The same routine this morning. Wake up at 5, crush some water and start walking until it feels like you have stress fractures everywhere. It was a cold morning, around 37-40 degrees Fahrenheit, but a brisk walk heats you up! Today’s station mass was at San Giorgio. The church is built on the grounds where Romulus and Remus were washed up as children and looked after by the she-wolf before finding Rome. San Giorgio, a very simple church, has the same paleochristian (thought to be around 260 – 525) style architecture as Santa Sabina.
Beautiful fresco over the altar. Here is a bit more on San Giorgio: https://www.pnac.org/station-churches/week-of-ash-wed/friday-after-ash-wednesday-santi-giovanni-e-paolo/
As you exit the church, you meet the Arch of Janus. It is the only “quadrifrons” (latin for “four fronts”) triumph arch still preserved in Rome. It dates back to the early 4th century AD.
San Giorgio is located right near the Roman Forum, so naturally as mass let out I ran to catch the sunrise. It is incredible that these ancient Roman ruins are still standing strong today.
After admiring the Roman Forum I made a pit stop at one of my favorite churches: Chiesa del Gesù. St. Ignatius of Loyola’s (my confirmation saint) tomb is there as well as some of the most beautiful artwork ever done.
After that, I walked through my favorite piazza in Rome; Piazza Navona!
It was here that the great artists of the 15th century battled for the spotlight. Bernini vs. Borromini. Think Cavs vs. Warriors 2016, Umich vs. OSU, or Yankees vs. Red Socks. I could go on and on about those two. Their stories are fascinating!
Incredible!!! Bernini’s “Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi” (the four rivers fountain) looking in disgust at Borromini’s Sant’Angese in Agone. Notice St. Agnes looking away at the top of the church. Bitter rivals? Yes. Intentionally done? I’ll let you decide.
Wrapped up the day with a beautiful sunset on the balcony!
Sadly, I will not be able to attend the station mass tomorrow. I have to lead a group to St. Peter’s for mass (total drag am i right?!?), but I hope to keep the trend of the station churches going! Fun day. Hope you enjoyed!
Cheers,
JPD