Metropolitan City of Rome, Lazio, ItalyExcited to start our sightseeing of "The Eternal City."
So many interesting things walking through the streets. Along the route from one destination to another, we came upon so many beautiful squares with historic monuments.
So many interesting things walking through the streets. Along the route from one destination to another, we came upon so many beautiful squares with historic monuments.
Piazza della Minerva
named because of a temple built on the site by Pompey dedicated to Minerva Calcidica. Highlight of the square is Bernini's Baby Elephant sculpture carrying a small obelisk on its back that dates from 6th century BC.
PANTHEON is a Greek adjective meaning “Honor All Gods”
Sign on right side of entrance door explained the history and contents inside. Built between 118AD and 125AD as a Roman temple. Now it's a Catholic church--Basilica di Santa Maria.
Toured inside: Bronze doors lead to the main part of the circular building. Original Roman marble floor consisting of a series of geometric patterns. The giant Dome is a star feature; the largest unsupported dome in the history of architecture. Supported by a series of arches brilliantly engineered to hold the heavy dome. At the highest central point of the dome is a circular opening (oculus). There are no windows so the light flowing in from the oculus casts a beautiful glow into the cathedral. One of the fascinating qualities of the architecture is the proportions of the dome--if flipped upside down, would fit exactly into the Rotunda. Mass was starting so had to leave.
Panthenon Square beautiful with all the ancient buildings.
Couldn't believe on the opposite side from the stately columns of the Pantheon were the Golden Arches of the not-so-ancient McDonald's.
Sign on right side of entrance door explained the history and contents inside. Built between 118AD and 125AD as a Roman temple. Now it's a Catholic church--Basilica di Santa Maria.
Toured inside: Bronze doors lead to the main part of the circular building. Original Roman marble floor consisting of a series of geometric patterns. The giant Dome is a star feature; the largest unsupported dome in the history of architecture. Supported by a series of arches brilliantly engineered to hold the heavy dome. At the highest central point of the dome is a circular opening (oculus). There are no windows so the light flowing in from the oculus casts a beautiful glow into the cathedral. One of the fascinating qualities of the architecture is the proportions of the dome--if flipped upside down, would fit exactly into the Rotunda. Mass was starting so had to leave.
Panthenon Square beautiful with all the ancient buildings.
Couldn't believe on the opposite side from the stately columns of the Pantheon were the Golden Arches of the not-so-ancient McDonald's.
Off the square are pedestrian only side streets lined with old brick buildings.
Don Nino for something sweet: good but not like the cannolis in Messina.
Piazza Di Pietra (Piazza of Rocks): Name was derived from the stones of the former temple that were used to create the piazza. Temple of Hadrian built in 145AD in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian. All that remains are eleven Corinthian columns towering to over 48 feet high supporting the original architrave, the beam that rests on the columns. Today the building houses the Rome Stock Exchange. Interesting seeing how the street was dug down to expose the foundation showing how much lower the city of Rome sat 2,000 years ago.
Piazza Colonna: rectangular square surrounded by imposing buildings and Marcus Aurelius Column (carved military scenes line this 2nd-century AD marble column, honoring Marcus Aurelius' victories).
Surrounding the square are impressive Palaces of Ferrajoli, Wedekind, and Chigi, which is now the seat of the Italian government.
Wedged between them is the tiny Church of Santi Bartolomeo ed Alessandro dei Bergamaschi. Beautiful square to enjoy gelato.
Don Nino for something sweet: good but not like the cannolis in Messina.
Piazza Di Pietra (Piazza of Rocks): Name was derived from the stones of the former temple that were used to create the piazza. Temple of Hadrian built in 145AD in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian. All that remains are eleven Corinthian columns towering to over 48 feet high supporting the original architrave, the beam that rests on the columns. Today the building houses the Rome Stock Exchange. Interesting seeing how the street was dug down to expose the foundation showing how much lower the city of Rome sat 2,000 years ago.
Piazza Colonna: rectangular square surrounded by imposing buildings and Marcus Aurelius Column (carved military scenes line this 2nd-century AD marble column, honoring Marcus Aurelius' victories).
Surrounding the square are impressive Palaces of Ferrajoli, Wedekind, and Chigi, which is now the seat of the Italian government.
Wedged between them is the tiny Church of Santi Bartolomeo ed Alessandro dei Bergamaschi. Beautiful square to enjoy gelato.
Piazza di Monte Citorio was a quiet square dominated by the Palazzo Di Montecitorio and the Egyptian Obelisk.
