A Kiss in Rome

AUTHOR’S NOTEThe first time I visited Rome I was totally entranced by the beauty of its treasures and the history which one finds at every turn. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Cities in the world and every stone appears to have a fascinating story attached to it. The Villa Borghese that I have described in this novel and, which in the past was called a Palace, is one of the jewels of Europe. It is breathtaking in the beauty of its rooms and their contents. It was built originally by Cardinal Camillo Borghese in 1560 when he came to the Papal throne, taking the name of Paul V. The treasures were added to year by year with each generation of Borghese. But it makes one’s heart sink to learn that the famous collection of antique sculpture to which had been added the masterpieces of Bernini, making in all 523 pieces, was given by Camillo Borghese, the husband of the beautiful Pauline Bonaparte to his brother-in-law Napoleon in 1807 and was carried off bodily in triumph to Paris. This is typical of conquerors all down the ages, but fortunately, however, most of these were returned eventually to Rome where we may still see and admire them. The exquisite statue of Pauline Borghese, who was the second wife of Prince Camillo Borghese, is the masterpiece of Antonio Canova (1757-1822). It shows Pauline semi-nude, reclining on a divan, half raised up and holding in her left hand the apple of victory won as Venus for her beauty. I have written two novels that include the Borghese Palace. The other is called The Coin of Love. In this novel, which I wrote after my visit in 1988, I have described the magic of the Trevi Fountain and the glory of the Colosseum. But one has only to arrive in Rome and visit a list of the places that move one and excite the imagination to find that there are hundreds more waiting for one’s appreciation. Rome is known as the ‘Eternal City’, and as long as its treasures remain, it will always have a place in the hearts of those who love and appreciate beauty.