Monday, November 20
We decided to take a break from the world of art and do something completely different. We checked out the Foro Italico. This is a sports complex that was started in the 1920s under Mussolini and was intended to host the 1944 summer Olympic games. The complex is richly decorated with mosaic flooring and a large number of sculptures. It was intended to show modern day Italy being an outgrowth of ancient Roman culture.
(Tennis players know it as the home of the Italian Open)
The complex includes the Olympic stadium, a tennis stadium, Olympic sized swimming pools, diving pools and a track and field stadium. Today the complex is used for international competitons and as a school for Italian national teams.
During the year the several red clay tennis courts are part of a private tennis club. The courts and the associated stadium are used each Spring to host the Italian Open.
(The Track and Field Stadium ringed by sports themed sculptures)
That evening we decided to go out and see the lights of the city. We walked around Tiber Island and took some pictures.
(A remnant of a bridge that crossed the Tiber)
Tuesday, November 21
Now, back to our regularly scheduled program – today we went to the Museo e Galleria Borghese. This villa/museum/park/garden complex was owned by the Borghese family until 100 years ago, when it was taken over by the Italian government. The villa has been converted into a museum which houses a very fine collection; it includes an enormous number of Bernini sculptures that were commissioned by the Borghese family for their home. They also own a large number of Bernini paintings, some Caravaggios, paintings by Raphael, Titian, Reubens and many others.
Two of our favorite Bernini sculptures…
(Hades and Persephone)
(Apollo and Daphne)
Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving Day)
We had planned to go out to one of our favorite restaurants from last summer but Deborah was a little under the weather so we decided to have dinner at home. Instead of Turkey we had Chicken. Close enough.
Actually the dinner consisted of chicken and spinach cutlets with pesto, crunchy “pizza” crackers with pesto, table cheeses and a very nice Chianti. We had apples for dessert. The Chianti is worthy of special note. Previously we had been buying cheap Chiantis. This one cost us €6.00 (about $6.50). You gotta love Italy! The entire meal was delicious.
(Thanksgiving Dinner)
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from Rome!