This is such a dreamlike moment. I am currently walking in Rome. From ancient Rome to the medieval period, the Renaissance, and Baroque, a long history is fully encapsulated in this city. Rome is also a place where I used to live, so seeing it bustling with travelers again makes me very happy. For those who travel a bit, the official start of a city tour begins at the landmarks. The fountain you see over there is the Trevi Fountain, which is a must-visit when you come to Rome. It is the largest fountain in Italy and is loved by many travelers. The Trevi Fountain, built in the 18th century, means three roads in Italian. Perhaps because there are many symbols and quotes related to roads in Rome, everyone seems to keep coming back. There are so many people here. I wonder where they all bought their souvenirs, and there are also those selling mementos and taking photos.

Those who say they will take a picture for you, where have they been for the past two years? It's truly surprising. You must be amazed; just a few months ago, the Trevi Fountain was completely empty. The reason so many people have gathered here is that when you come to Rome, there is one ritual you must do. That is to throw a coin into the fountain, capturing your desire to return to Rome. You can't just throw the coin randomly; you have to stand with your back to the fountain, hold the coin in your right hand, and then throw it over your left shoulder. All those dark spots in the water are coins. If you're lucky and walk around early in the morning, you might even see people collecting the coins. It's said that if you throw one coin, you will return to Rome, and if you throw two, your wish will come true.

I have arrived at the garbage dump. The coin is dry, right? You can throw it over your left shoulder like this. The journey started at the Trevi Fountain in the heart of Rome. However, today I am thinking of taking a trip to the outskirts to discover a new side of Rome beyond the usual sights. 

When you step out of the ancient center of Rome, you realize that what we know as Rome is not the entirety of it. Just 30 minutes southwest of the city center, there are remarkable historical sites to explore. Despite being a fairly large city, Rome has only three subway lines. This is because an incredible number of ruins and artifacts are hidden just beneath the surface. Thus, Rome can be considered a treasure trove of history in itself. Today, I will visit some lesser-known ruins of Rome.

I would like to introduce Ostia Antica, a port city of Rome, also known as the second Pompeii. The ancient cities scattered throughout the metropolitan area of Italy served as a nourishing ground for the birth of ancient Roman culture. Back in those days, salt was equivalent to money. At its peak, it is said that around 100,000 people lived here. The greenery here makes it feel even better. Pompeii is being excavated bit by bit from the volcanic ash, creating a truly archaeological atmosphere with dust flying around, giving it a genuine ruins-like feel. In contrast, Ostia has trees and grass, with ruins nestled among the lush greenery. Visiting Ostia, which is not far from the Roman airport, would be a great experience. Now, shall we take a look at the wealthy neighborhood of ancient times? The streets are completely straight and extend far.

The Romans, in the past, had to continuously expand their territory and empire, which is why they built roads for military purposes. What's even more fascinating is that the roads constructed so long ago are still well preserved today. Furthermore, many of the highways in present-day Europe are operated along the same straight paths that were established back then. Ostia Antica used this route to transport salt to Rome, contributing to the strength of the empire. The Romans had an abundance of water, which allowed them to enjoy baths even after having enough for drinking. Major cities had large public baths, and this is one of them. The baths show how well these people lived.

Would you like to take a look at how well they are living? The Romans' love for baths is already famous. I was really surprised to see that they even created large mosaics in the bathhouses. It was a task that could only be done with significant financial resources back in the days when there was no electricity. 

Now, on the floor, there is a mosaic depicting a chariot with a three-week-old window. This represents Poseidon, the god of the sea, as we well know. We can still see bathhouses from the 2000s. The fun of peering into such a long past is part of the charm of traveling in Rome.

Now, let's sneak a peek into another life along the street. This is the Banana Theater. You can't talk about Rome without mentioning its theaters. This is a semi-circular theater that can accommodate around 3,000 people. It's quite large for a local theater. The site still remains where performances and plays were held, including those from Austria and beyond.

