Rome: Part 1

We arrived at our hotel in Rome on last Friday afternoon and loved the location in the center of Ancient Rome. These first few shots were taken in our neighborhood and served to introduce us to the fact that everything around us is literally close to 2000 years old. They include places like Trajen’s Forum and Colonna Traiana (Trajen’s Column) and some other dome that we can see from our hotel window. We were also surprised by how much excavating is happening all over the city. One guide told us that they estimate that up to 90% of the ruins are still buried under the city. Over the thousands of years of civilization, the river has flooded so many times and covered everything. Three different guides have called it the “lasagna effect”.

On our first full day, we did an excellent food tour that introduced us to the local Roman foods and talked quite a bit of the history including how people get food (farmers’ markets) on a daily basis. She also left us at a location that had a beautiful church named Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere-not to worry, more churches to come in part 2! Later in the afternoon we discovered another great thing about Rome– they have a wonderful taxi app that allows you to order an official cab on a phone and our legs think it is great. We used it to take us up to the Borghese Gallery which is a very opulent art gallery housing 15th-18th century artworks. Finally, we walked back via the Spanish Steps. It worked out perfectly that we were at the top of the steps when the sun was setting. Just a stunning sight!

Sunday was Colosseum day for us. We had a small group (6 people total) tour that took us in through the Gladiator Entrance and include the Roman Forum (central center of government for the Roman Empire) and the Palestine Hill which had amazing views and was the site where the original houses were built in 753 BC and they’re still there! Next we tried to view the Trevi Fountain but were overwhelmed by the crowds. It is almost impossible to walk through the area. We will try one more time so stay tuned. We ended the night at a cocktail bar with a direct view of the Colosseum at night which gave us the opening picture, another good day.

Today we went on a walking tour called the Heart of Rome and we ended it at the Pantheon. Another wow experience! The size of it up close is spectacular. And then when you go inside and see the largest dome made of Roman concrete which perfectly round and build in 118-125 AD. What a feat they accomplished. The top center is a hole that lets in sunlight and acts like a perfect sundial. On the Spring Equinox it lights up the door’s small alcove perfectly!! I’m so glad we made it inside.