San Giovanni

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Hit the pavement 10am...to see the most prestigious ranked Papal Basilica in Rome (even over St Peter's). And we were not disappointed. Obviously dedicated to St John the Baptist. As the Cathedral of the Pope as Bishop to Rome.. it ranks highest.

Found our way through the Roman City Walls to S. Giovanni. Huge & moderately ornate compared to St Peter's. So many Masters of the Arts were commissioned by the Basilicas & Churches to paint frescos, mosaic, sculpture...so they were able to produce some magnificent pieces at no cost to themselves...hence they became so good at their own skills. There was demand for art in aiming to be prestigious as weatlthy families commissioned artists to adorn their churches & palaces. So the beginnings of the Renaissance.

A walk onto Santa Croce in Guresaleme 325, a Basilica not dedicated to the holy cross itself but in 'Jerusalem' in the sense that soil was bought here from Jerusalem for the floor in it's foundation. A church built as part of the city walls. A chapel of high quality mosaic (ceiling).

A slow walk today with a few stops....my feet on strike too..

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Comments

[John & Mary]

San Giovanni
Stunning....They didn't build that in a couple of months !!!!!! x