Rome, Italy February 2008

This is the last post about my trip to Italy in 2008.  If you read my "older posts" you will see Florence and Venice.  I hope you have enjoyed taking this trip with me!

February 22, 2008 (Friday)

We took the train to Rome this morning. The weather was beautiful when we arrived in Rome and we went straight to our hotel (well, we rode the subway and then rolled our luggage halfway across the world first).  Our room was sparse to say the least. There were no outlets and the bathroom was all one tiny little room (toilet, sink, and shower).

We saw this store on the way to our hotel room.  Not really sure what they sell, but was happy to see Elvis being represented. 

This was the one outlet in the whole room.  If we wanted to watch TV we had to unplug the phone charger or whatever happened to be plugged in at the time.  And you had drag a chair over to the TV to reach it!  It was actually pretty funny. 

The small scary bathroom. The sink and mirror were behind the door and you can barely see the shower knob on the wall next to the men's toilet.  On the ladies toilet, there was no seat... it was just a rim!  Ew.

Once we unpacked and ate we took the subway to the Colosseum. It was incredible. We then viewed the Roman Forum.

This photo shows the traffic flow inside the Colosseum.  Notice the barrel vaulted ceiling...

Some interior photos of the Colosseum.  I just noticed I don't have any photos of the outside!  This is such a magnificent structure, completed in 80 A.D. , one year after the eruption of Vesuvius at Pompeii.  What an amazing accomplishment that it is still standing today.  The architecture is beautiful as well as functional. 

 

 

The layout of the Colosseum.  It is AMAZING to think of 50,000 people sitting in this amphitheater

I think it is very ironic that after years of murder and sport killing, the Colosseum became a Christian shrine (16th and 17th centuries)

The stone streets that are seen throughout Rome

The Arch of Constantine, dating to 315 A.D. is located directly next to the Colosseum

This is the view looking from the Arch toward the Roman Forum

The Roman Forum

In front of The Forum

After viewing the Forum and the Colosseum, we went to the Borghese Gallery where I saw so many Bernini sculptures (he is my favorite)! My favorite was his "David" and "Apollo and Daphne".

Photography was not allowed inside the Borghese.  However, if you get a chance, you should look up Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his sculptures, especially the ones mentioned above... I believe you will be impressed.  This photo shows the outside of the gallery.

This photo shows a courtyard located directly next to the Borghese Gallery.  The photo does not do it justice, it was lovely in person.

By the time we left the Borghese Gallery it was dark.  We took a taxi to the Campo de Fiori.  This place was so beautiful.  We had some yummy bean/ pasta soup at an outdoor cafe.  The cafe had big heaters outside and we needed them with the chilly night air!

Campo de Fiori literally translates to Field of Flowers.  This is a bustling and beautiful piazza that houses a flower market as well as many cafes. 

Campo de Fiori, the piazza

Next, we went to Piazza Navona where Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain stands (it was being restored at the time).  We went to the Tre Scalini Bar and ate some Death by Chocolate ice cream.  I think it was the richest chocolate I have ever eaten in my life. 

A detail of the Four Rivers Fountain.  This figure represents the Nile River.  His head is covered because at the time, Europeans didn't know anything about the Nile. 

The Moor Fountain

The Neptune Fountain in the foreground.  In the background you can see the obelisk from the Four Rivers Fountain.

 

A poor picture of the most decadent chocolate ice cream ever (with cream on top, of course)

We then strolled down the street for a view of the Pantheon at night.  It took my breath away.  Next we passed Piazza Capranica and Piazza Colonna.

The Pantheon of Rome (Pantheon means all-gods).  This structure was finished in 126 A.D. Since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a Roman Catholic church.

Our little gnome on the base of one of the columns.  He looks so tiny (which he is) against the large columns.

The large beautifully detailed fountain located directly in front of The Pantheon

Fountain detail. 

And of course, what historical landmark is complete without a McDonald's directly across the street?

 The last part of our night tour took us to the Trevi Fountain.  There are no words to describe it.  This was my favorite. 

The fountain was completed in 1762.  Legend has it that if you throw a coin into the fountain, you are ensured to return to Rome.  I sure hope so! 

We ended our walk at the Spanish Steps.  This is where Audrey Hepburn sat for the movie Roman Holiday.  We then took a taxi back to our room and showered and got ready for the next day.

This fountain, located at the base of the steps, was designed and created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and his father. 

