Day 55 | Castel Sant’Angelo

Day 55, Rome—After spending most of the day at home, we decided to go see Castel Sant’Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel) named after Michael the archangel. It was first built as a mausoleum for emperor Hadrian’s family, then a fortress and castle for popes (it’s very close to St. Peter’s, where the pope lives), and now its a museum.

I loved going through the castle and imagining the people who walked through the halls, fought in battles, and even people that were kept here as a prisoner. 

Another thing I noticed was that through every doorway you walk through, there was something purposefully centered for you to see as you walk through it. A statue. Another doorway. A stained glass window. A view of the city. A view of the sky. A view of cobblestone. The doorways were designed intentionally to have something beautiful and useful to see as you walk through it. I didn’t get great pictures of this, but believe me...it was there! 

This encourages me to be intentional about seeing Christ through every door I walk through in life. He needs to be at the center...the perfect view in every situation.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:1-2