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| Mattino a Ponte Sisto (Morning at Ponte Sisto), 1955, oil on canvas, Francesco Trombadori (1886-1961). Perhaps it was fortuitous that I inadvertently omitted this painting from my earlier post about visiting Rome’s Galleria d’Arte Moderna. Depicting a tranquil view of the Tiber and Ponte Sisto, it seems a fitting addition to this final installment of my Italian travelogue |
The final evening and morning of my Italian sojourn were spent in Rome, a fitting conclusion to my travels.
After visiting the Galleria d’Arte Moderna, I met up with a friend for dinner at a contemporary Roman osteria, where we enjoyed a wonderful selection of seasonal dishes, including zucca in saor, terrina di lingua di vitello scottata, patate sfogliate croccanti, and medaglioni di coda al sugo.
After dinner, we walked off our meal with a romantic passeggiata through the Eternal City. We first made our way to the Spanish Steps and the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti, where we attended Mass, before continuing on to admire the illuminated Column of Marcus Aurelius, Trajan’s Column, and the Colosseum. As I had during my previous visit to the Eternal City, I made it a point to drink from the nasoni, Rome’s distinctive public drinking fountains.
The following morning, we attended Mass at the Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù for the Feast of Our Lady of Victory and the Most Holy Rosary. Afterward, we lingered in my hotel courtyard over caffè and cornetti, and I read her some Rilke.
With the morning slipping away, it was time to say a reluctant goodbye. My journey had come to an end, but as always, leaving Italy was easier said than done.
~ By Giovanni di Napoli, October 20th, Feast of St. John Cantius
