Explore and Discover Vatican - Day 03

City of Vatican
11 May 2015

Explore and Discover BASILICA DI SAN PIETRO | VATICAN MUSEUM | SISTINE CHAPEL.

Mondo Cattolico (Catholic World)

I considered my last day in Rome as the climax of my travel. I dedicated this day to explore and discover the gems of the Vatican City - the most notable is the magnificent Basilica di San Pietro, world's largest Basilica.

ST. PETER'S BASILICA

Entrance to Vatican City

I spent my last day in Rome exploring Basilica di San Pietro, the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

Swiss Guards

I started exploring the Basilica at 0812H. I had fun taking shots at the main altar, the ceiling and the paintings inside the church. It was nice to see beams of light from the Basilica windows lighting up th interior of the church.

Facade

According to Wikipedia, The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, or simply St. Peter's Basilica (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri; Italian: Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano), is a late Renaissance church located within Vatican City.

Vatican City at Night

Classical Fountain

Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and remains one of the two largest churches in the world. 

Roman Clock

While it is neither the mother church of the Catholic Church nor the Catholic Roman Rite cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, St. Peter's is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines. 

Basilica di San Pietro Interior

It has been described as "holding a unique position in the Christian world" and as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

By Catholic Tradition, the Basilica is the burial site of its namesake St. Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and, also according to Tradition, the first Pope and Bishop of Rome. Tradition and strong historical evidence hold that St. Peter's tomb is directly below the high altar of the Basilica. 

For this reason, many Popes have been interred at St. Peter's since the Early Christian period. There has been a church on this site since the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. 

Light Beams

Construction of the present basilica, replacing the Old St. Peter's Basilica of the 4th century AD, began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626.

Altar

St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions. Because of its location in the Vatican, the Pope presides at a number of liturgies throughout the year, drawing audiences of 15,000 to over 80,000 people, either within the Basilica or its adjoining St. Peter's Square. 

St. Peter's has many strong historical associations, with the Early Christian Church, the Papacy, the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-reformation, and with numerous artists, most significantly Michelangelo. 

Main Altar

As a work of architecture, it is regarded as the greatest building of its age. St. Peter's is one of the four churches of Rome that hold the rank of Major Basilica. 

Pieta

Contrary to popular misconception, it is not a cathedral because it is not the seat of a bishop; the Cathedra of the Pope as Bishop of Rome is located in the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.

Read more

VATICAN MUSEUM and GARDEN

At 1004H, I bought a ticket for 21Eur from the ticket booth at the entrance of the Basilica. This ticket was for the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

The entrance to the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel is at the rear of the Vatican City. There was a long queue of tourist at that time.

Before getting inside the building for the museum and the Sistine Chapel, I explored the Vatican gardens. I was amazed at the rotating globe at the middle of the square.

According to Wikipedia, The Vatican Museums (Italian: Musei Vaticani) are the museums of the Vatican City and are located within the city's boundaries. They display works from the immense collection built up by the Popes throughout the centuries including some of the most renowned classical sculptures and most important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world.

Pope Julius II founded the museums in the early 16th century. The Sistine Chapel with its ceiling decorated by Michelangelo and the Stanze della Segnatura decorated by Raphael are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums. In 2013, they were visited by 5.5 million people, which combined makes it the 5th most visited art museum in the world.

There are 54 galleries, or salas, in total, with the Sistine Chapel, notably, being the very last sala within the Museum.

Read more

SISTINE CHAPEL

The passage to the Sistine Chapel is a long narrow corridor. 

Vatican Museum/Passage to Sistine Chapel

The ceiling is painted with biblical figures. I walked through corridors passing through several doors and then finally reaching the Sistine Chapel.

Fresco at the Ceiling

I was completely blown-out looking at the paintings on the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel. The works of Michael Angelo.

Winding Stairway

According to Wikipedia, The Sistine Chapel (Latin: Sacellum Sixtinum; Italian: Cappella Sistina) is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope, in Vatican City. Originally known as the Cappella Magna, the chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who restored it between 1477 and 1480. Since that time, the chapel has served as a place of both religious and functionary papal activity. Today it is the site of the Papal conclave, the process by which a new pope is selected. The fame of the Sistine Chapel lies mainly in the frescos that decorate the interior, and most particularly the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment by Michelangelo.

