ROME

The Eternal City

(photos by Jud & Trish)

We first visited the Fountain of Trevi at night and then returned the next day.  You can hear the gushing water blocks away.  The word Trevi is a corruption of two italian words, "tre" and "vie" or "three streets" referring to the streets that converge at the fountain.  The tradition holds that if visitors throw a coin over their left shoulder into the waters with their back to the fountain they are assured of a return to the city.  We cast our coins and sealed it with a kiss.

The Pantheon is the most complete ancient building in Rome.  It's bronze doors, which are original and were once covered in gold, weigh 20 tons each.  It is also the burial place of the artist Raphael.

                   

The oculus, the only source of natural light in the Pantheon, is a round opening in the center of the dome.  It is 27 feet in diameter and open to the sky. 

a closeup of a stone pillar inside

  

 The marble floor gently slopes toward the center (with holes) to allow for the runoff of rainwater from the oculus.
      

            

Built more than 1800 years ago, amazing























The Pantheon borders the Piazza della Rotonda, a rectangular square with a central fountain and obelisk, located near the center of historic Rome.

Rain did not lessen our awe at the sight of the Roman Colosseum.  Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, it's construction started in 72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 
80 AD under Titus.

From our hotel we had to walk thru one of the ancient Roman walls to visit the famous Harry's Bar on Rome's exclusive Via Veneto, immortalized in Federico Fellini's La Doce Vita. 

It is impossible to describe our day in St Peter's Basilica.  The experience left us awestruck and humbled with the knowledge we were walking over St Peter's burial site.  To witness the beauty of the Pieta, look up at the incredible art of the Sistine Chapel, walk thru the tapestry covered hallways, pray before the many Saints' naves, and view the tombs of so many Popes made it a surreal experience.

 








 We toured inside the Basilica one morning then returned at night to take pictures of St Peter's Square.  This extraordinary space, designed by Bernini, includes majestic fountains, a central obelisk, 284 precisely placed Doric columns, and 184 statues, with an incredible view of Michelangelo's dome.

This is called the Papal Tiara and was worn by all Popes between Clement V and Paul VI.

 







It's almost too much beauty and culture for the senses to take in at one time.  I feel like we still missed so much.
 Hence, the coin in the fountain.

Click to watch scenes from my favorite old movie ROMAN HOLIDAY with Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn