Every day gets a bit better, I can't imagine what comes next!
To be privy to this much history is a bit humbling! To touch buildings that were built 2000 years ago by men with no technology or machines, feels pretty amazing. Very early in the tour, we were taken to the ancient Roman ruins. Just some history...the Romans founded Rome in 753BC. They ruled the Roman Empire until 476 AD. At its height, Rome was home to 2 million inhabitants! Now, it is home to 5 million people.
The building on the right is the arc du triumph! Presumably the original!
The coliseum in the background, we are doing a tour there tomorrow.
I had no idea the site of the ruins were so huge.
This was the town square that Michalangelo was asked to design to replace the old entrance to the city ( the ruins). This was in the 1500's.
The city has been built up since the time of the Romans, so many ruins are beneath the city. Much earlier on, some were excavated and parts taken to re-use in the building of newer buildings, or they incorporated the ruins around their building.
These were the round walls of the original Roman baths, or spa, they have simply built around them!
The bridge behind us was built by the Romans. It is still used today by vehicular traffic!
This is Tim and a travel mate, Joe,trying out the many fountains that constantly pour water out for anyone to use. They are located all over. They still use the aqueduct system that the Romans built!
We visited the Panthenon. We were awestruck! It was built in 117 AD, and converted to a church in 609! 
The huge pillars out in front are massive, marble quarried in Egypt and transported to Rome by boat. There are at least 16 of them! 
It is still used as a church today! The dome has a hole in the centre ( and rain can come in!) much of the ornate details that originally adorned the Pantheon such as marble, and bronze (the bronze was later melted down to make the roof for St. Peter's basilica ) has been taken down and re- used elsewhere in the city .
We got a sneak peak at the St. Peter's basilica. The pope is out of town, so he didn't wave!
The pope often appears at the second floor window, where the shutters are!
Enjoying some of what Rome has to offer!
No comments:
Post a Comment