Trastevere

Deciding to explore one of the older parts of Rome today, we took a tram to Piazza Argentina for our caffe and cornetto. In this particular bar, the milk is served in the glass with a small jug of delicious coffee alongside for you to mix together. Julius Cesare was killed in the centre of Piazza Argentina which is now home to hundreds of cats who live amongst the ruins.

We then continued on tram to Travestere and our next stop is the church of Sante Maria in Travestere, said to be the oldest church in Rome. Facing a large piazza, this Church is beautiful. Prepared for easter, there are olive trees alongside the alter creating a simple evocative scene. The ceiling is covered with frescoes, statues, cherubs and angels. The floors are mosaics. Everywhere there is gold leaf, delicate paintings and places for reflection. The skills of artisans and artists endure and create a serene, uplifting scene for meditation and prayer. We sit here for a long time. I write a prayer for the people of Abruzzo who have experienced a terrible earthquake a couple of days ago. I leave this at the feet of a statue of a young priest looking gently into the eyes of a cherub he is holding in his arms. There are thousands of notes at his feet, in his arms and on his head.

Further down the road in Trastevere, we visit Villa Farnese, built around 1511. The extraordinary vision and skills of the early architects, artisans and painters are again evident. In one loggia, there are scenes by Raphael painted on the walls and ceilings; scenes of Cupid and Psyche, intertwined with garlands of flowers and fruit by da Udine. There are marble stair cases and paintings showing perspective bringing the outskirts of Rome inside this old family home.