Out-of-Time Square

This small square-like place, called Via Portico d'Ottavia is an enchanted place in the (Jewish) Ghetto of Rome, Lazio, Italy. This is out of our Time with seconds running fast, minutes passing slowly and eons are walking on the cobblestones among people, often in a human disguise. The half-ruined, half-reconstructed ancient buildings have some Time Square-ish advertisement possibly from the Roman era and the Jewish pizzeria Il Portico (named after the nearby Portico d'Ottavia, that was under re/construction when I visited there) bears the clearly visible traces of a "Drogeria" sign. In the planked-up windows invisible souls sit and watch the living people passing by and sometimes you hear a faint but strange sound over the murmurs of the crowd, as a randomly roaming century stops and remembers its own time and manners. If you try to look for the source of the sound, you'll see a pigeon or a seagull or an orthodox Jewish man in his traditional garment and a very small Japanese camera. The square serves as a patio for Il Portico, tables are laid under sun shades and waiters wait. Perhaps they are waiting for another customer who wants to try kosher Italian food (it is very good there, I've heard!), perhaps they are waiting for another century to turn up, and tell a secret story about time that doesn't work on this place. It plays, rests, tells tales and makes practical jokes with architecture and masonry. You cannot percieve this all, if you walk there as a tourist and behave as a visitor. Open your eyes and ask the walls about their past and to show their memories and they will share the magic with you too. Don't hurry.

This is a small tribute to all my Jewish friends all over the world on the last day of Hanukkah (2017)

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