The Rose Tattoo: Rome

Last week I was lucky enough to spend some time in Rome, as I was at a conference held near there. Never having been there before, nor to anywhere in Italy, I didn't know quite what to expect. So, here's some observations and pictures of where we went.

There's lots of ruins. Everywhere

At first I was excited, then you get a bit blasé about another roman pillar. Some of them are amazingly well preserved. The best has to be the Panthenon. A pagan temple originally, converted to a Christian church it's amazing. Completely preserved, circular, with an oculus (aka hole) in the dome letting light stream through. Apparently it's quite spectacular when raining or snowing as well.

Pasta is a staple part of the diet. Much more variety than over here, and so much nicer. I ate it once a day, sometimes twice. So how come young Italian women are so small.

The Coliseum is also spectacular. We saw it in the evening when the sun was setting and the light was really good. So big, and difficult to imagine what it must have been like when filled with 60,000 spectators watching gladiators, animal shows, and even reconstructions of sea battles. It was a day out, with wine, picnics and even BBQs on the seats. I was fascinated by the series of corridors, cages and hoists for the animals and scenery under the stage.

The Forum and Palatine Hill was huge, most not as well preserved, but I bough a great book called Rome Reconstructed which overlaid images of what buildings would have looked like with how they are now. We saw temples, the Palace of the Vestal Virgins, a garden and shops and markets.

Lots of street performers. Gladiators, some of them arguing loudly.

Buddhists (?) seemingly perking impossible feats of endurance. Until you realised they were everywhere and how it was done.....

The Trevi Fountain was beautiful and better than expected. Also very crowded. And I did throw three coins in it. I also had some Italian Gelato there, which was excellent.

The Spanish Steps also crowded, it worth seeing, and we did climb to the top to see the church and the view.

The Vatican is very rich!! I've never seen so much wealth n such a small space. St Peter's Square is dominated by the Basicila, which is spectacular inside.

We visited the museums, and luckily bought a ticket in advance as the queues were easily 2 hours long. At 20E a person, I reckon they were making about 200,000E a day. But, there is some amazing stuff in there.
Raphael's Transfiguration was particularly spectacular.

At every turn there was another Michael Angelo, Caravaggio, or another priceless piece of art.
My favourite was the map room with its amazing ceiling.

The Sistine Chapel was worth seeing, but a bit dark, and the guards constantly shouting at you to be quiet and not take photos were a bit off putting. I did get some photos though :-)