In many areas influenced by the Roman Empire, there are still many structures like semicircular theaters and oval-shaped theaters remaining. They were built so sturdily that many are still used as performance venues today. The semicircular theater in Ostia Antica is still used for performances. Back then, various shows must have taken place here. The ancient city harmonizes with the lush nature, making it feel almost like a living city. This area is where the market is located. Here, we have a fish shop, a fish market. So, you can see that on the floor, they created a mosaic that says fish shop, similar to a modern sign. That is probably a fish tank, and since there are the sea and a river right in front, they would catch fish and wash them there.

Isn't it amazing that the appearance from over 2000 years ago is so well preserved here, to the point where it wouldn't feel out of place if someone were to sell fish right now, chopping them up vigorously in the back? Not only is it practical, but the ancient Romans also didn't overlook beautiful interiors. The floors of the fish market were decorated with mosaics. 

It's still not very well known, so you can explore it relatively quietly compared to the central ruins of Rome. The more you learn, the more surprising the hidden relics and stories of Italy become. Ah, and there's so much delicious food; it's truly a country of gastronomy. To ease the walk through the market, I've returned to the streets of Rome. But what is that long line? Even when I lived in Italy, I rarely saw such long queues for food in Rome. It seems like a popular eatery. I'm currently enjoying something that is said to be one of Rome's most representative dishes.

Food is a significant aspect of Italy, and the traditional dishes vary greatly by region. In Rome, you eat Carbonara, while in Milan, you enjoy Cotoletta, and in Tuscany, you savor the Florentine steak. Exploring local cuisines while wandering through neighborhoods is quite enjoyable. Just as you must follow Roman laws in Rome, if you visit Rome, you must try the authentic Roman dish, Carbonara.

The Italian-style Carbonara is characterized by the use of guanciale, which is key to achieving a rich sauce. Interestingly, the word Carbonara in Italian refers to coal miners, as the black pepper used in the dish resembles coal, leading to the name.

This is the authentic carbonara without cream, a representative dish of Lazio that is loved by people all over the world. You have no idea how much I wanted to eat this! When you order carbonara and see a presentation like this, many people will be shocked. In fact, authentic Italian carbonara is yellow. It is primarily made with egg yolks and cheese. Therefore, it is much thicker, saltier, and richer than what we typically imagine. It has a creamier and softer taste, and it's delicious. After a hearty meal, I get ready to hit the road again.

It's a perfect holiday spot near Rome. We drive for 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Civita di Bagnoregio. This area, located in northern Rome, is the only inland region in Italy that does not border the coast or any other countries, and there are many rocky mountains scattered throughout.

This is a geographical feature, a rocky mountain city at an altitude of about 400 meters. This was a place I had always wanted to visit. I am now in Civita di Bagnoregio, a very small village also known as the island of the land. The view from the cliffs is truly breathtaking. This city was built by the Etruscan civilization around 2500 years ago. Due to weathering, erosion, and landslides over a long period, it now remains precariously perched as it is. This place also served as the inspiration for a famous Japanese animation.

To enter Civita di Bagnoregio, you must park your car in the parking lot and walk. There is only one footbridge leading to the village. I wonder why they chose to build the village up there. What stories are hidden in this town? Since the village is located on a cliff, it is gradually crumbling due to erosion, and in about 100 years, the village may no longer exist.

They say there is a capital. The Etruscans, who built this place 2,500 years ago, displayed a natural talent for architecture, which is why they were able to construct a village on such a rugged mountain. However, it seems that they could not withstand the test of time and nature, as there are many broken and eroded areas. Even at this moment, the village is shrinking. The neighborhood is quite small, and this seems to be the main square in front of the cathedral, which is also small. I find it cute. It still has a bell tower and a clock; it has all the essentials. Yes, there’s the clock. With the famous animation drawing inspiration from this place, more people have become interested in it. As tourists flock here, a museum has been established to provide information about the village's history and geological features. Many geologists have shown interest in this area.

They say they are researching this. When you press here, a collapse occurred. This is a village that was built. The outer rock is very affected by water and wind, and it is fragile enough to crumble if scratched with a hand. It is said that all the ancient rock cities, like Civita, have been abandoned since the late 20th century. However, there are still 11 residents in Civita. It's fascinating that they continue to live there despite the constant erosion for over 2000 years. After hearing the explanation, my curiosity about the village has increased even more. It's almost over now. They say this neighborhood is very small; it’s only about 300 meters.

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