ROMA – SPRING 2017 – Pt 4a

DSCN1862DSCN1864I wanted to visit Villa Giustiniani Massimo to see the famous frescoes that adorned its walls, but unfortunately for me, the villa was closed.  I would just have to save that for another time.DSCN1867DSCN1868DSCN1870DSCN1872DSCN1874Close by is the Giardini di Via Carlo Felice — a small park that runs along a section of one of the city walls.  DSCN1875DSCN1876DSCN1878DSCN1882DSCN1884My next stop was going to be the Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme — a basilica which I highly recommend visiting when in Roma.  This is one of the seven Pilgrim Churches in Roma — one of seven churches that the faithful seek out for prayer and to see historical/religious relics.DSCN1885The convent attached to the church as its own garden, which is gated and normally closed to visitors, but I fell in love with the glass embedded in the iron work.DSCN1886DSCN1887DSCN1889The actual church dates back to 325.  It was built to house the relics of the Passion of Jesus Christ, which had been brought to Roma.  At the time, the floor of the church was also covered with dirt from Jerusalem, but today, unfortunately, the dirt is gone, and a more modern floor exists.  DSCN1890DSCN1892DSCN1895DSCN1902The relics of Jesus Christ are kept in a chapel, off to the left.  The relics include a panel from the cross with writing on it, 2 thorns from the crown of thorns, a nail, and a few other pieces of wood from the cross which Christ was nailed to. DSCN1903DSCN1907DSCN1918There is an archeological area behind the church, but tours are only given on certain days, and reservations are a must, so I was not able to see that.  It is just another thing that I will have to add to my to-do list for next time.DSCN1919DSCN1925DSCN1928DSCN1930DSCN1932DSCN1936DSCN2008DSCN2009DSCN2018DSCN2017DSCN2019DSCN2022DSCN2021DSCN2023DSCN2024The Chiesa di Suore Adoratrici del Preziosissimo Sangue is located on Via di San Giovanni in Laterano.DSCN2025A section of Via di San Giovanni in Laterano is also known as “Gay Street”, called that for a small area of gay-friendly establishments that line the road.  Across the street from one of Roma’s oldest gay bars, “Coming Out”, you can find the remains of the ancient structures that housed the gladiators, who took part in the games directly across the street in the Colosseum.  DSCN2027DSCN2028DSCN2029DSCN2030DSCN2031

Next up: a trip to Garbatella — one of Roma’s most unique areas!

Note: this blog is written in English and Spanish, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any other translations which may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please check out our archives for more posts on bella Roma, as well as additional Italian destinations…  Grazie!

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