OCTOBER 2018 : ITALY : Rome

Our final day of sightseeing. We headed south from the Vatican and explored ancient Roman sites.

Ponte Principe Amedeo Savoia Aosta 

Ponte Sisto

Arriving in Travastere on a stormy morning

It is an artists’ quarter and home to several foreign universities.

The fabulous mosaics on the facade of Santa Maria in Travastere

This is one of the oldest churches in Rome. The floor plan dates back to 340 AD.

Morning mass in progress. A sung service in such a beautiful setting. Mosaics in the retable.

Lightening, thunder and a downpour so we sought refuge in a local cafe.

Crossing the Palantino. An island in the middle of the Tiber.

Temple of Hercules Victor (120BC) onVia Petroselli, across from Piazza Bocca della Veritá.

Santa Maria in Cosmedin church (8th century) at Piazza Bocca della Veritá

Bocca della Veritá - the Mouth of Truth - a long line of tourists posing with the marble mask of the sea god of Oceanus.

Made famous in Roman Holiday. It was fun to find it and see it in the flesh with so many fascinated by the legend. If you are lying the Mouth of Truth will take your hand. Originally the mask was on this site when it was Forum Boarium, the ancient cattle market, and was placed in the church forecourt in the 17th century.

We took photos outside the courtyard but I had an opportunity to test a replica of the Bocca della Veritá, minus the crowds, at the airport.

Romulus and Remus and the suckling wolf - symbol of the founding of Rome.

The Roman Forum

Lunch in a local restaurant with good old Mama’s cooking

Arch of Constantine (315 AD)

The Colosseum 

Many small parks along the Via XX Septembre as we walked north-east to our hotel, New Moon Guesthouse.

This depicts policemen. It is a monument to celebrate the bicentennary of the Carabinieri.

Fountain of Moses

So many fascinating ancient sculptures and fountains in such excellent condition, spread throughout the city.

A very cultural day!

And just around the corner from our hotel is  Disco Volante..old-style trattoria -delicious evening meal.

We fly home to Australia tomorrow.

It has been the perfect holiday!

M&M

OCTOBER 2018 : ITALY : Rome

We had fun today revisiting and discovering sights in Rome.

We walked up the river from the Vatican, near where we are staying.

First stop Piazza Di Spagna - Spanish Steps

Hot chestnuts

Fashion, fashion, fashion 

I had read about a gallery in the Palazzo Borghese (1560), only open for several hours a week.

We found it. It is being restored.

Inside the ceiling frescoes are in perfect condition

A modern gallery set around the traditional setting

Next stop Piazza Navona - crowded but full of atmosphere

Lunch time - lots of small ristorantes to choose from.

Mark still enjoying generous Antipasto...but I can’t resist pasta.

More crowds at the Pantheon

Discovery of the day - the church of Sant’Ignazio di Loyola (1629)

Stunning interior

 Trevi Fountain. Crowded but still beautiful and amazing that it still has such attraction with the constant wear and tear of tourism.

The impressive Piazza Venezia and Altare della Patria

Back to the Vatican at 4.30

We lined up for security. The line was constantly 120 m long ..all day

It only took 20 minutes to get to security.

Swiss guards always on duty

Entering St Peter’s basilica. Thousands of tourists.

We attended the 5 pm mass in the chapel of St Joseph

With choir

Dinner tonight at a local ‘osteria’ - lots to choose from near our hotel - touristy but reasonably priced.

Moonlight over St Peter’s Basilica

Tomorrow the sights of Southern Rome ..before I’m allowed to do a little shopping...

M&M