Day 13 - Saint Cecilia and Saint John

On our last day here in Rome, we wanted to make sure we finished all our gift shopping before it got too late. Still having a few people to cover, this gave Sarina a solid case for making our way back over to the markets in Campo di Fiori. She had wanted to revisit the charming morning market scene anyhow. We took the opportunity to wander the many tables and breath in the mingling flavors of spices, fruits, vegetables, perfumes and a dozen other scents that combined in invisible swirls around us.

From Italy Honeymoon

From Italy Honeymoon

Inspired by the image of Saint Cecillia's marker in the catacombs from the day before, we set fourth like good little pilgrims to find the Basilica that was dedicated to her. The Basilica itself is like the local diamond in the ruff. Tucked discreetly between some unassuming buildings, about thirty feet back was the simple and clean entrance. Within the Basilica, the walls, ceilings and floors are covered in an uninterrupted white marble and gold accents. Relatively simple compared to some of the other more grand basilica in the region, the elegance of it was refreshing. The interior seemed to reflect the simple white marble appeal of the original sarcophagus top; showing the reclining, lifeless body of Saint Cecilia forever captured in a stone reflection. At the heart of the Basilica, her final resting place can be viewed. With it, the original sculpted sarcophagus top. All around the Basilica, images of her and other saints tell stories. At the center of the ceiling, an enormous fresco illustrates Saint Cecilia in Heaven, being given her sainthood by Jesus and Mary, with God and the angels looking on.

From Italy Honeymoon

Our last stop would be one of the most celebrated churches in Rome: Basilica di Saint Paul. A very large church even by Rome's standards. The soaring ceilings are supported by over 100 intimidating white marble columns that almost create the illusion of infinite space. The walls are evenly punctuated with dozens of tall windows that at first glance appear to be stained glass. In fact, the windows were not glass, but rather great pieces of yellow alabaster sheets, transforming the incoming light into a soft golden glow.

From Italy Honeymoon

Just below the vaulting ceilings of gold and white, a border of portraits is made around nearly the entire interior. Each circular image contained a pope, set in order of their time in service, creates an illustrated time line of the Catholic church. As one would expect, the most recent addition to this parade of devoted men is Pope Benedict -- the current man holding the precious seat. As if set as an audience, the portraits had an indefinite view of the center of the church where you would find the final resting place of Saint Paul. Above him were displayed his chains from his time as a Roman prisoner; and below were the excavated remains of the catacombs that preceded the Basilica. In the 300 years of persecution that followed Christ's death, worship was often held in the sanctuary of the catacombs. Imagine a labyrinth of dark and wet halls, and the smell of decaying bodies. Out of the darkness, lit dimly by the occasional torch or miniature oil lamp, the eerie voices of people reciting prayers in harmony.

From Italy Honeymoon

From Italy Honeymoon

We finished admiring the last church of our adventure around Rome, then made our way back to the hotel. We had still to pack our bags and organize the gifts before going to sleep. We ended the night with a long and relaxing dinner, savoring all that our senses could absorb.