As we rode the train into Rome we were definitely looking forward to this city, but also glad it was our last. Our first adventure was finding the hotel. It was actually in the middle of a city block on roads cars were not aloud to drive on. It took us several phone calls with the hotel talking to our taxi driver before we could find it. The hotel was in a fantastic location. We couldn't have picked better. It was the Albergo Cesari Hotel, and was situated between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon.
After settling at the hotel we wandered out to see the fountain lit up at night. It was amazing to learn that the fountain was the the end of one of Rome's ancient aqueduct systems from the time of Caesar Augustus. The fountain was just the first of many ancient sites and ruins we would get to visit while in Rome
The next day we hopped on a city bus and rode to the Colosseum. Rome was spread out enough that walking was not a good option so we had to opt for the bus system. It worked pretty well, but there were a few times it caused us a little anxiety. It was very hard to see the street signs and tell where we were at in the city and when we needed to get on and off.
The Roman ruins were sunken. It was striking how much the city had been built up around them. For Eric, being able to see the size of the Colosseum, knowing its history, and its age was surreal.
The Colosseum looked out over the Roman Forum, the center of ancient Roman life and government. Many of the buildings and columns still stand and gave you the feeling of what life was like back then. We really enjoyed the tour that gave us more history about the founding and growth of Rome. It complimented the historical fiction book we were reading entitled,
Roma,well and gave us some knowledge to understand what it was we were viewing.
The last of the ancient sites we saw was the Pantheon which has remained mostly intact due to the fact that it had been converted into a church and therefore saved from being sacked by invaders of Rome when the rest of the city was destroyed.
I was surprised by the open hole at the top that left the interior open to the elements, but it was built to drain water. The day we visited it was raining so we got to see the ingenuity of this ancient architecture at work.
The outside of the Pantheon is not much to look at, but the interior is striking. It is this dome that Brunelleschi studied to design the dome for the Duomo in Florence. Brunelleschi was allowed to cut into the dome (which you can still see the hole) to learn how to build the domes for the Renaissance cathedrals.
The following day our trip took us to the Vatican with a quick stop at the Bridge and Castle Saint Angelo. I particularly enjoyed my walk across the bridge. About midway through I realized that each angel represented a different part of the Savior's sacrifice and crucifixion. Then of course I had to go back and look at them all more closely.
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| The Throne |
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| The Robe |
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| The Crown of Thorns |
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| The Flogging Whip |
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| The Nails |
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| Casting Lots for Christ's Raiment |
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| The Cross |
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| King of the Jews Banner |
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| Sponge of Vinegar |
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| The Spear |
After a very long wait in the rain we were able to get into the Vatican museum that culminated with the Sistine Chapel.
The Sistine Chapel was smaller than I thought, but it was beautiful! I loved seeing all of this art in the context it was designed for.
St. Peter's on the other hand was very big. It was beautiful inside, but what drew my attention most was Michelangelo's Peita.
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| The Apostle Peter and the Priesthood Keys |
By the day we hit the Vatican we were about tripped out. Over the ten days there really was not a lot of down time. At the vatican we hit the highlights and felt we were done. There was so much more we could have seen. I am a little sad I didn't go and see Raphael's art, but even if I wasn't done, my feet definately were!
We had a wonderful time: beautiful scenery, great food and pleasant company.
The trip couldn't have been better.
What an amazing trip!
