Oh, Rome! (Part 2)

After our wonderful time in the Vatican City, our tour group took the bus to another area of town. We walked and visited the Trevi Fountain, which unfortunately was under repairs at the time. There was a little tub of water so you could still throw your coin in. Eight months later, the fountain was still under construction. I'll just have to go a third time to see it in all it's glory! 

Photo by ZH

The Pantheon was first built for the Roman gods, but was later turned into a church to honor Mary and the martyrs. We visited toward the middle of the day and it was full of tourists. Go early in the morning to avoid the crowds. 

Photo by ZH

The Colosseum was amazing to see.  It was originally built for gladiator games and other sports. But during the reign of Decius (201- 251 AD), he had many Christians persecuted in the arena. A cross stands there today to honor the Christian martyrs during that time. 

Photo by ZH

Our last stop: the Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers), centerpiece of the Piazza Navona. Four giants figures made of marble signify the four rivers that were known at the time of the 17th century. As you walk closer to it you can hear the running waters and one can sit and listen to it all day.

Photo by ZH

There are plenty of restaurants to eat and have your fill at the piazza, but Zach and I decided to find an out-of-the-way eatery somewhere, and we were not disappointed! It was a lovely ending to a very, very long day. 

Oh, Rome! (Part 1)

This city is definitely wonderful. There is so much history and delicious food! I enjoyed myself during the two days we had in Rome. I also visited Rome a second time with my mother-in-law...maybe it was because I threw a coin into the Trevi Fountain on this trip! 

Today was such a busy day. We had a lot of walking to do but we got to see some amazing things. Our hotel in Rome was the Villa Pamphili just outside the city center. Our bus picked us up from the hotel and took us to the Vatican, which was our first stop. To say I was excited to see the Sistine Chapel is an understatement. I was ecstatic. 

Growing up, my sister and I loved the movie "The Scarlet and the Black" with Gregory Peck. Quick backstory, the movie is set during World War II. Gregory Peck plays a priest trying to help Allied POWs and downed airmen out of Nazi-occupied Rome. (Fantastic movie; watch it if you get a chance!) This, I remember, was my first view of the Vatican City. I couldn't believe I was standing there. 

We were taken to the museum and given so much historical information; I wish I could remember half of what we were told. Out of respect, there is no loud talking or picture taking inside the Sistine Chapel, so our guide took us to the garden and told us more about the chapel before going in. There were pictures of the ceiling on description boards in the garden, and he mentioned some interesting stories behind certain characters in the paintings, including the turmoil Michelangelo had in his life before he died. 

We really went at a great time. There weren't many tourists inside. Zach and I were able to walk around and closely examine the paintings. From "The Creation of Adam" above our heads to "The Last Judgment," every single painting truly was a masterpiece. Read more about the Sistine Chapel and its paintings here.

Photo by ZH

Our guide then took us to St. Peter's Basilica. We were shown the "Pieta," created by Michelangelo in 1499. As you walk into the basilica, it is located on the right side (north side). It sits behind bullet proof glass because of an attack on the sculpture in 1972. 

As you make your way to the front, you see the altar for the Apostle Paul. Constructed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the altar was done beautifully in the Baroque style, and he would later be considered one of the best Baroque sculptors and architects of his time. 

Photo by ZH

Photo by ZH

We had barely scratched the surface of our sightseeing in Rome. Stay tuned for Oh, Rome! (Part 2); I will finish up the rest of our time there!