Rome is studded with cannon balls (2022)
Rome, a city steeped in history, is literally 'studded' with cannonballs, remnants of its tumultuous past. This piece unearths several hidden, tangible markers of past conflicts, offering a unique historical perspective. It appeals to HN's curiosity for obscure historical details and the physical evidence of significant events.
The Lowdown
Did you know that Rome, beyond its ancient ruins and baroque splendor, subtly displays numerous cannonballs embedded in its architecture? These historical relics serve as stark reminders of the many sieges and battles the Eternal City has endured, offering a tangible connection to its violent past.
- The 'Miracle Cannonball': Located in the Church of San Bartolomeo all'Isola, this 14cm cannonball, fired by the French in 1849, miraculously passed through a wall and landed on the altar during a crowded service without causing any casualties, earning its legendary status.
- Palazzo Colonna's Impact: Another French cannonball from 1849 can be seen embedded in the marble stairs of the Salone d'Onore of Palazzo Colonna, having apparently entered through an open window during an attack.
- Villa Medici's Controversial Shot: A cannonball at Villa Medici is famously attributed to Queen Christina of Sweden. Legends suggest she fired it from Castel Sant'Angelo in a fit of pique over a guest's delay or a lover's absence, though the actual cannonball is likely a decorative marble sphere and the legend's veracity is debated, a peculiar dent on the villa's bronze door remains.
- Aurelian Wall's Mark: Along the Aurelian Wall in Corso d'Italia, a cannonball is lodged in the masonry of a tower, a silent witness to the 1870 battle for Rome's annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, specifically the Breach of Porta Pia.
These scattered cannonballs provide a fascinating, if grim, journey through Rome's military history, transforming the city into an open-air museum of conflict and survival.