That morning we visited the Spanish Steps. Built in 1723-1725 they linked the church to the square and became a place for painters and artists. The glorious marble steps are smooth and round. A gorgeous square full of shopping and people. From the steps we walked to the Villa Borghese Gardens to another museum.
We have visited two Museums (other than the Vatican museum), the Roman National museum and the Borghese Galleria. These museums tell amazingly overwhelming stories. We have seen countless statues but the one I was very interested to see was "The Rape of Proserpina". Now, to be corrected, in Roman times the word "rape" actually meant kidnapping. So the statue is of a kidnapping, not an actual rape.
"The Rape of Proserpina" is arguably one of the most well-done statues of all time; done by Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the age of 23. The story goes like this: Proserpina (aka Persephone) was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, the Goddess of Agriculture -- corn, grain and the harvest. Proserpina was kidnapped by Pluto (aka Hades, ruler of the Underworld) with the help of his three-headed dog, Cerberus (guard of the gates of hell). The statue depicts the violent kidnapping -- her hand pressing against his head, a tear on her cheek and his hands pawing into her flesh (an amazing feat in marble sculpting). Demeter looks everywhere for her daughter and falls into depression, when she does winter occurs for the first time and there is no harvest. Zeus finds out that Proserpina is in Hades and tells her that if she doesn't eat any of the food there, he will save her. When (she thinks) no one is looking she eats six pomegranate seeds. Zeus frees her but commits her to Hades for six months out of the year, one for every seed. Every time thereafter when Proserpina goes to Hades, Fall and Winter fall upon the land.
"The Rape of Proserpina" is held in the Borghese Galleria which used to be part of a private estate. This estate is huge and comparable to Central Park in New York. There are many buildings, roads, statues, fountains, lakes and crypts. A more memorable moment we had was renting a four-seater bike that Mike and I peddled throughout the estate (almost dumped it at one point). The kids even got to play on a playground and in the grass (I know that sounds typical but Rome doesn't have many green spaces similar to our little town in Indo, so this was special).
Next, we visited the famous Trevi Fountain. Another highly anticipated Rome asset and to my and Hannah's dismay it was CLOSED!! Our hearts sank. We tried to take it in but truly were devastated. There was a small fountain piece with water in it were you can throw a coin a say a wish, so that is what Hannah and Mason did. From there we walked to the Pantheon. The area around the Trevi to the Pantheon was our favorite place of Rome -- perfect example of Roman culture, shops, and people.
The Pantheon, a temple built around 126 AD, was dedicated to the Roman pagan gods. Not sure exactly how it was used but the most notable architecture is the giant hole in the top. Mike and I speculate that it acts as a sundial. Buried within this beautiful building are the first two Kings of Rome, their wives and the famous painter Raphael and his fiancée. Mason really got into taking photos, may have a photog on our hands!
Our days in Rome have come to an end. A trip of a lifetime that will be ingrained in our souls forever. We are sad to leave but accepting of our next adventure, Naples Italy.
As always, to be continued...
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