More Small Pieces of Italy (Kid Stuff)

Rome, December 2 - 6, 2025

Rome is beautiful.  Filled with the works of the masters, some of mankind's greatest triumphs are on full display.  But our wanderings revealed contradictions as well.  Two such history lessons left a mental impact to the degree that they demanded further research upon our return home and indeed, insist upon a brief rendering now.  Said directly, humankind is more than capable of inhumanity and we all need to be watchful. 

Left:  Narrow lane in the Jewish Ghetto.

Right:  "Stumbling Stones" embedded in the cobblestone
commemorating four residents who were deported to Auschwitz
during a Nazi raid on October 16, 1943.
Four of over 1,000. 

Left: Model crosscut of the Mamertine Prison (now a museum)
located in the northern corner of the Roman Forum.
The dungeon is well underground at the bottom of the model.

Right:  The dungeon, now accessible by modern staircases and a viewing platform.
In its time access by a single manhole in the ceiling, no drains in the floor.
Dark and dank have whole new meanings.

Christian tradition holds that the Apostle Paul was held here before his execution.   
However, there is neither direct archaeological nor biblical evidence in support.   

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Unknown location.
I liked the capture....I don't know why.

Did I already say we came to enjoy some food?

Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland)
as seen on the horizon from Terrazza Belvedere Aventino.

Civitavecchia, December 7 - 8, 2025

Civitavecchia is a 1.5 hour drive to the coast and humbly serves as the port of Rome.

We decided that our feet needed a rest, so we stayed onboard and simply enjoyed the ambience of the Star.  

Daybreak and a panorama off the stern
of the harbor, breakwater, and two other Geriatric Buffet Barges put in. 

Yes!  The gelato station is alive and well.
Too many of these bad-boy calories found their way back to the Salish Sea. 

Naples, December 9, 2025

Naples is the source to more Italian history than my bandwidth can absorb.  What did get through was that Naples was heavily damaged by Allied air raids in WW II between the years 1941 and 1943.  These two architectural monuments were restored in the 1950's.

Galleria Umberto I - Built between 1887 and 1890,
this 19th century shopping arcade remains more than active.

Royal Palace of Naples.
With the Italian monarchy being abolished in 1946, no one "lives" here now.
Instead, it serves as a museum, library, opera house, and home to other public events.

Messina (Sicily), December 10, 2025

Entering the harbor at dawn.

VOS ET IPSAM CIVITATEN BENDICIMUS
"We bless you and the city itself"

Morning rays bathing Tempio di Cristo Re (1937, hilltop Catholic church)
as seen from deck 8 while docking.

Two hams with the Strait of Messina and then the Italian mainland
less than 2 miles distant.

I figured you were disappointed that you hadn't seen us
in at least a second or two.