Sistine Chapel
Image source: http://shotbyanangel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/WebSisteenChapOn.jpg

During the reign of Sixtus IV, a team of Renaissance painters that included Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Roselli, created a series of frescos depicting the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ, offset by papal portraits above and trompe l’oeil drapery below. These paintings were completed in 1482, and on 15 August 1483 Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass in the Sistine Chapel for the Feast of the Assumption, at which ceremony the chapel was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Between 1508 and 1512, under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, a masterpiece without precedent, that was to change the course of Western art. In a different climate after the Sack of Rome, he returned and between 1535 and 1541, painted The Last Judgement for Popes Clement VII and Paul III. The fame of Michelangelo's paintings has drawn multitudes of visitors to the chapel, ever since they were revealed five hundred years ago.

Read more

I ended my tour in Rome at the Sistine Chapel.

I was completely amazed at Rome. The experience that I had was beyond my expectation. Rome indeed is a romantic, majestic and an amazing city!

Grazie mille , Roma. Ci vediamo!

--o0o--

Majestic Rome
Explore and Discover Rome - Day 01
Explore and Discover Rome - Day 02

Explore and Discover Rome - Day 02

City of Rome, Italy
10 May 2015

Explore and Discover BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA MAGIORRE | REPUBBLICA and S. MARIA DEGLI ENGELI E DEI MARTIRI | SPANISH STEPS | PIAZZA DE POPOLO | BASILICA S. COSMA E. DAMIANO | Revisit COLOSSEO.

It was a Sunday and as a believer, I had to fulfill my Sunday obligation at the church before anything else. In Manila, I usually attend the 0700H mass at the Manila Cathedral in Intramurous.

In Roma, there are hundreds of Basilicas scattered around the city and it was a matter of choice for me which church to go for the Sunday mass.

I decided to attend the mass at the Basilica di San Pietro. I was informed by a  priest at the Basilica square that the mass will start at 0900H. The mass for the public is at 1700H. I decided to attend the 0900H mass so that I will have more time to explore the city after.

I was surprised to find out that there are several mass celebrations starting simultaneously inside huge Basilica at different languages. There are many altars on both sides of the isle where the mass are celebrated. I tried to look for the mass in English language, unfortunately, only Spanish, Italian and Latin mass will be celebrated on that Sunday.

I chose the Italian mass and I was directed at the back of the central altar. The altar is so majestic and impressive. At both sides are the classical pipe organs.

At exactly 0900H, the mass started with the entrance hymn. Although in Italian, the entire mass was so solemn. I followed the mass in my mind with the English version. I know every part of the mass and that is why I was able to follow. I was so happy to survive the mass in Italian and thankful to be able to attend a private mass inside the Basilica. It was one-of-a-kind experience for me.

After the mass, I had a nice breakfast at the Vatican Cafe.

I started my journey from the Vatican City and move north-east to explore and discover six spots and a revisit at the Colosseo.

BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA MAGIORRE

Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

I took the underground train from OTTAVIANO station. I alighted at TERMINI. My next destination was Santa Maria Maggiore church.

The church is located along Via Santa Maria Maggiore facing the Piazza Santa Maria Maggiore. From the Termini Station, I walked south-west onto Via Cavour and straight onto Via Santa Maria Maggiore.

At 1230H, I reached Santa Maria Maggiore church. The church was closed at that time but I had good time taking shots at the huge facade.

According to Wikipedia, The Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore (English: Basilica of St. Mary Major, Latin: Basilica Sanctae Mariae Maioris), or church of Santa Maria Maggiore, is a Papal major basilica and the largest Catholic Marian church in Rome, Italy, from whence size it receives the appellation "major". The Basilica is located at 34 Piazza del Esquilino, some five blocks southwest of Stazione Termini.

Other churches in Rome dedicated to Mary include Santa Maria in Trastevere, Santa Maria in Aracoeli, and Santa Maria sopra Minerva, but the greater size of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major justifies the adjective by which it is distinguished from the other 25.

Pursuant to the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Holy See and Italy, the Basilica is within Italian territory and not the territory of the Vatican City State.However, the Holy See fully owns the Basilica, and Italy is legally obligated to recognize its full ownership thereof and to concede to it "the immunity granted by International Law to the headquarters of the diplomatic agents of foreign States". Read more.

REPUBBLICA and S. MARIA DEGLI ENGELI E DEI MARTIRI

Repubblica

From the Santa Maria Maggiore church, I walked north-east towards Termini and then walked north-west towards Piazza della Repubblica.

Piazza della Repubblica is a rotunda with a classical fountain at the middle. At the east side of the rotunda is the Santa Maria degli Angeli church and on the west side are two identical buildings quarter of a circle shape.

