It was a bit of a wasted trip as the Pope was giving audiences this morning, so whilst the square was full and thousands were milling about, the basilica was not going to open until about 1 o'clock, which was no good to us at that point. We aborted and decided to make our way up one of the seven hills. The choice if transport was a bus, but finding the stop proved a challenge. One drink stop later we did get a bus to the top of the hill, so we could see the Garibaldi monument and look out over the City from the viewpoint.
We bussed back down and then walked through the backstreets to visit a Gelateria recommended by Clare and Rachel. A further sampling followed.
We then thought we would make our way to the church of St Clement. Off we went, found a bus, found the church - it was closed for lunch/siesta! So we aimed up another hill, called in to have a look at a monastery, and then went further up and visited the cathedral of St John, which was huge and highly decorated.
Thereafter it was back down the hill for a drink stop which filled the time before we could visit St Clement's, which is another of these sites where the structure has been built over time after time. There was a 2nd century church on the site (some of which is still visible below ground level) which has been built on/over as it was extended or refurbished over time. The present interior has a beautiful ceiling and frescos.
From there we walked up to one of the peaks of the Episcopine Hill and saw some of the remains of the huge bath house complex that was there.
We then wove our way through the side streets coming across the basilica of Maria Maggiore. We arrive at a time when there were four masses being conducted in different side chapels - varying languages and approach it seems.
From there, a walk back to the hotel and a chance to get the shoes off and feet up.
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