"The Eternal City"

While traveling into ancient Rome, we passed by
the Aventine and Palatine Hills, the Cirus Maximus,
the Pyramid of Caius Centius and the Forum, hub of
the city in Imperial times.  A highlight of this ancient
city is the Colosseum (72 A.D.) where gladiators,
Christians and wild beasts once battled to death in
front of 50,000 spectators.  It is the largest structure of
it's kind ever built and only one third of the original
building remains.  I was in complete awe of the magnificence
of it and honestly when I listened closely, I could almost
hear the roar of the lions caged below.  ;-)  Next to the
Colosseum is the Arch of Constantine erected in 315 A.D.
The Arch was in honor of the Emperor's victory over
pagan forces and Rome's conversion to Christianity as a
result of Constantine's battlefield vision of a cross.

  After leaving the Colosseum we went to the white marble
Victor Emmanuel Monument and Mussolini's balcony.

We visited Vatican City, which contains the residence of
the Pope, the world's largest church, St. Peter's Bascilica
and most famous square and many art treasures.  It is
protected by a small army of Swiss guards.  We went to the
Vatican Museum and viewed the Sistine Chapel painted by
Michelangelo.  His Creation of the World covers the ceiling
and his Last Judgement fills the wall behind the altar… It
was breathtaking!!

Inside St. Peter's Basilica, we saw Michelangelo's Pieta,
the great Bernini Pulpit, the tomb of St. Peter under the
altar and the 5th Century bronze statue of St. Peter.  The
Basilica was constructed under the direction of several
famous architects including Bramante, Raphael and
Michelangelo.  The magnificent interior is elaborately
decorated with colored marble and mosaic paintings.
The Piazza San Pietro is the most popular of the many
squares in Rome, which stands before St. Peter's.  It is
said to hold 400,000 people and it is surrounded by 284
columns designed by Bermini.

We strolled in the Piazza Navona, which is believed to
be the most beautiful in the world and is dominated by
Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers.  It had great
outdoor cafes and street vendors!

No trip to Rome is complete without visiting the
Fontana di Trevi.  It's located on Via Della Muratte
and legend says "whoever tosses in a coin will one
day return to Rome".  Arrivederci .. I WILL return!