(1) Gateway to Rome, Porta del Popolo and Piazza del Popolo - A blow to the eye that instantly draws the traveler in! What is the true essence of Rome as a theater city!
The first part of this memorable introduction to Rome is the Gateway of Popolo and Piazza del Popolo, the gateway to Rome. There is a reason why I introduced this place first. If I am going to talk about Rome, I must start from here.
Now, let's include the reasons why, by Masumi IshinabeAs Long as San Pietro StandsLet's listen to the explanation of
Until the nineteenth century, travelers coming to Rome by land from various European countries, even those who came via Tuscany and then the Cassia Road, usually entered the city via the Flaminia Road, ending at the northern gate of Rome, the Porta del Popolo. Montaigne, Goethe, and Stendhal all saw Rome for the first time through the Gates of Popolo.
In contrast, we usually arrive at Termini Station by train or at Fiumicino Airport, then take a limousine to Termini Station and begin our stay in Rome. Before the unification of Rome, there was a large villa called Villa Montalto in the area of Termini Station, which was built at the end of the 16th century.
However, the area has been completely urbanized by modern urban development, and as is usual in the terminal stations of large cities, people from all walks of life come and go, so the area is no longer very impressive. From Termini Station to Via Nazionale, there are many large hotels, especially those that welcome Japanese groups. Thus, the environment in this area has given many Japanese travelers a bad impression of Rome, and probably has also increased the number of thefts.
Anyway, it is no wonder that the thrill of arriving in Rome is quite different for those of us who travel by easy means than for the travelers of the past who finally reached Rome after long days of travel. In addition, the city of today is so sloppily laid out that it is not even clear when we entered the city. The once noble ritual of passing through the city gates is lost forever.
Nevertheless, when visiting medieval cities in Italy, one can still experience the thrilling sensation of passing through these castle gates. San Gimignano and Assisi, for example. Indeed, there is something indescribable about the feeling of entering a strange city through its gates, a feeling of cheerfulness.
Even a small medieval city is no different. I wonder what it must have been like to pass through the gates of Rome and enter the city for the first time.
Indeed, the traveler passing through the Gates of Popolo was confronted with a marvelous spectacle: the almost stage-like view of Piazza del Popolo. The Verge guidebook, published from the end of the 18th to the 19th century, proudly states: "The Piazza del Popolo is the most beautiful and most beautiful square in the world, and the most beautiful square in the world.
No other city offers such a noble and magnificent entrance as the Gate of Popolo gives. The perspective formed by the vast square, the great Egyptian obelisk in its center, the twin beautiful cathedrals, and the three wide, long streets is so splendid that the very first glance at it is enough to give one an accurate conception of the grandeur of Rome.
That this description of the verge is not guidebook propaganda is confirmed by the testimony of many travelers, such as the famous 18th century writer Charles de Broglos, who wrote, "Nothing gives a more complete idea of the greatness of Rome than the first view of this city. Above all, anyone who actually stands in Piazza del Popolo and sees this wonderful view with his or her own eyes would agree with this statement.
Anyway, in order to understand what the city of Rome was like for travelers in the past, I think it is necessary to first envision the powerful "eye-opening" effect that Piazza del Popolo had on them. Therefore, it is worth trying this experiment to simulate the entry into Rome in the past, most conveniently by getting off at the Flaminia subway station on the A line and entering the city through the Piazza del Popolo.
If the reader were to walk along the Flaminia Road from the front, he or she would see the obelisk and the twin cathedrals peeking out from the Gate of Popolo, and then, passing through the gate, a square would suddenly open up, and beyond the giant obelisk, the twin cathedrals with their rather eccentric domes and the three straight streets between them, would be visible. The view is like the backdrop of a stage. The view is like the backdrop of a stage. Like the stage at the moment the curtain opens after the overture of an opera, there is a sense of anticipation of the grand drama that is about to begin.
In fact, the view of Piazza del Popolo gives us an understanding not only of the "magnificence" of Rome, but also of the character of the city itself. To understand this, we need to talk a little about the historical background of how the above decorations were made.
Yoshikawa Kobunkan, Masumi Ishinabe, "San Pietro ga Tatekiri: My Guide to Rome," p. 16-19.
*some line breaks.
I was at the beginning.Montaigne, Goethe, and Stendhal all saw Rome for the first time when they passed through the Gates of Popolo."I am shot when I see the words Goethe'sTravels in Italy.I am a big fan of "The World's Most Beautiful People," so when I hear it explained in the context of literature, I am all over it.
