“Rome — The City Where History Speaks in Silence” Jamala Nakhchivani

Rome — The City Where History Speaks in Silence

Rome… this name does not simply evoke a geographical place in one’s mind. It is a concept of time. It is a feeling. Rome is like a memory beating in the heart of the world, a living monument where culture, art, faith, and human will are engraved in stone. This city is not just filled with the past—it is the past itself.

My first encounter with Rome was the moment when a dream turned into reality. The moment I landed from the plane and stepped onto the ancient streets of this city, I understood—here, not only people breathe, but stones, walls, and even silence speak history. Time here does not move straightforwardly; sometimes it stands still, sometimes it turns back, and sometimes it blends into eternity.

The first stop of my journey was the Roman Forum—the heart of the Roman Empire, the political and social center of the ancient era. As I walked there, I could almost hear the echoes of ancient senators’ debates and the grand processions of emperors. The entire place seemed like an invisible stage, where you are not just a spectator but also a participant.

I will never forget the moment I stood in front of the Colosseum. I stood silently before that enormous amphitheater. It was as if the stones were speaking—the silence was filled with the voices of thousands of warriors, spectators, victories, and defeats. The Colosseum is a masterpiece of human hands competing with time. And then you realize that human intelligence does not just build—it leaves a mark.

When I stood beneath the dome of the Pantheon, I felt a strange depth within me. As the sunlight streamed through the enormous oculus, a sense of calm was born inside me. The construction of this massive dome 2,000 years ago was not just a technical achievement — it is an aesthetic manifesto. The Pantheon is a harmony of faith in God, human intellect, and creative energy.

Rome is not just made up of monuments. To feel its living spirit, it is enough to visit the narrow, winding streets of Trastevere. Here, colorful houses, flower pots hanging from windows, and young people sitting on steps singing songs… Rome breathes life here. On one side, history; on the other, everyday life — and the harmony of these two forms the soul of Rome.

If art and faith were to unite at a single point, that point would be St. Peter’s Basilica. As soon as you enter this magnificent building located in the heart of the Vatican, you realize: there is no distance between God and man here. The architecture created by Bernini and Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture — all of it is a lesson in silence, prayer, and mediation.

Rome is not just a city of the past; it is a living embodiment of memory. Every stone, every street, every breath here carries a story. Perhaps that is why Rome doesn’t just inspire admiration — it changes, shapes, and deepens a person. And I know — my encounter with this city was not a one-time event. You cannot say goodbye to Rome. Once it enters your heart, it stays there forever.

Author: Jamala Nakhchivani, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Fortuna magazine