The exquisite espresso at Castroni, a famous shop near the Vatican, is highly recommended!

[Italy/Vatican Travelogue 5] The exquisite espresso at Castroni, a famous shop near the Vatican, is highly recommended! Days in the Vatican and leaving Italy

My stay in the Vatican was for four days, from May 8th to May 11th, 2019.

During these four days, I spent every day immersed in the Vatican Museums and visited St. Peter's Basilica.

Honestly, four days was not nearly enough.

I felt from the bottom of my heart that I wanted to stay here for another week or so to take my time.

That is how interesting and captivating the Vatican was to me.

Due to the length of the article, I couldn't introduce it until now, but the Pinacoteca (Picture Gallery) of the Vatican Museums was also truly wonderful.

Three works by Raphael are exhibited here, and the 'Transfiguration' in the center is particularly noted as Raphael's final work and his greatest masterpiece.

I still cannot forget the emotion of seeing this up close.

I could easily write an entire article just talking about the magnificence of this painting.

The figures of Christ and the two prophets floating in the air. And the sense of weightlessness in their forms.

In the scene in the lower half of the painting where Jesus meets the possessed child, the depiction of each individual is so realistic.

Seeing this in person was a shocking experience.

The information that enters your eyes is completely different. This is a sensation you can only understand by facing the painting directly.

Should I call it the energy of the artist? It is an overwhelming experience that I cannot put into words, as if my body is feeling something invisible.

The Pinacoteca, where you can fully enjoy Raphael's outstanding painting skills, has become one of my favorite places.

I would also like to mention that it is a hidden gem because, happily, it is surprisingly uncrowded.

At night, I went to a hotel rooftop bar known for its wonderful night views.

This Atlante Star Hotel is a hotel famous for being able to view St. Peter's Basilica from a perfect location on its rooftop terrace.

Even if you are not staying at this hotel, you can enter the rooftop bar, so I walked there from my accommodation to enjoy the night view of the Vatican.

If you come at dusk, you can watch the Vatican against the backdrop of the sun slowly setting over the Vatican hills.

Spending time slowly while watching the scenery change moment by moment is incredibly fulfilling.

This bar is highly recommended.

And finally, speaking of Rome, there is espresso.

Castroni is a shop I was told about by Mirza, a local guide from Bosnia.

Mirza is a Rome expert who lived in Rome for over 10 years.

Since he said, 'This is the most delicious place. All the locals go here,' there is no mistake.

The shop itself is a grocery store with local food lined up, but if you go to the back, there is a coffee counter.

I stood at the counter and quickly had the espresso that the man made for me there.

This is the Roman coffee style.

Since it is espresso, the amount is small.

However, it is that much stronger.

Since there is no custom of drinking it black like the Japanese, the taste is based on the premise of adding sugar.

I tried drinking it immediately.

...Hmm!? What is this...!

Delicious... It's so delicious!... But I have no idea what is delicious!

My head is confused! I don't really know, but it's delicious anyway.

This was a mysterious experience. It is quite something to be so delicious that it is confusing.

A deliciousness that cannot be explained. It is natural since I don't even know what is what myself.

I immediately asked for a refill.

Even after having another cup, it's still delicious!

What is this! It's too delicious!

I have become completely obsessed with this taste.

From then on, I started visiting here every day, following a strange routine of ordering two cups from the start, drinking them down in one go, and then leaving. Even now, as I write this article, my mouth is watering.

I truly recommend this shop. It is also a perfect place to buy souvenirs from Italy. You can purchase high-quality, authentic local food products at reasonable prices.

If you are going to the Vatican, why not stop by?

Now, the morning of the final day in the Vatican.

In the short time before heading to the airport, I was savoring my last moments in the Vatican.

Perhaps there was some event that day, as many priests and men in black suits were making various preparations at the altar of St. Peter's Basilica.

Seeing so many priests and men in black suits gathered and working, a mix of emotions welled up in me, from a sense of intimidation to a feeling of admiration.

These are the people who run the headquarters of Roman Catholicism. They must be incredibly talented individuals.

I felt a unique aura, or perhaps a sense of dignity, about them.

I will make sure to burn this into my memory as well.

Well, it's finally time to say goodbye to Italy. The Vatican was truly a wonderful place. This is exactly what it means to feel reluctant to leave.

Now then, the next destination is Spain.

I will spend about 20 days traveling around Spain.

Spain is home to many holy sites of various religions.

It is also a country I have been personally looking forward to visiting immensely.

I intend to continue being careful about pickpockets while taking my time to see Spain thoroughly.

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