Italy Trip 2024 - Roman Forum and Colosseum
Impossible to cover everything today - so many new sites even though we had been to the to forum before. The sunlight early this morning was spectacular making the walk down the Via dei Fori Imperiale before entering the site unforgettable. Something about the light here.
Just outside the forum is the Mamertine prison where it is believed both Paul and Peter spent some of their final days. No golden hour light in that place - sobering.
Then the Roman forum! Civic buildings and temples from the 6th century BC right through the 4th century AD. Emperors had their palatial mansions on Palantine Hill, above and looking down on the forum and the circus Maximus (a chariot racing stadium). These are mammoth structures, some with frescos and mosaic floors still intact. The earliest Christian structure still standing is the Santa Maria Antiqua. This little church is filled with frescos from early Byzantine era.
Jacob was very excited to visit the colosseum ( built with funds and temple treasures from the sacking of Jerusalem in AD 70). Staying up until 2am one night to score Attico colosseum tickets (the upper most deck) was well worth it!
Our last stop was Santa Stephano Rotunda church. The first version of this church is from the mid 400s AD and it has been restored several times since. It is the national church of Hungary in Rome and is dedicated to St Stephen, honoring his martyrdom. The church is round, and covering the walls are painting of Christian martyrs - some quite graphic. But somehow it manages to be a beautiful and peaceful place - overwhelming to see so many who have gone before us in the faith and paid with their earthly lives.
Well, on that note… what an awesome day for which we are grateful! Love in Christ, PB, Margery and Jacob
Trajan’s Forum, along the Via Dei Fori Imperiali
