Three days in Rome is, of course, not enough, and also too much. This city is big and grand and in-your-face with a big ego in so many ways. It’s not that we don’t like it, but it’s a lot. A lot of giant edifices. A lot of churches. A lot of shopping. A lot of clergy. A lot of laypeople, so many people, especially in the famous piazza, where you can barely walk around. I’ll share some highlights and you can see for yourself.
Temple of Apollo
Roman ruins and archeological sites all over the place
Roman columns with some reconstruction
Restoration is underway on Theatre of Marcelo, founded by Julius Caesar and built prior to the Colosseum.
The largest monument in the skyline is this newer monument to Vittorio Emanuel II, who was the first King of Italy after its unification.
This enormous monument was built in the 19th and 20th centuries and houses the tomb of the unknown soldier. It is a secular, nationalistic monument that rivals any of the grand Catholic basilicas that dot the city, a reminder of the everpresent competition between kings and gods.
Then there is the Colosseum, still everyone’s favorite grade school monument.
View across the Isola Tiburina
Vittorio Emmanuel monument and Roman ruins, testaments to man’s ego across time.
Memories of learning about columns in fifth grade.
The Pantheon, too crowded to enter.
More churches and more monuments…
Ponte Sant’angelo
Castel Sant’angelo
And as the weather turns dark, two quick city views from the roof of our hotel. The Vittorio Emmanuel monument is the tall white building.
Look for more pedestrian views of Rome in my next post. Ciao for now.
