SANTA MARIA MAGGIORE, THE MOUTH OF TRUTH, CIRCUS MAXIMUS AND TRASTEVERE!

Today was our very last family day in Rome, and we had a LOT to see!

1. Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore where, under the high altar was the Crypt of the Nativity, said to contain wood from the Holy Crib of the nativity of Jesus Christ.

It took teamwork to travel with a two-year-old!  But Jas and Jon had it down pat!

We walked in the doors and immediately were awestruck!

This was the Crypt of the Nativity!

Next up was 2. The Mouth of Truth, (Bocca Dell Verita), located in the portico of Santa Maria in Cosmedin Church.  The Mouth of Truth is an enormous marble image of a man’s face.  According to legend, the man was said to bite the hand of anyone who lied.  We stood in line for our very own “moment of truth”!

I’m happy to report that each member of our family “passed muster” and came out with all of our hands in tact!  Whew!

Downstairs, in the cellar of the church, was the Crypt of Adrias, constructed in the eighth century, located beneath the altar, and built to store relics taken from the catacombs by Pope Adrias.

We learned that today was Republic Day in Rome, which commemorates the day in which the Italians voted to abolish the Monarchy and the country became a republic in 1946.  We were too late to see the actual parade, however, we did see some cool stuff from afar!

While we were walking around 3. Circus Maximus, (Circo Massimo), we stumbled across where the big parade had ended!  There were a ton of gorgeous horses and their military mounts to see, much to the delight of August! 

Our last stop of the day was to an area called 

4. Trastevere.  John, Patte, Mike and I visited this charming area (highly recommended by Rick Steves) while we were in Rome and we all fell in love with it!  It was great to be back!

It was finally Happy Hour time!  John and I both ordered what we thought were pints of beer!  Ooops!  (Joe and Scho, we did what you did!). Thankfully, Jonathan was able to help us both drink them to empty!

AND THEN WE RODE A CITY BUS FOR HOURS, (it seemed!), to get back to our Airbnb!  This time the bus system made no sense at all!  While we were all tired and ready to get back to relax before dinner, I must say, the loooong bus ride delighted August!  He loved every single one of the million stops we made as he watched the doors open and then close!  He was in hog Heaven the entire way!

Jonathan chose a quaint restaurant, where we finally found pizza bread on the menu!  (A favorite from our trip with Patte and Mike!). YUM!  Sadly, this was our final family dinner in Rome.

Back at the condo, bags were packed, and teeth were brushed before we all said, “Good Night”!  It was a good last family day!