Today was an amazing weather in Rome and even though it is November I have managed to get a sunburn from Roman Sun. Once I saw it was so sunny I literally ran off from my apartment. I’ve even re-took the pictures of some places that I have seen yesterday night. In the a sunny day it always looks better.
I’ve tried to take the bus 30 from Pyramid to Pantheon, but after waiting 8min I gave up. I never understand how busses work here. Also, the bus stop was filled with people, so I was pretty sure I would need to wait for next one. Since I still had a valid 24 hour ticket, I took one stop metro to Circo Massimus. The rest is self explanatory.
The Pyramid of Caius Cestius is an ancient Roman structure. It is a tall, rectangular-shaped funerary monument that was built between 18 and 12 BC as the final resting place for the Roman magistrate Caius Cestius. The pyramid stands 37 meters tall and is made of concrete and brick, with a white marble facing. It is one of the most iconic monuments in Rome and has been featured in numerous films and television shows. Currently it cannot be visited by tourists anymore.
Porta San Paolo is an ancient Roman gate. It was originally built in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and stands as part of the Aurelian Walls. The gate is located on the south-western side of the walls, and marks the beginning of the Via Ostiense which leads to the port of Ostia. The gate has two large arches, both decorated with marble columns and flanked by two towers.
Circus Massimo is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. It was built in the 3rd century BC and could seat up to 150,000 people. The site has been used for horse and chariot racing, as well as gladiatorial combat, public executions, and other spectacles. In recent years, Circus Massimo has become a popular tourist destination, with archaeological excavations and museum displays.
The Forum Boarium, located on the banks of the Tiber River in Rome, was an important commercial centre in ancient Rome. It was a major livestock market and housed the Temple of Hercules Victor and Portunus, the god of keys and doors. The Forum Boarium was also used as a meeting place for merchants and traders, and it was the site of some of Rome’s earliest banking activities.
The Colosseum in Rome, is an iconic and renowned ancient amphitheater. It was built between 72-80 AD during the reign of Emperor Vespasian and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. The elliptical structure measures 188 meters long, 156 meters wide, and 48 meters high, making it the largest amphitheater ever built. It could hold up to 50,000 spectators, who would come to watch events such as gladiator fights and reenactments of famous battles. The Colosseum has stood the test of time and still stands today as a reminder of the power and grandeur of the Roman Empire.
Even from simple names it is obvious that patriarchy is dominant in Italy. In many countries they would call motherland. Well no wonder as Vatican is near by and given their history of women oppression through out the history played its role on Italy I guess.
The Mausoleum of Augustus is a large tomb built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC on the Campus Martius. It was one of the first projects initiated by Augustus following his victory at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. The mausoleum is located on the Piazza Augusto Imperatore, close to the Ara Pacis and the Tiber River. The structure is made up of a large cylindrical drum surrounded by a tall wall and topped with a cone-shaped roof. Inside, there are several chambers and niches where Augustus’ ashes are kept in an urn. In Middle Ages it was transformed into a castle. As possession changed hands, it was used as a garden, an amphitheatre for bullfighting and firework displays, and even a theatre. In the twentieth century it became the Auditorium Augusteo. During the Fascist era, restoration work was started, but was interrupted by war. In 2007 new excavations were undertaken and since 2016 the mausoleum has undergone conservative restoration in order to bring it back to its former glory and preserve it for future generations. It should be re-opened in September 2023 according to their website and posters on the fence.
The Statue dei prigionieri Daci is a bronze statue located in the Piazza del Popolo. Created by sculptor Pietro Canonica, the statue depicts two prisoners of war from the Dacian people, an ancient tribe who lived in what is now Romania. Installed in 1927, the statue is intended to commemorate the victory of the Roman Emperor Trajan over the Dacians in the Dacian Wars (101-106 AD).
Santa Maria in Montesanto is a Roman Catholic church and it was built in the 17th century and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary under her title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The church features a Baroque façade, an elliptical nave and several works of art by famous Italian painters such as Guido Reni, Domenichino, and Pietro da Cortona. The interior of the church also contains several statues, frescoes, and sculptures.
The Fiumi Fountain is a beautiful and unique fountain that was built in the late 16th century and features an ornate design with two tiers of water flowing from the top down into a central basin. The fountain is decorated with a variety of statues, including the God of the River Tiber, Neptune, and numerous other figures.
Pantheon is an ancient Roman temple, which completed in 126 AD and is one of the best preserved of all Roman buildings. It is a circular building with a portico of large granite Corinthian columns (eight in the first rank and two groups of four behind) under a pediment. The building is topped with a concrete dome, which has been the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world for over 2000 years. It is a symbol of the Roman Empire and has been used as a church since the 7th century.
The Obelisk of Montecitorio is an ancient Egyptian obelisk standing on the site of the former Roman Forum and was erected by Pharaoh Ramses II in 1250 BC. The obelisk is 28.75 meters tall and is made of pink granite. Its hieroglyphic inscription honors Ramses II and celebrates his victory over the Hittites at Kadesh.
The Marcus Aurelius Column is a Roman triumphal column located in the Piazza Colonna. It was constructed in the year 180 AD by order of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to commemorate his successful campaigns in Germania. The column is topped by a bronze statue of the emperor and stands 25.45 meters high. It is one of the most famous monuments in Rome and both the column and the statue are an excellent example of Roman sculpture.
The Spanish Steps are a monumental stairway of 135 steps. It was built in 1725 and links the Trinita dei Monti church to the Piazza di Spagna below. The steps are a popular gathering point for people, and the fountain at the base of the steps is a popular destination for tourists. Nowadays, people are not allowed to sit on the stairs and vigilant guards will deter whoever tries.
The Sallustiano Obelisk is a granite obelisk. It was originally constructed in the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis during the reign of Pharaoh Nectanebo I (380–362 BC). The obelisk was brought to Rome by the Roman Emperor Augustus and erected in the gardens of his family villa, the Gardens of Sallust, in 10 BC. The obelisk stands 9.5 meters high and weighs 33 tons. It is inscribed with hieroglyphic symbols and images depicting religious ceremonies.
Fontana del Tritone is a monumental fountain located in the Piazza Barberini. It was designed by the Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1643 and is one of the most famous fountains in the city. The fountain features an ancient sculpture of a triton with a conch shell, which stands atop a large pedestal with four dolphins at its base. The waters of the fountain are fed by an underground aqueduct as well as from a nearby man-made lake.
The Trevi Fountain is one of the most iconic monument in Rome. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and is a popular tourist attraction. Located in the Trevi district of Rome, it was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed in 1762. The fountain stands 26 meters high, 49 meters wide and 20 meters deep and features statues of gods, goddesses and other mythical figures. The water from the fountain flows into the nearby Tiber River.
Make sure to explore Rome at night as it has almost no people at the famous landmarks. Also the Roman columns and obelisks look very different at night too!