Vatican Museum and Saint Peters

The Vatican Museum  September 26, 2013

It would be impossible to post all the pictures we took in this wonderful museum.

The wall above is the outside wall of the Vatican.  After waiting in line we entered through the walls gate.

 Inside there was a beautiful courtyard.

The two lions in the picture to the right, can be dated to the reign of Nectanebo II (360-343 BC)  The inscription tells us they were from Northern Egypt.

What beautiful painted ceilings throughout the building.

The Sarcofago of St Helena.  Mother of Constantine the Great

  The two-horse chariot

This piece of work is made up of both antique and restoration by Francesco Antonio Franzoni in 1788. The body of the chariot was used as the episoce throne in the church of St Mark in Rome from at least 1516 to 1711

One section of the museum held many Egyptian artifacts.

Ok, I know this  one is strange…I was just amazed that "someone" could be so well preserved.  You could still see her fingernails and toenails!  They have them in an airtight-climate controlled area.

 Hubby Loves old clocks and this one was truly a masterpeice. 

 I wish we had taken a picture of the details with the date.

 My hubby and I in the courtyard

Some of the husbands who took us on this amazing trip. 

  

Hubby didn't get the message that the second picture was supposed to be goofy...

 Saint Peter's Basilica

The Pope had spoken in the morning so the line to get in was longer than normal.  

One of the most copied statues in the world.  So amazing to see the real work.

Such a beautiful church.  I don't think words are necessary.

Linking this week with:

Blue Monday

Travel Photo Monday

Our World Tuesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Oh the places I've been, Friday  

Rome Day 2

September 25, 2013

Today we spent our 42nd Wedding Anniversary in Rome.

We are so blessed to have the ability to travel and see sights many just dream of seeing.

If you have been following my blog, we have traveled now for most of the year.  I don't know if I can ever put into words all the beautiful sights just in Rome, unless of course this post becomes 3 pages long.

Notice the holes in the exterior of the Colosseum.  These are from where the marble was removed and used after the Colosseum was no longer in use.  It would have been an amazing sight when it was first built.  It is the largest Colosseum in the world. 

Imagine with me entering this arena.  

There were 3 levels of seating.  

The first for the leaders and dignitaries of the city.  

The 2nd for the common man, 

the third for women and slaves

People shouting and cheering  some for you, some for the gladiator or lion you would face.

 The floor of the stadium is gone which makes it possible to see the rows of rooms and halls that were under them.  At one end there was a ramp for the person to come into the arena at the other the entrance for the one you would be fighting..  It was also used for many performances much like an outdoor theater would be used today.  Colosseum   It is estimated to have held 50 - 80,000 people.

After leaving the Colosseum we walked through many Roman ruins that are close by.

The Temple of Caesar

Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC in the Curia of Pompey.  He was cremated in the Forum.  On this spot Augustus raised a temple, dedicated in 29 BC.  Think about that for a minute...That was 2,042 years ago!   It was decorated with the bronze rams taken from the ships of Anthony and Cleopatra captured by Augustus.  

Only the core of this building survives.

Our next stop was the tomb of the unknown Solider.

 Sharing this time with such great friends was wonderful and just strengthened the bond between us.

We visited the Pantheon and again amazed by the wealth and splendor of the building.

 

This was originally built as a pagan temple.

Trevi Fountain  A beautiful must see sight.  Make sure you throw a coin into the fountain using the right hand over the left shoulder.  This was the theme of the 1954's movie, Three Coins in the Fountain.  An estimated 3,000 Euros, about $5,100 are thrown into the fountain each day.  The money is bused to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.  

They say if you do throw a coin in the fountain, you will return to Rome someday.

Nest week I will share our visit to the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican and the Vatican Museum.  Hope you will stop back by!  

Blessings, Debbie

Linking this week with:

Blue Monday

Travel Photo Monday

Our World Tuesday

Outdoor Wednesday

Oh the places I've been, Friday