Day Two–Rome–Pantheon

Visiting the Pantheon was a part of our walking tour, but it was so amazing it deserves its’ own post.

The Pantheon was a Roman temple that was made over 2000 years ago.  To say it is massive and impressive is an understatement.  Pictures can’t do it justice, so I took several videos.  The columns in front are gigantic and make you feel so small. They are 40 feet tall and five feet wide and each weigh 60 TONS.  They were brought to Rome all the way from Egpyt. 

It is currently free to go inside, but that will change in May and they will charge an admission fee.  Many locals agree with this change.  As our flat manager said, “It’s like going into a market, everyone can go.  That is not good, makes it not special.”

The Pantheon is perfectly preserved thanks to a pope who decided to change it from a temple to a church, therefore preventing people from taking precious items from it like they did in the coliseum, roman forum, etc.  Once it was made into a place of worship it was then protected by the church and kept safe. Again, they have a fountain in the courtyard.  These people and fountains!

See the dome at the very top?  It is the only source of light for the whole building.  It is also not covered, but completely open.  The day we visited was wet and rainy, but the inside of the Pantheon was dry.  These Romans were pretty ahead of their times!  Check this out:

“The dome was the largest in the world for 1300 years and until today it remains the largest unsupported dome in the world! The diameter of the dome is 43.30 meters or 142ft (for comparison, the United States Capitol dome is 96 feet in diameter) and is in perfect proportion with the Pantheon by the fact that the distance from the floor to the top of the dome is exactly equal to its diameter.”

The tomb of the famous painter Raphael.  Raphael painted many rooms inside the Vatican and the Vatican museum and private rooms.  I love his work. 

The Pantheon was probably my favorite stop of the whole tour.  I learned so much and was in complete awe of this amazing people who went before us!

Day Two–Rome–Walking Tour

Hello my name is Katie and I’m addicted to walking tours.  Every city we travel to I try to find a free walking tour.  I think you learn so much by having someone local show you around.  This tour was no different. 
First, this statue that is over 2000 years old just hanging out in the elevator lobby of the fifth floor of our rented flat.  Because we are in Rome and there are artifacts everywhere!  Even non-descript apartment/office buildings.

Overlooking the Spanish Stairs.

I have to explain the rose.  As I said in a previous post, there are street hustlers all over Rome trying to sell you something.  Since I was on day two, I figured I had it down pretty well on what to say and how to avoid them.  The rose is proof I did not! 
This man came up to me and offered me three roses.  I told him no, I had no money to pay for them.  He then told me they were free because I was so beautiful. Well of course I was flattered and promptly turned him down again.  Again he shoved them in my hand, at which time I realized Christopher had just kept walking and I probably should have done the same.  I thank him and walk towards Christopher.  He follows me and compliments Christopher on his beard, his choice in girlfriend (me) etc.  He then hits up Christopher for money!  I was shocked because I actually thought he was really just giving me a flower!  Chris didn’t have money either – so the guy took back two roses and pleaded with Christopher to give him something, ANYTHING, for the single rose.  Christopher pulled out a euro and handed to him….and then he wanted more money!  I told him no, gave him his flower, he wouldn’t take it so we just left.  We laughed about it all day how gullible I am.  Not even 20 minutes into our day and I had been taken. On the flip side Christopher was pretty happy to only pay a euro to buy me a rose.

There was a flood back in something AD and the whole area was flooded.  A few hundred years later someone commissioned this fountain to remind people of this floor.  I think they have a thing with water because there are random fountains everywhere you look!  And Christopher getting hit up again for money on the Spanish steps.  It got old after a while dodging these people.

One of our stops was an amazing square I didn’t get a good picture of.  She took us there to show us how Rome is a living and always changing city.  Within this block, hundreds of centuries were represented in the architecture.  One building was built in Roman times, one Medieval, 1700’s, Georgian, 1800’s, and modern with a 1900’s building.  It was pretty crazy.
This building used to be a personal home/mansion.  It has since been turned into their government offices.  That would explain all the guys in full military gear with guns, trucks, and barriers.  Makes you feel super safe….eye roll.

Our tour ended in front of the Vatican.  One our way there we passed through this little neighborhood the builders used to live in.  It is still called “Rosary Street” since they would have little shops all over that would sell rosaries from the Vatican.

Rome–Day One - Night

After leaving the Roman Forum we just decided to walk around Rome.  This place has so much history you can’t turn a corner without finding another incredible building, ruin, or view.  Here are a few pictures of Piazza Venezia, Altar of the Fatherland, Piazza del Popolo, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Trajan’s Forum, Viale di Fori Imperiali, remains of Emperor Hadrian’s Athenaeum, and so many other things.

I’m convinced if you don’t like pizza and pasta you will starve in Italy.  That’s pretty much what we had for seven days.  After walking, on average, 11 miles per day – I was okay with pizza and pasta!  However, I came home dying for veggies!

Every night we would hit up a gelato shop….and the one in Rome was by far my favorite.  They would coat the inside of your cone with liquid chocolate, give you two scoops, top it with more chocolate, whipped cream, and a cookie all for only TWO Euro! Not a bad way to finish off the night while we walked back home, sharing our ice cream cone.

Rome–Day One–Street Art

Maybe this is a silly post and doesn’t need it’s own post….but it’s my blog…and I’m pretty much the only reader….so I can indulge myself.
As Christopher and I were walking the streets of Rome we came upon this man.  He had a wooden chest full of spray paint, an old couch cushion under his knees, a pile of old newspaper, and weird (very old) random shapes made out of bowls and things.  I watched him, completely memorized by his art and transforming a plain piece of cardboard into the incredible piece of art.  It took him less than 15 minutes.  Every layer of spray paint he would dry by using a lighter and hairspray can.  It was amazing.  He’s making my picture in the first picture.  I’m not an artsy person, so my eye doesn’t see the different layers and process, but I was awe stuck by how he did.  Best purchase of our whole trip. (Even if I had to shield it from rain and worry the whole flight home it was going to be damaged)  It is going to look amazing in Benjamin’s room.