Ancient Rome (Day 3)

Our first official day started bright and early with a subway ride to the Colosseum (for a good laugh, ask Chad about his "near-death" experience boarding public transit). Ever the one to be prepared, I had done some research (thanks to Rick Steves' Rome guidbook) and had downloaded an audio guide for most of today's attractions that compromise the ancient part of Rome. Starting with the Colosseum....

First view inside. The top would be where all the seating is. They have added a partial floor to show you where the arena floor was originally. All of the area underneath is where all the gladiators, prisoners, animals were kept....a maze like formation with all different holding cells.
Underground passageways.

Chad all "geared up"....ipod, backpack, shorts that hold all my stuff.

Amazing. Built around 80 A.D. during the height of the Roman Empire.

This stadium could hold 50,000 fans.

Views of the start of Roman Forum---see the ruins and in the far right corner, the top of the Piazza Venezia building as a backdrop. Again, huge architectural contrasts.

Views from Colosseum.

Walking and listening.

Yay to exploring and sightseeing and LEARNING together!

Love seeing this part of history.

Chad & I....his dreaded moment, me asking strangers to take our picture.

Just chillin by some ancient stuff.

What a gladiator!

Arch of Constantine - built in 312 A.D finally making Christianity legal and the national religion.

View of parts of the Roman Forum--this would have been the centerpoint of Rome including shops, main square, govemement buildings, temples, etc.

Everything is from around 70-100 AD

Listening to my friend Steve.

Palace ruins from 40 AD

House of the Vestal Virgins.

Courtyard of the Vestal Virgins--These honored women took a vow of chastity for 30 years and if they served their term faithfully, were given a large dowry and allowed to marry....if not, they faced a terrible fate--being buried alive. (Ask Chad for his own colorful commentary on this one).

Temple of Saturn from 497 BC (Forum's oldest temple)

View of St Peter's Dome from the forum.

Everywhere you look, there is a beautiful view.

Our postcard pic.

Tom/Mozz panini picnic lunch.

Statue of Marcus Aurelius (176 AD) in the Capitoline Museums.

Piazza Venezia- in the 1930's this is where Mussolini addressed the Facist masses from one of the balconies.

Victor Emmanuel Monument - built in 1870, it is 43 feet long (the biggest equestrian statue in the world). The moustache is over 5 feet wide and a person could fit into the horse's hoof. The entire monument is 200 ft high and 500 ft wide (to put it into perspective). Carvings on the side--we needed to take a break as we climbed all 700+ stairs.

We took the elevator up to the glass top and the view were worth it!

St Peter's in the distance....it was our only "gloomy" day but still, the colors are amazing. Views of Roman Forum...Colosseum...etc.

Colosseum.

Roman Forum.

Handsome Chad.

Back to the Pantheon to actually do our audio guide. Rain coming in through the top.

We walked miles that day and were exhausted....we went back to our hotel, sat at an outdoor cafe with a couple glasses of wine...walked to a local Trattoria for dinner where I had the best canneloni of my life. :)