Three years ago today I took this photo at Sant’Eufemia on Giudecca. I was taking a break between preparing and giving a privately requested online talk. That 2020 vibe all feels curiously distant, but I exactly remember this moment of glorious light suddenly piercing stormy skies and the uplifting suffusion of possibility it provoked.
Today’s Tivoli jaunt took place under leaden skies, but we didn’t get wet and all agreed it really was extraordinarily atmospheric. We were also able to take advantage of the elegant dining room at the always impeccable @ristorantelasibilla
All in all an excellent day out, if I do say so myself. More photos in my Stories.
Iterations of acanthus are my current favourite things. Here are some from today’s tours which meandered through the @parcocolosseo and over the Caelian Hill to San Clemente. What could be a more agreeable way to spend a sunny Monday in May?
Tauromachy with putto atop the very recently restored facade of the former abattoir and loquats growing on via del Monte Testaccio. Glimpses from a Saturday morning foray to Testaccio Market for a spot of the proper sort of #marketing
Iterations of acanthus spotted on this week’s tours: flowering on the Palatine Hill; advertising the eternal spring of the Augustan age at the Ara Pacis; and amid the glorious and dusty charms of Villa Celimontana. Burgeoning acanthus is just one of umpteen reasons why May in Rome is exquisite 💚
A year ago today Pope Leo XIV was elected. I made it to piazza San Pietro in the nick of time and this is one of the photos I took. More photos feature in this month’s free monthly newsletter: understandingrome.substack.com, or link in bio
