Rome

Here are the pictures of Rome:

We began our day in the Vatican Museum. This statue is suppose to represent the Nile and all of its virtues.

Michelangelo designed the courtyard of the Vatican Museum.

I love the "School of Athens." It was amazing to see it in person!

Looking down onto the Popes' residence in Vatican City.

Saint Peter's Basilica (The apostle Peter is allegedly buried here). Originally, it was built in the 300's. However, most of it was torn down in the Middle Ages/Renaissance. There are a few surviving elements of the first basilica. The obelisk in front of the church dates back to 3000 BC! Nero had it brought over from Egypt and placed it in his circus (about 275 feet from where it now stands). The apostle Peter is said to have been crucified near the obelisk.

Looking down onto Rome from Hadrian's Castle.

The Pantheon.

The Pantheon is an impressive sight! I absolutely LOVED it!


There are pillars like this all over Rome. They are about 4-5 stories high! Amazing!


The Trevi Fountain.




The Colosseum.


Constantine's Arc.



This was taken on Palatine hill which overlooks the Roman Forum. There are some fantastic ruins up there (pictured below), including Caesar Augustus' home (Unfortunately, we did not take any pictures of this). Amazingly, there are some very well-preserved frescoes in the ruins of Augustus' home.


Looking down off of Palatine Hill on to the Roman Forum. Amazing!


The Temple of the Vestel Virgins. Beautiful virgins were dedicated to this temple for a period of thirty years. If they were to lose their virginity during this time they were buried alive! I am always guilty of romanticizing the past. However, historical accounts like this one remind me how lucky I am to live in this day and age.

The Colosseum.

Allegedly, Constantine's mother brought the stairs from Pontius Pilate's home to Rome. Christ is said to have walked on these stairs during his passion. These stairs are so holy to the Catholic church that you cannot walk up them. You must crawl on your knees to the top. At the top of the stairs is the Catholics version of the "Holy of Holies."


The door to the "Holy of Holies."