London Fischery: Rome

For a few days, we were able to explore Rome and all the fantastic things it has to offer. Rome is definitely a city I could visit again and again. It is forever changing (they can't plant a tree there without uncovering some sort of new ruin) and it is quite easy to explore. Plus, if you get lost, you will probably find a great restaurant to enjoy the Italian cuisine.

As this was Shea's first time there, we did all the popular tourist attractions.

The Colosseum

The Colosseum is probably one of the most iconic attractions in Rome. Still spectacular today, in its ruined form, I still have difficulty picturing it as it was: a stadium holding 60,000 people with a colossal bronze statue of Nero in it's front. It has opened up the top tier and its underground corridors for tours since the last time I had been there. This allowed us a higher view of the stadium and a look at how animals, gladiators and slaves moved about under the stage.

Inside the Colosseum

View from the seating area looking towards the stage and into the corridors

The corridors

What is left of the seating area

An underground passage used to get gladiators and animals to the stage

Under the stage

What is left of the corridors

A view from where the women had to sit (right at the top)

The Royal Forum

I found this to be rather boring. In ancient times, the Forum was a market place, civic centre and religious complex. It would have been a busy place to see in its glory indeed. Unfortunately, my lack of imagination seems to prevent me from picturing it as it was. I can't get beyond the remaining ruins (which are spectacular on their own), although watching the series "Rome" did help. Some of the things that made me a bit less whiny while there included seeing the site where Julius Caesar was cremated.

Shea enjoyed the ruins. I did warn him that I would probably be whiny there though.

Us among the ruins.

Shea in front of a financial building.

What is left of the Temple of Saturn which housed 13 tonnes of gold, 114 tonnes of silver and a bunch of gold coins.

The Pantheon

As one of the best preserved ancient Roman structures, it was built over 2000 years ago as a temple and then altered into a church. The domed roof is considered one of Rome's most important architectural achievements as it is the largest un-reinforced concrete dome structures ever built. Inside is the tomb of Raphael.

The exterior of the Pantheon

A new game: Unicorn!

The roof.: The hole allows air to circulate. It also allows rain in. The floor is constructed to drain water.

The exterior at night.

Just to show how large the column is!

Vatican City: The Vatican Museum

This museum is the top, in my opinion, in holding works of art that I have seen in a textbook or on TV. I think that is why I love Rome so much: I can relate it to so many things I have learned before. The museum is not in just one palace but two plus three courtyards. There is also a garden that has a bunch of stuff too. One could spend days wondering the halls here and still miss some of the best works.

The School of Athens by Raphael.

Just a floor.

This is just one of the halls that goes on and on. There is art on the walls, the roof and the floor! This hall is devoted to Italian maps.

The roof of the Raphael Rooms

One of the most known parts of the Vatican Museum is the Sistine Chapel. Originally, it was built in 1484 for Pope Sixtus IV (hence the name). In 1508-12 Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to decorate it. This was Michelangelo's first crack at painting. He had always sculpted before and thought very lowly of painting. My previous trip to Rome provided me with a very memorable experience in the Sistine Chapel. It was absolutely quiet. A perfect place for reflection and enjoyment of the art. This trip was not so. People were talking everywhere (it was just as busy as the previous trip) and some idiots were taking pictures (which is also against the rules). It really took away from the experience of being so close to such breathtaking works.

The Chapel: This is where new popes are made.

Michelangelo painted himself in The Judgement piece

Pope Julius II's Master of Ceremonies (Biagio da Cesena) was a critic of Michelangelo's work; specifically the nudity of his works. Michelangelo responded by painting his likeness with large donkey ears and a snake wrapped around and biting him in a precious spot. This is located in the Hell part, right above the entrance door into the Chapel (very visible) Cesena complained to the Pope who supposedly joked that he had no power over Hell so it would have to remain.

And if the Sistine Chapel or any of the other works did not interest you, there is this awesome staircase to take to exit the building! On my bucket list: take this staircase in a wheelchair!

St. Peter's Square and Basilica

Because we visited Rome around Christmas, St. Peter's was getting ready for Christmas Mass. There were chairs and barricades everywhere. In order to go, one has to apply for free tickets. Maybe one year...

At the Basilica, looking over the Square.

Inside the Basilica, Christmas preparations were also being made. I got to see how they clean the altarpiece. Unfortunately, that also meant we were not permitted to go and explore that area of the Basilica. But it was interesting to see how they dust the place!

One man rides the crane up and sprays every inch with a cleaning spray to get rid of dust. It was a very long process.

There are many other things to explore in this place. One of my favourites was Michelangelo's Pieta. It is a beautiful sculpture that I could stare at for hours. Look how Mary holds her son close with her right hand yet offers him to Heaven with her left. There is emotion in the face. The fabric flows. Michelangelo was truly a masterpiece of his time and beyond!

Pieta

A new addition to the Basilica since my last visit: a floor plaque to my favourite Pope Pope John Paul II.

PJP II

A look back at the Basilica. So many chairs!

Castel Sant'Angelo

This round building was commissioned by Emperor Hadrian in 123BC as a mausoleum for himself and his family. in the 6th century it was converted into a papal fortress and is now a museum. On my previous visit, I saw a sculpture of the angel Gabriel. Something happened to my camera though and none of my pictures really turned out. I just had to go back and get this shot. It is out in the open and is still beautiful.