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Published: August 24th 2007
The Colosseum
The exterior of the Colosseum, showing the partially intact outer wall (left) and the mostly intact inner wall (right)Rome is the capital city of Italy and is one of the few major European cities that escaped World War II relatively unharmed. Central Rome remains Renaissance and Baroque in character and the State of the Vatican City, which is the smallest nation in the world is an enclave of Rome.
The Colosseum is the most antiquated monument from ancient Rome. The Colosseum was stage to the most gruesome leisure activities for the ancient Romans: prisoners marked for death were torn to pieces by ferocious beasts, animals were killed by archers and there were fights to the death between “professional” gladiators. The Colosseum was arranged into four sections, each of which could hold up to 70,000 spectators. The Emperor’s box was placed in the center from where he could decide the gladiators’ fate with a simple hand gesture. In 438, the games were prohibited and the Coliseum was gradually abandoned.
The Pantheon is one of the best preserved buildings that date back to ancient Rome. This building dates back to 27 B.C., but was partially destroyed and then rebuilt between 118 and 125 A.D. It later became a place of worship where the tombs of Raffaello, Vittorio Emanuele II,
Umberto I are still kept.
The Trevi fountain is located in the Palazzo Poli and the theme of the fountain is taming of the waters. Tradition holds that visitors who throw a coin into the fountain will return to Rome. Approximately 3,000 Euros (~ 4000 USD) are thrown into the fountain each day and are collected at night. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.
The Roman Forum was built in the 6th century B.C. and rapidly became the center of social and political life in Ancient Rome. New palaces, statues, temples and courts were added to the area century after century. This was the central area around which ancient Rome developed, in which commerce and the administration of justice took place. It is almost a city within a city and it is amazing that they actually allow people to enter and walk through this historic archeological site. Located in the Roman Forum is The Arch of Titus which has been said to provide the general model for many of the triumphal arches erected since the 16th century including the infamous Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
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meesh
non-member comment
looks BEAUTIFUL!!!
I have always wanted to go to Rome and you know it!!!!! I love the pictures, and I guess since I can't be there for Italy all the pics and info from you will have to do. We miss you and love ya, and I can't wait to head that way!!! See you soon