Group Walk

Yesterday, my group spent the entire morning going to one place on each of our group member's walks. The walks that we had to design incorporated places that were related to one of our themes on our blogs. We began our walk by going to the main street in Trastevere called Vle. di Trastevere which was one of Shane’s places. After that, we went to the Villa Doria Pamphilj which was one of my places. This is one of the largest public parks in Rome and is still owned by the Doria Pamphilj family. It was nice to see Romans exercising and walking their dogs. This is a side of Rome I have never seen before. After that, we got lunch at the Pantheon which was one of the things on Melissa's walk. We then went to a coffee shop that is famous for having the best expresso in Rome which was one of Alyssa's places. Finally, we ended at Giolittis which Hilary told us is the most famous gelateria in Rome. I was really happy with our walk today because I went to a few places that I probably would not go to normally. It was nice to see the things that my classmates have been experiencing during their time in Rome.

Places in Guided Walk

For the guided walk assignment, I chose three places that were related to the Doria Pamphilj family. The first place that I decided to stop at was the Doria Pamphilj Gallery. I chose this spot because this is actually in the Doria Pamphilj Palazzo and is where the family used to live. Some of the building is still used as apartments, but another party has been renovated and turned into a gallery displaying the family's collection. This gallery holds a more personal meaning to me because directly below the gallery is our classroom that we're in everyday. To be more specific, directly about our classroom is a chapel that holds the bodies of St. Justin and St. Theodora. There are also a lot of great paintings to see and rooms that have been refurbished to look as they did when the family lived there in the 17th-18th centuries.

My second place is Santa Maria in Cappella which is where the girls in my program live. This is a place that was owned by Donna Olimpia Pamphilj and in the 17th century, she turned the courtyard into a playground for children. However, in 1860 her descendants turned the place into an elderly care facility which half of it is still used for today. The other half is where our apartments are located. We're allowed to go into the courtyard, but we aren't supposed to mingle with the elderly people that live here.

The third place that I chose was a place that I haven't been to yet, but it looks beautiful. It's the Villa Doria Pamphilj. This is one of Rome's largest public parks. It was built in the mid-17th century by Pope Innocent X. There are still some summerhouses and fountains that have survived to this day.

Doria Pamphilj Guided Walk

Because one of my themes is our apartment which was previously owned by the Doria Pamphilj family, I decided to create a guided walk hitting some of the main areas of interest related to the family.

Beginning at the Museo del Corso, head south V. del Corso. After a short distance, the entrance for the Doria Pamphilj Gallery will be on your right. There are signs for the gallery on this dark stone building so you won't miss it. Coming out of the gallery, continue heading south on V. del Corso and head to the right of the capital until you reach V. del Teatro di Marcello. Follow this towards the river and cross over Lungotevere dei Pierleoni and head slightly south. Cross over the river when you reach Ponte Palatino. Head south, then turn right onto Via Ripense. turn left onto Via P. Peretti. Following this road, you will see Santa Maria in Cappella on your left. There is a large archway for the entrance and you will be able to see the chapel straight ahead. The entrance to the building is on the right inside the courtyard entryway. From Santa Maria in Cappella, go west on Bia dei Genovesi until you reach Viale Trastevere. take V. d. Gratte di trastevere west, then go north on Via Garibaldi. Go west again on Via di Porta S. Pancrazio. Continue west on V. Aurelia Antica. this will take you to the outskirts of the Villa Doria Pamphilj. I've included a makeshift map that will take you to all three locations. Good luck.