After 2 nights with Mario, we moved a little closer to Rome today to spend the night at Ibis Roma Magliana. Jill’s still a bit off-colour so plans to spend a day resting while I take a closer look at some of the sights we saw yesterday.
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| The Colosseum |
I caught the shuttle bus into the city and spent some time around the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. The Colosseum (originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre) is quite an amazing sight. Built in 72 AD it had a capacity of 50,000 spectators and was used for the entertainment of the people of Rome. While gladiators certainly fought among themselves and against wild animals, contrary to Hollywood folklore bouts between them rarely ended in death and there is no evidence that Christians were fed to the lions.
The Roman Forum and Palatino Hill, next to the Colosseum, were once the showcase centre of the Roman Republic. They are now a collection of ruins including temples, basilicas, meeting places, market places, law courts, all in various stages of ruin or excavation.
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| The Roman Forum |
Not far away is the Circus Maximus (Circo Massimo). There isn’t a lot left now but this was the largest structure ever built for spectators, measuring 600 metres by 140 metres, it had a seating capacity of 250,000 people and was used for chariot races and other public games.
From here I hopped on the HoHo bus for part of the circuit and got off near Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi). The fountain, designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 depicts Neptune’s chariot being led by Tritons, with sea horses representing the moods of the sea. The water comes from the aqua virgo, a 1st century BC underground aqueduct. I was surprised at how large it was and at the number of people who were just sitting around looking at the fountain.
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| The Trevi Fountain |
The next stop was the Pantheon, the best-preserved of ancient Rome’s monuments. In its current form, it dates to around 120 AD when Emperor Hadrian built over a previous temple. The dome is the largest masonry vault ever built. Apart from the impressive pillars at the front, the outside of the building is quite unexciting but once you go inside all that changes. It is still a beautiful building.
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| The Pantheon |
Was about 6:30 at this stage so while waiting to get the shuttle bus back at 8:30 I did what all Romans do, I went to a footpath café and had pasta and beer sitting watching the passing parade opposite Complesso Monumentale del Vittoriano.
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| Complesso Monumentale del Vittoriano |
Time came to catch the shuttle bus back and there were too many people to fit on the bus. Lots of discussion between the bus driver and her company (which must also hire out limousines) because eventually two limos arrived to take the extras back to their hotels. Had a nice ride back in a BMW limo.
