04 July 2017

2016 ITALY Rome 17 - Winding Way to the Market

Another yummy breakfast at the hotel and a pick up at 09:00 to start the day's activities. We took the round about way to the market, seeing a few more sights.

This is the Palace of Justice, Italy's supreme court building. Built between 1888-1910. It is considered one of the grandest "new" buildings of Italy.


This is the Piazza della Repubblica. Each of these two buildings is a quarter circle surrounding half the square. There is also a big fountain in the middle of the square. Stunningly beautiful and a nod to the history of the wealth in Roma.
Another view of Altare della Patria (Alter of the Fatherland) or national monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, first king of unified Italy, through the streets of Roma.


Again, I just love this building. 
City buses are painted bright colors with graphics of wonderful Roma attractions. This one has the Forum, Saint Peter's, and more.Palatine is the center most of Roma's seven hills and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 131 feet (40m) above the Forum on one side and Circus Maximus (see below) on the other. Ruins include Flavian Palace and Temple of Apollo.

Circus Maximus. This isn't the best shot (taken from the van), but you can see the long field down right (parallel trails). This was the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium. It was the first and largest stadium in ancient and Empire Rome. It measures 2,037 feet (621m) in length and 387 feet (118m) wide. It accommodated 250,000 spectators. Later, at times, it was used as a dumping quarry for building materials. It is now a public park, concert area, and place for political demonstrations.

This building faces the Piazza Venezia, the central hub of Roma where several main roads intersect. It is the Palazzo Venezia built around 1460 by a Venetian cardinal (later Pope Paul II). It was owned by the church until 1916 when it was turned over to the Italian government. The window with the flags is where Benito Mussolini often gave "inspirational" speeches to the crowds below. It is now a museum.


Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (or Basilica of Saint Mary of Angels and Martyrs). It was constructed in the 16th century following a design by Michelangelo. Part of this structure was originally the royal baths constructed in 298 AD. You can certainly tell the difference of which is which.


The whole of Roma is a giant living museum. Every which way you turn there are ruins. They can be rustic or artistic. New buildings can be built on top of or incorporating into old one. Bits and pieces are recycled into new architectural uses. You may not have any idea of their significance, but they are beautiful and interesting. Conjures up what might have been.


Also, along the way numerous aqueducts were pointed out. There were eleven in all. They supplied each resident in Roma with 400 gallons of fresh water per day.


Just so Italian, playing kissy face on the street at 09:00. Sooo romantic! As Michael Moore says, "Why does it always look like Italian couples just had sex!" This couple sure does. Oh, and I wonder if the motorcycle is his or hers. She has the leather jacket!

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