Our decision to spend 2 nights in Rome in July 2020 was last minute, since we’d heard it would be completely empty – no tourists from anywhere but Europe due to closed borders, and a chance to see some famous sites with practically no crowds.

I doubt I’ll ever stand in the Sistine Chapel again with only 20 other people. Spots like the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps were still quite busy, but the Colosseum and Vatican Museum required tickets purchased ahead of time, online, with specific entry times, limiting crowds completely. It was a totally different way to experience the city.

Vatican

Colosseum

I doubt I can say much about the Colosseum that hasn’t already been said. My eldest daughter, who is obsessed with Greek and Roman mythology, and knows every answer in the category when it comes up on Jeopardy!, REALLY wanted to go see it, so I bought us tickets in advance. The exhibits inside ranged from details on how the elevator structures worked to insights about the animals and gladiators. For instance, did you know that the blood of the gladiators was sopped up after an event and sold as a cure-all for ailments? Gross.

Spanish Steps

My kids were so annoyed that we were going to see steps. But nearby was this super fun water fountain, and all was forgotten. Then we got gelato.

Trevi Fountain

Crazy busy, even during a global pandemic. But, a pretty, sunshiny day.

Vatican City & Vatican Museum

We booked our tickets in advance, and had to have our temperatures and vaccinations checked before entering. The museum was blissfully calm, and we were able to really stroll through and explore.

The girls loved the relics they saw there, and the building itself is a work of art.

There are no photos of the Sistine Chapel, because you’re not allowed to take any. But seeing it, practically empty, that was really something astounding. We could just stand (or sit) and consider a detail of the room.

Masks on
Masks off

Bocca della Verità

The Bocca della Verità, the “mouth of the truth”, is a key part of several legends from ancient times, because the Bocca della Verità supposedly would eat the arm of those who lied. If the indicted was telling the truth, nothing happened, and they were therefore presumed innocent.
We tried it out. Both girls still have their hands but I remain suspicious.

Around the City

There was a ferrari party while we were in Rome, no clue why, but it was cool. Dozens of them.

Roman Forum

Largo Argentina

The location where Caesar was stabbed to death on March 15, 44BC, is beautiful. But not only that, its also home to a cat sanctuary. So we came, took a look, and spotted as many cats as we could.