A Morning in Rome

By the time we woke up the next morning, Niccolò had already left for the train. But before he left, he snapped this photo of the sunrise from the terrace and sent it to us. How beautiful is that?

Sunrise in Rome

We greeted Danilo, the friendly doorman, on our way out and let him know we'd be back before 7 p.m. to return the apartment key. Then we walked just a few doors down to a cafe Niccolò had pointed out the night before. 

I ordered a macchiato--my new coffee order of choice--and a chocolate croissant. One bite in, and a rush of chocolate exploded from the other end. It was delicious...almost too delicious. Honestly, it might have been too much chocolate (is that even possible?). I think it was just a pastry-to-chocolate ratio thing. I must be wrong, right?

Largo di Torre Argentina: Where Julius Caesar Was Killed

First on Ira's itinerary was Largo di Torre Argentina, an archaeological site that includes the spot where Julius Caesar was assassinated. On the Ides of March (March 15) in 44 BC, Caesar was killed by a group of senators during a session at the Curia of Pompey, beneath a statue of Pompey the Great.

After a short walk, we arrived at the site.

Area Sacra di Largo di Torre Argentina

The sunken ruins at Largo Argentina include four ancient Roman temples and the remains of the Curia of Pompey. But here's the unexpected part: the site is also home to a cat sanctuary! Dozens of cats are said to live among the ruins. 

We bought tickets to wander the grounds and then walked around to the back side of the site to get a better view of the Curia. A pine tree now marks the approximate location of the assassination.

Historical Illustration of the Assassination Site

You can still see the remains of the base where the statue of Pompey once stood. Here's a visual to help imagine what the scene might have looked like: 

The Death of Julius Caesar

One Cool Cat & A Surprise Church Visit

It was already scorching hot, and there wasn't much shade, so we didn't linger too long. Even the cats were mostly hiding from the heat. But we did manage to spot a few. Here's the cutest one, in my opinion:

Curia Cat

As we continued toward our next destination, we happened upon a church that I had a feeling might be worth peeking into. I wasn't wrong.

Chiesa di Sant'Ignazio di Loyola

Church Interior

Organ

The Baroque beauty took our breath away. The painted ceiling and grand architecture were stunning. One of those little Rome surprises that make wandering on foot so rewarding.

Next stop The Capitoline Museum (and our next post).

A dopo!



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