Around Rome

It was a sunnny day in Rome and we took advantage of every minute. The first stop was the Spanish Steps.

This fountain is the Leaking Boat and sits at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.

This church is the reason for the steps, as they act as a way to connect the church above with the city below.
This is the view from half way up the Steps.

Immediately adjacent the the Steps is a high end shopping street. Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo. You name it, it's there.

Throughout the centre are throngs of motorcycles; the easiest way to get around (and the fastest, since cyclists just weave throughout the traffic.

You can't tell in this picture, but it's actually quite sunny out (which is why you can't see anything.)

Beautiful Italian architecture.

After the Spanish Steps came The Trevi Fountain

It is so huge I couldn't get a picture of all of it.

Apparently an angel told the Romans where to find a spring. To celebrate the new water, they built this statue.

There is the water god showing the way to the water.

Angels on a building near the fountain.

and a lock wishing for eternal love on the gate of the church which overlooks the fountain.

Down the main shopping street you will find the Victor Emmanuel II Monument and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Piazza Venezie (the former palace grounds of a cardinal).

The monument from across the street.

The eternal flame

The King on horseback

The top of the monument had an excellent panoramic view of the city. Here is a view of the Trajan column from atop the monument.

This is the former Trajan markets

Mat being gorgeous in the sunlight.

The dome of St Peter's Basilica is the one on the right

The colosseum behind me

Throughout Rome there are countless 'Archeological sites'. This is probably the remains of Teatro Marcello.

You can see the colums of the remains past the tables of the cafe.


A stunning Venician mask.

Mat going Rennaisance. Sexy!

In the middle of the city there are the ruins of the Argentinia Largoa. It is now a cat sanctuary where numerous cats rest and frolick. It is also a place where you can get your pet blessed.

Historically, it is the place where Julius Cesaer was killed. Right about here, since I know you're wondering.

The Pantheon. The only remaining classical Roman building (maintained because it is a Roman Catholic Cathedral)

The Pantheon's exterior

The original door

The doom of the Pantheon is open to let in the light and let the prayers reach heaven faster. There is also a correlation to where the sun hits the ground through the hole at certain times of the year. We think they just didn't know how to plug it up.

This the the tomb of the artist Raphael. His tomb states 'Here lies Raphael. Living, great Nature feared he may outvie her works. In death, she fears that she herself may die.'

This is the underlying foundation of the structure. It's made of handmade bricks and then covered in marbel. You can see many holes and numerous cracks. It was built in 27 AD.

Santa Maria sopra Minerva: a 13th century church and obelish

The Egyptian obelish of Minerva with an elephant

Here rests the body of St. Catharine of Siena, who was a major player in bringing the papacy back to Rome.


This is Michelangelo's Christ Carrying the Cross.

Piazza Navona: 3 fountains that line the area where the Stadium of Domitian used to be (it held 3o 000 spectators)