Venezia. To the left of the mayor’s palace is a copy of the famous she-wolf statue, the one who nursed Romelus and Remus, brothers who founded Rome.
Inside the museum (this one cost E15 so we used our second free admission from the Roma Pass for this), are the original she-wolf statue and original Marcus Aurelius. Legend has it that with his hand raised, Christians in the middle ages preserved it because they thought it was Constantine, giving a blessing! So the statue was spared!. We wandered past an amazing array of ancient statues and busts, beautifully displayed in this palace.
We passed several times and saw from many angles the “wedding cake” or the monument to Victor Emmanuel, built to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the country’s unification in It was built as a push to overcome the new country’s strong regionalism and create a national identity. The 43-foot statue of the king on his high horse is the biggest equestrian statue in the world. The king’s mustache forms an arc five feet long!. At the base is Italy’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We didn’t climb up it as we had had many views over the city and didn’t need more stairs. However, it’s gleaming white sheen and enormous scale provides a vivid sense of what Ancient Rome looked like at its peak - imagine the Forum filled with shiny, grandiose buildings like this!
We hopped a tram line from Piazza Venezia and headed across the Tiber to Trastevere, a colorful neighborhood that gives the best look at medieval-village Rome. We used Rick’s recommendation to eat at Taverna Trilussa in this area for dinner. We were early as usual - still can’t get used to the late eating in Italy, especially when we were basically doing two meals a day - just a snack in between! The meal was delicious!
After dinner we walked around the neighborhoods and the central piazza where people were gathered around the fountain and musicians were playing lively Italian music.
We headed back on the metro to our cozy apartment. And our long day of walking ended!
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