I had set off a full day to see as much as I could. I had been sitting the day before and found a route through Rome so I could see the main things. The Pantheon, the Colosseum and Forum Romana. There are a lot more stuff to be seen for sure, but I wanted to concentrate on these.
Of course, at first, I also wanted to see the tourist attractions, like the Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain. As always, I come across the unexpected. The things and sights I hadn't read about. And that might be the most interesting parts of travelling...
My route would take most of the day to finish, and it would be about a very long walk. I started out walking past Castel Sant Angelo. It looked interesting on the map, so I passed it since it was on the way to the Spanish Steps. It was an interesting structure, shaped like a star. I wasn't able to take any good pictures of it, but it was a good first "ruin". It was built in the second century. So about the time the Roman empire fell apart.
Then I walked past the Supreme Court. A beautiful and pictoresque building not far from the castel.
Then past a smal church, which was open. I walked inside and snapped a few photos.
And then I finally arrived at the Spanish Steps. And I know that a lot of people come here to sit down and take selfies. But I really don't get it. I mean, the stairs are nice, I guess. But it wasn't really that special. Other than they being famous and all. Maybe I was expecting too much. I don't know. I walked around. Trying to find an angle where their beauty or something would shine, but not even the fountain in front of it made me think it was worth the walk here. Maybe it's just me. Then again : Not maybe... Ok. Enough about that already. A couple of pictures :
I pulled out my phone and looked at the map. Trevi fountain next. On my way I stopped at a small shop and bought something cold to drink. It was HOT in Rome. And I had already been walking for a while. Just a short walk later, I came across this :
A genuine part of an old roman aquaduct. Yeah, I know I'm a nerd, but I just LOVE archeological sites. And really old stuff. So even if this was just a small piece, hehind a fence, I still smiled from my excitement.
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| Real old time aquaduct!!!! |
On my way to the Pantheon, I passed the following building. It looked like they had just placed a new building behind some old columns. Have no idea what they were originally a part of, but I love old stuff. So, naturally, I had to take some photos, and to touch it... Yeah, I know. "Look with my fingers"...
Pantheon. The temple of all gods. I have tried to find a year when it was built, but there seems to be disputes about that. But it has been rebuild a number of times. So the current one was build sometime between 109 and 127 A.D. Another magnificent structure. With a beautiful dome at the centre of it. With a hole in the roof, allegedly as the only source of light. And to drain the rain falling through the hole, the floor is arching slightly, with the center being the highest point.
It is humbling walking between the columns and then enter this massive structure. With its amazing echo and acoustics. Ginormous and wonderful. It was converted into a church around 609 A.D. And thus has a few "modern" statues. Several kings are buried here.
On my way to the Colosseum, I came across probably the biggest surprise of them all. And I had read nothing about it. I found this :
I thought this was an old building from the roman era, but after checking online, I realized this building was inaugerated in 1911 and finished in 1935... It is called Altare della Patria. Anyways. It was magnificent! Loved it! So monumental and gigantic my jaw literally dropped! I stood amazed in front of it for several minutes before I started taking any photos.
After this, I needed some food. So I found a small restaurant, and tried to order some food. The guy told me to sit down and wait for the food. After 10 minutes, a waitress came to my table and asked if I wanted food. I told her that I had already ordered. She walked over to the counter. After about half an hour, I still hadn't gotten any food. And she came back and asked if I had gotten any food. "Obviously not", I answered. "One moment!" she said and walked to the counter again. She returned. "Sorry sir, they cannot remember what you ordered. Could you order again?" At this point, I was tired of waiting. I shook my head and walked out. I bought some chocolate and went on my way towards the Colosseum. I know I should probably have bought tickets online before I came here, but I forgot. So when arriving, seeing the gigantic queues outside, I settled for walking around the building and taking photos.
Forum romana was next. I had already walked through the area on my way to the Collosseum. But now I wanted to look more closely at the ruins. Of course, the ruins where just that. Small pieces of old columns and such. Through the centuries, it has decayed like most things. But you do get a sense of the grandness of the buildings and the streets. I have been to many old archeoligical sites in the world, and they always fill me with wonder. I love to just sit and time-travel in my mind. Trying to comprehend what it must have been like living in that time. Walking through the streets. As a visitor or resident. Trying to imagine myself in the shoes of both princes and paupers. Trying to imagine what the slaves must have felt, building these magnificent constructions. The sounds. The smells.
The last stop of the day before heading back, was the old Circo Massimo, south-west of the Colosseum. This used to be a race track for racing horses and carriage. In addition to execution of people, and galdiator games. And most christians that were killed, were killed here. It is said to have the ability to hold several hundred thousand spectators. Sooo... Bread and circus. To keep people happy...
Today it is mostly just a grassy field. But it is still interesting to see. And when I arrived, it seemed like they were setting up stages to hold a concert there.
At this point, I was tired, thirsty and hungry. So I headed back to my hotel, and stopped a couple of times to buy some delicious Italian ice cream...
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