The Aurelia station (to be clearly distinguished from Valle Aurelia station in the direction of Bracciano and Viterbo), the first stop on the train line from St. Peter’s station to Civitavecchia, is a hub for many pilgrims and students. There are several hotels and university campuses in this leafy suburban area of Rome lying to the west of the city. Many orders of nuns have houses also in this zone of Rome, and among these are the Benedettine Missionarie di Tut­zing (the Benedictine Missionaries of Tutzing). These are German-speaking sisters who wish to offer hospitality in the Benedictine tradition.

Some say Rome is an overwhelming city: a multitude of impressions, encounters with art, history, and Christianity, yesterday and today. Pilgrims need rest and relaxation to experience them more deeply. This guest house offers essentially Benedictine hospitality, imbued with St. Benedict’s invitation to prayer and activity.

Comfortable accommodation is provided in a serene environment. Guests are given the opportunity to participate in the Eucharist and the Benedictine Liturgy of the Hours. There is a spacious garden. Single and double rooms are available with showers. This house has conference rooms and prayer rooms. There is a parking lot for visitors with cars. Travel connections to the city center are good. From Termini main train station, one needs to take the train to Civitavecchia (the usual platforms are 25-28) which stops at every station, for not every train for Civitavecchia stops at Stazione Aurelia (not Valle Aurelia). Stazione Aurelia is the next stop after Stazione San Pietro. Go down to the underpass, turn left and take the staircase that leads you to Via Stazione Aurelia. Turn left on this road until you reach Via dei Bevilacqua; turn right and look for No. 60. There is also a bus from Aurelia station, the 247, which goes down to Via Gregorio VII.

 

Also in the Aurelia train station is one of the cheapest little eateries in Rome, which is also good quality. It is aptly named FeelinGood. A tavola calda is translated in dictionaries as a snack bar, but it is more than this, as it serves a selection of complete hot meals, including seafood. It is closer to the American diner in concept. Valerio, Davide, Simone and Matteo are the four Romans who run this place. It is lunchtime home to several people who work in the area, not least the university students and staff from the various campuses, as well as the nearby camping site.

Recently I lunched here alone. Some of the tables are outside overlooking the station square; others are inside with some actually overlooking the railway line. On this occasion I decided to eat inside. I joined the short line, in cafeteria style, to select freshly-made lasagna, and then marinated eggplant. I also had half a liter of semi-sparkling Egeria mineral water and some bread. This little repast must be one of the cheapest meals I’ve ever had in Rome; it came to Euro 6.50 ($8.50).

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