As I mentioned before in I’ve Died and Gone to Rome, last week was culture week in Rome. And I wasn’t about to let it pass without seeing as many museums as I could! Even better, it wasn’t only museums that were free of charge – many other attractions were free as well.
In two days I visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Castel Sant’Angelo, some of Rome’s finest museums: Galleria Borghese and Musei Capitolini, and some of Rome’s lesser famous museums such as Museo di Roma in Trastevere and Palazzo Corsini.
At corsini, I happened to arrive just as they were seating for a free live concert of Italian music inside the gallery. Amazing. I was literally moved to tears. After the show, I nearly threw myself on the man who was playing an unusual instrument: the tiorba.
Not because I wanted him in any way, ha. But because I was dying to know more about this instrument he was playing – it was completely mesmerizing. Turns out it’s an instrument from the baroque period. It’s about four feet tall, has 14 strings…and sounds like pure magic. Seriously. Tears.
Sorry for the musical tangent.
Yes, I totally blitzed the art scene for a couple days, but I don’t really know what to say about it. I saw a lot of Bernini, Caravaggio, Lanfranco.
I won’t even pretend to get artsy-fartsy on you. I am, what you might call, an “art ignoramus.” I don’t know much about art at all.
In my college years, I attempted an art history course. After the first lecture, I knew it wasn’t for me. But I was determined to give it a shot, and gave myself two weeks to decide if I would continue the course or not. What happened? I slept through every single lecture and eventually dropped the course.
And that’s the extent of my formal art education.
So yes, “art ignoramus” I am. But it doesn’t take even the slightest enthusiast to appreciate the art in Rome. Art is everywhere and in so many forms, and its history is part of what makes this city (and respective country) so great.
And indeed I’ve ignored the huge art elephant in the blogroom: the Vatican museum. Why have I left it out? Well, it wasn’t included in the “free” culture week events and I have chosen not to go there.
Yet.
It is the museum of all museums in Rome, so I’m saving it for next week. First of all, I’m exhausted. Going to all these museums is tiring, and I need a break! Second of all, my friend Florent is flying in from Paris and we have four days to explore Rome together. Really excited about seeing the Sistine Chapel. Stay tuned!
Make sure when you get inside the Sistine Chapel to sneak in a picture of guys underneath the famous Michelangelo painting of David and Moses! Are you going to make it to Venice? That was my favorite place in all of Italy. Speaking of Italy, Rick Steves was in my store a couple of times a few weeks ago and bought a sectional from us and when I asked him where is his favorite place to travel to in the entire world, he said Italy.
-Phong
thanks for the tip, phong – how cool that you met rick steves! italy truly is a special place. after i visit florence and cinqueterre, i’m definitely going to venice!
I hear ya, sistah! I get museum’d out as well. Having nothing to do with how much I love art (I do!) but it’s just the environment that I have a trouble dealing with. The crowds, the pushing, the waiting, the heads and shoulders that always find their way to block my view, it’s hard to take. I find three hours is my max before I’m ready to commit murder in a museum. I leave for a couple of hours and then return if I’m still in the mood. If not, I’m still happy. You’re in Rome, just grab a gelato! =)
Haha, you said ignoramus.
Sounds like Italy is amazing! I believe the original Romeo and Juliet movie was filmed in Verona, Italy. I’ve always wanted to go there to see the original balcony. I’m such a sap, but I’ve always loved that story. Enjoy the rest of Italy and keep the blogs comin’! I check almost everyday to see if you posted anything new! I love it! Miss you. xoxo
@connie, you are SO right about the crowds. they’re maddening!
@vy, ignoramus is a fantastic word. and thanks for reminding me about verona, i think i’m gonna stop by on my way to venice. wish you were here. miss you so much!
Bonjour Thy !
So now you visit Vatican museum…
Enjoy your time in Sienna !
Take care Thy and keep in touch !
Florent