Roma~ sempre qualcosa nuova

 Rome continues to deliver the goods.  Honestly, I always discover something new.  Today I was wandering around Piazza Navona, which by the way is undergoing a huge cleaning and restauration.  Not unlike countless places in Rome.   I don't know what happened.  Somewhere, someone got a ton of money and the powers that be in Rome decided now is the time.  There is scaffolding everywhere.

There are two churches that frame the Piazza Navona, and in all the times I've been here, they have never been open. But this morning, eccola! 

First is Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  It was built on the 10th century site of the abbey of the Benedictines of Farfa, an oratory that honored St. Andrew.  In the 15th century, Pope Nicolo V ordered the restoration of the area and it was finished around mid-century (1450-58).  When Leo X became pope, the church caught his eye and he threw lots of money and art commissions its way.  Then in the 18th century, some additions were made and you can really see that style in some of the alcoves:

And then across the Piazza is Saint Agnese in Agony.  The art is largely sculptural depictions of her life and the paintings on the walls and ceilings.... just too divine:

There is also this side altar featuring Saint Sebastian.  Remember, he is depicted with arrows piercing his body.  He was a 3rd century martyr.  He was once a soldier in Diocletian's army but then converted to Christianity.  Legend is, he took advantage of his position as a soldier to help out Christians who were imprisoned.  Discovered, he was sentenced to death, tied to a column and shot full of arrows.  Irene (also a martyr) treated him.  She tried to plead for Sebastian's life in front of Diocletian.  He said, no.  Had her killed and thrown in the river.  

At the end of the (hot) day it's all about the deliciousness of salty chips and bitter Campari:

Salute!