Archive - Understanding Rome's Newsletter

March 2025

"Ave Maria, Gratia Plena": four of my favourite Annunciations

Today is the Feast of the Annunciation, one of the most important celebrations in the liturgical calendar and the subject of some of my very favourite…

Mar 25 •

Spring Exhibitions in Rome

As well as the inexhaustible and glorious permanent collections of the Caput Mundi, so many that world-class museums—Palazzo Altemps, Terme di…

Mar 18 •

Some of my favourite views of Rome

7. Chiesa di Santa Maria del Buon Aiuto nell'Anfiteatro Castrense

Mar 14 •

Memories of a Roman Quarantine

Spring is burgeoning in Rome, the evenings are lengthening, and the air is rich with possibility and the anticipated scent of incipient blossom.

Mar 8 •

March's Postcard from Rome

A couple of thoughts on Roman Neorealism, and details of a themed jaunt with Rachel Roddy

Mar 1 •

February 2025

Vespa Tunes XXIII: Non Sono Una Signora, Loredana Berté, 1982

In August last year, after a period of ill health, Carla Tomasi died at the age of seventy.

Feb 24 •

"Hobgoblin, nor foul Fiend"

Some thoughts on pilgrims and pilgrimage in the Eternal City

Feb 20 •

Raphael's tapestries in the Sistine Chapel in those strange days of February 2020

All photographs are mine and were taken with permission on 20 February 2020.

Feb 18 •

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