- Interesting history: also known as Solare, it is an ancient Egyptian, red granite obelisk of Psammetichus II (595-589 BC) from Heliopolis. Brought to Rome in 10 BC by the Roman Emperor Augustus.
Piazza Mignanelli: highlight is the impressive Column of the Immaculate Conception, a 19th century monument depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary.
SPANISH STEPS (Scalina Spagna)
Built 1723-26 to link the Church of Trinita dei Monti sitting on top of Pincio Hill with Piazza Spagna located at the base. Fountain of the Old Boat (Fontana della Barcaccia) in the square was created by Bernini.
Climbed the very crowded 138 steps to the top. Views over the city definitely worth going up the marble steps.
Church of Trinita dei Monti is a beautiful 15th century church with two bell towers with Obelisco Sallustiano standing in front. Inside beautiful chapels and marvelous works of art. Incredible frescoes of scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Just down the street from the church was the coolest doorway ever!
Built 1723-26 to link the Church of Trinita dei Monti sitting on top of Pincio Hill with Piazza Spagna located at the base. Fountain of the Old Boat (Fontana della Barcaccia) in the square was created by Bernini.
Climbed the very crowded 138 steps to the top. Views over the city definitely worth going up the marble steps.
Church of Trinita dei Monti is a beautiful 15th century church with two bell towers with Obelisco Sallustiano standing in front. Inside beautiful chapels and marvelous works of art. Incredible frescoes of scenes from the Old and New Testaments.
Just down the street from the church was the coolest doorway ever!
TREVI FOUNTAIN
One of the most impressive Baroque sculptures and landmarks in Rome.
Built in the 1760's with a distinctly mythological character. The god of the sea, Neptune, emerges from the pool, flanked by his trusty Tritons. Everyone visiting Rome must be here today; absolutely elbow-to-elbow people crammed around it; like being in a pack of sardines. Took our pictures and got out of there.
Passed pretty San Marcello al Corso church on our way to lunch.
Hostaria de Pastini Pizzeria--great spot near Pantheon Square, food just ok.
Back to the hotel for afternoon siesta.
One of the most impressive Baroque sculptures and landmarks in Rome.
Built in the 1760's with a distinctly mythological character. The god of the sea, Neptune, emerges from the pool, flanked by his trusty Tritons. Everyone visiting Rome must be here today; absolutely elbow-to-elbow people crammed around it; like being in a pack of sardines. Took our pictures and got out of there.
Passed pretty San Marcello al Corso church on our way to lunch.
Hostaria de Pastini Pizzeria--great spot near Pantheon Square, food just ok.
Back to the hotel for afternoon siesta.
Going across the river for dinner. A couple of blocks from the hotel was Largo di Torre Argentina. Quite surprised to come upon this impressive archaeological site with four Roman Republican temples and the remains of Pompey's Theater. Interesting walking through it reading the documentation.
Tiber River is the perfect place for an evening walk. Lungo Il Tevere summer festival lit up the river with lights along the pointed tents covering restaurants and shops.
TRASTERVERE
Over the cute little Ponte Sisto pedestrian to this medieval district of Rome. Lots of activity and fun going on in Piazza Triluassa.
Dinner at Pasta & Vino, which Dalila from the hotel recommended for authentic Italian pasta. The outside didn't look very appealing; would never had walked inside without having had the recommendation. Sure glad we did go in! Chose from 6 different kinds of pasta and 8 kinds of sauces. Certain pastas go best with certain sauces. The pasta was made fresh. Chatted with a group from Cleveland next to us. Fun place and delicious food, plus being inexpensive.
Tiber River is the perfect place for an evening walk. Lungo Il Tevere summer festival lit up the river with lights along the pointed tents covering restaurants and shops.
TRASTERVERE
Over the cute little Ponte Sisto pedestrian to this medieval district of Rome. Lots of activity and fun going on in Piazza Triluassa.
Dinner at Pasta & Vino, which Dalila from the hotel recommended for authentic Italian pasta. The outside didn't look very appealing; would never had walked inside without having had the recommendation. Sure glad we did go in! Chose from 6 different kinds of pasta and 8 kinds of sauces. Certain pastas go best with certain sauces. The pasta was made fresh. Chatted with a group from Cleveland next to us. Fun place and delicious food, plus being inexpensive.
Beautiful walk back across the bridge with the sunset colors reflecting in the river and views of St Peter's lit up in the distance.
2025-05-22