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Published: April 12th 2017
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Some time back I watched 'I Claudius ' and many of the statues and names I was hearing yesterday seem so familiar.
First on the agenda was a guided tour of the Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. The guide was amazing and had so much information to give us but there was a lot of hanging about to get in even though we had skip- the- line tickets... but with 25,000 visitors each day I suppose there's not much you can do. My phone was not taking photos ( memory full!!) and not photos not allowed in the Sistine Chapel so nothing to show for that! But we were able to stay in there about 15 mins and thanks Susan for the tip ...I had my binocs so got some up close of the details on the ceiling. Remarkable all of it and I am happy to have seen it ... but really it is spoilt by so many people being there. No chance to really stop and have a good look at anything ...and I wonder with 25 000 people a day breathing and moving what it does that do for conservation of this monumental historic artwork. But that's
a lot of money raking in !!!!
In the Basilica and St Peters Sq everything is getting ready for the Pope's Easter address ... barricades are up , policies and army with guns and machine guns at all entrances to major roads and sites. And in front of Bernini's magnificent bronze canopy over St Peter's tomb sits the white papal chair and the cardinal seats around it. In the piazza hundreds of seats are also laid out , but I guess they are for special pilgrims and church folk... the rest of the folk will be standing. I am amazed at the size of the place.... huge doesn't describe it!
Well not quite finished with Michaelangelo yet as back on the HOHO bus I have found that much of the architecture here is designed by him including the Capitol, the citadel of Ancient Rome... climbing up the steps to the Piazza Del Campidolglio and Cordonata (designed by guess who ) there are enormous statues of Castor and Pollox , and in the centre a bronze of Marcus Aurelius. And tucked away in a corner on top of a column is the little Romulus and Remus and the wolf
mother. Wandering on a little further I came across a fantastic viewpoint of the Forum.... so it's good to have this overview before I actually get tickets to go and see it. Later in the afternoon things are a little quieter ( not much though ...there are so many tourists here) so hopefully I can do the Coliseum and Forum then.
Next stop Piazza Navona and to the lovely fountains... I love that Rome has so many. Good to sit by one and have a pistachio gelato ....mmmmm!
Another walk back to St Peter's and watch the sun go down , and some food and a very welcome beer afterwards In a trattoria I had seen the first day. Grilled vegetables antipasto followed by ravioli in saffron sauce,courgette flowers and ham. Luckily I got a bus back having now found a kiosk that sells bus tickets.
So much to see, and two more days so let's see where my feet take me next.
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Rosalind Danesi
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The Eternal City
Hello Lynne, just got back from Hi Lynne,am finding your blog really interesting Hi Lynne am finding your blog really interesting,especially as I know Rome so well. Yes too many tourists! I moved there in 1963 all very different.