Daphne and Apollo

 

One of the marble sculptures we saw in Rome, Italy was breathe taking.  Its the Apollo and Daphne sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini located at the Borghese Gallery.  I had no idea a sculpture could have such exquisite details.  These pictures do not do it justice.

Depicted is Daphne is being turned into a laurel tree while Apollo chases her in vain.
Italy Rail Passes
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Grand view of the Roman Forum

The Roman Forum in Rome, Italy.

To see other photo Friday pictures check out Delicious Baby.
Italy Rail Passes
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Inside the Pantheon - Rome, Italy

On our European Vacation we went to Rome, Italy.  While we were in Rome we went to see the Pantheon.  It is a must see while in Rome. 

The Pantheon is free to get into.  You can only walk around the main room.  We had downloaded Rick Steves audio tour of the Pantheon before we went and then listened to it while we were there.  I highly recommend downloading his free podcasts.  Instead of paying for an audio tour. 

I wish I had taken a picture of the small holes in the floor that the rain drains into.  Check out the outside of the Roman Pantheon.

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Outside the Pantheon - Rome, Italy

Are you going on vacation to Rome, Italy any time soon.   If you are make sure to go see the Pantheon. 

The Pantheon is is a building in Rome, Italy.  Commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD.  It is not for from Piazza Navona.  For more interesting facts on the Pantheon check out wikipedia.  They have a ton of interesting info on it.   

There are restaurants all around the outside in the plaza.  We went to a college hang out behind it where the food was delicious and cheap.  If you are standing out in front of the Pantheon looking at it, the bar/restaurant is to the right hand side.  This is a great area to hang out in.   

Roman Coliseum and Forum

A few days ago I was eating at a restaurant and when I looked at the kids menu there was a picture of the Coliseum and I thought "I still can't believe I was actually there".  As a historian I thought this was the most amazing place I had ever seen. My husband was hoping for a relaxing vacation, but for the four days we were in Rome, I drug him everywhere! Everywhere you look there is something to see and learn.

While we were in Rome, Italy we bought and used the Roma pass. I thought this was a big money saver. This pass gets you into two attractions and it was good was the bus and subway system. You HAVE to figure out the bus and subway system or you will walk until you can no longer mover your legs! The great thing about the attractions is that some attractions are 2 in 1 or 4 in 1. For example we chose to use it for a pass to the Coliseum, but it included a pass to get into the Roman Forum. So, essentially we got 2 for 1 because it only counted for 1 attraction.

The Coliseum did not disappoint. Although it looks just like it does in pictures there is so much more to see. To walk through it was amazing. There is a part underneath with all kinds of history and artifacts.

In this picture you can see what it looks like today, but if you look at the very end of the pit you will see the floor they have rebuilt. Used to, when this was actually used, a floored completely cover that bottom area along with a ton of trap doors. The "actors" could pop out all over the place; as could the animals that were about to eat them! They also had the ability to put water through there for various events.  The whole Coliseum was much more advanced than I had realized.

Here are a few photos of the Roman Forum. We did not take a tour but instead walked around reading the signs and listening to a Rick Steves podcast tour. These podcast tours are free and awesome. It was easy to understand a tour given by an American.

This huge thing behind me was 1 of 3 remaining structures thy mark the entrance to the old city. Way behind me is also Palatine Hill. Until we were there in person it never occurred to me it was named that because it was built on a massive hill. Someone actually recommended skipping Palatine hill and I'm so thankful we didn't. Back there we saw what remained of Augustus's house and a small arena where the important people where entertained.

Just seeing these three things was a full day. A wonderful day!

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the last of the Vatican photos

Pictures of Vatican City and inside the Vatican, including the Madonna.


The Madonna

Vatican

Here are some pictures we took from the very top of the Vatican. These pictures make Rome look very green, but I thought Rome was dry and brown.



This picture is taken from inside the top of the Vatican.  Be sure to check out the other pictures I took inside the Vatican.

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more pictures of the Vatican

On day two of our trip to Rome we climbed all the way to the top of the Vatican. There was an elevator that would take you up the first 300 stairs or so, but the line was long and we thought we would just climb them and not wait. Well, that was a mistake! After we got done climbing the first 300 we had about 600+ more to go. So, if there is a line when you go for the elevator, be sure to wait in it. It will be well worth the time!
This picture is of a mosiac inside the Vatican.  It is just one of many.

 



I thought it was pretty cool that they let you go out here.  Just hours before we were staring up at these statues while we waited in line.  Pictures of the statues from the Vatican courtyard.


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