Italy – Rome
From Florence we arrived in Rome with much anticipation because there were simply too many places to see and visit and we were not sure if we could see them all! As our rented apartment was near the train station, we quickly dropped off our stuff and began exploring the eternal city of Rome…
The Piazza dell'Esquilino
Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Interior of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
The stairs leading down to the crypt shows the statue of Pope Sixtus V
The Colosseum - notice the long queue?
The Arch of Constantine
To beat the queue at the Colosseum we decided to buy the combo ticket at the Palatino where the queue is shorter.
The Roman forum in the distance
There were many people dressed as Roman soldiers outside the Colosseum and they will take pictures with you for a fee
Trevi Fountain
A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin in with their backs facing the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. But i believe some people who does that also make wishes and pray for good health or good fortune. But when we saw certain shabby looking people discretly using makeshift gadgets like magnets attached to poles trying to fish out the coins we were absolutely gutted… Those coins represent the wishes and hopes of people who threw them in… and eventually the coins will be collected by organisations for charity but how could this people do such a thing like that? Blatant robbers and bloody wish stealers…
The Obelisk at Piazza Quirinale
San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane
The Quattro Fontane (the Four Fountains) is a group of four Late Renaissance fountains that represent the River Tiber (the symbol of Rome); the River Arno the symbol of Florence; the Goddess Diana; the symbol of Chastity; and the Goddess Juno, the symbol of Strength.
The goddess Diana
The River Arno
The River Tiber
The goddess Juno
The Triton Fountain - by a well-known Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini
The Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti - (the spanish steps) is the longest and widest staircase in Europe.
Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top of the spanish steps
Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the old boat) - at the base of the spanish steps
Piazza del Popolo - one of the film locations from 'Angels and Demons'
Santa Maria degli Angeli
Dinner time at McDonald's - we tried some new burgers like the McItaly (beef burger with square shaped bun) and the CBO burger (chicken, bacon and onions)
The next morning we went to our usual coffee house adjacent to our rented apartment to have breakfast
The Pantheon - Another film location from 'Angels and Demons'. It also houses the tombs of the great artist Raphael and many kings of Italy.
close up view of the fountain outside the Pantheon
The sculpture where Raphael and his fiancee's sarcophagus is located
Piazza Navona - was also featured in 'Angels and Demons' where Tom Hanks character Robert Langdon meets the assassin at the final element's landmark (Water) of the 'Path of Illumination'
Castel Sant'Angelo or "Castle of Angels" is an ancient fortressed castle built in 139 A.D. It was also one of the film locations for 'Angels and Demons'
Fonte Acqua Paola
Santa Maria In Trastevere - one of the oldest church in the city
Tiber Island is a boat-shaped island by the tiber river and is connected to the rest of Rome by 2 bridges; Ponte Fabricio (the oldest Roman bridge still existing in its original state) and Ponte Cestio.
Managed to catch a group of japanese tourist with their bright and colourful umbrellas in contrast with the pale and earthly colours of rome.
Basilica di Santa Maria in Cosmedin - contains the flower crowned skull of St Valentine.
Didn't managed to get a good picture but if you notice carefully you can make out the flowers on the skull.
The remains of the Circus Maximus where chariot racing was once rampant here in ancient times
Pizzas and cappucino for dinner before we call it a night
It was really a great and facinating experience being here…seeing the Colosseum and the Pantheon for the first time… before this all we knew of them were from books, movies or through the internet… i’ve always wanted to visit and see the Colosseum since i first knew of it from books and to be able to see it with my very own eyes was astounding! Being a huge fan of Dan Brown’s ‘Angel and Demons’ we also tried to follow the ‘Path of Illumination’ haha…
We chose not to take a bus or taxi and all traveling was done by walking because it is the best way to see the city as you immerse youself in the sights and sounds; both ancient and modern aspects of the Italian capital.
Up next, the Vatican City…
J
Italy is my dream country. Thanks for sharing such a nice information. I really wish to go there.