When in ROME...
Our trip has taken us through so many experiences, and at this point we are ready to explore a big city again. The last week and a half we were able to hike the Alps in Switzerland, experience a little bit of Austria, walk and boat through the streets/canals of Venice, and hike the Cinque Terre near Pisa. We have been able to get our fix of nature, which has been so important on this trip because so easily the history of each city begins to get boring! With the balance of historical city sites and nature we are able to prevail and get excited for the history that Rome has to offer!
Our first encounter with the Roman Empire, lol!
The Colosseum! It is amazing how one building can have so much history. From being the main entertainment of the Roman culture in the early 100 A.D. years, where people were tortured and gladiators fought until death, to a city fire that has obviously burned part of the building, to a revolution where the fighting was banned, and then eventually became part of the Christian collection. Parts of the building were even used in the construction of St. Peter's Basilica.
We decided that you only go to Rome once (well in Steve's case twice) and we should see the inside!
The inside of the Colosseum...They have made a portion of the wooden floor to show where it would have originally laid. Under the floor would have been where the slaves and animals and gladiators waited before coming up through the floor to the centre of the arena. The Colosseum could hold about 50,000 people, which is pretty impressive!
The Colosseum
We continued our Rome walking tour and came to this building, known as the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, which basically is a memory of all soldiers killed in any war. The building was so white and new looking compared to all of the ruins found in that area.
Next we continued to Trevi Fountain! So about 16 years ago, Steven went to Rome with his Grandma and Aunt and threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain. The coin throwing story is that is you throw a coin into the fountain you are ensured to return to Rome! Well here he is!!
He returned and is ready to throw another coin in the fountain!
Jenna's first time at Trevi Fountain, but is willing to throw a coin in to return one day!!!
Our coins!
Proof of our coin throwing experience!
Now we head to the Spanish Steps. We walk towards the Spanish steps and start to see different Vogue set ups and stages and are wondering what is happening in the area. When we arrive at the Spanish steps we find that there is a model shoot going on!
Vogue model shoot at the Spanish Steps!
Walking up the Spanish Steps....Made it!!!
September 14th
We stayed at a Bed and Breakfast that was a few steps from the Vatican City. Today we decided that we would explore the Vatican Museum and St. Peter's Basilica.
Vatican Museum
A few pieces to give you a sneak peek into the Vatican Museum. The ceilings and walls and floors are all so ornate. There are so many sculptures, some which represent the saints and other christian figures, but many of the old stone gods that Rome used to worship. Does anyone else find it interesting that the Roman Catholic Vatican has collected all of the stone gods in their possession?
Raphael and Michaelangelo's works
Spiral staircase exiting the Vatican
St. Peter's Basilica
The square in front of St. Peter's Basilica
The church is so humungous. The detail in the art, the statues, the marble everywhere, and the symbolism is so overwhelming. On the right, Steven is dipping his finger in some holy water from the vessel held by cherubim.
Looking down the street at St. Peter's Basilica. Peter, Jesus's apostle, a man much like each of us. Just like him, we are tempted and fear the pressures of society, and yet God used him to start the Church...not the church as a building, but the body of believers! God is so strong in our weakness!
We were hoping to see the Pope mobile so that we could take pictures and be the Pope-arazzi! lol
A fountain that Steven decided to relax beside!
The Pantheon! A temple of all of the gods of Ancient Rome and then was given to the Roman Catholic church as a gift. This temple was over 2000 years old, and still stands in amazing condition.
Welcome to the Modern part of our Rome Tour...yes, Rome does have some Modern buildings! (although the tourist offices had no idea they existed!)
Zaha Hadid's Maxxi, a Modern Art Museum
A sculpture for the Rome Olympics, located near the Track and Field Stadium...Steven is going to the Mother Ship, he is even wearing the right coloured uniform!
Celebrating Renzo Piano's 75th birthday, we went to the Opera House that he designed.
Architectural Highlight:
Our final modern piece was an adventure to get to...taking 2 trains, and walking about 3 kilometres, but was well worth it, all for the love of architecture!
Architect: Richard Meier
Use: Jubilee Catholic Church
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