Linda Diane Feldt
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The Campiddoglio - the Capitol of Rome. What struck me the most about this area is the mix of architecture literally on top of itself. The range of ages of buildings nad statues, the styles all jammed together, and the beauty of the design as you walk up to the area that forms a square at teh top of the steps designed by Michelangelo.
And then right next to this in use area, there is sill excavation going on
A Jewish Temple on the side of the Capitol and the next photo shows how it fits in to the side of the hill below the more recent buildings
Here are two of my favorite photos showing the juxtapositon of styles and eras
I took a lot of photos of guys on the roofs of buildings. I really enjoyed that style, I can't tell you why.
There is a lovely horse statue in teh middle of the capitol, and this statue to the side
What is truly amazing is to then go behind the capitol buildings and there is the Roman Forum. This series of photos were taken from above the forum, looking down just behind the capitol. This first photo is the Temple of Saturn.
and then looking back up at the capitol
and this photo shows how the new buiildigns are built right on top of the older
While waiting for the tour guide of the Roman Forum I visited The Monument to Vittorio Emmanuele II - the security was very tight, the guards had machine guns, and everyone was visually inspected before you could eneter the steps. No sitting, food, etc. is allowed. At the top of the steps there is a nice view of the traffic circle, and the eternal flame.
The statues are again everywhere, and overwhelming in their numbers and fine detail.
The Forum tour was with a woman from ITours. She wanted to cancel the tour because of the rain, but we asked her to please take us in teh rain and she did. It was wet and worth every euro and every drop of rain and more. I could only take a few photos in between the downpours, so I found these links that have more photos ans some more detailed info as well.
http://catholic-resources.org/AncientRome/Forum.htm
http://www.davidphenry.com/Italy/
http://holylandphotos.org/browse.asp?s=1,4,11,35,127&img=GSATPL09
http://www.deadromans.com/walk/
This photo I did manage to take is entering the Forum near the Tullian Keep (famous dungeon) looking towards the Palatine Hill. Next trip to Rome I'll explore the Palatine, I didn't make it this time.
The Tullian Keep has some interesting stories. The storywe were told is that Peter, one of Jesus's 12 apostles, was imprisoned there, but was able to convert his guards to Christianity whereupon a spring opened up in the wall and he was able to baptize them. You can actually walk down into this dungeon (stairs were added later) and imagine it crowded with Christians and other prisoners who mostly died right there.
The Temple of Romulus, originally the Temple of Jupitor Sator, this bronze door dates from the 4th century AD.
I had another weird sense of remembrance when we saw the senate chambers.
The basilica of Maxentius Patten. The ceiling effect was to sve concrete, to lighten the rach, and was originally covered with marble. this marble would have been stolen (recycled?) to build other buildings, usually OK'ed by the popes. This same pattern in the arched ceiling was repeated in St. Peter's.