S. MARIA DEGLI ENGELI E DEI MARTIRI

According to Wikipedia, The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs (Latin: Beatissimae Virgini et omnium Angelorum et Martyrum, Italian: Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri) is a titular basilica church in Rome, built inside the frigidarium of the Baths of Diocletian in the Piazza della Repubblica. The Cardinal priest of the Titulus S. Mariae Angelorum in Thermis is William Henry Keeler. Read more.

SPANISH STEPS

Spanish Steps

I took a train from Repubblica towards north and alighted at Spagna. My destination was the Spanish Steps. I reached Spanish Steps at 1422H.

According to Wikipedia, The Spanish Steps (Italian: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) are a set of steps in Rome, Italy, climbing a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinità dei Monti, dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top.

The monumental stairway of 135 steps (the slightly elevated drainage system is often mistaken for the first step) was built with French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds of 20,000 scudi, in 1723–1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy, and the Trinità dei Monti church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France, both located above — to the Holy See in Palazzo Monaldeschi located below. The stairway was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. Read more.

PIAZZA DE POPOLO

Piazza del Popolo

From the Spanish Steps, I explored west passing through cobblestone streets and reached Piazza de Popolo at 1444H.

According to Wikipedia, Piazza del Popolo is a large urban square in Rome. The name in modern Italian literally means "People's Square", but historically it derives from the poplars (populus in Latin, pioppo in Italian) after which the church of Santa Maria del Popolo, in the northeast corner of the piazza, takes its name.

The piazza lies inside the northern gate in the Aurelian Walls, once the Porta Flaminia of ancient Rome, and now called the Porta del Popolo. This was the starting point of the Via Flaminia, the road to Ariminum (modern-day Rimini) and the most important route to the north. At the same time, before the age of railroads, it was the traveller's first view of Rome upon arrival. For centuries, the Piazza del Popolo was a place for public executions, the last of which took place in 1826. Read more.

COLOSSEO

I decided to get back to Colosseo and explored the interior of the structure. From Spagna, I took a train bound south and alighted at Colosseo.

Finally, I bought a ticket for 21Eur and started to explore the interior of the building. I started exploring at the second level.

I circled the Colosseo taking shots at every good angle. Although in ruin state, the architecture is so majestic. Restoration works were in progress at the time of my visit.

I stayed at the Colosseo for the remaining hours of my day marvelling at the gradeur of every portion of the building. I was completely amazed.

BASILICA S. COSMA E. DAMIANO

Altar of Basilica S. Cosma E. Damiano

At 1751H, I decided to to leave the Colosseo and travel back to Vatican City. On my way, I passed by the Basilica S. Cosma E. Damiano and took some shots of the Foros at the other side of the road.

Ceiling and the Altar

According to Wikipedia, The basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano is a church in Italy, located in the Roman Forum. It is one of the ancient churches called tituli, of which cardinals are patrons as deacons: the current Cardinal Deacon of the Titulus Ss. Cosmae et Damiani is Beniamino Stella, created Cardinal on 22 February 2014. The basilica, devoted to the two Greek brothers, doctors, martyrs and saints Cosmas and Damian, is located in the Forum of Vespasian, also known as the Forum of Peace. Read more.

At 1757H I started walking from the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II towards Vatican City. Along the way, I had the chance to see the interior of Sant'Andrea della Valle. The church was open at the time. 

SANT'ANDREA della VALLE

Sant'Andrea della Valle Facade

Though the church looked simple from the outside, the FRESCO of the interior is truly amazing. 

There is a mirror on a table at the center of the isle and when I looked into the mirror, I saw the magnificent FRESCO of the church ceiling.

--o0o--

Majestic Rome
Explore and Discover Rome - Day 01
Explore and Discover Vatican - Day 03

Majestic Roma

City of Rome, Italy
09 May 2015

Ciao , Roma !!

Colosseo

According to UNESCO, Italy has the most number of World Heritage Sites today compared to any other countries. 

I had personally seen few of these great World Heritage Sites in Asia: The Angkor Wat, The Borobudur  Temple and the Prambanan to name a few. I love old historical structures and given the chance to travel in Europe, I made a point to see Rome in Italy.

I left Bremen airport in Germany at 0620H and landed at Munich International Airport at 0735H. There is no direct flight from Bremen to Rome. My flight to Rome was scheduled at 0905H from Munich, Germany.

Vatican City

I was so excited at Munich Airport while waiting for my flight to Rome. While waiting, I had a chance to glimpse at stunning photos of Rome featuring the picturesque St. Peter's Basilica, Colosseo, The Pantheon and several historicial structures. I couldn't almost believe that in a few hours I will be finally in the place that I had been dreaming to see since I was a high school student.

