James Gaston

Roma apartment

City of visible history

Roma construction 19 Nov 2024 Roma construction 19 Nov 2024 Roma --

Roma is under construction so a lot of sights are not so photogenic at present. For example, the fountains in Piazza Navona and the front of the Farnese palace are partly or completely hidden by walls of plywood. The area around the coliseum also has a plywood wall thanks to improvements being done to the metro. Bummer for us, but I appreciate the work going into maintenance and improvements.

And I think when done, and Roma looks great, so it is pretty well done, anyway when done the re-construction workers should head south. About ninety minutes south.

Roma is pleasantly free of traffic, at least the areas we frequented. Week day rush hour in the centro storico feels like early Sunday morning traffic-wise. I imagine this is because the city has implemented restricted traffic zones (aka Zona Traffico Limitato or ZTL). They say it is to preserve the city's charm, reduce pollution levels, and make the urban center more pedestrian friendly. I would say it is working. Molto bello.

The ZTL rules are complex. They vary depending on the occupation of the driver, vehicle, the area of the city, time of day, day of the week, the month, the current air pollution level, and how long the pollution level has been elevated. Residents are recommended to follow rule changes on line because they are so dynamic. I read that EVs are exempt, though we did not see many. Here is one website's explanation.

Boarded up fountains in Piazza Navona

Farnese palace

A pretty church

Crowd in front of Pantheon

Arco dei Farnesi

Around the corner from our apartment is the Arco dei Farnesi (The Farnese Arch). It was designed by Michelangelo and commissioned by Pope Paul III. It was meant to bridge the Tiber, connecting Palazzo Farnese with the Villa Farnesina in Trastevere. After Michelangelo’s death, the bridge was never completed but the pretty arch remains.

Arco dei Farnesi

Ponte Sisto

Row of trees along the Tiber

Hospital on island in Tiber

Campo de’Fiori

Colourful doorframe

Military presence

We see a fair number of armed military and police, but I avoid photographing them. These guys were not looking my way so I grabbed a shot.

Military presence

We see a fair number of armed military and police, but I avoid photographing them. These guys were not looking my way so I grabbed a shot.

Military presence

We see a fair number of armed military and police, but I avoid photographing them. These guys were not looking my way so I grabbed a shot.

Santa Maria in Trastavere

Notice anything?

Still or sparkling?

This machine in front of a TI offers free cold water in two forms, still and sparkling. Brilliant! I will take the sparkling.

Still or sparkling?

This machine in front of a TI offers free cold water in two forms, still and sparkling. Brilliant! I will take the sparkling.

Still or sparkling?

This machine in front of a TI offers free cold water in two forms, still and sparkling. Brilliant! I will take the sparkling.

Roma apartment

City of visible history