The travels of Bengalis in the past
Sumana Dam
(Continued from the last part)
In this part, the relevant country is Italy.
On November 25, 1886, Romesh Chunder Dutt toured the city of Verona in Italy. As he wandered through the narrow but clean streets, he often felt as if he were in a well-maintained Indian city. Among the houses, there were large square courtyards in the Indian style. The favorable climate and fertile land had helped both India and Italy establish ancient civilizations when most other countries in the world had no signs of civilization. After the 10th century, both India and Italy had been ravaged by foreign invasions. Some remnants of the ancient Roman civilization are still present in Verona. The Arena or Amphitheater is the main among them. Built entirely of marble in the 1st century AD, the Arena could seat 22,000 people, who gathered to watch the brutal games of ancient Rome. There is also the Porta dei Borsari – the entrance gate of the Roman city. In the center of the city stands the Palace of the Council and the marble statue of Dante, Italy's greatest poet. Additionally, the medieval palace, known as Romeo’s house (from the famous play Romeo and Juliet), is a popular sight in Verona.
That evening, Romesh Chunder Dutt left Verona and set off for Florence and Rome. After passing through Mantua, he arrived in Bologna that night. Bologna is full of arcaded streets. In the Victor Emmanuel Square here, there is a statue of Neptune, a church, and several ancient palaces. Close by are the university and several old churches. The most notable sights include the two Leaning Towers, made of bricks in the 12th century. The towers, one 272 feet tall and the other 130 feet, lean slightly, giving the impression that they might fall. The Italian artists, the brothers Renni and Caracci, were born in Bologna, and their valuable paintings can be found in the local Academy. The cemetery here, Campo Santo, is considered one of the most beautiful burial sites in Europe, with many famous people's graves and statues that are worth visiting.
From Bologna, the author crossed the Reno River, passed through many tunnels, and arrived in Florence after passing through Pistoia (where the first pistol was made). Florence, on the banks of the Arno River, is a beautiful city surrounded by dense forests and mountains. Florence ushered in the light of the medieval era, marking the end of the ancient world. It achieved great excellence in poetry, literature, art, sculpture, and science, an achievement almost unparalleled. Galileo, Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo were all born here. The Uffizi and Pitti Galleries in Florence are rich in art collections. Also noteworthy are the Cathedral, the Bell Tower, and the Baptistry. The Medici Chapel is a stunning architectural masterpiece, with its interior walls made of 18 types of marble and various precious materials. Some sculptures by Michelangelo, such as Day, Night, Dawn, and Twilight, can be seen here, representing the best of Renaissance art. There are also some unfinished works because Michelangelo moved to Rome before completing them. (The Medici were a wealthy Italian family who ruled Florence during the Renaissance and were patrons of the arts. Many members of this family became popes and rulers in various places.)
The author then visited the Church of San Croce, where he saw the tomb of the scientist Galileo and his statue holding a telescope in his memory. He also saw the tomb of Michelangelo, accompanied by statues of three women representing painting, sculpture, and architecture. The tomb of the politician Machiavelli was also here. While Dante's tomb is not in Florence, there is a statue of him, 18 feet tall, placed on a pedestal that stands 22 feet high.
Next, the author headed to Rome, which, in his opinion, requires at least a month to fully explore. He spent four days there. According to the author, a whole book could be written about Rome, but he only wrote a summary. His tour of Rome began at the Roman Forum. The Roman Forum was the public plaza of ancient Rome and the city's center for social, political, and commercial activities. It was located between the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill. The Forum played a vital role in the history of the ancient Roman Empire.
Next, the author explored the Via Sacra, a significant road that stretched from the Roman Forum to the Caelian Hill. It was used for religious ceremonies and military processions. The first sight was the Tabularium, where the Twelve Tables were displayed (these were the laws of Rome from the 5th century BC). The Arch of Severus was the next monument, followed by the ruins of the Temple of Vespasian. There were also some columns of the Temple of Saturn, followed by the remains of the Basilica Julia, started by Julius Caesar and completed by his successors. It was mainly used for legal and commercial purposes. After that, the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Castor and Pollux were visible, followed by the Regia, where Julius Caesar lived until his death.
The next sight was the Temple of Vesta, where the sacred fire was kept by the Vestal Virgins. The remains of the Vestal Virgins' residence could still be seen. Then, the Temple of Fortuna, with its ten beautiful columns, was visited. The vast Basilica of Constantine, built by Emperor Vespasian, was another significant sight. The Arch of Titus, built in 70 AD to commemorate the victory in Jerusalem, is nearly intact. Its sculptures depict Roman military victories. Next was the Temple of Venus, built in 391 AD.
The author then visited the Meta Sudans fountain, where gladiators washed their hands and feet before entering the Colosseum. The massive Colosseum stood beyond the Arch of Constantine. It was the largest amphitheater, used for gladiatorial games, animal hunts, executions, and public entertainment. Emperor Vespasian began its construction, and his son Titus completed it in 80 AD. The Colosseum could accommodate 100,000 spectators. At its opening, 5,000 wild animals and 10,000 prisoners were sacrificed. Later, many prisoners, Christians, and gladiators were killed here for the entertainment of the excited Roman crowds. In later years, much of the Colosseum's stones were used in the construction of Roman houses and roads, which led to its current state of ruin.
The Palatine Hill, where the ruins of the ancient palace of the Roman king Tarquin can be seen, also contains the ancient walls of the supposed temple of Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome. Nearby are the ruins of the palace of Vespasian and Augustus's palace. Other notable sights included the Baths of Caracalla, the public baths built during the reign of Emperor Caracalla. These baths were used for bathing, exercising, and as a place of social gathering. There was also another bathhouse built during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, part of which Michelangelo converted into a church.
A highly important site in Rome is the Pantheon, an ancient temple built by Emperor Hadrian, now used as a church. The Pantheon is famous for its enormous dome. The famous artist Raphael is buried there. Other notable Roman monuments include Trajan's Column, commemorating Emperor Trajan’s military victories, and Antoninus' Column, built in memory of Emperor Antoninus. The ancient Roman aqueducts, another remarkable achievement, are now considered a tourist attraction.
There are more than 300 churches in Rome, some of which are also remarkable, such as the Church of St. Paul, St. John Lateran Church, and St. Maria Maggiore Church. The author also visited the Catacombs of St. Calixtus, a Christian burial and religious site from the 2nd century, where early Christians secretly held religious ceremonies. St. Sebastian's Church was built over the catacombs. Many Christian martyrs are buried here. The ruined temples in Rome symbolize the decline of ancient Roman religion, while the catacombs signify the rise of Christianity.
(To be continued)
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