Daily Rome Shot 61

5 Comments

1. ThePapalCount says:

   27 January 2021 at 9:31 AM

   One of Rome’s ancient bridges crossing the Tiber. This bridge was opened for use just a few years before Columbus left Spain for the “New World”. Pope Sixtus built it replacing an even older bridge from the 4th century that the Romans had built but had been damaged in war and by time.
   The Tiber River floods. There have been horrific floods which inundated the city damaging many structures too many times. Bridges were threatened with collapse as fast flowing water pushed against them. A brilliant design made this bridge safe. This bridge has an “eye” …an eye for a flood. Built into its design was an oculus which allowed water to pour through and remove excess pressure on the structure. In much later centuries the banks of the Tiber were built up with ramparts/dikes/embankments to hold the water back. It all works.
   But this bridge, now for pedestrians only, connects old Rome with an older Rome: depending on the direction you take. And your point of view. But this photograph shows in the background the Trilussa piazza which is one of the entrances into Trastevere which is one of the city’s oldest and most authentic Roman neighborhoods. Interesting shops, numerous eateries and winding narrow streets some with laundry hanging from balconies and everywhere with flowering plants and even flags. Two wonderful churches lie await inside: Santa Maria in Trastevere (oldest Marian church) and a little further is St Cecelia in Trastevere. Not to be missed. One hundred years ago Cardinal Merry Del Val, the papal Secretary of State to Pius X, formed a youth group in Trastevere. He personally met with the young people regularly. His fondness for them and for Trastevere was well known. He died in the early 1930s but his impact on lives in Trastevere was significant. When walking one day in the neighborhood I went into a small shop selling old furniture (not antiques – just old furniture) and in an old dusty frame on the wall was a picture of Cardinal Merry del Val. I was told it wasn’t for sale. It belonged to the shop.
   The photographer of today’s Roman photo, if he/she turned to the left and followed the bridge walkers you would walk down a narrow street and in minutes be in a small square dominated by the church in Rome which is offers all its Masses and sacraments and services in Latin using the 1962 books. The Chiesa della Trinita Pellegrini – Church of The Holy Trinity For Pilgrims. This is a truly beautiful church which is being refurbished piece by piece. The Masses here are celebrated with exceptional beauty and reverence. The schola sings every Sunday at the 11am Mass (except for the summer). Fr Z and Zheads contributed greatly to the acquisition of the beautiful baptismal font for this exquisite church. Again, either side of this bridge allows you to enter amazing neighborhoods. So much to see. I apologise for running on.
2. Charivari Rob says:

   27 January 2021 at 2:44 PM

   Father, was there a particular transition in Roman dating conventions, or is it two conventions in use at the same time (perhaps one more prevalent than the other)?
   I’m a little surprised to see MCCCCLXXV – would have thought MCDLXXV
3. Gab says:

   27 January 2021 at 2:52 PM

   @ThePapalCount, please, do keep adding your commentaries. I look forward to them very much. Thank you.
4. Fr. John Zuhlsdorf says:

   27 January 2021 at 3:59 PM

   Roman dating conventions… interesting question! I’ve noted that in modern history there were more uses of the C and fewer of the D. I wonder if it has something to do with using fewer letters/symbols. Or… perhaps it is a formatting thing, how much space they had to fill.

   It is an interesting question.
5. TonyO says:

   28 January 2021 at 12:04 PM

   Dear Count, please comment as often and as lengthily as you can, this tremendous stuff. Thank you.

   This bridge has an “eye”

   So, is this the real “eye of the Tiber”?

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