Saturday, June 8, 2013
We took a bus out to the San Callisto Catacombs on Appian Way. There are 20 kilometers of catacombs in Rome, built by early Christians as cemeteries and also used for worship services. We walked through a seemingly endless maze of tunnels, which are on 4 levels deep underground. The bones have amost all been removed for protection after being desecrated by barbarians seeking treasure and pilfered by pilgrams seeking souvenirs. We saw remains of 2 people in glass cases, placed there for tourists.
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| Walking Through the Catacombs |
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| Sheep and Shepherd in Field by Catacomb Entrance |
Then we strolled down Appian Way looking at ruins. Appian Way is the longest straight road in Europe, at about 150 km, and was built by the Roman Empire 2000 years ago. We stopped at San Sebastian's Church, where he is buried. He was a fascinating Roman officer martyr who fought against Christian persecution, was executed by being shot with arrows, but miraculously survived and got better. Then he accused Caesar again so they beat him to death.
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| Memorial to Saint Sebastian |
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| Eating a Croissant on Appian Way |
We stopped to see the Basilica Santa Maria in Cosmedin which houses the skull and other bones of Saint Valentine. Just outside is the stone "Bocca Della Verita" or "Mouth of Truth". If a liar puts his hand in it will be eaten. The line of brave, honest people was too long, so we just took a photo.
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| Saint Valentine's Skull |
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| The Mouth of Truth |
Lastly, we toured the Jewish sector, or ghetto. It was settled by Jewish ambassadors and merchants from Israel 2000 years ago, who were welcomed. Then when the Jews in Israel rebelled against the Romans all Jews were viewed with suspicion and the Jews in Rome were persecuted off and on until after WWII. Now there is a huge synagogue and the sector is doing well.
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| Touching Both Sides of Street in Jewish Sector |
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| Ruth Looking out our Window |
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