Blogging from Rome, Italy on November 6, 2019
Bloggers: Mila and Sophia
Steps: 15,000
Buongiorno!
This morning, we visited several early Christian churches: the Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, the Church of St. Agnes, and Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (Saint Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs). Although the sun was shining and the weather seemed perfect when we woke up, as soon as we arrived at a bar for our morning coffee, it started pouring rain. Fortunately, we were (mostly) prepared, and the rain let up by the time we arrived at our first church.
The Mausoleum of Santa Costanza, Constantine’s daughter Constantina’s mausoleum, was very intriguing. The round structure houses Constantina’s sarcophagus, and is decorated with intricate mosaics on the ceiling. Although it was a Christian church, none of the decorations in the space had overtly Christian motifs, emblematic of Constantine toeing the line between Roman tradition and embracing Christianity.
After the Mausoleum, we went to see the Church of St. Agnes. Though the church was built in the 7th Century, it is decorated with spolia (things stolen from Roman buildings). The church was also a perfect example of a Christian basilica: it had rows of columns on either side, forming side aisles, an apse at the front, and clerestory lighting. Unfortunately, the catacombs in this church that we had hoped to see were closed, but we were still able to learn about Christian iconography, and (relatively) early Christian construction that gave us chills.
We then made our way to the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri at the Baths of Diocletian. Unassuming from the exterior, the interior of the converted bathing complex took our breaths away with its vaulted ceilings, beautiful paintings, and marble-work. There were many gasps and dropped jaws.
After lunch, complete with birthday cake, we walked to the edges of the city to see the Porta Maggiore that commemorated one of Rome’s most iconic infrastructure developments- its aqueducts! We were able to see the two channels running through the attic of the gate where water would have been brought into the city from two separate aqueducts. The monument showed us the importance of a water supply- something we’ve all come to appreciate!
Special cheers to Mila on her 21st birthday!
