What a vacation! I have never experienced anything like this before. Just to iterate again that Rome is an amazing city to visit for a week. There is so much to do there that it takes about one week unless you are super human. Below is a list of all of the locations that we visited. There was lots of delicious food and great places to shop. Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.
1. Vatican Museums - Some of what I enjoy the most included the tapestries and of course the sistene chapel. I would totally show you a picture of that but you weren't allowed to take pictures.
2. Colloseum - This was great place to visit because of the history involved and what it still left after it has been plundered to build other stuff in Rome.
3. Arch of Constantine - This was cool because it was a symbol of victory for both war and the end of christian persecution in Rome.
4. Palentine Hill - The ruins of ancient Rome and where it was ruled from for a long time.
5. Roman Forum - This was where the Ancient Roman government was at. We also got to see were Julius Ceasar's grave was.
6. St. Peter in Chains Church - The sculpture of Moses by Michaelangelo was really cool. We also saw St. Peter's chains.
7. National Museum of Rome - This place had alot of original art work pieces and some really old mosaics that were taken from excavations and put here. Mosaic art looks very difficult but the final results are amazing!
8. Baths of Diocletian - This used to be a bath house back in the day. It was really popular. There is also a sun dial in the building which was how they kept time a long time ago.
9. Capitol Hill - The building was more impressive than the art gallery. It was under contruction so we think they moved the art to other locations because all we got to see was war history of Rome. It was sort of interesting. The view from up top was amazing as well because you would see most of ancient Rome.
10. Art Museum - Well we weren't allowed to take pictures but we got to see alot of Corot and Monet pictures. It was a pleasant surprise because good paintings always please my eyes. We both also discovered how much we liked the painter Camille Pissarro.
11. Pantheon - Was a construction feat for its time the way the dome was constructed and how big it was. There was a uncovered big hole in the ceiling to provide for light for the building and it was raining that day so there was a big puddle in the building. It was built like that on purpose. The painter Raphael was also buried their.
12. The Mouth of Truth - This was really fun and worth the short line. You put your hand in and if you are a liar it will be lost.
13. Travestere Walk - This was a fantastic walk through a less touristy part of Rome. It was nice to see less people and more where the people lived. It was our favorite walk we went on.
14. St. Peter's Basilica - This church is gigantic. It is like 2 football fields long and really tall. Peter was martyred where this church was built and is also buried under the main alter. Rachel and I think that even though this church was built by selling indulgences and taking advantage of the people back in the day, good did come of it because it brought the protestant reformation led by Martin Luther. Many other building were taken from to complete this basilica. Most of the art on the ceiling and the walls was mosaic art and you would never be able to tell unless you go up to the top. The blue letters on the gold are 7 feet tall. We went to the top of the dome and it was a gorgeous view of Rome.
15. Borghese Gallery - No pictures are allowed in this gallery and it was very interesting. It was built by a cardinal a few hundred years ago and has some of the best art in Rome. The park that it is in the middle of is gorgeous and was nice to spend a few hours in. We also liked the sculpture of "David" by Bernini so much that we bought a small one to bring home. (It is better than Michaelangelo's.)
16. Trevi Fountain - This was pretty. It was a nice place to rest and hang out for awhile.
17. Spanish Steps - This was where all the luxury shopping was and the romantic spanish steps which is where the spanish embassy is located. Yes there were a few kisses. The most luxurious McDonald's is located one block from here which I went to check out.
7fc031cb-902d-4e78-aca6-5040beaa8e99|2|5.0