|
|
|
Looking over Piazza del Popolo from Pincio Hill. There are some pretty good views from up here. This was taken on our second day here when the weather was sunny and hot; we came here the day before too (pictures below). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
When we got up here we could see a massive storm approaching in the distance, although we completely underestimated its speed and next thing... |
|
...we were getting seriously doused hahaha! We ran for cover under a bunch of trees and both stood under my little umbrella, but still got completely soaked! This is Piazza Napoleone, fast getting flooded. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We came back here again on our third day (we liked it here apparently). This is looking west over Piazza Napoleone with another massive thunder storm approaching. |
|
Also on Pincio Hill are the gorgeous Villa Borghese gardens, a nice retreat from the chaotic streets below. We were walking around this lake when light rain from the storm started to fall. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
We took shelter again while the rain passed and I played around with the camera to pass the time hehe. |
|
Looking at Museo di Villa Giulia across the road from Villa Borghese, above which we got an awesome lightening show for about 20 minutes! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The exterior and interior of the Pantheon, the best-preserved building of ancient Rome. Originally a temple built to all the gods of ancient Rome in 20-something BC, it was destroyed by fire and rebuilt around 126 AD and has been a Christian church since the 7th century. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Looking up at the Pantheon's dome ceiling. The dome is considered the most important achievement of ancient Roman architecture. Be that as it may, for some reason they left a big gaping hole at the top, and thanks to the wet weather outside there was a big puddle on the floor hehe. |
|
The mighty Colosseum, Rome's best-known monument. It's construction began in 72 AD of concrete and stone, could seat an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 spectators, and featured gory gladiatorial combat and wild beast shows. The Colosseum is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering, and is the largest amphitheatre in the world. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today the Colosseum in partial ruin due to earthquakes and stone robbers. |
|
Hehehe, Romans! They remind me of Monty Python's ' Life of Brian'! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
This is graffiti that is estimated to have been made around 300 AD. How unreal is that?! Some Roman spectator got bored and inscribed this nearly 2000 years ago! I wonder if there are any swear words in here hehe. |
|
Looking down on what would have been the arena floor which has since vanished, revealing the maze of rooms and corridors beneath. These would have once housed gladiators and wild animals etc. waiting to appear. |
