Rome, The Colosseum

All of the guidebooks will tell you that getting into The Colosseum is difficult. Well, go at 8:30am on December 30 and you'll have no problems getting in at all! We had planned on going to the Forum first because it's generally easier to get in there, but when we got off the subway, there was no line at the Colosseum. So we jumped at the chance to get there before the crowds descended. And it was good. To view larger versions of the pictures, just click on them :)

No Line!!

There are a few things to see inside before heading into the arena.

I'll let the Colosseum speak for itself.

And lastly, a picture of the Colosseum where you can see the Roman Forum. Check back next week for pictures of the Forum!!

Rome, Piazza Navona and Castel Sant'Angelo

Rome is filled with pedestrian squares and gathering places. Piazza Navona is one of the most famous and is located over the inner area of a stadium built by the Romans in the first century A.D. The buildings currently surrounding the piazza are located where the outer walls of the stadium stood. Piazza Navona contains three baroque fountains, all large, but smaller than Trevi Fountain.

The main one in the center is called Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi or "Fountain of the Four Rivers." It was designed in 1651 by Bernini. It is located in front of the Baroque church Sant'Agnese in Agone. The obelisk is the "Obelisk of Domination" and the four rivers are from the four continents where the papal authority had spread: Nile (Africa), Danube (Europe), Ganges (Asia), and Rio de la Plata (Americas). Wikipedia has a better closeup of the fountain. 

More pictures of the surrounding buildings, but mostly the church. 

The other two fountains: 

Piazza Navona is also home to Rome's most famous Christmas market. 

Walking back to our apartment from Piazza Navona, we ran into the Castel Sant'Angelo, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian. We crossed the Tiber River via the Ponte Sant'Angelo. The bridge itself was constructed in 134AD, and much later Bernini began a project to make ten angels for the bridge, each holding an instrument of the Passion. 

Angel with Lance

Angel with Sponge

The Castel Sant'Angelo is a has changed uses many times. The first part was built between 135AD and 139AD. It was constructed to house the Roman emperor Hadrian's ashes, but subsequent emperors had their ashes put here too until 217AD. In the 400s it was converted into a military fortress.  Eventually, popes converted the fortress into a castle and a covered, fortified corridor was built connecting it to St. Peter's Basilica (1277). If you're an Angels and Demons fan, you know all about this bridge. Sorry, I didn't get any pictures of the bridge. 

The dome in the background belongs to St. Peter's Basilica

The castle is now a museum and is a fun place to visit. 

Rome, Pantheon

The Pantheon is one of those must-see sights in Rome, but I wasn't excited about it. I had seen an acquittance's pictures and seen how he, as an architect, was so excited. But I just didn't get it. We approached the Pantheon from the side. You can definitely tell it is old. Very old. But I still didn't get it.

Oh, it is beautiful from the outside. And the columns are astoundingly large. But I still didn't get it. 

And then we walked through those giant doors. And, all of a sudden, I got it. My words and my pictures will not do it justice. But if you go to Rome, promise me you will see the Pantheon.

This little birdie was sitting on the fountain in the Piazza della Rotunda, just outside the Pantheon.