10 Comments
User's avatar
Mary  Jane  Cryan's avatar

The hotel belonged to My medico , Prof Scialanga, not sure it still does.. are you in Borgo Pioor Marche March 13?

Expand full comment
Life Lived Italian's avatar

So wonderful to hear your insights on what is now our neighborhood. And I know exactly the hotel and dog that you're referring to! We love that dog-- we check everyday on our way to the gym to see if he's out there.

Expand full comment
Teresa Cutler-Broyles's avatar

This is a nice wander through the past and through the area. I was just down there last weekend - it's my favorite neighborhood. I enjoyed the new pedestrian-only Via Ottaviano, and the new Piazza Pia where traffice was crazy and congested not so long ago. I had no idea nutria lived in the river! Maybe next time I'm in the city I'll go down to Piazza Pia to try to catch a glimpse of one.

I love the pictures!

Expand full comment
aline dobrzensky's avatar

Just loved reading this

And indeed a trip down ‘Memory Lane ‘

I was a volunteer at the Pronto Soccorso’ during the 1975 Holy Year. And am happy to now be back in Rome volunteering there again for this years Jubilee!

Expand full comment
Judith Works's avatar

We used to park in a CD spot near the Vatican and walk right into the museum - often turning left directly into the empty Sistine Chapel before touring the rest of the museum. My favorite place, however, is the Necropolis below St. Peters.

Expand full comment
Mary  Jane  Cryan's avatar

I visited the necropolis with Prof. Margherita Guarducci who was one of the archeologists who discovered the burial of St. Peter… part of my preparation for becoming a volunteer guide…. how nice to see the Sistine without the crowds… check out the article by Agnes Crawford about the Raffaello tapestries

Expand full comment
Judith Works's avatar

Whether there are actually bones of St. Peter is very controversial.

Expand full comment
Mario M's avatar

Living near Vatican right now. So many places to visit and a perfect zone to explore Rome

Expand full comment
Celia Cerasoli's avatar

I lived in Rome for only a year back in the early 1970s. It was the best year of my life. I try to come back as often as I can. You are so fortunate to live in Italy!!

Expand full comment
Etta Madden's avatar

I have finally had a moment to read your reflections, Mary Jane. (We have been visiting our first grandbaby this week). Loved walking down your memory lane and the 1975 anno santo. ❤️ It is so sad how the neighborhood shops have disappeared in so many places. I appreciate the links to some favorite eateries, too. I have some of my own, but not around the Vatican.

Expand full comment