Rome - Day 2 - Ancient History!

Day 13 of the Tour - the halfway point!

Friday June 17 - day 13

Yikes - an early start of 6:45 this morning (without coffee) to go to St Peter's Basilica to beat the crowds. I have to admit that I took our tour guide’s name in vain a few times, especially as we got close to the Basilica and it looked like it wasn’t open yet.  It was open and it was wonderful.  After a super-packed Sistine Chapel the day before, we were surprised that it seemed like we were in the Basilica alone!  I stopped taking Dimitri’s name in vain because he made this experience wonderful. We were able to see all parts of St Peter's, including masses said in different languages, artifacts, Michelangelo’s Pieta, St Peter's tomb, etc, etc, without any people in the way.  I felt like we were having a private showing!  On the way out we saw the changing of the Swiss guard!  

After breakfast we rode Rome subway and met up with our guide for the day - Francesca (best guide so far of the tour). She started off by walking us to the Pantheon.  It is a 1,900-year-old best preserved building from Ancient Rome,  in the middle of a bustling neighborhood that just takes your breath away as you see it.  80% of the floor is original and 100% of the dome is original.  It is just over 465 feet high and just over 465 feet in diameter - making it a perfect sphere. Think of it, we walked on the exact same floor as Michelangelo (and many others of course) walked.  The dome was the inspiration for the done of St Peter's Basilica, the US Capital Dome, Bruneschellis's Duomo in Florence, and many more. I was awestruck!   

We weren’t done yet! We strolled towards our next destination.  We went around Roman government buildings, fountains, an old chariot racetrack that was now a town square, and a Venitian courtyard that over the years has housed different Popes and was the seat of government for Mussolini. Francesca described the sewers that were built in 600BC, some of which were still working. Around every corner was a new wonder…..then……….

OMG! 

The excavations of the Roman Forum opened up in front of us and I was overwhelmed and awed by all the beauty and history.  Pictures don’t do it justice.  We walked thru the Roman Forum with our guide describing everything!  Did you know that vestal virgins were really a thing?!  I am so spoiled now that I will go out of my way to get a guide at places I go to.  

……THEN…..

We went over a hill in the Roman forum and the Roman Colosseum was there in front of us.  The sheer size and history of it just was indescribable!!  Our tour guide even got us entrance onto the Colosseum floor so we could look up into the stands and down into the rooms below the floor!  Again, we were blown away by her knowledge and passion for everything she showed us.  She helped us to step back into history.  

Christine and I ended the day by relaxing over a late lunch and aperol spritz, shopping, strolling around our hotel, having tasty gelato and then sipping a drink on our hotel rooftop with a couple of other tour members.  

Think of it. Rome is 2,775 years old and contains over 30% of the art of Western civilization.  It is an eternal city that seems to never start and never end!   

Now - off to a vacation within a vacation in Monterosso, Italy at the sea side!

Andiamo! 

- Mary

Michelangelo's Pieta in St. Peter's Basilica

Main alter - pictures do not do it justice.  It is ornate and beautiful. 

St Peter's tomb in the Basilica 

The dome of the Basilica

The Swiss guard arriving at his post at the Vatican. (A video - might take time to load)

The Pantheon 

Keeping cool and getting ready to enter the Pantheon.

This was the ceiling of the Pantheon's portico. Like many ancient buildings, it used to be covered with beautiful decorations, but most materials of value - metals, marble, were all stripped away through the years to use elsewhere. All that remains is the wood.

Original Pantheon floor.  1,900 years old! Black feet are Christine's and the green feet are Mary’s.  We walked with history. 

The opening in the roof of the Pantheon creates a working sundial.

Picture time 

Inside of the Pantheon (it is hard to take a picture of a sphere) 

Great doors into the Pantheon .  I believe they are original.

Walking thru Rome. 

Old chariot race track, now a piazza!  

This random ancient foot sculpture was just in an alleyway when we were walking around town 

From a Pope’s escape route to Mussolini's seat of government to what is now a shady public area, this lovely courtyard has endured through time. 

The legend of Romulus and Remus 

The Roman Forum opened before us 

Ancient archway in the Roman Forum ruins, in honor of Severus Septimius

Vestal virgin door (a partial reconstruction)

Columns towered above us, all that remains of a huge temple.

Another ancient archway 

Just about to leave the Roman Forum grounds- 3 hours in 95+ heat and so far walked about 7 miles!  Christine still looks fabulous and ready to do more.  

If you were unsure!! The Roman Colosseum! 

Mary and some of our group members waiting to get in.  

Above and below ground picture

Christine contemplating history

We don’t look too melted yet

Francesca - our incredible tour guide.  Passionate and knowledgeable.  Great combo! Bravo! 

Back resting at a restaurant across the street from our hotel.  Getting ready to shop and wander around some more. 

Our visit to Rome was ending, but every moment was worth it.

Andiamo!

- Mary