I must admit I am having to look up information to describe these pictures. I found it too difficult to write down all the information our very knowledgeable guide told us, watch where I was walking, take pictures, and keep up with the group, all at the same time.
The Roman Colosseum opened in 80 AD as a large amphitheater, four stories high, 80 entrances (76 for people, 2 for animals and fighters, 2 for the emperors), and could hold 50,000 people. When it first opened it was celebrated with 100 days of fighting. Today, about 2/3 of the structures are gone. We only had time to walk by it and didn’t get to see the inside. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. The colosseum sees about 6,000,000 visitors a day!!!
The holes seen in the walls are from vandals stealing the rebar from inside the walls. Earthquakes, lightning and pollution have taken its toll on the structure as well.
The elliptical walls are actually three walls with the outer wall consisting of bricks covered with travertine, the middle wall of volcanic tufa, and the inner wall of concrete. There are five levels and your rank in society indicated which level you sat on. The closer to the front (floor), the higher your rank in society.
The Arch of Constantine
This is the largest surviving triumphal arch in the city and was made by recycling materials from monuments of previous emperors. It is missing its statues and columns.
The Arch of Titus is at the entrance to the Roman Forum and was built in 70AD. Inside the center arch, the right side displays Titus triumphal procession standing in his chariot (3rd picture) while the left side depicts the spoils taken from Jerusalem (2nd picture). The rest of the structure tells the construction of the colosseum.
The Roman Forum - the downtown area of Ancient Rome.
The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
This site is one of the most impressive and well-preserved ancient monuments in the Roman Forum (2nd century). Emperor Antoninus Pius built this white marble temple to honor his wife, Faustina. Temple Faustina began in 141 AD on this site and sacrificial rituals were performed here - typical of Imperial cults. In the 7-8th century it was converted to a Roman Catholic church, named San Lorenzo in Miranda.
Pattern in the tile walkway.
Drawing on the walls somewhere in the forum.
After Julius Caesar was assassinated, the public cremated his body in the southeastern quarter of the Roman Forum, his remains are buried here, and people leave flowers on this altar.
I believe this is Domus Tiberiana, an Imperial Roman Palace that has had many additions over the years.
The wall surrounding the Vatican City.
The Vatican City has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, pharmacy, and Swiss Guards responsible for the safety of the pope.
Saint Peter’s Basilica
It is the largest church in the world based on the interior measurements. It is not a cathedral.
If you plan to go see this basilica, check out the floor plan on this website [stpetersbasilica.info/floorplan.htm] and maybe print it out so you can see the altars and statues of interest to you. There is so much to see.
This is the Holy Door (a 16-panel bronze door) that has a special door on the other side that comes down to seal the opening shut and is only opened during jubilee years - every 25 years (next year).
Funerary Monument of Pope Pius VIII
A quick spin around in the basilica.
Michelangelo’s Pieta (completed when he was 24 years old) is a sculpture of the body Jesus in Mary, his mother’s arms.
Altar of the Lie altarpiece mosaic represents the couple Ananias and Saphira lying to St. Peter and withholding money they had promised to the apostles. Acts 5: 1-11
Monument to BI. Innocent XI who was elected pope on September 21,1676. He was considered an outstanding pope of the 17th century, largely because of his high moral character. The bas-relief on the urn shows the victory over the Turks in Vienna in 1683. The two figures represent Faith and Fortitude, symbolizing the Christian virtues shown by the pope.
Baptistry Altarpiece in mosaic, created in 1772, represents the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. We were fortunate to see a baptism taking place while we were there.
The Bernini Colonnade
These colonnades form a semi-circle representing the welcoming embrace of the church.
Pine cone courtyard (the pine cone used to be a fountain)
A sphere within a sphere has a few interpretations but mostly the emergence of a new world, a less troubled and destructive world.
The “square” is set up for a visit by the pope.
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
This is the second largest basilica of the four papal basilicas and while it resides outside the Vatican City, it is owned by the Holy See (within the jurisdiction of the pope).
The basilica was built where Paul of Tarsus executed and buried. Additions and renovations have changed it quite a bit since it was originally built. Below is a picture of the Colonnade (surrounding the courtyard).
The basilica was damaged by fire, earthquakes, lightning strikes, and raids, therefore, in 872-882 the basilica was fortified to help preserve and protect the site.
Remains of a fire -marble column pieces.
Saint Paul in the courtyard of the basilica
Saint Luke in the courtyard of the basilica
There are 80 columns dividing the area with two smaller side naves on each side and one big nave in the middle.
The stained glass windows were destroyed by a gunpowder explosion nearby and replaced by translucent alabaster windows.
Apse mosaic with Jesus and his Apostles - Peter, Paul, Andrew, and Luke. Below these are 12 apostles and two angels.
The statue of Saint Paul is on the left (pointing down to his tomb) and Saint Peter is on the right. Look closely at the flying symbols above the bust of Christ and you will see an ox, a person, a lion, and a eagle = all symbols of the four Evangelists (Luke, Matthew, Mark, John).
We arrived around 5 pm and the monks were singing (Vespers). I recorded a small amount but not sure how to upload it here.
These pillars were donated by Egypt after one of the fires.
Each pope has his portrait painted in a frieze and displayed above the side isles. The current pope is lit up.
Tabernacle
It was very peaceful, quiet, reverent, and calming in the basilica. The art work is on the walls and ceilings and there are only a few side altars and statues.
It was a quick tour of everything today because of a special bike race ending tomorrow around the colosseum. So our 2 half day tours were compressed into 1 long day of sightseeing. Giro d’ Italia bike race began on May 4, 2024 in Turin, Italy and ended on Sunday, May 26, 2024 in Rome.
