Italy: Beautiful Rome

Submitted by Timothy Mulderrig on the 2022 winter session program in Italy sponsored by the Department of Philosophy…

Due to uncertainties regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, I tried not to get overly excited before the program, on the off chance that we wouldn’t be able to go. As a result, I came into this experience without any real expectations. Accordingly, I have been truly blown away by the beauty of this city. Rome is built on seven different hills, each providing ethereal overlooks of the city. The climate of central Italy also sets up the city to experience stunning sunset panoramas nearly every day. Additionally, my friends and I on the program have enjoyed climbing to the top of different monuments and churches to capture the best viewpoints of this amazing city. I am very grateful for my fellow students on this program. I am typically not much for taking pictures, but my friends here have been awesome about capturing me in these picturesque moments so well. I will cherish these memories and photos forever.

The view from the top of Castel de Sant’angelo. This castle was originally built as a mausoleum for Hadrian, but was converted to a fort and used to defend Rome during the Sack of Rome by the Visigoths
The view from atop St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. This is the highest point in the city and the most amazing place I have ever been.
The view from atop the Victor Emmanuel Monument on the edge of the Roman Forum. We had a wonderful view of the Colosseum during sunset. Thousands of Roman sparrows were flying above us at this moment, doing some sort of coordinated dance. It was truly spectacular.
A beautiful sunset overlook we found on the banks of the Tiber River. There was a very talented local artist playing peaceful guitar music around us.