This morning we visited two contemporary architectural "sites" in Rome. The first was the new museum of contemporary art, the MAXXI, designed by Zaha Hadid.
Much like Kristina pictured here, the architecture was languorous and flowing, allowing us to feel like we were gliding through the galleries. We enjoyed exhibits about contemporary Chinese architecture and Indian culture.
This photo is shot from the main lobby and shows the sweeping stairways.
Just about 5 minutes walk from Maxxi is the new music auditorium designed by Renzo Piano, Parco Della Musica. Unfortunately we couldn't tour inside the concert halls, which look gorgeous in photos. But we did walk around the site. This is the outdoor amphitheater with one of the three halls in the background. The concert halls skinned in metal and resemble beetles.
Of course, this being Rome, not everything is futuristic. Here Pete is refilling our water bottle from one of the many fountains found around Rome. They are fed by an ancient aqueduct.
In the afternoon we toured the Gallerie Borghese, which is filled with amazing sculpture and painting. The works are mostly from Renaissance artists like Carvaggio, Bernini, and others. The entire building was created as a museum by its founder, Carlo Scipione Borghese, who was a well-connected Cardinal (his uncle was Pope) who had an insatiable appetite for collecting. Every surface inside was decorated ornately and tastefully.
We thought this was the most incredible piece inside the gallery, "Apollo and Daphne" by Bernini. Apollo is about to abduct Daphne, but she calls for her father's help (he's another god) and he changes her into a laurel tree. This sculpture is depicting the moment of transformation. The bay leaves are so delicate that they appear translucent. It's said that when struck, they ring like crystal. (This image is from the Web as we weren't allowed to photograph inside.)
Dinner was at Armando al Pantheon, a traditional Roman trattoria. We had all the "ancient" favorite: goose breast crostini; fettucine with chicken hearts and tomato; spaghetti with guanciale, pecorino, and pepper; duck with prunes; lamb hearts, lungs, and liver with chicories (called Cotadella and pictured here - it was wrapped in bacon and was delicious); and we finished with a torte filled with ricotta and apricot jam.
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