Trip to Italy - Journal Entry #7 - September 21, 2009 - 11:25 pm
We have just returned from dinner, and what an amazing dinner it was. But first, I feel that I still have not done justice to the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj. This Palazzo has been privately owned since its original construction several centuries ago. The family bred several popes and made most of its fortunes off taxes collected from brothels. With that fortune, the family built an empire and amassed an amazing collection of art. The Palazzo fell into disuse and was closed and unoccupied until several decades ago when the family decided to reoccupy, renovate and open their art collection to the public And we benefitted today from their largesse.
With hand-held microphones, we toured the galleries and salons of the Palazzo. The art collection was mind-boggling but the decor in the salons were equally works of art. We saw wall coverings made of velvet, linen and woven tapestry. We also saw Murano glass chandeliers and some of the earliest electric light fixtures used in Rome. We also learned a lot about the history of the family and one important matriarch in particular. It was a great tour!
And, best of all, on the way back to the hotel, we got our first gelato -- at a small place just around the corner from our hotel. Yum, yum, yum. It was just as good as it had been built up to be.
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