when in rome - indulge in some serious culture - villa borghese
tickets pre-booked for this relatively small gallery in central rome
named after a art-loving and very rich cardinal who spent up big
and gathered together a fine collection of sculptures and paintings
the gallery is in a corner of 80 hectares of gardens previously seen
it's a short walk from the parked car through the parched grounds
a relief then to get inside the serenity and coolness of the gallery
the audioguide providing an essential background to it's history
with a reminder the gallery is itself intentionally a large artwork
easy to see as we wander from room to room to view the contents
the sculptor bernini features strongly with several stunning pieces
a reclining venus, a stone-throwing david, and apollo and daphne
he pursuing her relentlessly and she transforming into a laurel tree
that moment captured in the sculpture with such incredible detail
an illusion too - from one angle only a tree can be seen in her place
this piece alone then bringing a new-found respect for the fine arts
there are paintings by known names such as raphael and caravaggio
most would be priceless i assume - but surprisingly the security is light
or maybe so well done it is invisible - but still - everything is in reach
it wouldn't take much - but presumably respect means nothing happens
happy with that concept and also grateful for the trust that is extended
we spend a couple of hours on the 2 floors before we are booted out
us and everyone else on the morning visit - good timing - we are full
next stop - the national gallery of modern art that has some appeal
as does their outdoor cafe where we sit and enjoy the summer day
under a large canopy and partaking of the fine service on offer
people-watching (as you do) suggesting the moneyed set are here
who knows - maybe our fellow patrons are famous artists - possible
inside the gallery is a bit of an anti-climax - closed for renovations
apart from one exhibition - the lasting - across a couple of rooms
the favourite piece being a series of 4 photos taken simultaneously
focused on a pedestrian in the middle of an intersection - clever
the other works - probably clever too but modern art is so subjective
still glad to have made the effort - next stop - the mall - shopping!
a return to our favourite mega-mall that today is very busy inside
the draw of air-conditioning would drag in the late saturday crowd
the ladies go one way and i go another - a drink, a sit-down, a snooze
recharged and then back into rome central to check out piazza del popolo
the people's square - and famous historically for - gulp - executions
all fun being had this evening in this large space with lots of people
we bravely decide to head to the river and the night markets there
a 40 minute hike that reveals parts of rome not seen previously
tired and now hungry means a rest and meal down riverside
porchetta and baked vegetables all round - quite delicious
this driver then volunteers to fetch the car - a long walk
and a tense drive through traffic to pick up the passengers
head north - but a wrong turn adding to the journey home
midnight - home - 4 tired people - we are really packing it in...