Pantheon

Onboard Lufthansa flight LH1842, I left Munich Airport and headed on to Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Italy. The flight was approximately and hour and a half. At exactly 1035H, I landed at Fiumicino Airport in Rome.

While Germany shievered at 7 degrees centigrade with occassional rains and thunder storms, Rome was at summer mood at 25 degrees centigrade with a real feel of 22 degrees. Sky was clear blue and no signs of rain.

I arrived at Terminal 3. After passing through the boarder and passport control/check, I proceeded at the SIT bus terminal. This bus travels direct from the airport to Vatican City at 6EUR. Travel time at approximately 45minutes depending on the traffic condition.

Monumento a Vettorio Emanuele II

I was seated in front next to a French lady who was also a tourist. With a clear blue sky, I had an exciting bus ride from the airport towards the Centro of Roma.

I couldn't hold my happy and smilling face as the bus passed through cobblestone streets lined-up with old and modern buildings of varying architectures. There were no hanging cables on the streets and highways.

Piazza Navona

One thing that could be common between Italy and the Philippines - you can find old catholic churches (Capella and Basilica) in almost every corner of Rome.

We took a tunnel and at the other end, everyone's eyes were glued at the majestic dome of Basilica di San Pietro as it emerged slowly from the roof of the surrounding buildings as the bus approached the entrance of the Vatican City.

Piazza Popolo

The place where I stayed is approximately 400 meters away from the entrance of the Vatican City. I can almost see the Vatican wall from my window. It is located along Via Giovanni Vitelleschi.

Repubblica

I alighted at Via Crescenzio and walked towards Via Giovanni Vitelleschi. Just like any other backpackers, I was using a map as guide to navigate the area. In fact, I didn't join a tour in Rome. My plan was to do a walking tour to see more of the place and not just the tourist spots.

Castel Sant'Angelo

I arrived at my accommodation 1205H. I was assigned at room #80.

After fixing my things inside my room, I started my exciting and happy foot-journey to explore and discover the historical and word heritage structures of Rome.

View My Travel Story in Rome.

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Explore and Discover Rome - Day 01

Explore and Discover Rome - Day 02

Explore and Discover Vatican - Day 03

Explore and Discover Rome - Day 01

City of Rome, Italy
09 May 2015

Explore and Discover CASTEL SANT'ANGELO | PIAZZA NAVONA | PANTHEON | TREVI FOUNTAIN | MONUMENTO VITTORIO EMANUELE II | COLOSSEO | PALATINE HILL.

On my first day in Rome, I started my journey on foot from near the Vatican City and move south-west to explore and discover seven spots that are very known to tourists, the amazing Colosseo included.

CASTEL SANT'ANGELO

Castel Sant'Angelo

I started navigating my direction towards the Pantheon from near Vatican City at 1336H. Before crossing the river on a scenic bridge full of tourists, I passed by Castel Sant'Angelo. It is a cylindrical structure surrounded with thick brick walls that appeared to be a fortress. It has similarity with the walls of Intramuros in Manila.

According to Wikipedia, The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant'Angelo (English: Castle of the Holy Angel), is a towering cylindrical building in Parco Adriano, Rome, Italy. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum. The Castel was once the tallest building in Rome. Read more.

PIAZZA NAVONA

Piazza Navona

I had nice few shots of the Castle before crossing the bridge and continued my journey south-east of the Vatican City. I took Via dei Coronari and move east straight until I reached Piazza Navona at 1406H. Literally, Piazza Navona looked like Plaza Miranda in Quiapo. It is an elegant square dating from the 1st centruy AD with a classical fountain called Fountain of the Four Rivers, street artists, bars and the St. Agnes in Agony church.

According to Wikipedia, Piazza Navona is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans came there to watch the agones ("games"), and hence it was known as "Circus Agonalis" ("competition arena"). It is believed that over time the name changed to in avone to navone and eventually to navona. Read more

PANTHEON

Pantheon

I left Piazza Navonna and headed east onto Largo Costifuente towards the Pantheon. It is located along Piazza della Rotonda. At 1433H, I was standing right infront of the Pantheon, admiring its grandeur and architectural beauty. A pylon with a cross on top and a classical roman fountain is at the center of the square facing the facade of the Pantheon.

Oculus

As I entered the door, my attention was immediately captured by the beam of light coming from the oculus, a circular opening  9 meters wide at the top of the dome, illuminating the entire interior of the building.

The Pantheon is actually a church consecrated in 609AD with name of Santa Maria to the Martyrs.

According to Wikipedia, The Pantheon is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) and rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian about 126 AD.

