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Less Ancient Rome
Pictures, etc.
...from Rome.
These pictures are from Rome and The Vatican. We did quite a bit of walking and the pictures
reflect that - they come from as far north as Villa Borghese - a huge heart-shaped park in the north
of the city, as far west as The Vatican, as far south as the Jewish Ghetto, and as far east as the
Termini (train station) and Museo Romano.
The famous Trevi fountain, actually the terminus of a canal built
in the 1600s. The legend is that you should throw a coin over your shoulder to wish for a
return to Rome. Here you will also find Pakistanis, Iraqis, Indians and others selling roses,
brass models of the Trevi, and anything else they can agressively "market" to you.
Dan (with gelato) and Ellen at the Fontana Trevi.
Rich, right after wishing for his retrun to Rome.
View down a typical Roman street.
In front of the Senate building, the Polizia strut (machine guns everywhere).
Example of one of MANY churches in Rome.
The Synagogue. Italy has its own 'division' of Judaism.
Instead of being "Ashkenazi" (German/Russian/Polish origin), or Sephardic (North African/Spanish origin)
the Jews of Italy came from Jerusalem itself, then grew in Italy isolated from the other two major
branches. This building, designed in the Assyrian/Babylonian style, is quite beautiful, inside
and out. Whether or not you're Jewish it is a worthwhile stop on your visit to Rome.
Called "The Typewriter", or "The Wedding Cake", this gigantic
building is dedicated to Vittorio, first leader of the unified Italy in 1870. Italians do not
seem to like the extravagance, self-indulgence, and size of this building.
In front of the fountain at the Piazza del Popolo, a major intersection
of 3 streets on one side, and one on the other. The area is thus called "The Trident".
This picture was taken after our first day in Rome, just as we met some friends for an excellent
dinner at Il Brillo Parlante, a Ristorante on via della Fontanella.
Il Brillo Parlante.
The approach to The Vatican.
The Vatican houses numerous excellent museums. Even the
staircases in the museum are elaborate. Here are Dan and Ellen as we leave the museums.
There is one island on the Tiber (Tevere) River, Isla Tibera
This picture is shot from that island, quite near the Sinagogo.
The Roman Ghetto held the Jews of Rome until 1870, when the walls were
demolished. Each evening the gates of the ghetto were locked and the several thousand residents had to remain inside until
dawn when they were allowed out. They were restricted to certain professions, including money-lending,
which were considered illegal for Christians. In general, though the Jews of Italy fared well during
the Holocaust, most surviving - with much assistance and protection from their non-Jewish Italian neighbors.
Now, the ghetto area is an interesting mix of old, very old, and new.
In this shot, although you cannot see the detail, you will find Hebrew inscriptions, ancient Roman
statues, and advertisements for ice cream treats, all within about 5 square feet.
Yet another great square - Piazza Navano.
The Spanish Steps, so named because they are near what used
to be the house of the Spanish ambassador.
The Spanish Steps viewed from one of many nearby shopping streets located
off of the Piazza di Spagna.
At the top of the Steps, a church and Egyptian obelisk.
The Etruscan Museum in Villa Borghese is housed in a beautiful
villa. Inside are some amazing treasures from the Etruscan civilization which predates the Romans
by at least 500 years. But no photos inside...
We went to the extreme southern part of Rome, actually outside
the city walls, to The Appian Way, a road (now Italy Route 7) which makes its way across
the entire country, to Bridisi.
The catacombs of St. Callisto.
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