Experiencing the Green Effects of Michelangelo's Work in Rome

 We missed breakfast at 9:45am since we were tired from traveling last night and slept in. There was a nice dining room at the hotel lobby and when Stan went there, he was told by hotel staff the breakfast was closed. I ran into Giovy, the owner of Inn Giovy  ( located on Via Principe Amedeo), a very warm and understanding host.  She understood that this was our first morning in Rome and opened up the restaurant partially for us to have a continental breakfast.  A very considerate gesture!

Walking along Via dei Nazionale  we came across  the ruins of the Diocletian Bath – one of the most significant baths in ancient Rome.  Michelangelo  was commissioned to integrate the ruins of this magnificent Roman structure into the plan of building the Basilica of St. Mary's of the Angels & Martyrs. The result of his work is stunning!

            

Michelangelo's Last Work - Basilica of St. Mary f the Angels & Martyers, Rome. He was 86 years old.

One of the Halls in the Basilica Brightly Illuminated by Sunlight

When we first entered the Basilica of St. Mary's of the Angels & Martyrs ( before learning that this was the design  and last architectural work of Michelangelo)  I was overcame with a sense of awe and respect for the divine. I did not know what it  was but  being in this place of worship, it touched me deeply spiritually and I felt the presence of God. 

 I knelt, prayed for my loved ones and lit two candles.  Afterwards,  my husband told me that he had  the same awesome feeling. Cool!

The Beautiful and Breezy Courtyard at the Basilica

We have been warned by numerous friends and colleagues not to visit Rome in August because of its extreme heat. They were right! Especially  in the afternoon when the scorching sun beat down on us, we were drenched with sweat from the moment we stepped out of our hotel.

I must acknowledge the wisdom and designs of these renaissance architects, especially in the area of energy efficiency and use of solar power.  It must had been close to 40 degrees outside but we felt much cooler when we were inside the basilica even though there was no air conditioning and no opened windows! Can you imagine not having air conditioning or open windows in your dwelling at 40 degrees?

 In some part of the building such as the little courtyard, we could feel cool breezes blowing  continuously as if some big fans were in use.  Besides reading all the explanations and history about this beautiful work by Michelangelo, we stayed close to an hour and half just to enjoy the cool air and took refuge from the heat outside.

Another thing we noticed about this basilica was the absence of electrical light fixtures and yet the building was bright. By using ingenious  designs and clever positioning of windows  throughout this grand structure, sunlight was used to illuminate those huge halls. Windows were symmetrically placed and when sunlight was shown through them on the walls, the windows were so bright that they looked like spotlights.  Very energy efficient and clever green design indeed!

We found a diversity of  ethnic food restaurant in Rome. For our first dinner in Italy, we ate in an Indian restaurant close by the hotel!  There would be lots of opportunities for pasta in the next 2 weeks!!

R.T., Our first Day in Rome

Aug. 14, 2012