Today was a VERY big day!! In less than 7 hours I saw some of the sights that have been on my bucket list for a really long time...
In the morning, Sabrina and I just had some toast for breakfast before heading off to meet with the others at the huge monument dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II - the first king of a united Italy!
Once we were all gathered, we then headed up to the top of the Capitoline Hill - one of the famous Seven Hills of Rome - where there was a piazza designed by Michelangelo, as well as a copy of a bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius! The statue was one we had studied many times before in art history class, and so it was very cool to see it (well the copy at least) in person! In fact, the actual one is in the museum also on top of that hill, so I may have to go back and check out the real thing...
Also, at the top of the hill you could look down onto the Roman Forum!
That was going to be another stop on our list, but first - Trajan's Column and Market!!
The column was sooooooooooo cool!! It was huge and wonderfully carved with depictions of military preparations for battle - essentially showcasing the mastery of the Roman army even before they drew a sword.
...at the top is St. Peter - though I believe, like Marcus Aurelius' Column, there once was one of Trajan up there...
Trajan's Market Complex
The ruins of Trajan's Market and the surrounding complex were also really neat. To think we were looking onto thousands of years of history that used to just be where people did daily business was mind-boggling!
Later, we moved on to the Roman Forum - but we couldn't get there without first passing this beauty!!
The Colosseum!!!!
And Constantine's Arch!!!!
But when we finally made it to the Forum entrance, it was like stepping into a multi-layer cake - everything was on different levels and at different points in excavation. But it blew my mind how much rubble was still left - even after so much was stolen for Renaissance buildings and other uses. I mean, bits of columns and marble wall segments were everywhere!
...some current excavations going on
...and a little friend to help out in the digging...
...taken from inside the Forum!
The Arch of Titus!!
Titus flying on the back of an eagle - symbolizing his god-status
...detail of the face of Titus in his chariot. Unfortunately he ain't doing so good these days... :(
...cool little grotto in the Forum complex
...inside where the Vestal Virgins lived, worshipped the goddess Vesta, and kept their sacred virginity safe from the world!
..the Arch of Septimius Severus
Then, after seeing the huge complex of temples, arches, etc. We moved into the Curia Julia - or Senate House - that had been transformed into a mini-gallery that was currently exhibiting tons of glassware, mosaics, sculptures, and other household commodities from some of the Forum digs!
Here are a few of the gorgeous, delicately-crafted pieces:
After that, our group headed off for a lunch break where a classmate, Sarah, bought me (because I forgot my money...haha, stupid) this really tasty pizza sandwich...it was like a pizza folded in half...it was good. But eating it while looking at the Colosseum was even better!!
And when we were finished, we all got to go inside!
It was so amazing - they had little chunks of remaining marble pieces and some stones with etched phrases and pictures of gladiators, etc. And although it wasn't anything like it would've been in its hey-day, it was still huge and magnificent. You could just imagine the sun trickling through the extended canvas awnings overhead, the ear-splitting screams and shouts of the blood-thirsty crowds, and the clang of metal against metal as gladiators fought to the death in the arena below...
One of the numbered entrances to the arena...
...view of the Arch of Constantine from inside the Colosseum!
So after our phenomenal trip through the Colosseum, we then decided we HAD to come back at night and see the thing lit up. And that's exactly what we did! Sabrina and I had more spaghetti for dinner - cuz it's freaking delicious - and then later, we met up with the gang again and headed off, back towards the colossal amphitheatre. And it was GORGEOUS in the sunset and night lights. The stone took on an otherworldly glow and I caught myself a few times with the realization that yes, I was here, sitting in front of the Colosseum and Constantine's Arch...crazy!
What was also crazy were two 20-something guys from Vancouver, who took it upon themselves to entertain us womenfolk as we watched the square around the monuments clear out. Their names were Mike and Nia and they told us they had quit their jobs and decided to bounce around Europe. They'd already been to Paris and were headed off the next day to Barcelona - and wow were they interesting! They hammed it up for sure and made us all laugh quite loud with their antics! ...they also seemed pretty drunk, so that made it even more amusing! haha!
Soon enough though, the fun & games had to come to an end and, after our exiciting late-night show, us girls finally made it home where Sabrina and I had some midnight snacks of grilled cheese sandwiches.
Lol...never a dull moment in Roma!
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