Sunday 11 February 2007

Day II

This was one BUSY day. We started with “The Caesar Shuffle” beginning with a tour of The Colosseum, inside and out (with a touristy photo-op with real Roman centurion, well… that’s what he SAID!!). The sight of gladiator battles and wartime recreations it shows how ingenious Roman architects were. Built around 70 AD it could seat 60,000 spectators. Did you know, that Michelangelo, as well as, other Renaissance artists/architects oversaw the removal of most of the marble and metals from the Colosseum and Forum structures to “recycle” them into the materials needed to construct St. Peter’s (and other basilicas)?

I didn’t.

Just outside the Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine which celebrates his rise to power. It was Constantine that allowed Christianity to flourish.

We then walked through the ruins of the Forum which in its time was the centre of Rome, containing palaces and temples for the highest of Roman hierarchy. Again, most of it would still be standing if not for the Renaissance Recycling Project. Starting with walking under The Arch of Titus we past what is left of Caligula’s Palace and the Temple of Saturn.

Leaving the Forum we walked past the Victor Emmanuel Memorial (which the Italians don’t much care for) and it’s tomb of the Unknown Soldier on our way to Piazza Navonna and The Four Rivers Fountain which unfortunately was being refurbished and covered in scaffolding. There were smaller fountains at either end of the square, but still not the same.

Next was a proper visit to the Pantheon which while originally a pagan temple is now one of the oldest Christian churches. It is a circular temple with a Greek style pediment front façade. Its dome, with its open oculus top, was the inspiration for all the grand domed churches to follow, including St. Peter’s itself. The building itself is original, while the interior was refurbished during the 16th century and includes the tomb of the artist Raphael.

After stopping again at Giolitti’s we spent about 45 minutes at the Trevi Fountain just taking in the atmosphere, before trekking over to the Spanish Steps. OK… I know these are a big tourist destination, but for the life of me can’t figure out why.

Steps… by the Spanish Embassy... Ya’ got me.

After cruising up and down past the chic stores (Prada, Versace, blah, blah, blah) on Via del Corso we stumbled into Piazza del Popolo and decided enough was enough and took a taxi back to the hotel.

I told you!! A BUSY day...