Our Roman Highlights "The great difference between voyages rests not with the ships, but with the people you meet on them." – Amelia E. Barr
St. Peter's Basilica - Exterior
The basilica was built near the site of Nero's chariot races where Christians were killed during intermissions.
St. Peter was crucified here around 65 A.D. His body was buried at a spot that now lies under the main altar.
Constantine built the original St. Peter's Church here. It lasted 1,200 years.
Pope Julius II began the new basilica on the same site in 1506. It took 120 years to complete.
Michelangelo designed the dome using the Florence Duomo as a model.
The columns that stretch from the church represent its welcoming arms. The arms hold 140 saints displayed as 10-foot statues.
St. Peter's Basilica - Interior
Above - In 1634 Bernini designed the 95 foot bronze canopy over the main altar.
Above - St. Peter's holds several great works of art, but none more magnificent than the Pieta - sculpted by Michelangelo at age 24.
Left - In 1666 Bernini designed the monument holding St.Peter's chair in front of the dove window.
Floor plaques note the comparative size of St. Peter's to other huge cathedrals.
This church occupies nearly six acres and can hold 60,000.
Pantheon - Sant Maria ad Martyres
The Pantheon was built in 27 B.C. and rebuilt nearly 200 years later. It has weathered better than any other Roman building.
Hadrian built this Pantheon to replace the original which burned in 80 A.D. Consul Marcus Agrippa took credit for the rebuild and modestly inscribed over the entrance:"M. AGRIPPA.L.F. COSTERTIUM.FECIT,” which means: “Marcus Agrippa son of Lucius, having been consul three times made it”.
Originally a pagan temple, the building became a Christian church in 608.
Marvels include the hole on the dome for lighting, a concave floor to drain rainwater, crisp marble walls, Raphael's tomb, and a memorial to Victor Emmanuel.
Forum & Palatine Hill
The Forum was the center of civic and economic life during Rome's glory years. The pedestrians pictured above are walking the Via Sacra, the parade route for those who conquered in Rome's name.
Palatine Hill was where Rome's rich and famous, the patricians, lived during the Empire years. Per legend, it was on this hill that Romulus first traced the square outline of the city. Roman emperors lived here from Caesar (49 B.C.) to Septimius Severus (211 A.D.).
Campo de' Fiori & Piazza Navona
Campo de' Fiori lacks the Piazza Navona fountains and its prime time hustlers. What it does not lack is a European atmosphere which radiates from its cafes. It is a great place to stop at an overpriced cafe to watch Rome flow by.
During the day the Piazza Navona is dominated by Bernini fountains. By night, however, the fountains hide behind a barrage of hustlers in the form of street musicians, artists, human statues, and glowing rocket salesmen ("Normally 5 euros, 3 just for for you"). Nevertheless, it's a great place to hang out in the evening as the square comes alive.
Emmanuel Monument-Unknown Soldier
Above - Victor Emmanuel Monument
Right - Eternal flame, wreath, and guards mark the Italian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the base of the Emmanuel Monument
Roman Street Sights
Rome's Train Station
Parking at a premium
Surprises/Helpful Hints
Surprise: Michelangelo's only signed work is The Pieta. This may be due to the fact that he was just 24 years-old & unknown.
Surprise: The Emperor's box at the Colosseum is marked with a cross. Seems ironic.
Surprise: The Colosseum could be flooded for naval battles to thrill the crowds once gladiator killings and Christian eating became passe`.
Hint: Make an online reservation from home for the Vatican. You can also call. Go early in the day or you'll be packed like sardines in the hallways.
Hint: The best time to see the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona are at night - Follow Rick Steves' Night Walk.
Vatican Museum
Above - Joanne is just one of the visitors awestruck by the historical moments and theological principles depicted in the museum's wall-sized paintings.
The museum contains works that span 3,700 years.
Raphael's painted the Vatican Museum walls as Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel is a glorious setting for religious functions ranging from attending mass to selecting popes. As important as these are, the Sistine's most popular use is giving visitors a peak at the brilliance of Michelangelo as shown through the Biblical representations on the ceiling (1508-12) and The Last Judgment (1536-41) painted on the entry wall. Since photos are not allowed (perhaps the most frequently broken rule since speeding), none appear on this website. The Chapel, however, is worth viewing by other means. In particular, The Last Judgment is one of the most inspired works of art, religious or otherwise.
Colosseum
The Colosseum was built 72-80 A.D. with capacity estimates from 50,000-70,000
It opened with a 100 day festival in which 2,000 men & 9,000 animals were killed.
The gruesome animal fights, human death games and executions lasted until 435 A.D. "Civilization" then limited battles to animal killings until 523.
For "comedy," the Romans laughed at woman, midget and handicapped gladiators. The U.S. demonstrates its cultural superiority by only televising cage fights and pro wrestling.
Admission was free as rulers used the games for propaganda. Victims (animal & human) often came from the far reaches of the empire and were used to demonstrate the power and span of Rome. Even without ESPN & Nike, the arena created heroes for the impressionable to emulate.
Arch of Constantine
The arch commemorates Constantine's victory over Rome in 312 A.D. This battle changed history by making Christianity the official religion of Rome, thus, the Western World. The arch is a patchwork of glorifying symbols taken from other buildings.
Moses in Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli
Another outstanding Michelangelo piece lies in the lesser-known church of St. Peter in Chains. Pictured above is the lower half of this two-story work intended as the tomb of Pope Julius II. The work, completed in 1545, features Moses flanked by Lia and Rachel. Dying in 1513, Julius didn't wait for this tomb. Instead, Julius was buried in the Vatican. The "Pick of the Picts" below show the entire work featuring Julius in his papal hat above Moses.
Trevi Fountain
Throwing a coin over your shoulder and into the fountain means you will return to Rome.
Estimates run as high as the fountain nets 3,000 euros per day.
Construction began on this fountain in 1732 and lasted 30 years.
Circus Maximus & Spanish Steps
Circus Maximus is marked now by just an open oval field with a hump in the center. From the 2nd-6th centuries it was a glorious stadium holding 250,000 spectators. It was home to chariot races as well as gladiators and demonstrations of military power.
The Spanish Steps span the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti above. Atop the steps is the Trinità dei Monti church.
Hanging with Our Group Last Night Dinner
All 29 of us opted to dine together on our last night to celebrate our friendship and thank our guide, the Amazing Andrea.
For What It's Worth
"The Romans spent the next 200 years usig their great engineering skill to construct ruins all over Europe." – Dave Barry
As of March 1, 2013, the most popular breakfast served in Rome is Ex-Benedict. - Heard it on the radio.
Ideas for Our Next Visit
Santa Maria sopra Minerva - Michelangelo's sculpture, "The Risen Christ"
Ostia - Ancient town functioned 620 B.C.-150 A.D.
Borghese Gallery
Hadrian's Mausoleum
Appian Way – Considered Rome's road to the East – 400 miles long and lined with monuments
Catacombs
Ara Pacis – 9 B.C. Altar of Peace
San Giovanni Church – Original home of pope – relics of Sts. Peter & Paul