We were very lucky to have a day free from rain! We took advantage and spent the day viewing the outside sights. Below is a picture of us getting onto the metro. This was always a high point for our girls. Ayla would often respond with a "cho, cho!"
The Colosseum was built 2,000 years ago. The main structure is Roman, but was decorated with Greek colomns. It was built at the peak of the Roman Empire in 80 A.D by the Israelites.
Can you imagine watching Gladiators and animals kill one another. A little violent for my taste.
Once finished 50,000 people could watch from the arena. It could be covered with an enormous canvas top, to ensure a more comfortable viewing.
I'm sorry for all the pictures. It was just an amazing place. Even the girls were excited to be here.
The floor of the Colosseum is missing, but you can see the underground passages where animals were kept and then raised by elevator. The Gladiator didn't know when or where he would be attacked.
Ayla found this perfect piece of stone to sit and play on. I of course think my children are adorable, but I did see a couple of tourists snapping pictures of our adorable kids throughout our vacation. We even had someone ask if they could have their pictures taken with our girls.
Justin is such a great father, always patient and kind! I wouldn't want to do a trip like this with anyone else.
Keanna became very interested in maps during this vacation. She carried her own map of Rome in her pocket and would be quick to help direct us if we became lost.
A family photo on top of Palatine Hill
The girls enjoying a drink from a fountain on Palatine Hill.
Spunky Ayla
Below is the Arch of Titus (70 AD). The Romans were busy conquering other nations. All they asked was to to worship the emperor as a God, for most this wasn't a problem. However, the Iraelites believed in only worshipping one God. After a short war, the Romans won, took over Jerusalem and brought home 50,000 Jewish Slaves. Those slaves built this arch and also the Colosseum.
Here I am overlooking the Forum area. You really can't see anything, oh well.
Below is the Temple of Antonius Pius and Faustina (138-161 AD)
The Temple of Saturn was built in 497 B.C. and is the Forum's oldest temple. Rome reigned the area for 1,000 years and after that the population shrank from a million people to 10,000 people. These buildings were covered up by soot and dirt, eventually excavated in the 1800's.
I was trying to get creative by using the Arch of Septimius Serervus (203 AD) to frame other parts of the forum.
A good view of the Roman Forum 
We ate lunch looking at the Captoline Hill, home of Rome's city government. Michelangelo designed a square on top during the Renaissance. Later we would hike to the top.
Our cute Keanna resting as we hike to the top of the Captoline Hill. I now understand why all the women in Rome have beautiful thin legs.
View from the top of Capitoline Hill
This was the view from the top of the Campidoglio Square, it was beautiful.
This was the view from the other side othe Campidoglio. It's too bad I am standing in the way of the best scenery.
Justin was suprised that this Ferrari was bascially parked in the middle of the road. I guess if we spent that much money on a car, we wouldn't trust it in the middle of the road.
Keanna definetely won "Best Traveler" Award! She walked up and down staircases like this throughout the city of Rome, her only request was ice cream.
The Temple of Saturn was built in 497 B.C. and is the Forum's oldest temple. Rome reigned the area for 1,000 years and after that the population shrank from a million people to 10,000 people. These buildings were covered up by soot and dirt, eventually excavated in the 1800's.
I was trying to get creative by using the Arch of Septimius Serervus (203 AD) to frame other parts of the forum.
A good view of the Roman Forum We ate lunch looking at the Captoline Hill, home of Rome's city government. Michelangelo designed a square on top during the Renaissance. Later we would hike to the top.
Our cute Keanna resting as we hike to the top of the Captoline Hill. I now understand why all the women in Rome have beautiful thin legs.View from the top of Capitoline Hill
This was the view from the top of the Campidoglio Square, it was beautiful.
This was the view from the other side othe Campidoglio. It's too bad I am standing in the way of the best scenery.
Justin was suprised that this Ferrari was bascially parked in the middle of the road. I guess if we spent that much money on a car, we wouldn't trust it in the middle of the road.
Keanna definetely won "Best Traveler" Award! She walked up and down staircases like this throughout the city of Rome, her only request was ice cream.
What a day, gelato anyone?
3 comments:
How can I be the first to comment. Those pictures were awsome!! I just wish you had more. I like learning the history behind the pictures, especially the colosseum. Anyway awsome post. Don't forget to send me real live pictures of your kids for Mom and Dad's Christmas present. I need 4x6 pictures. Love you guys, Jason
I am so glad that you love Italy as much as we do! I cannot wait to talk to you on the phone and hear about your adventures. Oregon is good - it was very snowy! will be home soon! I hope you had a Merry Christmas in Germany! Enjoy Sylvester!
I absolutely LOVE that family pic on Palatine Hill. Gorgeous family!
Post a Comment