The Ordinary versus the Extraordinary – A year of travelling with three children: 26 November 2015

Drizzle and cold temperatures again but it is still important to get out for some fresh air. Luke, Tim and I walked to Piazza dei Popoli then down the wet streets to complete our circuit. We pretty much know Rome's layout by now but there are a few things left to explore. We did find a Panettone Tiramisu which went down very well with morning coffee!

Definitely a winner for morning coffee!

Ancient Roman walls just doing their thing!

Ruins everywhere you turn!

Being a wet day, it is not so inspiring to go out and explore but we finally decided to check out another one of the four Papal Basilicas, my interest having been kindled after visiting the St Paul outside the Walls yesterday and reading about the Papal Basilicas. It is a luxury to be able to trawl the internet and other sources to discover more and more and learn so much! I think if I had read about the Papal Basilicas in a text book I would have skimmed over the information but being able to walk through and wonder is great and so that the whole experience becomes memorable. Today's journey took us to the Papal Archbasilica of St John in the Lateran, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Roman Pontiff. It is the oldest church in the West

As it is the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, it ranks higher than all other Catholic churches (including St Peter's) and is therefore given the title Archbasilica.

The Archbasilica was built on top of the ruins of a fort and it was officially dedicated in 324 AD. From that time on with an earthquake (897 AD), fires (1307 and 1361) and some extensions and renovations, it has remained the Archbasilica.

Archbasilica of St John in Lateran.

It is impressive to walk into and there was a hushed silence of a few people wandering about and some other praying in the side chapels. What strikes you most are the 18th Century massive statues of the Apostles along the sides as you walk down the central aisle. The apse is a magnificent 19th Century mosaic and the floor inspired me for more patchwork quilts with its lovely geometric designs.

Geometric floor designs, hand pieced and and laid to see the passage of time.

This one is a greater challenge with the curves! Imagine hand cutting each piece!

A patchwork possibility!

The Apse with mosaic

The Dove with olive leaf again.

Apostle Simon - massive, at least twice the size of a human.

Looking down the main aisle.

Apostle Peter

There is a cloister attached to this basilica but as the weather wasn't too good and we'd seen one yesterday, we headed off passing Palazzo Laterano which was the official Papal residence until the Pope moved to the Vatican in 1397. In the piazza we noted yet another huge obelisk, the Lateran Obelisk. It was originally from the Temple of Karnak in Egypt and then was erected in Circus Maximus in AD 357. It fell at some stage and was buried under the Circus before being discovered and re-erected in its current position in 1588. It is the tallest standing obelisk in the world.

The tallest obelisk in the world: the Lateran Obelisk

Why let an old arch get in the way of a building project?!

And so the walls continue...

On the Wall path!

We sort of followed the Ancient Roman walls in the direction of Porta San Sebastiano, not entirely sure that we were going the right way around. After asking a local chap, who confirmed we were going the right way, he showed us a path off the main road along the other side of the massive walls to walk along! It was cold, 9 C, slightly drizzly and a longish walk but not unpleasant. We did find the Museum of the Walls, our destination, but it was closed! Not to worry, we got to walk along the Appian Way again and indeed back home along the river.

Next to Porta San Sebastiano - The Appian Way continues and cars thunder along at break neck speed.

Tim was thrilled that he finally found a Taco ice cream! He'd being eyeing these off but no shops seemed to stock them given that it is now winter. He sat and enjoyed his find in the chilly evening air! We also enjoyed a visit to our bakery where Luke scored the biggest doughnut of all time for 1 Euro!