Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Italy - Rome To Do 24Aug2013 (Teatro Di Marcello, Altare Della Patria, The Column of Marcus Aurelius, The Chamber of Deputies, The Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Trevi Fountain, The Circus Maximus, The Colosseum, Vatican City, Santa Maria Immacolate a Via Veneto, Spanish Steps, San Carlo al Corso Church)

Rome - To Stay 
Rome - To Do
Rome - To Eat
Rome - To Do
24th-25thAug2013
<Click here to see ABBATRAVEL facebook page>

<Day1 Itinerary>

Took the 1415hrs bus to the city center where we broke for lunch at Vinando (Click here Rome -To Eat for more details), a short walk from the drop off point. Mainly site visits and a self-guided, walking tour, with little time left remaining to visit the intricacies of each of the locations. The trip encompassed the whole day, with everyone returning on the last bus at 2230hrs.

Teatro Di Marcello
(Open-air theatre)
*The Theatre of Marcellus (Latin: Theatrum Marcelli, Italian: Teatro di Marcello) is an ancient open-air theatre in Rome, Italy, built in the closing years of the Roman Republic.*Wikipedia

Altare Della Patria
(Monument honoring First King of a unified Italy)
A grand structure which stands tall in the heart of Rome. Really picturesque and definitely up for future exploration at the top of the structure.
 
Click here for Tour of Altare Della Patria and adjoining church. Absolutely beautiful!
*The Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) also known as the Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) is a monument built in honour of Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy.*Wikipedia

The Column of Marcus Aurelius
*The Column of Marcus Aurelius (Latin: Columna Centenaria Divorum Marci et Faustinae, Italian: Colonna di Marco Aurelio) is a Roman victory column in Piazza Colonna , Rome, Italy. It is a Doric column featuring a spiral relief: it was built in honour of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius*Wikipedia.

The Chamber of Deputies
*The Chamber of Deputies (Italian: Camera dei Deputati) is a house of the bicameral Parliament of Italy (the other being the Senate of the Republic).*Wikipedia

The Pantheon
It really is an amazing sight to behold and I believe to be even more impressive at the height of noon or a heavy downpour. With a circular opening at the top, the sun beams down, illuminating the already impressive interior. Proper dress code to be respected and no caps allowed when inside. 

A wonderful space where the modern rock, echo the grounds of the pantheon. Seen below is a postcard, of what may hopefully get to see and capture.

 *09Oct2016*
*The Pantheon, an adjective meaning "(temple consecrated) to all gods") is a building in Rome, Italy, commissioned by Marcus Agrippa as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome, and rebuilt by Emperor Hadrian in about 126 AD.*Wikipedia

Piazza Navona
(Ancient race stadium)


*Street performer and his family. 17May2015*
An art selling/basking space with bistros and cafes encompassing this Picturesque spot. Watch street artist use spray paints to produce amazing art works, or observe portrait come together for paying customers. Enjoy the musics of performing artist in this laid back space.

Although art works and photo prints are beautiful, there are only a few amongst them which are drawn by the artist. A large majority seem to be mass produced works or reproductions.
 *Piazza Navona is a city square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans came there to watch the agones ("games"), and hence it was known as 'Circus Agonalis' (competition arena). It is believed that over time the name changed to 'in avone' to 'navone' and eventually to 'navona'.*Wikipedia.
Click here for ABBA location of Piazza Navona

Trevi Fountain
Arguably the most iconic fountain in the world. Although crowded with people, its something about its splendor, design, and perhaps it's backdrop and location that makes this place special. One of the many, many, must take picture places, that's distinctively Rome.
 

 *09Oct2016*
*Coin throwing trivia
A traditional legend holds that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome.
An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money has been used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy; however, there are regular attempts to steal coins from the fountain.* Wikipedia.
Click here for ABBA location of Trevi Fountain

<Day2 Itinerary>
We left earlier this time, taking the 1030hrs bus to the city center. Again a mix of a self-guided walking tour coupled with some train taking as the weather was a little on the warm side to walk the entire way. We returned on the 2030hr bus, after a quick dash after dinner at Vinando's once more. (Click here forABBA details on Rome - To Eat Vinando's.)

The Circus Maximus
(Ancient Roman Chariot Racing Stadium)

09Oct2016
Although in ruins, there are small remnants of its original grandness. One could just imagine what it was like on these very grounds, where racing chariots ran amuck.
*The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman chariot racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in Rome, Italy. It measured 621 m (2,037 ft) in length and 118 m (387 ft) in width, and could accommodate about 150,000 spectators.*Wikipedia
Click here for ABBA location of The Circus Maximus

The Colosseum


09Oct2016
Click here for ABBA details on Colosseum tour which is well worth
Another roman architecture marvel and icon. Will definitely revisit this place to review the tour itself.
*The Colosseum or Coliseum, is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy. Built of concrete and stone, it was largest amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. It is the largest amphitheatre in the world.*Wikipedia
(Took the train from Collosio Station <The Colosseum> to Ottaviano Station <Vatican City>with a change over at Termini Station) Train map available from concierge.
Click here for location of train stations

Vatican City - St Peter's Square

Undoubtedly the epicenter of the Catholic faith, with statues and tall columns framing the entire space. It was both humbling and awe inspiring to stand within the walls of these spiritual grounds.
Accessible to the public who explore St Peter's square, one could view the Vatican guards in their traditional garments, as well as purchase and mail postcards to their love ones from Vatican city's post office.
Click here for ABBA location of St Peter's Square from Ottaviano Station

(Took the train from Ottaviano Station <Vetican City> to Barberini Station <Santa Maria Immacolata a Via Veneto Church>) Click here for location of train stations

Santa Maria Immacolata a Via Veneto Church
(Capuchin Crypt)

*pic taken from Flickr*
A crypt known for its elaborative decorative display, using the remains of over 4000 friars collected between the years of 1528 and 1870. First half of the displays were ornamental wears and artifacts. Write up were overtly long and bordered on boring.

The crypt is stands only a half step below, with approximately 5 small room sized displays, which vary ever so slightly from one another. The use of bones maybe creepy to some, but in it. there still lay beauty in death
ABBA Details
Entry €6 per person, €5 for a group (10pax min), €4 for 18 and under. For the pricing it maybe a little underwhelming given the similarities in displays. Proper attire is needed here, and unfortunately, NO photography is allowed.

Spanish Steps
The widest staircase in Europe connects to Piazza Di Spagna and subsequently the high end shopping street. A great view and vantage point to soak in the city of Rome and end of the day.

One can bask along these steps, soak in room, as you watch scammers of sorts give ladies flowers and demanding money from their partners.


San Carlo al Corso Church
(located along main shopping street <Via Del Corso>)
Like many of the churches in Rome, the elegance of its designs and paintings are a sight to behold. Taking a break from the entire days walking and touring within its quiet confines.
*This church is dedicated to Saint Ambrose and Saint Charles Borromeo, both natives of Milan. It is one of at least three churches in Rome dedicated to Borromeo.*Wikipedia.

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