Italy Study Abroad: Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day

JUSTINE HOLLINGSHEAD, CHIEF OF STAFF IN THE DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS, IS ON LOCATION IN ITALY FOR A UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS STUDY ABROAD TRIP. HER BLOG POSTS WILL APPEAR FROM TIME TO TIME BETWEEN HER ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND GELATO EXPERIENCES.

We have arrived in beautiful Florence Italy, but not before checking out some amazing, hard to wrap your head around, sites in Rome. When you think about some of the sites that still exist today, like the Roman Forum, the Palintino, and the Pantheon, it is just hard to imagine.

The visit to the Vatican was quite memorable, but no sighting of the Pope. St. Peter’s square, which is not really square by the way, was set up for a mass or some gathering…..lots and lots and lots of gray plastic chairs. I stood waiting below the Papal Porch as I call it and tried to imagine what it would be like with thousands and thousands of people clamoring to see him. I suspect it would be way too many people for me.

The Vatican is the world’s smallest country – yes it is a country that would fit inside the confines of Central Park in NYC with room to spare. When you step into this small country, you are transformed back in time. Roman Emperors like Nero, Mussolini, Michaelangelo, and the likes all had a hand in shaping history of Rome, the world over, and religion in general. The Swiss Guard still protects the pontiff in their renaissance era uniforms. I saw two of them and they would not smile for a photo, so no Instagram recognition for them.  No photos in the Sistine Chapel, so no one can really prove they were there…..you will just have to trust me.

Our second full day in Rome included 28,000 steps (aka 12 miles) on the Fitbit taking us from the Vatican to the Pantheon to Palentine Hill for a nighttime trip back in time to the Roman Empire visually depicted on the side of what would have been the Flavian Palace. The Pantheon that we know today was built in 120 AD and is a site to behold with sixteen 40’ tall columns each 15’ around. Attention…..these items are bigger than they appear.

Some takeaways from Rome – do not plan to get a sit down with the Pope, “dinner” is consumed well past 8pm, there is not a speed limit nor would taxis abide by it, people on scooters do not pay attention, the trinket of the year is a selfie stick, be prepared to feel tiny and amazed.

More to come from what many call the heart of Italy, nestled in Tuscany, a beautiful city called Florence.

Ciao!

Justine

The Roman Forum