Also,The powerful effect that Piazza del Popolo had on them was a "coup de grâce."I think what he had to say about the "Rome" was also impressive. This makes me want to go to Rome and check it out.
And at the end of this commentary on Piazza del Popolo, the author states
Kuchma, which in ancient times was the "city of emperors" and later the "city of popes," was a city destined to have a fictional and "showy" character. The traveler who finally arrived in Rome after a long journey and stood in Piazza del Popolo was convinced of this as well as of the "grandeur" of Rome. Therefore, if anyone thinks that the view of Piazza del Popolo was deliberate or impersonal, he or she is not in tune with Rome. On the other hand, if someone feels a thrill of excitement at the shenographic view, he or she was born with the "talent" to be fascinated by Rome.
Yoshikawa Kobunkan, Masumi Ishinabe, "San Pietro ga Tatekiri: My Guide to Rome," p. 24.
Now, what will I feel when I see this Gate of Popolo? Do I have the "gift" of being fascinated by Rome? I had to find out! This is why I went to the Porta del Popolo first when I arrived in Rome.
This is Roma Termini station. I arrived there in the late afternoon, but I didn't have enough time to take pictures at that time. This is a photo I took later at night.
As I mentioned earlier, I arrived at this station in the early afternoon. However, even during that bright time, I felt quite fearful around this station. I have visited many train stations in many countries, but this station seemed to me to be the most unsafe. The inside of the station has been renovated in recent years and is now somewhat safer, but you can't be too careful outside. There were many young people hanging out in the station, obviously looking like a bunch of riffraff. I felt intimidated to walk through the station with my carry-on case rolling, as I felt like I might be a "target.
I was able to take this picture because I was accustomed to staying in Rome and passed through here quickly and empty-handed.
I was once robbed in Bosnia. I learned a lesson from that experience and try to move around empty-handed without a backpack or bag. When abroad, the first priority is to avoid becoming a target. Japanese people stand out even in the most conspicuous situations. And they are easy targets. It is better not to be targeted in the first place than how to escape. (For more information, please see the following article.Takahiro Ueda, Robbery in Sarajevo, Bosnia (9)(See article in)
Until the end of my stay in Rome, I could not let my guard down even for a moment here. Even the local guide said, "This place is not so good. There is no need to be overly fearful, but I want to let you know that it is really dangerous if you have Japanese sensibilities.
However, if I were to visit Rome again, I would stay in this area again. It is still a convenient location. There are plenty of metro stations and bus stops, so it's convenient to get anywhere you want to go. If you stay at a hotel close to Termini station, you will have no problem staying here. There are also many restaurants. It may be tough for those who have never been abroad before, but for those who are used to it, I think it is a good option.
Now, I also came to the Porta del Popolo by subway from Termini station.
Goethe and Stendhal passed through here. Dostoevsky and Mendelsohn, both of whom I love, would have passed through here. Passing through this gate is a Roman "shot in the eye," as Mr. Ishinabe says.
Oh..! Is this the "Roman blow" that the great artists saw?
This picture was taken on a sunny day later in the day, and it is true that one cannot help but be shocked when this sight suddenly appears in front of one's eyes. I can't help but be elated: "I'm in Rome! I am in Rome!
From Pincho Hill near the square, you can see Piazza del Popolo and the city of Rome. The large domed roof in front is St. Peter's Basilica.
From Piazza del Popolo, walk down Via del Corso, the main thoroughfare, and you will find the Goethe Museum.
Goethe'sTravels in Italy.is a masterpiece that goes without saying. I love it too. It is without a doubt the greatest of all "travel stories." Every artist, writer, and intellectual since Goethe has been influenced by it. My favorite Mendelssohn is one of the best.
The room where Goethe stayed is now a museum. The photo on the right shows a reproduction of the famous window where Goethe used to look out.
After the "blow in the eye" of Rome at the Porta del Popolo and its square, my thoughts went straight to Goethe. For me, Rome is the city of Bernini and the city that Goethe praised. The beginning is the key to everything. The first day in Rome gave me a lot of momentum for the rest of my stay in Rome.
be unbroken
*The list of articles in the "Rome Travel Journal" can be found atCategory page hereindicates direction or goal (e.g. "to")
*Please visit this category page for recommended books to learn about Rome and Italy.
The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Vatican, and Roman Catholicism."
The Italian Renaissance and the Revolution in Knowledge."
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