Back in Rome. Right to where we started this journey more than a month ago.

After spending months living out of the suitcase, we finally found somewhere that’s spacious, extremely comfortable, excellent location, washing machine, upper floors accessible by elevators and has proper space to sit for a meal. This is accommodation is located just next to Rome’s Chinatown with everything within walking distance.

To play safe and avoid the blistering heat, we kept our walks short and within the neighbourhood.

Nuovo Mercato Esquilino

Nuovo Mercato Esquilino is a bustling multicultural market in Chinatown of Rome. This is a sheltered market selling vegetables, fruits, poultry, flowers and bread. The Market is best accessible through the gates of Via Flippo Turati.

Nuovo Mercato Esquilino Business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays 05:00hrs to 15:00hrs. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday 05:00hrs to 17:00hrs. *Closed on Sundays. For updates, please click to visit Mercati di Roma.

The temperature soars in mid-June. Morning and evening are excellent timing for walks. In the afternoons, most Italians would stay indoor to have a siesta. Likewise, most churches or smaller businesses would shut their doors and open again later in the evening.

One lesson learnt from this walk is that not all churches remain as churches today. Yes, some churches have been deconsecrated and utilised as concert halls, museums, art galleries, etc.

Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major

Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore), famous for its Roman mosaics and gilded ceilings. Entering through the grand doors of this Basilica, be dazzled by its beautiful gilded ceilings.

Walking into this Basilica is like walking into a museum – the central and lateral naves, the altar, and cappella on both sides of the altar are beautifully decorated.

Basilica of Saint Praxedes

Basilica of Saint Praxedes (Basilica di Santa Prassede) is situated cross-road from the huge Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore. This early medieval basilica was completed in 822.

This church is dedicated to St Praxedes for sheltering her fellow Christians from persecution. The interior of the basilica is covered in decorative Byzantine mosaics preserved from the 9th century.

The exterior of most basilicas or cathedrals are either of Romanesque architecture or Gothic. The exterior of this basilica is in red brick and undecorated windows of mixed shapes which could be easily mistaken for any building except a religious site.

Details: Via di Santa Prassede, 9/a, 00184 Roma RM, Italy Hours: Daily 10:00hrs to 12:00hrs; 16:00hrs to 18:00hrs Admission: Free of Charge ; For more information, click here to visit Official Site

Church of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori

Church of Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori (Chiesa di Sant’Alfonso Maria de’ Liguori – Santuario Madonna del Perpetuo Soccorso) is situated in Via Merulana on the Esquiline Hill. The interior is richly decorated with marble even its pillars. Now it only explains why the church is fenced and gated. I love most about this Church is its beautiful stained glass windows.

Details: Location – Via di S. Vito, 10-1, 00185 Roma RM, Italy. Opening hours – Daily 06:30hrs to 19:00hrs. For updates, visit https://www.perpetuosoccorso.it/

Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli

Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli (Saint Peter in Chains) is dedicated to Saint Peter as the Basilica was built to house the relic of Saint Peter’s chains when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.

Here you can find Michelangelo’s works on the statue of Moses. Interesting bit is that Pietro can be a name and in Italian means “rock”. Rocks have carried symbolism of wisdom, stability and strength for centuries.

Ahh Now it all explains even more why Jesus names Simon Peter as Peter. Peter is Pietro in Italian which signifies “rock”.

Details: Location – Piazza di San Pietro in Vicoli, 4/a 00184 Roma RM, Italy. Opening hours: Daily 08:00hrs to 12:30hrs and 15:00hrs to 18:00hrs. Entrance – No charge. Visit duration: 1 hour. For updates, visit Rome net.