I awoke at 6a but was not feeling well. Took some more Pepto hoping that’d do the trick. We checked out at 7:45a, withdrew some money, and headed to the Cafe Englander. While Genetta had her normal breakfast I had just water, not wishing to tempt fate.
We walked to Wien Mitte station, a short walk from the cafe. We caught the CAT (City Airport Train) at 9:06a for 12 euros each. The ride was fairly quick and uneventful and getting through the airport to our gate was super fast as we had checked in prior to getting on the CAT, leaving us with only the security check.
We hung out in the airport for a while, drinking some bottled water and eating three croissants stuffed with chocolate. Quite yummy! We took off about 12:45p and had an uneventful flight. Snack-wise it was just the hazelnut wafer cookies and Coke but it hit the spot. We flew over the Adriatic then over the small lakes in the middle of Italy before landing about 2p at FCO. As we had no luggage we breezed through the airport to the Leonardo Express, the train serving Roma Termini from the airport.
Our Austrian Airlines flight back to Rome
Making the approach to Rome’s FCO airport
The Leonardo Express, running between FCO and Roma Termini
As we were unencumbered by luggage we walked to the Hotel Bolivar despite the heat (an unwelcome change from Vienna to be sure). Checked in to room 102 and relaxed a bit before hitting a few sights. Of course we couldn’t do that on an empty stomach so we got some gelato; Genetta had tiramisu in a cone while I had coffee in a cup.
In short order we were at Largo di Torre Argentina, a cluster of Roman ruins including four Republican temples and Pompey’s Theater. It was in the Curia of that theater that Julius Caesar was assassinated. Also situated at one end was a tower, Torre Argentina, built in 1503. What made this place very special, however, was that a colony of feral cats had long sought refuge here!
Adorable kitties lounge on steps in Largo di Torre Argentina
A kitty seeks shelter from the blistering afternoon sun
Remains of a circular Republic temple built in 101BC
Pretty plants at Largo di Torre Argentina
A cat resting at the base of a tree, enjoying its shade
Temple of Juturna from the 3rd century BC, later rebuilt into a church
Genetta and I enjoyed wandering the outside of the ruins (as it was normally closed to the public) looking at cats enjoying the shade. We also went down a small staircase and into a small room where people take care of the cats. They had a small gift shop where we bought a hand towel, a magnet, and a few other things as well as made a donation. We also got to pet several of the kitties. They were absolutely adorable!
Apse of the church built from the Temple of Juturna
Fresco of the church’s apse
Another view of the church
Torre Argentina seen from across the square
Standing near the tower, looking back at the temples, including the nearest from the 4th century BC
A closer look at Torre Argentina
Leaving the cat sanctuary we walked through a charming square with a fountain and on to see a few sights that Genetta had not seen on her earlier visit to Rome with her student friends. We went by the Marcello Theater and the charming three-column Temple to Apollo Sosiano then looked at some rapids of the Tiber from Pons Fabricius, a Roman Republic bridge from 62BC still standing in its original form. Amazing!
Fontana delle Tartarughe, Fountain of the Turtles, dating from the Renaissance
San Nicola in Carcere, built on top of, and within, Roman ruins
Temple of Apollo Sosiano near the Theater of Marcellus
Temple of Apollo Sosiano and some columns
Theater of Marcellus
Pretty church dome in Rome
Tiber river and Isola Tiberina beyond
Buildings on Isola Tiberina
Pons Fabricius, built in 62BC and relatively unchanged since
Bell tower of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, site of the Mouth of Truth
We then headed toward the Forum and through Michelangelo’s plaza, the Campidoglio. Though flanked by the Capitoline museums (which I did not visit on this trip to Rome — next time!) I found the experience a bit underwhelming, preferring the Roman ruins to Renaissance architecture. Genetta and I took time to relax and took a ton of photos. We enjoyed the cool evening air immensely and it was with reluctance that we headed back to the hotel around 7:30p.
View of the Roman Forum looking toward the Colosseum
Columns at the Forum
Cool church incorporating ancient Roman columns
I couldn’t resist this picture of a bird perched on a Saint
Looking towards the Colosseum, Antoninus and Faustina Temple on the left
Closeup of the Colosseum
Antoninus and Faustina Temple
Church in the Roman Forum
Replica of a statue of Marcus Aurelius in the Campidoglio, original is in the adjacent museum
Elevated walkway in the Campidoglio
Torre delle Milizie looming over the Trajan Market
Torre delle Milizie
I loved the evening sun on the church
A sign advertising an Alphonse Mucha exhibition
View down the road at the Colosseum, note the scaffolding on the right propping up some ruins
Colonna Traiana, Trajan’s Column
Detail of soldiers from Trajan’s Column
After freshening up we headed to Ristorante Petrucci. We had the garlic bread for an appetizer. Genetta had a mushroom and sausage pizza while I had spaghetti all bolognesse. We shared a still water while Genetta partook in the house white wine (for the last time before heading back to the United States) and finished the meal with tiramisu.
Headed back to the hotel about 9p, packed, and watched Portugal beat Wales 2-0 in Euro 2016. After Genetta headed to bed I worked on photos a bit before heading out at 11:30p to get a final gelato (cofee and mint chocolate chip — it was wonderful) and ate it while gazing at one of my favorite Roman sights, Torre dell Milizie. Among all the glorious Roman and Renaissance sights I really fell for that damaged (in a 1348 quake), leaning, missing the top two floors mess of a ruin. And, yes, I’ll end this blog (well, nearly the end) with yet another picture or two of that. Headed back to the room around 12a to summarize the day for future blogging and turned in.
…because of course I’d end with the Torre delle Milizie!