 February 23, 2008 (Saturday)

Today we went to The Vatican after sleeping in.  This was a treasure trove of art.  After viewing the Vatican Museum, we went to St. Peter's Basilica which was larger than I could ever have imagined. 

I got to see the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo, the School of Athens by Raphael, and Michelangelo's most famous Pieta.  It was almost sensory overload. 

After seeing all the treasures at the Vatican we had yet another pizza dinner and then went back to our room to pack for our trip home.  I have had a wonderful time and have seen things I never thought I would be able to see.  I am so thankful for this opportunity and will treasure my memories always. 

The view of St. Peter's from the Vatican museum roof

A view from the roof looking back toward the Vatican museum

Raphael's Transfiguration of Christ, 1518-1520

One of the courtyards of the Vatican complex

Is it just me, or does this remind anyone else of The Death Star from Star Wars?  Or maybe Pac-Man with braces?

The splendid architecture of one of the buildings in the Vatican complex

There were so many sculptures everywhere you looked.  I don't know what this was from but it made me smile.  It is a really big toe!

A beautiful angel

The Belvedere Torso, believed to be from the 2nd century B.C.  This is believed to be a work of art that was very influential to Michelangelo.

A breathtaking dome in the Vatican museum.

This floor was amazing.  It was all tiny tiles made into a large mosaic.  See the detail below. 

The Liberation of St. Peter, by Raphael, 1512-1514. 

Detail, Liberation of St. Peter

The infamous School of Athens by Raphael, dated 1510-1511.  This is perhaps one of Raphaels' most well known paintings, as well as one of the most well known paintings of the era.  The subject of this fresco is Philosophy, and we see Plato and Aristotle in the center surrounded by such figures as Socrates and Pythagoras. 

Detail of Plato and Aristotle

It is believed that this historical figure actually has the face of Michelangelo

The man looking at the viewer is a self portrait of Raphael

The floors in the Raphael Rooms are exquisitely detailed tile patterns

Unfortunately, photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel (and is heavily policed).  However, this sign was on the way to the Chapel and I thought it was funny.

Looking straight down the center of St. Peter's Basilica you will see Gian Lorenzo's Baldacchino.  This grandiose bronze canopy is a perfect centerpiece to this magnificent church.  The Baldacchino stands 95 feet tall and is made of 927 tons of bronze.  This monument shelters the relics of St. Peter as well as filling the space under the great dome of Michelangelo. 

The Baldacchino lies directly underneath Michelangelo's magnificent dome.

Through the Baldacchino you can see St. Peter's Throne (also designed by Bernini).  This work of art is radiant with the sunlight coming in through the windows. 

Here are some views of the grandeur of the inside of the Basilica

A detail from the picture above

This ancient statue of St. Peter is somewhat of a mystery.  There is speculation about his date of creation.  Some scholars believe this was created in the fifth century, while others date him to the thirteenth century.  It is known that since its creation, pilgrims have traveled to see this statue and rub and kiss St. Peter's foot.  Because of this, his foot has been rubbed completely smooth. 

St. Helen, by Andrea Bolgi dates to 1635

Michelangelo's famous Pieta.  This was installed in St. Peter's in 1500.  Today, the sculpture is protected behind bulletproof glass. In 1972, a mentally disturbed man came at the statue with a hammer and damaged the face of the Virgin.  She has since been restored. 

This is such an emotional and majestic piece of art.  The adult Christ, having been brought down from the cross, sits in the lap of his mother, Mary.  She has a look of youth and serenity, even though she would have been much older than is portrayed here.  It is believed that Michelangelo used the face of his own mother, who died when he was a child, as the model for Mary.  When asked about her youthful visage, Michelangelo stated that time could not mar the beautiful features of this blessed woman. 

Michelangelo never signed any of his sculptures.  After this glorious work of art was completed, he overheard someone remark that this was the work of one of Michelangelo's contemporaries.  In the middle of the night, he went to the sculpture and carved a lasting imprint on the sash of Mary's robe that you see above.  On this sash is written Michael. Angelus. Bonarotus. Florent. Faciebat., which literally translates to Michelangelo Buonarroti of Florence Created This.

A detail of Christ

St. Peter's Basilica.  The stone facade was completed in 1612.  At the top of the church is a figure of Christ surrounded by Apostles. 

The Dome of St. Peter's, designed by Michelangelo.

The Loggia where the Pope gives his blessings

These long, sweeping colonnades sweep out from the Basilica in an "open arms" formation.  This is symbolic of the church reaching out to all.  This was a design by Bernini.