This morning we hopped on the Italo train from Venice to Rome – barreling down the tracks at 180 mph.  We made it to Rome in 3 1/2 hours.  Fabulous! Below is our first view of Rome:

After checking into our hotel, we went to the famous Piazza Navona where some of us had lunch.  We viewed the beautiful Bernini sculpture – the Fountain of the Four Rivers – designed in 1651.

Then we walked to the Church of Sant’Agostino where we viewed Raphael’s Isaiah – an exquisite fresco by the famous artist – obviously influenced by Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel.

On the steps waiting for the Church of Sant’Agostino church to open:

Inside the Church of Sant’Agostino:

Raphael’s Isaiah:

Looking up!

Also in this Church is Caravaggio’s Madonna dei Pellegrini.  At the time there was serious objection to the paining because the model he used for “Our Lady” was a prostitute friend of his.

Next we were taken to San Pietro’s in Vincoli where Michelangelo’s Moses is.  It truly is an inspiring work of art. This is the sculpture where Moses looks like he has horns growing out of his head.  It is due to the mistranslation of a Hebrew word that described Moses as having rays of light coming from his head.  The Vulgate had translated it “horns.”  How does one carve “light” from stone?  We all pondered that question and saw the genius of Michelangelo at work.

Michelangelo’s Moses: