We were almost done with the blog for the day - when it just disappeared, so if this post is lacking humor or detail it is because it is the second time through!!
This morning we were up and out of the flat and were excited to see the Coliseum. Luckily Adriano, our driver told us to go to the Palatine Hill entrance to the Coliseum and Forum on Via Di San Gregorio, as there would be no lines. Sure enough we zipped past hundreds in line at the main Coliseum entrance to arrive with just one person in front of us at this entrance.
Although the man was incredibly slow, we were still at the Palatine Hill in no time.
Current excavation continues today and as recently as July 2006 archeologists discovered the Palatine House, believed to be the birthplace of Rome's first Emperor, Augustus.
While there was little written about this area, and we would not have walked through it except to avoid the lines, it was a beautiful area, offering a beautiful vista of the Coliseum. It was peaceful and quiet with few visitors but definitely worth the walk.
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| A great view of the Coliseum - with traffic and all |
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| The Arch of Constantine The Coliseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater (in case you get asked in a trivia game) and construction began between 70 and 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman Engineers and Architects. It was the site of gruesome contests between gladiators, slaves, prisoners and animals.   Since we had seen pictures of the exterior of the Coliseum, we were anxious to see the interior and wondered if we could go up on the upper levels. We were NOT disappointed!             This cathedral is called "Francesca Romana" - history has it that the knee imprints of Saint Peter and Saint Paul are in the flagstones inside.   |
Outside the Coliseum there were gladiators and horses for the tourists!
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| Random Tourist crossing street in front of Coliseum |
After we were awed by the Coliseum we walked through the Roman Forum - The Roman Forum was considered the center of civic and economic life, containing temples and halls of justice. It was the place for religious processions, demonstrations, elections, speeches and parades. An earthquake in 851 caused extensive damage.
Inside the Roman Forum, EC found a small area behind a rock formation. She peaked inside to discover that it had fresh flowers. Not being able to read Italian - we did not know what Ara Di Cesare meant. We found out that this was actually where they believe that Julius Caesar's body was burned after he was assassinated in the Theater of Pomprey. This is where Mark Anthony stood up and said "Friends, Romans, Countryman, lend me your ears, I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him." When they then burned Caesar's body - the fire got out of control and the fire department had to come put it out! That was fun!
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| This is where Caesar's body was believed to have been burned |
We also found an exhibition - the building is called Palazzo Nuove - the world's first public museum that was created in 1734. It had some interested statues that we think were on loan from China.
Then we ventured back to our flat - as our feet were tired. Walking in the Roman Forum was like walking thru a river bed - walking from stone to stone. We walked along Via dei Fori Imperiali, with Trajans Market on our right, this was the world's first shopping mall (a couple stories tall even!).
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| Sacred Name of Maria |
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| Emperor Trajan |
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| Trajan's Market in foreground |
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| EC thought someone was whipping the finger |
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| "The Wedding Cake" Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II |
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| Roman butts say Good Bye for now! |
We are ending our visit in Rome with a Thai Massage and an early night. Adriano picks us up at 5am tomorrow morning, we spend 23 hours getting home tomorrow. But we are traveling east to west - so we get home at 8pm our time - and go to bed :-)
Thanks for following us -
Buona notte e addio
K and EC
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