Wheee, how about a push?!

The end of day 1
So after the Irish Pub burger food coma we enjoyed after lunch on day 1 we decided to go for what looked like a little walk to the Giardini del Quirinale. We walked and we walked and we knew we were on the right street but where we thought the gardens should sort of maybe be we came to a 4 lane wide very long tunnel. We knew we were going in the right direction, it must be shortly beyond what turned out to be a tunnel 3 blocks long. About two blocks in we began to wonder if we should have taken the stairs up on either side of the entrance to the tunnel… we began to wonder if we were at this point UNDER the gardens. Turns out funnily enough (ha .. ha .. haa) that we had passed under the gardens. As we exited the tunnel we see a street to the right called Via Giardini. Not enthused by the prospect of walking back through the tunnel, Via Giardini sounds promising. The map shows the gardens surrounded by a huge building and after what seems like way longer than possible we see a garden. It’s on the other side of the street from where it should be but hey, we know we’re in the right vicinity. We cross the street, headed for the garden. We stop at a church on the way (because that’s what we do when we’re here) which turns out to be Chiesa Sant’ Andrea. Designed by Bernini (as half the city seems to be) it is a small, sumptuous oval shaped church with lots of playful cherubim or “puti” all over the place. One of my favorite churches so far I think.

puti peering down, I hope they don’t have water balloons.

Hey guys!
A little help here?!

The garden was right next to the church and was called the garden of Sant’ Andrea. Very tropical with palms and flowers and a play area. There is a sculpture commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Carabiniere, the Italian federal police.

   Turns out that wasn’t the garden we were looking for and as we circled around to where the entrance to the Giardini del Quirinal should be, we were chased away by a dude in a very fancy uniform. The Quirinal Palace seems to be the Italian version of the White House, where the president of the republic hangs out … (who knew?) and the gardens are closed until July 2. There was a small exhibit of Greek/Italian art that we could view in a tiny corner of the palace though so after a couple of minutes at the metal detectors and bag x-ray machine, we did. Lots of reeeeeeeeeealy old stuff. Plus a bonus El Greco, a Caravaggio and a Preti.
 

We wandered back to the apartment for a little freshening up before dinner. Funny thing, 6-8 miles a day walking on the cobbles and hills and steps of ancient Rome is turning out to be a little tougher on the old hip joints and knees than was planned on. Bah!
A couple of amazing pizzas and a bottle of wine (served in tumblers) and all was right again.

So, maybe we didn’t get to see the gardens we were planning on, but we were compensated with some amazing art, a lovely little park and a bit of adventure. This is why we travel!