Sunday, November 4, 2007

Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina is a square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey's Theater. The temples on this site were excavated in the late 1920s. Torre Argentina is also a Roman cat sanctuary, staffed by volunteers seven days a week, and caring for more than 250 cats. Sylvia and Lia, are the two organizing volunteers who have given their hearts to this project. When I first visited the Cat Sanctuary in October, Lia introduced me to a newly arrived blind kitten named Emily Bronte. In honor of my daughter Emily, who is a 4th grade teacher in Jersey City, I "adopted" Emily Bronte. Each month I make adonation that covers the cost of the kitten's care and food. Here is a picture of Emily Bronte that I took this afternoon.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope you keep this blog up. It is a nice way to keep in touch. Nice cat! I'm sure Emily will be honored.
The picture of the ruin is nice, why is it called Torre Argentina.
Rick

AMOROMA said...

There are two explanations that I have heard regarding the name of the square. One is that the square is named after the shops of the
silversmiths (argentarii) who worked in this area. Another is that in the 16th Century the Papal Master of Cerominies (Johannes Burckardt)
built a house there. He was from the city of Strasbourg which in Latin is Argentoratum. Maybe there were silversmiths in Strasbourg. Thecountry of Argentina derives its name from the word for silver.

Willym said...

So that's Emily (the cat)- well she's got herself a good godfather there. Aren't the Cat ladies incredible in this city?

And you were suppose to send me the link to your blog - well you're on my list now buster.