Throwback Thursday #13: Ancient Rome

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” - Miriam Beard

And finally....the blog about ancient Rome. I say finally, because I know that when everyone thinks about Rome, they think of the Colliseum. Seeing these buildings and ruins was amazing. If you ever have the chance to go to Rome, take it! It will be an experience you will not forget.

This first building is one I had never seen or even heard of. But as we were wondering the streets, we saw this from like 20 blocks away and knew we had to go check it out! It really is one of the most impressive buildings in Rome. Turns out, it is the parliament building. The first picture is a close up of the top of one of the towers. You'll see the second includes Cousin Swiss Mister. He got really sick in Rome and didn't get to do much sight seeing.

Between the parliament building and the Colliseum, there is the Roman Forum. The ruins are absolutely amazing! This area was the center of Roman civilization.

The Pantheon is another really cool structure, located a little out of the way from the rest of the ruins, but worth it. Plus, as you have read about in a prior blog, Michaelangelo's is right next to the Pantheon, and you have to go eat there! Anyway, the Pantheon was built as a temple to the Roman Gods, but for centuries now has been used as a Catholic Church. On Sundays, they have Mass in the building, and you can seen inside.....which would be the second photograph taken below.

Next, we have the Arch of Constantine. It was built to celebrate the victory of Constantine at the Battle of Milvian Bridge. I especially enjoyed seeing this, as I did an honors paper on Constantine, who was instrumental in helping to spread Christianity in Rome.

And here's another arch located one of the entrances to the Roman Forum, called the Arch of Titus.

And finally, the moment you have all been waiting for, the Colliseum. If you knew how long it took me to find someone who spoke English to ask them to take my picture, you would laugh. I finally found an 8 year old girl from Massachusetts who was gald to play photographer!

So the Throwback Thursday blogs about the European adventure are getting close to an end. Next week, I will write about the place I found to be the most spiritual on the trip, the Bascilica of St. Paul. Then we'll have a blog about my morning walking around alone wandering the streets, and then a final blog summarizing the trip. So three to go....stay tuned!