Tuesday 13 June 2006
Highlights: The Colosseum, Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon

On this very hot day I set out to visit Ancient Rome via another tour (you need to do a tour to understand the ruins).   This meant a start at the Colosseum which is massive (as you would expect), looks of tourists, and amazing structure were lots of Christians and gladiators died.

We moved up to the Roman Forum which is where all the important events of ancient Rome occurred.   I visited Julius Caesar’s burial site and the Rome Senate (the facade has been removed but inside it is still good).   Walking up to Capitoline Hill, which was designed by Michelangelo, the group had to wait for some people who struggled with the stairs (it takes a while to climb).   It is amazing that city officials work in such grand buildings.

A highlight of the tour was a visit to Trevi Fountain (Fontana de Trevi) this fountain is enormous and dominates the piazza.   Neptune’s chariot is being led by Tritons (seahorses).   We also visited the Pantheon (Hall of the Gods) which was converted into a church in 606 AD and was a result survived the middle ages (a lot of old Roman sites were destroyed for building material except those made into Churches).   We finished in the Piazza Navona which used to be a track for the ancient races, these days artists paint and vendors sell to tourist, very beautiful.

The fountain ‘Fontana del Moro’ is a highlight designed by Bernini in the 17th Century.   Back at the Campsite we celebrated Natalie’s 21st birthday with a diner at the local restaurant (my pizza wasn’t great).