Rome - Part 2

Day 2: March 31, 2013
 
Easter Sunday saw us touring the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.  We thought it would be a good day to do that since the Vatican would be packed.

Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Roman Forum

Palatine Hill

Palatine Hill is somewhat between the Roman Forum and the Colosseum.  We decided to start our day at the Forum, as the ticket lines would be smaller.  The ticket for the Forum, Palatine Hill and the Colosseum was a combination ticket.  It was a good decision, as it didn't take long at all to make our way through the line.  The one drawback was that we weren't able take the extended tour of the Colosseum, because by the time we got there to do it, they had been sold out.  We did stop for lunch between touring the Forum and the Colosseum.  We did that mostly because we were hungry, but also because we had seen more than we had planned on Saturday.  It was really nice to have a relaxing wine with lunch.  The view of the Colosseum from our outdoor table didn't hurt either ;)

Colosseum - from Palatine Hill

 We went to the Baths of Diocletian after that.  I was thinking it would be like the Roman Baths, in Bath, England, but it was nothing like that.  You couldn't see actually see them, they were covered up.  The museum was nice, and had some interesting statues.

See?  I said they were interesting ;)

Our last touristy stop of the night was the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels.  I have misplaced the picture or something...

Day 3: April 1, 2013

San Giovanni Basilica  was the 1st Christian church in the city (AD 324) and was the Pope's main place of worship until the late 14th century.  The inlays on the floors, the ceiling, the walls, everything was simply stunning.  It also contains bronze doors that actually came from the Roman Forum.

San Giovanni

Across the street from San Giovanni is a little church called the Sanctuario della Scala Santa, or, the place of the holy steps.  Apparently, these steps were the ones Jesus climbed when he went before Pontius Pilate.  Supposedly, Constantine's mother, Helen, brought them from Jerusalem in 326.  The steps are actually marble, but are covered in wood to help protect them.  Pilgrims can still climb them on their knees.  It was a very quiet place.  There is also the possibility that the steps are not what they are reported to be, but, it was interesting to see.

Sanctuario della Scala Santa

On the way to our next stop, we saw the Circo Mossimo.  It was a place of god worship through sport, i.e. chariot races.  It's an oval of grass now.  I have a picture, but really, it's not overly wonderful.  Just an interesting tidbit!

The next stop was the Bocca della Verita.  The line was really long, and Chris wasn't as interested in getting a campy tourist picture there as I was.  He decided to go wander and look for some lunch while I waited in line.  He took a nice walk, and I people watched.  When he got back, I still wasn't at the front.  He brought me a sandwich and we ate while we waited.  By the time we were done eating, we were inside the area where you get the picture.  There was a sign that said they'd only take 1 (or maybe 2 pictures), but the guy working there was really nice.  He was quick and took a few pictures for us.  There are a couple of nice ones, but this one cracks me up.  The whole point of the mouth of truth is that you say something with your hand in its mouth.  If you're lying, it will bite your hand off!  Chris doesn't always follow directions....

Bocca della Verita

After we left the Bocca della Verita we walked back towards the Colosseum.  The following pictures are from our stroll through the streets of Rome.

Arco di Giano

No, this is not the Colosseum.  We think it's an apartment building, but who knows?

Our goal was Capitoline Hill.  The funny thing about this is that it's not very far past the Forum, but we didn't realize that at the time.  So, this is something you could easily add to your Forum/Colosseum day if you go to Rome ;)

The reason we stopped here was because Michelangelo designed the courtyard.  It does house a museum, but we decided not to go in.  We had a few others on our list, and didn't want to get bored with them.  We both enjoy museums, but there is a point where you have to make some choices.

The courtyard at Capitoline Hill.

To the left of the hill is a church.  We did not go in, but the massive number of steps did allow us to get this picture.  That's the walkway leading up to the Hill.

Our next stop was the Basilica of San Clemente.  It houses a 12th century mosaic that is stunning.  We must not have been able to take any pictures inside, as I can't find any.  The basement of the church is also worth the visit.  It dates back to the 1st century. I lit my grandparents' candle here.

We then walked back towards the area where we were staying.  Our stop on the way there was Santa Maria Maggiore.  Again, just utterly gorgeous inside. 

The ceiling is wood and is carved.  It dates back to the 16th century, and is supposedly gilded with the first gold from the New World.

Detail shot of the ceiling.

Mosaic floor.

Marble archways.

Our last touristy stop of the night was one of the National Museums of Rome.  There are numerous ones, but we think it was the Palazzo Massimo.  We really enjoyed it, no matter what its actual name was!

Rodin's Discuss Thrower - the original!

We then stopped for gelato on the way back to our room.  Our landlady had recommended it, it was a local place called Palazzo del Freddo Giovanni Fassi.  It was amazing.  Chris loves ice cream, but he really loved his first taste of gelato!