Cruising around Rome

I promise there will be more blogs around Rome, however those sites will each have their own blog devoted to them (I like to keep you in suspense), but the other sites, I don't want to call them the lesser sites, because they were not, just ones that don't have as many pictures or we didn't spend as much time at. Some of them, we didn't even get out of the car, we just snapped some pictures and learned about them. I can say I have seen them though, and according to one book, which I will blog about later, that is good. I will give you a little bit of information about each site nearer the pictures of them. Enjoy the pics and the mini history lesson. Check back soon for something that everyone will know what it is by just looking at it.

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The city walls of ancient Rome. All the historical stuff is inside these walls, and the city has grown outside as well.

More of the city walls, defense post

The baths of the Carracalla. Almost immediately inside the city walls

At one time, there were as many as 900 public baths in Ancient Rome

Palentine Hill is one of the 7 hills of Rome. It is probably the site of some of the first settlements of Rome as evidence of homes and structures have been found that date to 1000 BC.

It is actually the centermost hill of Rome and one of the most ancient parts of the city.

This is looking up the hill from another landmark.

One of the arches of Palentine Hill (Arch of Titus)

Good shot of the palace.

Arch of Constantine: Erected to commemorate Constantine's victory in 312. Dedicated in 315, it is the newest of the 3 arches in Rome.

Constantine became emperor, and he believed that his win over Maxentius in 312 was a result of our Christian God, and as a result, during his reign, the persecution of Christians ended and Christianity became the official religion in the Roman Empire.

A far less popular arch. The arch of Titus. It was built to commemorate the capture of Jerusalem. That's all about this one.

Circus Maximus. The largest stadium in ancient Rome. It could seat 250,000 people, and generally hosted chariot races. It's origins go back to the 6th century BC when the king created a track between the Palatine and Aventine Hills.

Fire destroyed the wooden circus in 31 BC, AD 64, and AD 103. In 103, Rome was at the height of it's power and the new circus reflected this, and was built of Marble. It was rarely used for other events such as Gladiator combats, but usually only chariot races.

The last event at Circus Maximus was held in 549, nearly 1000 years after the first races.

Part of the forum

Fruit

Another part of the Forum

Fish in Palantine Hill gardens

More fish

It is called the wedding cake, and sits at the top of Piazza Venezia (Venetian Plaza).

It is actually called Il Vittoriano, and is a monument to King Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy.

Mussolini addressed crowds from here during World War II

and it houses a tomb of the unknown soldier, with guards and everything. Very similar to an attraction by the same name in Arlington National Cemetery.

Trajan's Markets, the Roman equivalent of a shopping mall

La Bocca della Verita. The mouth of truth.

Believed to be part of a fountain, or ancient manhole cover

it was also believed to be a lie detector. Starting from the middle ages, it was believed if someone told a lie with their hand in the mouth, the hand would be bitten off.

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Trevi Plaza

La Fontana di Trevi, or Trevi Fountain is the most famous and probably most beautiful fountain in Rome. It is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC that brings water to Rome from springs that are about 12 miles away.

In 1732 Pope Clement commisioned Nicola Salvi to create this fountain based on a design by Bernini. It was completed in 1762.

The fountain is made around the central figure of Neptune, god of the sea, riding a chariot in the shape of a shell pulled by two sea horses

The water in the bottom of the fountain represents the sea, and legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You are supposed to throw it with your back to the fountain.

Via del Corso: A one mile long straight street where they used to have chariot drag races.

They are everywhere

Spanish Plaza. It is one of the most popular meeting places in Rome and said to be one of the most visually pleasing areas with an old Egyptian Obelisk, and of course the steps.

Spanish Embassy to Rome

The Spanish Square is connect to a French church (Trinita dei Monti) at the top of the hill via a long staircase, known as the Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti, or Spanish Steps.

At the bottom of the steps is the Piazza di Spagna, or Spanish Square. It is named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, and in the 17th century, the area around the embassy was even considered Spanish territory.

Another arch, but not one of the 3 famous ones.

One of Rome's most famous squares, with three fountains designed by Bernini

The square is built on a former stadium built in 86 AD. The stadium had a larger seating area than the colosseum and was mainly used for festivals and sporting events. It was known as Circus Agonalis (competition arena) and over time the name changed to in agone to navone and finally to navona. The stadium was paved over in the 15th century to create the square, but remnants are still visible and you can get a tour of the underground monument.

Neptune fountain: built in 1576 by Giacomo della Porta. The statues of Neptune surrounded by sea nymphs were added in the 19th century.

The Fontana del Moro, also built by Porta. The Moor holding a dolphin, based on Bernini design was added in 17th century and the tritons in the 19th century.

The main attraction of the Piazza Navona. The Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi (Fountain of the Four Rivers). Built around 1650 by request of Pope Innocent X. Designed by Bernini, the fountain features four figures each representing a river from a different continent. The Nile, Ganges, Danube, and Rio della Plata.

You may also recognize it from the film Angels & Demons

Pizza at Navona Square

and Panini di Proscuitto

The mushroom pizza I didn't have to share

I absolutely LOVED eating at places like this

Sicilian style pizza in Rome. Go figure.

Chocolate and Cherry Gelato

Castel Sant'Angelo, build right on the banks of the Tiber river. It's fortified walls are legendary and it was slowly turned into a fortress. In 1277 it was acquired by the papcy, who would use it as a safety refuge in danger. A secret corridor connects the castle with the Vatican. They wouldn't let me walk through it.

I hope you enjoyed the history with the blog. I don't even know if anyone reads them, but they are fun to write, so I might keep on doing them. If you like them, let me know and I will continue to do research and explain the pictures. Enjoy.