Day 6-8
I can’t believe it, we are in the last city of Italy! I get to walk on the very grounds where many monumental biblical and historic events occurred. Some of those events were the founding and fall of the Roman Empire, the death of Julius Caesar, and Constantine's legalization of Christianity. Before we entered, Professor Allbeck pointed out to me how there were red poppies scattered all over Rome, and it was my first time seeing poppies that red. The first site we visited was the Colosseum, Rome's most iconic amphitheater and symbol. I was just astonished at how I got to see and walk the grounds of the area where many emperors and gladiator contests took place. After we toured the Colosseum, we went to the heart of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum; it was my favorite place in Rome. I saw and walked beside the Roman ruins where political speeches, public trials, social gatherings, and religious ceremonies took place. The forum had the famous triumphal arch of Constantine to celebrate his victory over Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge. Our tour guide, Rosa, showed us the acanthus leaf plant that organizes the Corinthian column. I got very excited to see it because Professor Kaford showed us that in class. She also mentioned that Julius Caesar was cremated on a pyre. I enjoyed exploring the grounds of these ruins because I got to see and walk on the grounds of the historical figures, artists, and the remains of the former Roman Empire.

The next day was packed full of site presentations of baroque architecture. We visited San Andrea al Quirinale, San Carlo al Quattro Fontane, Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps. Both different types of oval-shaped ceilings by Bernini and Borromini, the San Andrea ceiling radiates with its gold leaf-covered hexagons with the skylights. On the other hand, San Carlo’s ceiling demonstrates Borromini's craftsmanship in sculpting with geometric coffering, a volumetric pattern of octagons, crosses, and hexagons that illuminates a divine harmony. Despite waiting in line for the iconic Trevi Fountain, it was massive to see all the sculptors and be able to make a wish. Then, when we went to see the Spanish Steps, we saw throngs of people walking up the theatrical curved stairs.

Then, the next day, we went to the Vatican City! Some parts still can’t believe it's its own country. It was such an honor to go on a tour! We could go to the Sistine Chapel because the new pope was elected, which was a blessing. My favorite part of the Vatican was the beauty and craft everywhere; my eyes were just astonished. I got to see Michelangelo's work and the famous fresco-painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which features the painting of the Creation of Adam. From there, we got to be in St. Peter’s Basilica, where the grandeur scale was massive and implacable. The ornate gold leaf on the domes, ceilings, and altars was breathtaking. When we climbed the dome, I got that beautiful view of the straight axis going down Vatican City; it was a remarkable experience! After, we headed our way to the iconic Tempietto. It was a hike, but I loved sketching this chapel because it was peaceful, and the simplicity and proportionality

We saw Piazza Navona, Pantheon, and St. Ivo alla Sapienza on our last day in Rome. I loved the straight axis from St. Ivo, which used the stars to guide our aligned walk around the arcade. Then, we went to the Pantheon. It was pretty busy there, but I was tuning out everyone and admiring the perfect proportionality of the column placement, the concrete dome, and the oculus. I spent 2 hours admiring and sketching this beauty and seeing the light moving from the oculus in real-time.

To wrap up the Italy leg of the trip, I'm very grateful for this opportunity that was given to us, getting to see all these famous works of architecture from images in Professor Kaford's class to real life. It has been unforgettable; I wish we had one more day of exploring these cities to see all the iconic sites my group and I researched in Professor Kaford’s class. I want to go back and explore Italy and the countryside next time! Now we are off to Spain!!