We had so much fun in Rome I had to split the retelling of it into two posts! So here is Part 2.
On our third morning we started off with a visit to the Colosseum.
On our third morning we started off with a visit to the Colosseum.
Some times in order to take one "good" photo, you have to take a lot of goofy shots. The kids helped provide plenty of goofy photos at the Colosseum.
The Colosseum is three tiers and is the largest amphitheater ever built. It 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. Basically it is really cool.
From there we moved on to the Roman Forum.
It is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome.
Trum and Tyler and The Arch of Titus.
The ruins of the Temple of Julius Caesar. Where they held Julius Caesar's funeral pyre. Jolly.
Resting while listening to dueling guidebooks.
The main road to the Roman Capitol, the Clivus Capitolinus.
Outside of the forum there were lots of street performers. These guys couldn't see us well enough to get us to pay for this picture. Plus we were sneaky.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at The Altare della Patria ("Altar of the Fatherland"), also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II is a monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy.
And it is mad huge, yo!
Apparently people don't really like it because they destroyed a large area of the Capitoline Hill (Roman era) and a Medieval neighborhood to build it. And they think it looks a little pompous.
Well you can't please everyone.
Listen, if you've seen "Roman Holiday" then you have to go and stick your hand in the Bocca della Verità or The Mouth of Truth. Luckily Trum and I are both extremely honest so we came away with our hands intact. It's right outside the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin where we saw the alleged skull of St Valentine.
We turned the kids loose to run wild in the Circus Maximus. Which is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. It's funny how they can be tired from walking but have plenty of energy to run all over an open space like this.
One of four protests/rallies we came across as we traversed the city that day.
We had circled back to the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine.
As the day came to a close we headed out to a different part of town for some dinner and to see Michelangelo's Moses housed in the church of San Pietro in Vincoli.
You had to pay money to turn on the lights to view it. I think that's some good business sense for the church and totally worth it.
These kids are the best!
We sadly had to part ways the next day. The Drydens off on their long drive home and us to the airport for our flight.
But before we left Jack couldn't leave Rome without subjecting Trum and I to some fascist architecture, so on our last walk through the city we stopped to see this lovely building.
Luckily we were cheered up later when we encountered a herd of Italian Boy and Girl Scouts. They full-on wear hats and knee socks. I say we bring back that look in the US!
Last view of Ancient Rome.
So thankful we got to see Rome with our friends!
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