Ok, so this post is a bit overdue. I took way too many pictures…and right now have a hard time of choosing just a few to share with you!! =) Here are part of the pictures I took of Rome on Oct 9.. I have probably forgotten some of the stuff I saw, but thank goodness I’ve documented some of them in a photo album on my Facebook account! =).
1) Colosseum (Bottom Left). Construction of the Colossum began around 70-72 AD. Wikipedia has a good and lengthy information on the history of Colosseum, so read them there. =) Buy tickets to Colosseum at Palatine Hill (on the way to Colosseum). Line is much shorter! Ticket should be about Euro 9, but there was a special exhibition on the Forum grounds. So, ticket was about Euro 12 for the Colosseum, Palatine Hill, Roman Forum and the special exhibition. Worth every penny!
2) Inside the Colosseum (Bottom Right). This is where the gladiators FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! There are also galleries displaying artifacts and sculptures from the Roman times inside the Colosseum.
3) Arc de Constantino (Arch of Constantine) (Bottom Left). Erected to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 28, 312.
4) View of Roman Forum (from Palatine Hill) (Bottom Right). I can’t imagine how huge and grand the place was at that time!
5) Arc of Titus (Bottom Left). Apparently this arch was the inspiration for the the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
6) Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (Bottom Right). Best preserved building in the Roman Forum. This temple was built in 141 A.D. and most of it is still standing strong.
7) Santissimo Nome di Maria al Foro Traiano (Church of the Most Holy Name of Mary) at the Trajan Forum and the Colona Traiana (Trojan's Column) (Bottom Left).
8) “Drunk” Street Performer near the Pantheon (Bottom RIght). He’s really good and he matches the real trash can next to him! We thought he was a sculpture, until someone drop him some money and he acted groggy and drunk!
9) Pantheon (Bottom Left). This was built as a Temple of the Gods of Ancient Rome. The Pantheon’s dome is the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The best thing is, it’s FREE for all to visit! =)
10) Oculus in the Pantheon (Bottom Right). This is the only source for light in the interior. It serves as a cooling and ventilation “system” for the Pantheon. During rainfall, the drainage system below the floor is capable to handle rain that falls through the oculus.
11) Piazza Navona (Bottom Left). This square is filled with fountains and features Bernini’s Fountain of Four Rivers. There’s also an Egyptian Obelisks as well as Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone. This place is busy both during the day and night.
12) Castel St. Angelo (Bottom Right). This building was built as a Mausoleum for Roman Emperor Hadrian and his family and was later used as a fortress and a castle. Now it’s a museum and cost you Euro 10. We did not think it was that worth it for the money we paid to see this old fortress. The Euro 12 we paid for the Colosseum (plus Palatine Hill and Roman Forum) is so much more bang for the buck!
13) Some of the statues that greet you as you walk across the TIber towards the Castel St. Angelo. Picture on the left is Angel with Nails and picture on the right is Angel with Lance.
If you’ve watched Angels and Demons, the movie based on Dan Brown’s book…you’ll see some familiar places in this post and probably the next post on Vatican City. =)
Second part of this day is spent at the Vatican City………… and I'm saving that for another post! =)
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