Everywhere you go in Rome, you see religious icons, as well as pre-Christian relics, intermingled amongst the modern buildings and fixtures. Priests and nuns are a common site, along with the fashionistas. Souvenir shops offer tourists the choice of images of the Vatican as well as desktop models of the Colloseum. A block from a restaurant run by the Missionary Workers of the Immaculate Conception, I spotted a photo shoot in progress featuring models in pseudo-S&M-wear lingerie, which was sold at the boutique next door. A couple of blocks from a restaurant whose logo contains an "O" with devil horns, you can buy priestly garb, incense and communion supplies.
Despite the abundance of religious icons, buildings and more, I don't find Rome to be a very spiritual place. It is full of wonderful artwork, fabulous food, amazing architecture, rich culture, but the things that I associate with spirituality are not as easily found.
For one thing, there is very little green space, although the Villa Borghese is an exception to this. And many of the churches are tourist attractions, so you don't get the feeling of sanctuary that you get from places that are more peaceful.
I find this to be very much in contrast to the United States, where we tend to separate things religious from the secular.
In 118AD, the Pantheon building replaced a pagan temple built in 27BC, that was turned into a church in 609AD. Evidence of both influences can be seen in the structures.
The Vatican museum features many pre-Christian artifacts, including this statue of a griffin-like creature.
Despite the abundance of religious icons, buildings and more, I don't find Rome to be a very spiritual place. It is full of wonderful artwork, fabulous food, amazing architecture, rich culture, but the things that I associate with spirituality are not as easily found.
For one thing, there is very little green space, although the Villa Borghese is an exception to this. And many of the churches are tourist attractions, so you don't get the feeling of sanctuary that you get from places that are more peaceful.
I find this to be very much in contrast to the United States, where we tend to separate things religious from the secular.
In 118AD, the Pantheon building replaced a pagan temple built in 27BC, that was turned into a church in 609AD. Evidence of both influences can be seen in the structures.
The Vatican museum features many pre-Christian artifacts, including this statue of a griffin-like creature.