Galleria Borghese, National Museum, Basilicas St John Lateran, Mary Major and Mary Angels 10/3/2014
Galleria Borghese
We had a full day today. We were up in time for 7:30 cafe breakfast at Behive. We were on our way via bus to Galleria Borghese. We had a 9 am reservation for a 2 hour visit. We were told we had to check our bags including our camera. After we were inside, Fred asked an attendant how come there were some people taking pictures? It turns out that 2 months or so ago, Italy changed their laws allowing camera to be used without flash. So we have no pics to show except from the outside.
This place is absolutely fantastic! Fred was spellbound by the majesty of the Art work. This is an absolute must see for all who visit Rome!
After finishing our visit, we discovered that we could walk though the gardens to a Metro spot to catch a train to the National Museum our next stop. We had a great lunch in a wonderful outdoor patio across the street from the Museum . We shared a vegetable Pizza and a chicken salad panini sandwich.
We added a visit to the Basilica of Mary & the Angels and Martyrs which is co-joined with the National Museum. They share the same walls.
Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs
This was quite a surprise! (See pictures) We saw this Church when we were in this square several days ago. It looked interesting so this time we decided to go into it before going to the national museum. This was a real inspiring place!
Roma National Museum
This was very, very disappointing! Fred has read that everyone should visit this museum to get the flavor of the whole Roman Empire period. There was an amazing array or artifacts, artifacts and more artifacts each with its own notes. This was probably an archaeologist’s heaven. It did provide a flavor of that history but it was too much detail with pulling it all together (IMO).
The best past was the Diocletian Baths. They has a movie presentation with a model of complex with ceiling lights that highlighted the part of the model being filmed at that moment so you could see what it looked like back in the days when 3,000 people were in the bath at once! However, there was a huge door that people were using to get out to a court yard. The light from this open door prevented you for seeing the movie or lit model. Fred closed the door. An attendant opened the door. Fred discussed why this expensive presentation was there if you couldn’t see it. He talked italian only but Fred caught his drift. I’m in charge. He left and Fred locked the door until the movie was done to Milly’s scragrim. Som one cmae and tried to get back in. The person found there was another entrance and exit to the baths area.
When we were done, Fred decided that he would visit a couple of Churches while Milly would visit the next museum. We would meet up again at our room.
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (Mary Major)
Very Interesting Basilica devoted to the Virgin Mary!
Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
The Pope’s Church as Bishop of Rome!