Wednesday September 23, 2015
Rome Italy
Glorious Day
Day One in the Eternal City started at the IBM office near the airport. Long story short, had to be on the IBM network to work on some personnel stuff and also get on a conf call. Got to do what you’ve got to do….
However was able to get everything done by 11 am so got back to the hotel in time to chill for a few minutes and then walk around the neighborhood around the hotel. And given my hotel - Intercontinental De La Ville Roma is at the top of the Spanish steps, it's a GREAT neighborhood.
So first thing I did was walk the Via Condotti, where all the fashionable boutiques are located. Went into the Ferragamo store and saw shoes to die for!! But did not buy it as it was expensive and I’m pretty hard on shoes, but oh, really really want them. We’ll see how my week goes! But as I was up early (had to go to work!) so was hungry for lunch. Found a cute restaurant off Via Condotti and had the best salad and pasta bolognaise!
Then it was time to go back to the hotel to meet with BFFs Bob and Rick and new friend Jane. We met our guide Serena from Eyes of Rome, who is an architect by trade and we found out during the tour a fantastic guide. One of the best I’ve had. She took us to the Coliseum, the Palantino and the Roman Forum – a tour of Ancient Rome. When one takes this tour, one understands why Rome is the Eternal City.
Serena got us tickets to the Coliseum early so we did not have to wait in line and just walked in (after a security check). And wow! Built in 20 years an inaugurated in AD80, its an amphitheater that seats 50000 people!
What surprised me most was that the Coliseum was built on Emperor Nero’s private lake which was part of his “house”. He had one big piece of property for his house! Built by Vespasain’s son and successor Titus, it is home to many gladiator fights, fights with animals and the slaughter of Christians. We learned the seats for the powerful and rich were at the first floor and covered in marble and the “cheap” seats at the top were for slaves. Games were free. Titus believed in giving free bread and games to the people to get loyalty. They even had “Navy” battles where the arena was filled with water as there were aqueducts built by Nero for his private lake. However, Navy games became impossible when they built a “subway” system underneath the floor of the arena where gladiator and the animals can travel from outside the arena to the stage. Pretty impressive architecture! And we learned that the “arch” architecture was invented by the Romans.
After thoroughly enjoying the Coliseum, next was Paladine Hill, which was where Rome was found and thus one of the seven most important hills in Rome. It is where affluent Romans lived and where Emperors including Augustus had palaces. It overlooks the Roman Forum which is a must see if want to know why Rome is called the Eternal City. It is in the Roman Forum that Julius Caesar’s tomb is.
We spent 3 hours with Serena exploring Ancient Rome and if weren’t jet lagged would have loved to spend more time with her. Although my first morning in Rome was a bit stressful (due to work), it ended in a high note. Now off to a Roman seafood restaurant for I hope a fabulous dinner!
View looking down at the Spanish steps from my hotel
Looking up the Spanish steps, arguably the most famous steps in the world
The magnificent Coliseum. Imagine, each tier had a roof!
Looking down at the "subway" system
The Coliseum is not the largest arena, but go its name because a "colossal" statue of Nero was facing the Coliseum. It was over 30meters tall and has disappeared but was in the square below where the shorter trees are standing.
A cross to honor the Christians that were killed in the Coliseum
Our first Arc of Triumph - invented and started by the Romans
Remains of a place at the Palatino: The horse stable area
As marble is the most expensive, the palace was covered with marble and remnants still exist
Titus' Arc of Triumph and where SPQR – Senate and People of Rome are inscribed.
Titus defeated the Jews, thus they are carrying the Menorah as a trophy from the victory
The Roman Forum – Magnificent!
Church built around the ancient columns
Incredible artifacts everywhere right in the middle of Rome!