So, my last day in Rome.
Sad.
But after all the extensive travel, we just decided to stay local. After all, we hadn't covered the most important part of Rome! The colosseum and the roman forum were the highlights of this day.
We woke up bright and early and headed off to the colosseum. With the impending clouds overhead, we brought our umbrellas and took the train which brought us right outside this massive architectural masterpiece. It was absolutely beautiful.
We entered the colosseum, bought our tickets and began to walk around. Seeing everything was incredible. Thinking that I am walking where Caesar, Nero, Augustus, Tiberius, Diocletian, and all the others that had graced these grounds, was crazy because I was walking where great historical events had taken place. I have never experienced the feeling that I did when I was there. The realization that so many people, and animals had died here in front of thousands and thousands of people as a form of sport and entertainment and their personal pride.
Ok so the colosseum...during an earthquake back in the day (i don't recall the year) the floor of the center elipse collapsed revealing the intricate holding structures underneath in which all the animals, slaves, gladiators would all be held until they were lifted out onto the stage area. Also, the seating area also collapsed and all you see are the slanted pillar like structures. The colosseum, apparently, was built in such a way that 50,000 spectators would be able to enter, or exit, within a time span of FIFTEEN MINUTES. THATS CRAZY!
Also, sidenote, did you know that they used to have battleship scenarios in the colo? Where they would fill it with water (I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE LOGISTICS OF THIS WORK) and have actual size ships to recreate Roman victories? So awesome.
That evening, we went to the Pantheon which is an architectural wonder itself, it used to be a pagan church and remains a Christian church today. The main feature is the occulus in the ceiling. The Pantheon is also the place of Raphael's tomb.
After the Pantheon, we went to Piazza Navona, where there is a fountain of the 4 rivers carved by Bernini. The four rivers represented are the Ganges, the Nile, the Danube, and the Plate. This was also one of the iconic places that Dan Brown referenced in Angels and Demons so obviously I had to pay a visit.
Ro <3
Sad.
But after all the extensive travel, we just decided to stay local. After all, we hadn't covered the most important part of Rome! The colosseum and the roman forum were the highlights of this day.
We woke up bright and early and headed off to the colosseum. With the impending clouds overhead, we brought our umbrellas and took the train which brought us right outside this massive architectural masterpiece. It was absolutely beautiful.
We entered the colosseum, bought our tickets and began to walk around. Seeing everything was incredible. Thinking that I am walking where Caesar, Nero, Augustus, Tiberius, Diocletian, and all the others that had graced these grounds, was crazy because I was walking where great historical events had taken place. I have never experienced the feeling that I did when I was there. The realization that so many people, and animals had died here in front of thousands and thousands of people as a form of sport and entertainment and their personal pride.
Ok so the colosseum...during an earthquake back in the day (i don't recall the year) the floor of the center elipse collapsed revealing the intricate holding structures underneath in which all the animals, slaves, gladiators would all be held until they were lifted out onto the stage area. Also, the seating area also collapsed and all you see are the slanted pillar like structures. The colosseum, apparently, was built in such a way that 50,000 spectators would be able to enter, or exit, within a time span of FIFTEEN MINUTES. THATS CRAZY!
Also, sidenote, did you know that they used to have battleship scenarios in the colo? Where they would fill it with water (I HAVE NO IDEA HOW THE LOGISTICS OF THIS WORK) and have actual size ships to recreate Roman victories? So awesome.
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| Il Coloseo |
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| See those slants? there used to be seats there. |
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| SO AMAZING. |
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| these are the alley ways that were under the stage |
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| climbing an ancient staircase which lead to seating areas! |
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| The stage is actually a perfect elipse. The tan portion that you see is a replica of the stage but not everything is covered so that you may in fact see what was once underneath. |
That evening, we went to the Pantheon which is an architectural wonder itself, it used to be a pagan church and remains a Christian church today. The main feature is the occulus in the ceiling. The Pantheon is also the place of Raphael's tomb.
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| Outside! |
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| Inside the Pantheon |
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| The occulus. SO COOL. |
After the Pantheon, we went to Piazza Navona, where there is a fountain of the 4 rivers carved by Bernini. The four rivers represented are the Ganges, the Nile, the Danube, and the Plate. This was also one of the iconic places that Dan Brown referenced in Angels and Demons so obviously I had to pay a visit.
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| With one view of Bernini's Fontana dei Quattro Fuimi |
Ro <3
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