Movement Infrastructure 150306 NYC

camminando | Roma: Following the Sun and Shadow

The obelisk is located at 41.902245, 12.457274 in the center of the Square. According to the Vatican website (http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/it/basilica/esterno.htm) the  red granite obelisk was is 25.31-meter tall on a base of 8.25 meter. It was originally placed on the axis of the Circus of Nero—or Circus of Caligula.

An early interpretation of the relative locations of the circus, and the medieval and current Basilicas of St. Peter. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_of_Nero#/media/File:Plan_of_Circus_Neronis_and_St._Peters.gif

The obelisk has a square plan aligned to true north and its shadow acts as a sundial. The surrounding pavement made of sampietrino (beveled basalt stones) and has inserted white marble markers defining a wind rose. The wind rose markers were not added until 1852 during the pontificate of Pius IX.

camminando | Pilgrimage in Gaeta

I am in an urgent need of a vacation—the etymology of the word is quite  descriptive of my needs. Leaving life vacant of worries has always provided a fresh approach to problem solving and generated insights. Italy does not lack of inspirational places; my requirements are for a seaside place with a "bandiera blu" award,  over thousand year of historians which  to be reached from Rome with less than two hours of public transportation.
Gaeta, from the Latin Caieta, presents all the requisites. Caieta has an ancient history dating back to the Ionic colonies, with settlement starting in the VIII century BC. It was mentioned in Virgil's Aeneid. But its history continues through times integrating breathtaking natural views with architecture and sacred places. Highly spiritual and sacred is the Santuario della SS.ma Trinità, located in the Montagna Spaccata. The meeting of earth, sky and water has been celebrated through centuries by pilgrims.