The word travel still excites me, and I feel grateful for that even as I grow older.

At 65, my stamina isn't what it used to be, and each step is more cautious, but... I find that I see and feel things more deeply.

Italy, Rome, how thrilling it was..... This trip to Rome was just like that.

When many people think of Rome, they first think of the Colosseum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon.

Those are certainly magnificent, but the place that has stayed with me the longest is a different one.

It is this round fortress called Castel Sant'Angelo.

As I walked along the Tiber River and came across Castel Sant'Angelo, at first, it honestly just looked like a heavy stone tower.

It's neither a cathedral nor a palace, and it's not particularly ornate... yet it strangely draws your attention.

This building was originally the tomb of the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Started around 135 AD, the history of this building has held nearly 2,000 years.

It has served as a tomb, a fortress, a prison, and a refuge for popes, taking on many roles.

Looking at it, I thought to myself, "I too have played many roles in my life."

As a child, I was someone's daughter, then a wife and daughter-in-law after marriage, a mother, and now a grandmother to my grandchildren...

As I gazed at Castel Sant'Angelo, I felt that this transformation is not just someone else's story.

The origin of the name Castel Sant'Angelo is also quite interesting.

In 590, during a time of plague in Rome, the pope reportedly saw the angel Michael sheathing his sword at the top of the fortress.

The pope believed this was a sign that the plague would end, and indeed, the situation improved.

The angel statue still stands at the top of the building, and when I went up to see it, I found myself murmuring inwardly.

"May our children and grandchildren live in a world with more peace than suffering."

 Castel Sant'Angelo and the Vatican are actually quite close.
There is a secret passage connecting them called the Passetto di Borgo.

When wars or rebellions occurred, the pope would secretly escape to Castel Sant'Angelo through this path.

Some parts of that passage can still be seen today. It has a vibe that could be in a Da Vinci Code movie...

As I grow older, each of these stories resonates with me much more.

Hiding, escaping, protecting—these are not just stories of the pope.

The interior of Castel Sant'Angelo now operates as a museum. Ancient weapons, medieval prisons, rooms of popes, and magnificent ceiling paintings...

As I explored each one, I could feel how the authority of ancient Rome and the medieval papacy coexisted.

Above all, the view from the top of this building took my breath away.

St. Peter's Basilica, the Tiber River, and the people and cars flowing above it...

Standing in the midst of it all, I suddenly thought, "Even after all this time, people continue to come and go."

Castel Sant'Angelo was not just a tourist spot.

This building, which has passed through the roles of tomb, fortress, prison, palace, and museum, made me think, "My life has been meaningful too."

If I ever get the chance, I hope to visit again with my husband and take time to reflect on myself through travel.

Rome is that kind of city. A place where stories live even in the stones.