🇮🇹 Rome – History, Art, and a Birthday Among Legends
✈️ Arrival & First Impressions
Rome was my surprise birthday trip from my husband — a little treat away from home!
As an artist, I’ve always loved Rome, because there is so much history and beauty layered into every street. And since I once studied Jurisprudence, it all felt even more fascinating — a living classroom of ancient law and art.
We took the train from the airport, and our hotel was close by. We spent the day walking from one historical place to another: Trajan Forum, the Altar of the Fatherland (so majestic, I still wonder the skill behind the archidecture), Roman Forum, and the statue of Caesar, whose battle plans I’ve always found inspiring.
And of course, the Colosseum — where gladiators once fought. For some it’s a symbol of blood and cruelty, but for me, it’s part of human history, an echo of courage and drama.
🏛️ The City of Layers
We passed Piazza di Spagna, Campo Marzio, Piazza del Popolo — each a different world, like walking through centuries of art and architecture.
When hunger struck, we found a unique little restaurant filled with inspiring art prints. I felt like you could rarely see everything that was right in front of you — it was almost overwhelming, in the best way.
💧 The Trevi Fountain Magic
Of course, we stopped at the Trevi Fountain — so symbolic and alive.
The myth says: one coin ensures a return to Rome, two bring love, and three bring marriage.
I don’t remember if we tossed any coins, but maybe we didn’t need to — maybe we already had everything those coins promise.
🎨 A Day in the Vatican
Next day, we crossed Ponte Sant’Angelo — the bridge of angels — heading to the Vatican.
There was art everywhere, and I sketched a lot after. We walked forever through the museum halls until finally we reached the Cappella Sistina — and there it was: Michelangelo’s ceiling.
It felt unreal, like standing beneath a universe of paint and genius.
We had coffee in the garden café, sitting outside in February sunlight — peaceful and bright.
In one of the galleries, we found a reference to Meru — the center point of the universe — and I smiled, because it felt like a personal message. As someone who often feels the overflow of creative energies, that symbolism deeply resonated with me….
And that spiral staircase and glass ceiling — perfection.
At St. Peter’s Square, all tickets were sold out, but somehow my husband managed to get us in. A birthday miracle.
🍝 Trastevere & My Birthday Song
Later, we wandered into Trastevere, full of lively streets and restaurants.
We sat down at Tonnarello — one of those places you never know will be good or touristy, but it turned out to be amazing.
We sat outside, and once eating dolce the whole square sang me “Happy Birthday.
I must say at first, I felt awkward — mostly because my jacket was the same red and white as the tablecloths, so I blended right in and people did not confuse me with cloth— but it made everyone laugh. Fashion is fashion.— And art is everywhere, even in those little moments.
Afterwards, we walked back to our hotel, stopping for a glass of wine at Salumeria near Piazza Barberini, soaking in the city lights.
And that was The End — of our Roman adventure, but not of the feeling it left behind.
🗺️ Visited Places
Trajan Forum – echoes of empire and order
Roman Forum – ancient Rome’s beating heart
Colosseum – circle of courage and memory
Piazza di Spagna & Piazza del Popolo – where art meets movement
Trevi Fountain – marble poetry and legend
Vatican & Sistine Chapel – ceiling of dreams
St. Peter’s Square – light and spirit
Trastevere – life, laughter, and birthday pasta
Piazza Barberini – a toast to art and endings
🖌️ Fun Artist Facts about Rome
Michelangelo’s genius didn’t stop at the Sistine Chapel — he also designed the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, merging art and architecture perfectly.
Bernini made marble move — his Ecstasy of Saint Teresa breathes emotion.
The Trevi Fountain gives back — all coins are collected for charity.
The Pantheon’s dome is still the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome, 2,000 years later.
Renaissance artists were philosophers — painting was their language for ideas about truth, beauty, and spirit. Proving that art and intellect were never separate.
✨ Artist’s Reflection
Rome reminds me that art and life are carved by the same hands — shaped by time, touched by passion, and meant to be seen in the light.
