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All roads lead to Rome - Part 3

San Paolo fuori le Mura, Centrale Montemartini, Vatican City, Aurelian Walls & Via Appia.

By Emma-Jane Browne

August 26^th, 2018

My final post of Roman photos! On my final day I had my funniest and most awkward solo travel moment so far, when I ended up visiting Catacombs of San Callisto with a group of priests and seminarists - although I think it may have mostly been funny for me and awkward for them.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Basilica Papale di San Paolo fuori le Mura

One of Rome's four ancient major basilicas, founded by emperor Constantine on the site of St Paul's burial. It was nearly completely destroyed and rebuilt in the early 19th century, with only the 13th century cloister surviving. The cloister itself is said to be one of the most beautiful of the Middle Ages, complete with intricate and ornate columns.

The basilica is also known for it's frieze of papal portraits, with a light shining on the current Pope. Legend says that once the space runs out, the world will end!

Centrale Montemartini

Now I love museums, but what I love even more is an museum in an unexpected location! This former power station - shut down in the 1930 - was used a a temporary exhibition space in the late 1990's when the Capitoline Museums underwent renovations. It was so popular, that it because a permanent part of the museum, housing 400 ancient statues surrounded by the machinery still in place.

Vatican City

Castel Sant'Angelo, Ponte Sant'Angelo, the Tiber, Piazza San Pietro & San Pietro in Vaticano.

Aurelian Walls

Built around the seven hills of Rome in the 3rd century by emperor Aurelian in reaction to the barbarian invasion 270. The walls are in extremely good condition as they were in use until the 19th century. The Porta San Sebastiano marks the beginning of ancient via Appia, but also houses a small museum and access to the sentry passage inside the walls. It was an amazing - and somewhat spooky visit - as I was completely alone, a stark contrast to the Colosseo. There is something quite fascinating walking along a nearly 2000 year passage on your own in absolute silence.

Via Appia

One of the most important roads of ancient Rome, it linked the city to the town of Brindisi on the Adriatic Sea. In roman times it was forbidden to bury the dead inside the city, leading important Romans to build imposing funerary monuments along the road.

In 71 BC, after the Third Servile War led by Spartacus, 6000 slaves were crucified along the via Appia between Rome and Capua (that's about one every 30m).