Aventine Adventure

Nothing says, "I love you to death"...like a Skull.  On Valentine's day the custom is to celebrate the famous St. Valentine by giving cards to a loved one, many people propose on that day, love is in the air.  Hmm, imagine getting a card with this ghastly image, more suited to Halloween, which is just around the corner!  At the base of the Aventine Hill, one of Rome's famous 7 hills, is the  Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin in which is kept the relics of St. Valentine pictured below....not terribly romantic.  This Church is also famous for the "Mouth of Truth" featured in the movie 'Roman Holiday'.  It also contains a mosaic from the "Old" St. Peter's Basilica built by Constantine the Great, strangely it is located in the gift shop, but is not for sale!

Relic of St. Valentine

Here is a picture of the Interior of St. Sabina's on the Aventine Hill.  It dates to the 4th or 5th Century and is largely intact from that period.  It is the first station in the Lenten Station Churches.  The Holy Father celebrate's Ash Wednesday in this Church.

St. Sabina

These are the only original doors to St. Sabina and they were just restored.

The famous key hole of the Knights of Malta

This last picture did not come out very good but when you look through the key hole at the wooden gates to the Sovereign Nation of Malta's property you look through and see a wonderful garden with arbors covered in foliage and framed by the key hole and arbors, in the center, is the Dome of St. Peter's!!!  An architectural marvel, you have to wait in line to take a peak.  It is also the place where three countries come together: Italy, the Vatican, and The Knights of Malta.  By making a few steps in one direction or another you enter/exit one of the countries.  A fun little site!