I happen to enjoy experiencing ancient things. Santa Sabina, a 5th century basilica on the Aventine Hill in Rome might well be my favorite church of all time.
Just walking along the Via Santa Sabina, a street paralleling the Tiber, gives you the feeling of an ancient sacred space outside of Rome’s cacophonous center. It’s quiet, save for chattering birds.
I “found” Santa Sabina when looking for its view spot, the platform in its adjoining orange garden. I ducked in as darkness was about to fall. Rome’s starlings were at the ready, a few early birds out swooping and diving. Then, this:
There are better pictures in better light. This one, though, is just right.
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