Faithful Gladiators: Rome Day 2
Rise and shine Maximus! Well not quite yet.
After some early morning coffee, our group hopped on a train and headed out to Vatican City, ready for a full day of exploring. We began in the museum, which is laid out in a timeline-style journey through history. The early rooms displayed early rooms felt familiar with Roman and pre-Roman artifacts of sculptures, sarcophagi, and mosaics, subjects we have become professionals in while living in Volterra. As we moved forward, the art gradually shifted into early Christian works, a cool transition to see happen right in front of us through the artwork itself.
From there, we wandered through long, winding hallways lined with exhibited pieces, each room more decorated than the last. The walls and ceilings were covered in intricate patterns, textures, and vibrant colors that made every step feel immersive. One of our favorite spaces featured sculptures of animals, showing just how deeply rooted the relationship between humans and animals has been throughout history.
As we explored further, we stumbled into several grand open rooms tucked between the corridors. One highlight was the Sala delle Muse (Hall of the Muses), where we saw the nine muses. The muses were ancient Greek goddesses representing literature, science, and the arts, all connected to Apollo and creative inspiration. Right after that, we entered the Sala Rotonda, a massive circular room filled with stunning sculptures. One of the eye catchers was the Hercules Mastai, a 4-meter (13-foot) tall gilded bronze statue sure to stop anyone in their tracks.
We also passed through some unforgettable galleries, like the Gallery of the Tapestries, where huge woven scenes depicted Christian stories in incredible detail. Then came the Gallery of Maps, a long hall covered in fresco maps of Italy painted between 1580 and 1583. Map after map after map, each one different in scale and detail, gave us a deeper appreciation of Italy’s long and complex history. We even managed to spot our small home base of Volterra, which felt like such a special moment.
Quick selfie moment!!! (Right before things got serious.) We eventually made it into the Sistine Chapel where no photos allowed, but definitely one of those spaces you just stand in silence and take it all in.
Right after leaving the museum, we stepped straight into St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest basilica in the world and the heart of Catholicism. Inside, everything felt grand with gold detailing, elaborate Baroque decoration, and breathtaking sculptures in every direction. The most powerful moment was seeing Michelangelo’s Pietà in person, the sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding the body of Jesus. We’ve studied this story and its artistic interpretations over time, but standing in front of it made it feel so much more emotional and real.
Just when we thought the day couldn’t get any bigger, we made our way to the Colosseum. Built between 70–80 AD under emperors Vespasian and Titus, this massive amphitheater once hosted gladiator battles and public spectacles. Walking through it, we could see the genius behind its design of arches, and vaults, where the layered seating once rose above us. Beneath the arena floor, the underground tunnels (once covered with sand) revealed how animals, fighters, and stage elements were moved with surprising efficiency.
By the end of the day, we had officially broken our step record. Our feet were aching, our legs felt like jelly, and all we could think about was food. But looking back, it was one of those unforgettable days where history didn’t just feel like something you study, instead it felt alive, layered, and right there in front of you with every step.
Until next time,
The Volterra Group