This was by far Hummingbyrd's favorite day in Rome. We apologize right now for the many duplicate images, but we didn't realize the camera was on 'Scene" mode at various points and decided to just go ahead and leave the duplicates in at certain points just due to catching the motion and the slight variations in the scenery. As with the first two days, these are probably best seen in the slideshow mode.
Anyway, so the day started out after our breakfast with finding the spot where our particular tour company meets, and then locating the actual tour in question. Hickory went ahead and did all of that while the minions parked themselves on this stairway to wait.
And we're off...so glad they gave us headphones...even if half the time we couldn't hear. It at least kept the Minions occupied in the otherwise overwhelming crowds.
Did you know the Colosseum used to be completely plated in marble and fine stone? Yep, then it was stolen over the years and re-purposed in the surrounding cathedrals and buildings of the city as time went on. The holes in the pillar below are where there used to be anchor points holding the original sheathing marble.
Actually it would have looked nothing like what we think of today back when it was operating. Decent chance we wouldn't even see what is left today had it not been declared off limits eventually.
It was totally scavenged, yet even so was still massive. You can no longer walk out on the arena floor without paying a separate tour fee that gets you down underneath the floor area.
Rumor is that they plan to recreate the entire floor and thus close off the under area completely from the upper arena viewing area. Likely so they can charge people more for an exclusive up close tour of the under-workings of the arena. So to that end we took plenty of pictures.
Having spent a great part of our history prior to this learning about Rome and all the things we were seeing, it was ironically un-entertaining to the Minions who already knew most of what the tour guide was covering.
That doesn't mean they didn't find it beautiful. We would have liked to have spent more time just reading and looking at the exhibits within the Colosseum and less hearing stuff they already knew.
So if you get the chance to go, and have been doing lots of research on it before hand, don't worry about needing a tour guide for this part.
Loved to think that the whole arena used to have roofs like these, changes the whole image.
The boys found the tour guide to be funny at least, the girl...no so much.
See those vertical grooves? They allowed the pulley system to raise and lower cages of wild animals onto the arena floor for surprise appearances in the 'stage show' that was the arena.
OK, let's try to get a group photo on a very bright and sunny day.
Gee. Nobody wanted to look right into the sun for the picture.
Meh, close enough.
Skoshi and Mama shared a headpiece.
Okay, now onward to the Capitol Hill/Forum part of this shindig.
Later Colosseum, you were grand.
So, it takes a long time to walk around the outside of the arena...now we know why there are so many stereotypical shots like these. Oh and also that they rebuilt part of the exterior at some point, so you see this weird combo where the old meets the new-ish construction.
We are headed to that area in the distance. Forward, March!
This victory arch was a point of interest for those who know when it went from being the Roman Empire to the "Holy" Roman Empire.
When it was constructed he intentionally left the deity that granted the victory vague thus insulting nobody and gaining everybody's support.
Alright...and we're walking, and we're walking, and ooo more walking.
There are so many archeological sites, they don't even bother labeling them all.
Yay! Finally in 'downtown' ancient Rome...welcome to the Forum area.
Grooves left in the stone roads from chariots and wagons back when the Forum was operating.
Ah even the bathrooms are surrounded in history...oh and nothing like being so evil, people try to erase you from history after your death. Go Nero.
Just a lovely shot encompassing six major historical eras in architecture.
See that building on the upper left side of the left and right images? Keep that in mind for later, there are people up there looking down on us.
So this was one of the few ancient temple grounds to survive. The reason it
It had been converted into a church and in fact the green door you see below...used to be at ground level prior to excavating the area and learning there was so much of the original temple hidden below.
This round building houses the oldest still functioning steel door.
We climbed up to the Capitol Hill and it was here that our tour would officially end.
After showing us the bathhouse remains as well as the hippodrome area.
Thank you tour guide Antonio for a wonderful and enjoyable tour.
Now time to relax and explore our style.
Ooo Olive Trees! With actual olives.
No day would be complete without someone injuring themselves and needing to be bandaged.
We read signs. If you wish to do so as well, you'll need to view the full size slide show.
And wander aimlessly through ancient ruins.
Heading inside to the little museum up here and to use the bathrooms.
Home educated Minions never really get vacations...there is always learning to be had.
Such as where within the Roman empire all of the stones were quarried.
Learning about the original Rome and it's hut construction back when legendary Romulus would have been founding it.
We make sure to learn about the fragility of life as well.
This building was intriguing and all the more so when we learned people lived in it.
It is all still being excavated and is so very interesting.
All right, who is up for some hide and go seek in the ancient bathhouse ruins?!
Jail cells like what Paul would have been in.
Dash "Look Mama! Corinthian columns from when they were a new thing."
So at the very very top of the hill is the actual site of the original Roman settlement and the supposed site of Romulus' hut.
See.
Okay remember that building from the forum area? Yeah so this garden is what is up on top of that.
These images are the ones taken from where you saw the people standing on top of the building way up. Wave at the little people guys.
Ancient mosaic tile fountain floor? Check. Okay that is enough wandering around hillsides, time to start figuring out where to go for dinner. Oh wait,have we really walked far enough out to see the Via Appia? Well then, change of plans. St. Paul's Outside the Walls Basilica it is.
This place is far enough out that not as many people go out to see it, which is sad because honestly it was much more enjoyable to see and appreciate than St. Peter's was.
The grandeur of this place was different than the other places. It felt so much more like a church and less like a cemetery crossed with a ticker parade. Oh but there was an interesting conversation to be had. It appears there has been a mosaic portrait of each Pope to ever hold office placed in the circular niches around the basilica's perimeter. <See Below>
The Basilica is running out of empty circles though...so Hickory and Hummingbyrd have decided that the end of the world will just have to happen when the last circle is filled up and the final pope guy dies.
This basilica was built right over the original church that was built here in Paul's honor.
As such there was an excavated area exposed to show the original church foundations surrounding the tomb of the apostle Paul.
The various reliefs presented on this doorway were beautiful.
This is by far Hummingbyrd's favorite mural found anywhere in the world. It was so beautiful and shiny. Those dudes are HUGE.
All the Minions truly enjoyed wandering around this basilica, much more than St. Peter's.
Well the sun was setting so it was time to bid St. Paul's Outside the Walls farewell and head home.
One last Italian dinner, for in the morning we head back to the silver bird that brought us here.
Farewell Rome, it has been amazing.
Now onward to finally close out the 15th year.
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