The building is circular with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. A rectangular vestibule links the porch to the rotunda, which is under a coffered concrete dome, with a central opening (oculus) to the sky. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome. The height to the oculus and the diameter of the interior circle are the same, 43.3 metres (142 ft).

It is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings. It has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century, the Pantheon has been used as a church dedicated to "St. Mary and the Martyrs" (Latin: Santa Maria ad Martyres) but informally known as "Santa Maria Rotonda".

Altar

The square in front of the Pantheon is called Piazza della Rotonda. Read more

TREVI FOUNTAIN

Trevi Fountain

I headed north-east from Piazza della Rotonda towards Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). I took Via del Semenario and straight onto Via dell' Umilta and then reached Piazza di Trevi where the famous fountain is located. I was at the Fountain of Trevi at 1526H.

When I reached the place, I didn't recognize that it was the Trevi Fountain as there are scaffoldings all around the place and there was no fountain. I learned from another tourist that the Trevi Fountain was undergoing a restoration process at that time. Nevertheless, I was facinated at the main facade. I could only imagine the beauty of the place when the restoration works are finally completed.

According to Wikipedia, The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi district in Rome, Italy, designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world. The fountain has appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita, and is a popular tourist attraction. Read more

MONUMENTO VITTORIO EMANUELE II

Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II

I headed south onto Via della Pilotta and straight onto Via IV Novembre towards the Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II. I reached the place at 1557H from the Trevi Fountain.

According to Wikipedia, The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) or "Il Vittoriano" is a monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy, located in Rome, Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill.

The eclectic structure was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885; sculpture for it was parceled out to established sculptors all over Italy, such as Leonardo Bistolfi and Angelo Zanelli. It was inaugurated in 1911 and completed in 1925.

The Vittoriano features stairways, Corinthian columns, fountains, an equestrian sculpture of Victor Emmanuel and two statues of the goddess Victoria riding on quadrigas. The structure is 135 m (443 ft) wide and 70 m (230 ft) high. If the quadrigae and winged victories are included, the height is to 81 m (266 ft).It has a total area of 17,000 square meters. Read more.

COLOSSEO

Colosseo

From the Monumento, I moved south-east towards the Colosseo through Via dei Fori Imperialli. On my way to Colosseo, I noticed the Foro Traliano, Foro di Augusto and Foro di Nerva on the left side of the road and Foro di Cesare and the Palatine Hill at the right. I reached the Colosseum at 1628H.

I was completely amazed at the grandeur of the Colosseo as I approached the building. For a while, I stood at the shade of a nearby tree marvelling at the great roman structure before my very eyes. I attempted to get a ticket to get inside the Colosseo however, the queue was too long so I decided to come back the following day. Instead, I explored the Palatine Hill.

Colosseo Interior

According to Wikipedia, The Colosseum or Coliseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium; Italian: Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it is the largest amphitheatre in the world, and is considered one of the greatest works of architecture and engineering.

The Colosseum is situated just east of the Roman Forum. Construction began under the emperor Vespasian in 72 AD, and was completed in 80 AD under his successor and heir Titus. Further modifications were made during the reign of Domitian (81–96). These three emperors are known as the Flavian dynasty, and the amphitheatre was named in Latin for its association with their family name (Flavius).

The Colosseum could hold, it is estimated, between 50,000 and 80,000 spectators, and was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology. The building ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry, and a Christian shrine.

Although in the 21st century it stays partially ruined because of damage caused by devastating earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum is an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome. It is one of Rome's most popular tourist attractions and has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession that starts in the area around the Colosseum.

In 2007 the complex was included among the New7Wonders of the World, following a competition organized by New Open World Corporation (NOWC). Read more.

PALATINE HILL

I bought a ticket for 12Eur to visit the Palatine Hill. I started exploring the place at 1653H.

The Ruins

According to Wikipedia, The Palatine Hill (Latin: Collis Palatium or Mons Palatinus; Italian: Palatino) is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres above the Forum Romanum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other. It is the etymological origin of the word "palace" and its cognates in other languages (Italian "Palazzo", French "Palais", German "Palast", etc.). Read more.

Finally, I got exhausted because of the intense heat and I decided to get back to Vatican City for a dinner at 1713H. I took a Bus #64 just infront of the Monumento. This bus travels direct to Vatican City.

Palatine Hill

After having a nice Pasta breakfast at a nearby cozy Italian restaurant, I decided to walk and took a night shots at the Basilica di San Pietro.

--o0o--

Majestic Rome
Explore and Discover Rome - Day 02
Explore and Discover Vatican - Day 03