It was a cool day to walk and sight-see despite the intermittent showers (blessings, in my opinion). Perhaps due to the rain, we didn't encounter as many tourists and touts on the streets, which was a welcome respite from the days of constant pushing and shoving in the crowds. The market at Campo di Fiori was a nice change from the tours of museums and churches of previous days (it's always good to mix things up).
From there, we walked to the 17th-C Basilica Sant'Andrea della Valle which is a renowned Baroque gem in the Eternal City. Its dome is one of the largest in Rome. Then we meandered to the Pantheon, one of the most remarkable architectural achievements of ancient Rome. It was originally built in 27 BCE by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa during the reign of Emperor Augustus as a temple to all gods, but it was later rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian between 118 and 126 CE after the original was damaged by fire. It's fascinating how well-preserved it still is. Now it serves as a church.
From the Pantheon, we embarked on a pleasant stroll to Piazza del Popolo, passing once again through Piazza Navona, a square we'd explored just a couple of days prior. We took in the sights at Piazza del Popolo and then continued to our final destination of the day: the magnificent Fontana di Trevi, one of Rome's most iconic and significant landmarks. With my right hand, I tossed a coin over my left shoulder - so, will I be returning to Rome? ;)
What can I say? Rome, overall, proved to be a truly captivating place to visit. On our last day, I received a wonderful personal affirmation that Rome would always welcome me back, should I choose to revisit. The Italian waiter, who had served us breakfast every morning, bid us farewell with a warm, huge, and unforgettable smile. Such genuine sincerity and generosity!
Above left: The window view from the B&B; Above right: Breakfast of steamed buns & noodles ~ €9.60, which Dad paid.
Above: @ Campo di Fiori market
Above left; The high altar of Basilica Sant'Andrea della Valle; Above right: The towering dome of Basilica Sant'Andrea della Valle
Above: Beautiful Baroque design inside Basilica Sant'Andrea della Valle
Above: The weathered brickwork highlights the Pantheon's centuries-old grandeur
Above: The Pantheon is famous for its massive dome and central oculus, which allows
natural light to illuminate the interior.
Above left: @ the Pantheon
Above right: The ancient Egyptian obelisk in front of the Pantheon, mounted on a sculpted pedestal featuring papal symbols and topped with a Christian cross
Above left: The Fountain of Neptune in Piazza Navona in the foreground; in the background, we see the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, with its elegant dome and twin towers, alongside the towering Obelisk of Domitian
Above right: Arriving @ Piazza del Popolo
Above left: The twin churches - Santa Maria in Montesanto (left) and Santa Maria dei Miracoli (right) - mark the entrance to Via del Corso, one of Rome's busiest streets.
Above right: Porta del Popolo, a grand and historically significant gate in Rome. It serves as an entrance to Piazza del Popolo and is part of the Aurelian Walls. The Latin inscription on the gate translates to "For a happy and auspicious entrance, in the year 1655."
Above: Statues of St. Peter (left) and St. Paul (right) at Porta del Popolo,
which has historically served as a welcoming entrance to Rome
Above right: @ Piazza del Popolo
Above: Another Baroque masterpiece, the Fontana di Trevi celebrates water's life-giving qualities; it is one of the oldest and still-functioning aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome
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