In early December, a group of employees of the Kirillo-Belozersky museum-reserve set off for Italy to get professional training there. They got acquainted with monuments of history and culture in Rome and the Vatican City during ten days. Many of them have visited Italy for the first time. Some of them have first been abroad. And so it was very interesting to learn their impressions when they came back.
Alexey Smirnov: “I have been to Rome for the second time, but this year I have visited it not as a tourist, but as the head of our group. Believe me, these are two very different things – to follow a guide and to admire the architectural monuments or to lead your colleagues constantly looking into the tablet computer and checking the map.
Therefore, in comparison with the last year’s trip, my collection of photographs was replenished with only 500 pictures. It is five times less that last year. On the other hand, I learnt more about Rome and could feel its spirit. The Eternal City doesn’t resemble any European capitals which I happened to visit. Though Rome is the main city of two states, yon don’t feel that fuss and hurry which is typical for the capital there. In spite of the crowds of tourists, the city rhythm is regular and sedate, corresponding to the centuries-old history. So many important monuments located within the small area can’t be found in any other place in Europe. They are just everywhere. Their dating boggles the mind! Any building, church or just a stone sticking out of the wall is directly connected with plenty of famous historical events”.
Tatiana Zolotova: “Rome is a masterpiece created by nature, history and human genius. There were 264 Popes in the history of Rome (the first one was Saint Peter the Apostle who came to Italy in 42 A.D.). The Popes didn’t just own Rome and rule over it. They loved Rome. All of them tried to decorate it, to create something extraordinary to go down in history. What did I like in Rome most of all? Everything! The smallest state – the Vatican City, the centre of the Catholic Church; the greatest Christian church and the symbol of Christian Rome – the Saint Peter’s Basilica; the Colosseum, the Forum of ancient Rome, the Pantheon, churches, basilicas, palaces, streets, squares, bridges and fountains... And the inscription on the grave of Rafael in the Pantheon which reads: “Ille hic est Raffael, timuit quo sospite vinci, rerum magna parens et moriente mori”, meaning: “Here lies that famous Raphael by whom Nature feared to be conquered while he lived, and when he was dying, feared herself to die”.
Igor Khobotov: “It was my first trip abroad. Italy has surpassed all my expectations. I was impressed with the number of churches. Their exterior is so unremarkable, but beauty and luxury of the interior amazes. I liked the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs above all. Besides, it was very interesting to go to see the National Museum of Rome and its branches. Visits to the Vatican museums and especially the Saint Peter’s Basilica are another story. You cannot help being amazed at the grandeur of what you see. The legendary city of Pompeii struck me with its development and preservation. I would like to come back to Italy and to visit other cities as well. One day I will surely go to Italy with my family and will show them this wonderful country”.
Lyudmila Terebova: “Rome is called the Eternal City. I think everybody has heard this expression at least once, but you begin to understand it only after the visit to Rome. You are delighted and surprised at the same time, because times and epochs are so deeply intertwined in this city. You have just seen the monuments of antiquity as if you entered a time machine and travelled back to the Ancient Roman Empire. Then you walk along narrow medieval streets and, in an hour, admire the magnificent Trevi Fountain constructed in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The Vatican City is gorgeous. You cannot help being delighted with its beauty.
But I was impressed most of all when I visited archeological complexes. One of them is located in the middle and low tiers of the Basilica of Saint Clement built in the 4th century. There are two structures erected in the first century A.D. where you can see frescoes of the 8th-11th centuries along with the rooms situated beneath the present ground level. Other archeological monuments are the legendary city of Pompeii and, of course, the necropolis under the Saint Peter’s Basilica. This cathedral was constructed above the grave of Saint Peter the Apostle and we could see this place during the tour. It is an unforgettable experience when you go along the corridors built in the first centuries A.D., touch the walls of the 2nd-4th centuries and stand within a few steps from one of the greatest sacred places of the Christian world.
In general, to answer the question “What did I like above all?”, I should give the whole list of places and monuments which we have visited. I liked everything! It could not have been otherwise!
Irina Gostinshchikova: “To get from the cold Russian winter to the Italian warm weather was just a fairy tale! The fairy tale created by nature and many generations of people. I will remember the following about Rome: ancient structures against the background of celestial blue enframed with cypresses and stone-pines; wonderful mosaics twinkling with gold; mysterious shade of the Catholic basilicas; numerous soaring columns which have traces of history; magnificent palaces, fairy castles, ancient fountains with drinking water... Streets and lanes like in “that very Italian film” and even that street where Federico Fellini shot his famous movie “La Dolce Vita”. Everything in the city was being prepared for Christmas celebrations. It was rather unusual for us to see decorated Christmas trees together with ripe oranges and lemons in the trees, sparking New Year’s adornments in the shop windows and blossoming cyclamens everywhere in the middle of winter.
But I think that the most impressive event was a visit to the Saint Peter’s Basilica and its amazing underground vaults in the Vatican City. The necropolis with pagan and Christian graves decorated with painting and mosaics is located under the nave of this church. Climbing along narrow passages of the catacombs, we reached the tomb of St. Peter who had been martyred in the 1st century A.D. People can visit this place only with a special permit. It is not allowed to take pictures there. But we always keep the most interesting things in our memory. Not a single photograph, even a very good one, can convey those feelings which overwhelm you when you touch the wonderful past!”
Tatiana Usova: “I have seen Rome for the first time. It has produced an unforgettable impression on me. The majestic Colosseum, a great number of monuments and creations of outstanding masters. Palaces and churches give Rome unique charm and grandeur. It is the city-museum, mysterious and eternal, where the ancient blends with the modern. I have gained a lot of impressions. It is difficult to tell about everything. You should certainly go to Rome and see this wonderful city with your own eyes”.
