I’m now officially only impressed if I’m looking at historical landmarks or artifacts from before the Middle Ages. Rome spoiled me — blame it on the Colosseum and its ancient awesomeness!
Last weekend, I visited Rome and Vatican City with my roommates, and it completely opened my eyes to the beauty of enduring architecture and the power of true craftsmanship. It was surreal to stand before the Forum and the Colosseum, knowing they’ve been standing since the first centuries — or even earlier.
On the first day, we walked around the outside of the Forum and Colosseum. I was overwhelmed with awe, taking in the height and longevity of each ruin. We wandered the little cobblestone streets, and I had my first carbonara at dinner. It was delicious — I appreciated the flavor of freshly made spaghetti, the saltiness of the guanciale, and the richness of the Pecorino Romano cheese and egg yolk. However, cacio e pepe still has my heart.
The next day, we got up bright and early and headed to Vatican City — which turned out to be a learning lesson: book your tickets in advance! While that should have been obvious (especially with the Jubilee going on), we assumed we could stroll into the Vatican, flash our passports, and enjoy all the sights. That was not the case. We ended up waiting in line for an hour, but thanks to an unstructured queue, we were able to casually filter in without walking back a whole block and wasting the entire day.
From the museum, the view of the top of Saint Peter’s Basilica was beautiful, and the glimpse I caught of the lush gardens and trees of the city was breathtaking. We then made our way through the Vatican Museums, and this is where I officially decided: I am no longer impressed by history from the 18th century and forward. I am now, officially, a history snob.
I saw a mummy and artifacts from Ancient Egypt — which was already considered “ancient” during the Roman Empire. The ceiling paintings throughout the museum were jaw-dropping. I kept running into people in front of and behind me because I couldn’t stop looking up in awe.
We got to delve into the fascinating world of Roman mythology. I saw a gold statue of Hercules and many other stunning sculptures of Roman gods and goddesses. It was incredible to witness the talent of humans from so long ago.
After hours of swiveling my head in every direction to take in the vast history around me, we finally arrived inside the Sistine Chapel. Seeing the work of Michelangelo was surreal. The detail and vibrancy of the paint covering the walls and ceiling were magical. Since photography is not allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, I was so focused on scanning the room that I completely missed one of the most iconic works of art in the world: the “Creation of Adam” — aka “the hands touching one.” I have to laugh, or I’d be too frustrated with myself… because how did I miss that?! Thankfully, I got a magnet from the gift shop to make up for it.
After taking in the vibrant tapestries depicting Bible stories, old maps of Italy, and intricate metal and glasswork, we exited the museum and headed to our tour of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in Rome. Around half a million Christians were buried there, including many martyrs and 16 popes. The catacombs date all the way back to the second half of the 2nd century AD. Another defining moment of my history snob era.
We toured the second of four levels of the catacombs. I was pleasantly spooked by the chilly air as we descended. While the tombs were empty due to years of historical removals, I still felt the weight of knowing so many people were once laid to rest there. We saw ancient paintings on the walls and discovered chambers where popes had been buried. Overall, it was a fascinating look into the darker side of Roman history.
After the tour (and two bus rides in the wrong direction), we stumbled across the cutest restaurant: Osteria der Belli. The atmosphere was cozy, and the food was phenomenal. I ordered lamb and artichoke ragu — and my life was changed. The pasta was so fresh and the ragu was perfect. Hands down, my favorite meal in Italy so far.
On our final day, we explored the inside of the Colosseum, the Forum, and Largo di Torre Argentina — the site where Julius Caesar was assassinated. This was definitely my favorite day. Touching ancient Roman columns that date back to the B.C. era was something I never thought I’d get to do.
We first explored the Colosseum. Being inside the ruins reminded me what a privilege it is to witness ancient history up close. The fact that people once watched gladiators fight to the death for entertainment felt disturbingly real — not just like something in the movies. I honestly felt a wave of sadness thinking about how many lives were lost there, whether for sport or punishment. I also have a deep appreciation for those in the 19th century who preserved and rebuilt the structure so we could experience it today.
After the Colosseum, we walked through the Forum. I marveled at the intricate details of the columns and the skill behind each sculpture. When I closed my eyes, I could almost picture the bustling ancient marketplace. I tried to read the Latin inscriptions carved into marble but quickly resorted to the plaques beside the ruins to understand their significance. It’s fascinating to realize how much humans valued visual storytelling, through sculpture, even thousands of years ago.
Next, we climbed the steps of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. While it was built in the late 1800s — modern history compared to the ruins of the Roman Empire — it was still a work of art. The white marble and lavish gold accents were breathtaking, and the view of Rome from the top was unreal. We sat in the shade at the top to gather our strength for the next stop: the cat sanctuary, aka the site where Julius Caesar was stabbed in 44 B.C.
It’s wild that ruins from one of the most infamous historical events still exist — and that they now host sleepy cats. We couldn’t walk through the ruins, but the cats of Rome could. The contrast between imagining Shakespearean drama and petting purring cats? Surprisingly perfect. Ten out of ten experience.
To wrap up our final day, we hit the tourist essentials: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Spanish Steps. The Trevi Fountain was stunning — and the aquamarine water was almost too tempting in the 90-degree heat. The Pantheon was another perfect example of ancient Roman craftsmanship and fulfilled my inner elementary school mythology nerd. The Spanish Steps were an intriguing site and a hike we left for the other tourists.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but that didn’t stop me from trying to see it all in one! I left the city feeling sentimental, realizing that even thousands of years ago, people just wanted to build beautiful things and tell captivating stories on the big screen (ceilings and walls).
I visited Lake Como this weekend and will recap my adventures to Cinque Terre and Siena soon! But for now… are you not entertained? (Gladiator reference, obviously).
Ciao for now,
Madeline
Madeline in Florence 
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