Battle Grounds 2 Sacred Grounds....

Day 2 in Rome, & boy what a difference a day makes. Hardly anyone about & no crowds at all. Back to Trevi Fountain for some pics, but we were too early as the were collecting the money from the fountain, they collect about $3000 Euro a day from the fountain, which they use too help support the local supermarkets for the needy. They also were doing some maintenance work on the fountain.

Off to the Colosseum, this was what Paul had been looking forward to, along the way we saw ruins of old Rome, this was amazing & an archaeologists dream & as such they were still digging away on some sites!!! We finally arrive to the Colosseum & boy was it huge measuring 188 metres by 156 metres & a height of more than 48 metres. The Colosseum could accomadate 55,000 spectators who could enter the building through no less than 80 entrances. The upper storey contained seating for lower classes & women. The lowest storey, closest to the arena, was reserved for prominent people such as members of the senate. Below the arena were rooms with mechanical devices & cages containing wild animals. The cages could be hoisted, enabling the animals & Gladiators to appear in the middle of the Arena..  When you stop & look at the Colosseum & think how this was made with such primitive tools and so long ago, it truly is amazing what they achieved... it started in 72 AD & completed in 80 AD!!! The southern side had felled due to an earthquake in  the year 847 & parts of the building including the marble facade were used for construction of later monuments, including the St Peters Basilica...

The Colosseum....

Inside the Colosseum...

Us at the Colosseum....

Panoramic view of the Colosseum....

Next stop Vatican City, we  arrive at the front & are faced with police everywhere blowing whistles at everyone telling them to move over to the side. We thought something must be going on, then  a large motorcade come out from the Vatican, armed police with automatic weopons in cars with the doors open, choppers flying above, not sure who it was but clearly someone of some importance, Paul's guess was the Pope! The Vatican, out of all the churches we visited truly takes the cake, wow wow wow..... we couldn't believe the size of this place. The original was built in the early 4th century & is the place where St Peter, the chief apostle who was buried in 64 AD. The middle of the 15th century, restoration begun completed in 1547. It is the largest church in the world today, it has a 218 metre long naive, 45 altars which many are decorated by many famous artist like Michelangelo. The dome measures 42 metres in diameter & reaching 138 metres high (more than 450ft). Paul & I decided to go up to the dome for a look, it said you can go by lift or the 320 plus steps... We opted for the lift as our feet & legs were so sore. Great news, the lift only takes you to the base of the 320 stairs, if you want to get to the top, you have to take the stairs!!! Well Paul said no worries lets go, I'm not wasting 14 Euro! We got more than 3/4's up the stairs & my legs gave out, I told Paul I cant go on... He said seeya later its only another 40 or so to go & off he went! The views from the top of the dome are the best from anywhere in the city & Paul took some magnificent photos.

St Peters Basilica....

Us at St Peters square....

Dome top....

View from the top....

view for miles & miles...

Up here are the best views of Rome...

Swiss Guards...

We arrive at the Pantheon, to me this church's grandeur is its facade. Tall columns & the detail is truly impressive.  The front of the church has 3 rows of columns, the first row has 8 columns 1.5 metres wide & 11.8 metres tall, the other 2 rows have 4 on each side. A huge Bronze door equaling the height of inside of 43.3 metres. This church has been rebuilt 3 times, originally built in 25-27 BC then burnt down in 80 AD rebuilt then struck by lightning in 110 AD & burnt down again, these were both T-shaped structures. In 118 AD was rebuilt again & totally different design, circular this time & completed in 126 AD. This version would stand the test of time & still stands almost intact today.The Pantheon is one of the best Preserved ancient buildings in Rome.

The Pantheon

Detail close up on the Fontana del Pantheon....

OK back to Trevi Fountain to throw some coins in & get some night time photos.The fountain was constructed in 19 BC. It brings water from the Salone Springs (20km from Rome) & supplies the fountains in the historic centre of Rome with water. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it with your right hand over your left shoulder with your back to the fountain. Yep its still very busy with people tossing coins into the fountain. We are staying less than 5 mins away from this place & its very popular & has lots of shops & restaurants down the lane ways & a Gelato shop where we have had the best Gelato in Italy!!! Then it was back to our room for rest, as we left at 7.30am & got back to our room at 7.30pm, with plenty of miles on our feet & minds racing about the Roman Empire it was time for a quick shower & sleep....

Me tossing a coin into the Fountain...

Paul Tossing a coin into the Fountain...

Trevi Fountain at night...