Rome

The Colosseum could hold 50,000 to 80,000 people.

Once inside if you wander around you will find some models showing what the Colosseum used to look like.

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ROME, LATIUM
Rome is located in the Lazio region of central Italy and is the capitol of Italy. It is a city of almost 3 million inhabitants. It was founded in 753 BC and its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Tiber River runs through Rome and separates historic Rome from Vatican City. Rome is full of archaeological and artistic treasures. Rome is the worlds biggest open-air museum full of history and around each corner is another fantastic building or piazza to visit.

ANCIENT ROME
THE ROMAN FORUM & THE COLOSSEUM
Ancient Rome refers to the time period between 8th century BC until the collapse of the Western Roman Empire in the 5th century AD (752 BC - 476 AD). It included the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire.

The Roman Forum (Plaza) was the heart of ancient Rome and dates back to 5th century BC. The square was where the government offices, temples, shrines, monuments and a marketplace were located and it was the most important meeting place in ancient Rome. It was the center of everyday life and was where triumphal processions, elections, and gladiator matches took place. It is located between the Palatine and Capitoline Hills. Today it is fragments of archaeological ruins.

The forum with the 17th century church of Santi Luca e Martina in the background. The church is located at Via della Curia 2 and the Roman Forum is at Via della Salara Vecchia.

Panoramic view of the Roman Forum. Photo by Steve Meyers.




		A map at the Roman Forum showing all the sites in the Roman Forum. It is a vast archeological site



The Arch of Emperor Septimius Severus in the NE corner of the Forum was dedicated in 203 AD and commemorates his Parthian victories. The arch is carved out of marble.



	Julius Caesar’s fumeral took place in the Roman Forum and he was cremated here. He was murdered on March 15, 44 BC. His ashes were buried in the Roman Forum at the Temple of Caesar. Although his tomb was never found people leave flowers on the altar.


	The Temple of Saturn built in 497 BC. To the right is the Temple of Vespasian built in 94 AD. These ruins are at the foot of the Capitoline Hill at the western end of the Roman forum. Photo by Shelly Meny.




The Forum with Monument Vittorio Emanuelle II in the background. He was the first king of a unified Italy.


		The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine was built in 312AD. It was the largest building in the Forum.



		This photo shows you how large an area is the archaeological site.



	Temple of Antoninus and Faustina was built in 141 AD. It was converted into a Roman Catholic church, Church of San Lorenzo in Miranda, in the 7th century.


	THE COLOSSEUM The Roman Colosseum or the Flavian Amphitheater is east of the Roman Forum. Construction began in 70 AD and it was opened in 80 AD. It was dedicated by Titus with a festival of 100 days of games including gladiator matches and wild animals.




		Much of the Colosseum was used as building blocks or steps for other buildings in Rome. Some of it was destroyed by earthquakes.



				Underneath the Colosseum is the Hypogeum which was a series of tunnels and underground passages that housed the gladiators and the animals.


	ROME’S HISTORIC CENTER Rome’s historic center is an UNESCO World Heritage Site and around every corner you find historical buildings, churches, statues, piazzas and fountains. There is a surprise around every corner in Rome. Rome is called “The Eternal City”.

The Tiber River flows through Rome and divides the historic center from the Papal state, the Vatican City on the other side. Photo by David Meny.

Monument Vittorio Emanuele II in Piazza Venezia. Photo by Steve Meyers.

The famous Spanish Steps in Piazza Spagna. Photo by Steve Meyers.

Rome is a mixture of ancient ruins, churches, statues, obelisks, columns piazzas and buildings from every century. Around every corner is another amazing scene.




	View of Piazza Venezia. Photo by David Meny.



Piazza del Campidoglio on Capitoline Hill, the most important of Rome’s seven hills. At the top of the stairs is the Capitoline Museum. The square was designed by Michelangelo. Photo by Steve Meyers.



		The Pantheon in Piazza della Rotondo, a former Roman temple, is now a church. It is the best-preserved of all the Ancient Roman buildings. It was built around 126 AD by Hadrian.

Panoramic photo inside the Pantheon. Photo by Steve Meyers.

Piazza Navona was built in the lst century AD. In front is the Fountain of the Four Rivers with the Egyptian obelisk. Another Piazza to go to is Piazza dei Popolo. Make sure you see Rome during the day
and also at night.

Castel Sant’ Angelo was built in 123-139 AD by Hadrian to be a mausoleum for himself and his family. Later it was used as a fortress and castle by the popes. Today it is a museum. Photo by Steve Meyers.

The Supreme Court (Corte Cazzione) was built between 1810 and 1910. Photo by Steve Meyers.

Rome is a very walkable city where you can find charming places like this.




	Rome has over 2,000 fountains and the most famous is the Trevi Fountain, the largest Baroque fountain in Rome and the world. It was designed by Nicola Salvi and completed by Guiseppe Pannini in 1762. It has been made famous by the movies filmed here - “La Dolce Vita”, “Three Coins in the Fountain” and “Sabrina Goes to Rome”. The tradition is to toss a coin with your right hand over your left shoulder with your back to Trevi. If you do this it means you will return back to Rome.



		This beautiful photo of the Trevi Fountain was taken by Steve Meyers.


If you get tired of sightseeing then start window shopping. The fashions are amazing.




	Don’t forget to have a gelato every day when you are in Rome!

	I loved how this Vespa found a parking space between the two cars! Who says parking is a problem in Rome?



		Spend some time in an outdoor or indoor restaurant - the food and the wine are wonderful and the people watching is fantastic!


	Photos by Christine Meny, David & Shelly Meny & Steve Meyers.


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