Renting Mopeds

As soon as I first arrived in Rome, I noticed the overwhelming number of mopeds cruising around the cobblestone streets of the city. They were always flying by, sometimes jamming out to the radio or on a cell phone, with hair blowing in the wind (from under a helmet of course.) The people driving around on mopeds always made it look like such a fun way to get around the city. I wanted to rent a moped and drive around and explore Rome, but I never got around to it. In our Eyewitness Guide, there is information about renting a moped from various businesses. All you have to do is leave a credit card number or cash as a deposit when you pick up the moped. I guess this is something I'll have to save for my next visit to Rome!

Palatine

One of the most impressive sites in Rome is the Palatine. According to Roman legend, this is the place where Romulus and Remus (the founders of Rome) were raised by a wolf in a cave. According to our guidebook, "traces of Iron Age huts dating from the 9th century BC, have been found on the Palatine Hill, providing archaeological support for the area's legendary links with the founding of Rome." There are many different ruins of palaces and temples at this location. There are also ruins of the Stadium and the Farnese Gardens. Our guidebook says that the Farnese Gardens are the first botanical gardens in Europe. This is a beautiful place with a lot of great things to see. There is an entrance fee of 11 Euros and although this may seem a little pricey, it also includes admission into the Colosseum and the Forum. You also are allowed two days to visit these three sites. I suggest trying to do all three in one day, or take your time and break it up into two different trips. I've included a picture of part of the Palatine that you are able to see from the Forum. I snapped this shot the second weekend we were in Rome and a few classmates and I visited the Colosseum and the Forum (regrettably, not the Palatine!)

Colosseum and the Forum

Today, a few classmates and I decided to go on a field trip of our own. We bought passes for 11 Euros that allowed us entry into the Colosseum, the Forum and the Palatine (we didn't get to the Palatine.) However, we began our field trip by going into the Colosseum. My guidebook states that the Colosseum was built as an ampitheater that was used to host gladiator battles and animal fights. It could hold over 50,000 people! However, most of the Colosseum has slowly decayed because the interior (including the seats, awning and floor) were made out of materials like limestone or wood that didn't stand the test of time. However, in the Colosseum, a reconstruction of what the floor would look like has been built. It is interesting to see how all of the chambers underneath the floor were like a intricate maze that could hold anything from animals, trees or even people. They were able to be raised and lowered from the floor by a system of pulleys. We also decided to go to the Forum. My guidebook says that this was the center of political, judicial and commercial life in ancient Rome. We saw many amazing things such as the Temple of Julius Caesar. The guidebook says that this was erected in memory of Caesar on the spot where his body was cremated after his assassination. We also were able to see the Temple of the Vestal Virgins where priestesses of the Temple of Vesta lived. It was a very peaceful place with some sculptures still intact and a pond with lily pads and frogs in it. The thing that I was most excited about seeing was the Rostra which is where speeches were given to the Forum. It was amazing to see the remnants of a structure where so many public speeches were given. As a Communication Arts & Sciences major, this is a very important place for me. Public speaking was basically born here. The art of persuasion had to have been used in all of these speeches so that the people were able to convince others of making changes in ancient Rome. The history of this place is amazing to me and I'm glad that I was able to experience it.

Chillin with the Pope

The class went to the Vatican today. It was really easy to get there from my apartment, all we had to do was follow the river North. I unfortunately got horrible blisters on the walk there because I decided to not wear good shoes. Smart on my part. We went in to the Vatican around 10:00 and there was hardly a line. When we came out, the line wrapped the entire way around the Piazza San Pietro! When I first walked into the Vatican, it took my breath away. This is something that, as a Catholic, I have always wanted to see. It was such a spiritual and emotional experience that it was almost overwhelming. One of the first pieces of art that I noticed was the Pietà. My guidebook states that this amazing marble sculpture was done by Michelangelo in 1499 when he was only 25. In 1972, a disturbed man walked in to the Vatican with a hammer and began destroying the sculpture. After it was restored, it was put behind glass for protection(you can see the reflection from the glass in this picture.) The next place that I went was a sanctuary that holds the Tabernacle. My guidebook says that this was made by Bernini and is made of gilt bronze in the shape of a temple. This amazing chapel was so peaceful and prayful. I actually prayed there and it was moving. You also were not allowed to take and pictures so I don't have anything to document this moving place. The next amazing work of art that I noticed was the Baldacchino. My guidebook says that this was made in 1624 and is a huge extravagant canopy. It truly is beautiful and holds an amazing altar underneath. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go near the Baldacchino because there was some type of service going on. I still got some great shots though! There were a lot of chapels and altars to different saints, too many to list here. I will include the picture of the Altar of the Transfiguration of Christ. This was one of my favorite paintings because it portrays Christ in such a moving and powerful way. I enjoyed the artwork in the Vatican and I plan on going back soon so I can visit all the museums and the Sistine Chapel!

Santa Maria sopra Minerva

I know that this post is a little late, but I was all posted out yesterday! We actually not only went to the Pantheon on our walk, we also went to a church called Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This means Mary on top of Minerva because this church was built on the ruins of a Temple of Minerva. My guidebook says that this is one of the few churches in Roma to have Gothic Architecture. This church, along with the Pantheon, are located in the Piazza della Rotonda which is about a block away from my classroom. In the front of the church is the Obelisk of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This is an interesting sculpture that was found in the garden of the monastery of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. The obelisk itself is a giant elephant with a tower on top of it. It was originally intended to decorate the Palazzo Barberini as a joke. Santa Maria sopra Minerva has many extremely beautiful works of art. One of the more famous is the Risen Christ by Michelangelo. Something else that is truly amazing at this church is that the body of St. Catherine of Siena is entombed at the front of the church under what looks like an altar. One of my classmates was doing research and said that the tomb contains everything except her head, which was taken back to Siena where they thought she wanted to be buried. The church is amazing and eerie all at the same time. I loved the architecture and the stained glass windows. Enjoy the pictures : )

Fontanella del Facchino

I randomly was skimming through my guidebook today and happened to notice a page that had a picture of the water fountain that is at the end of my road by the school (see previous post for more info!) It turns out that this fountain used to be in the Corso and now is in the wall of the Banco di Roma which is the building next door to us. It was created around 1590 and as you can see, the fountain is actually a porter holding a barrel that is putting out water. Yet another beautiful, old work of art that is right outside my door : )

Reading up on Mopeds

I wanted to learn a little more about mopeds in relation to Rome so I decided to check out what our Eyewitness Guide to Rome said. One of the most common types of mopeds is a Piaggio Vespa, which means 'wasp' and is named for the sound mopeds make. The book said that these mopeds are great for getting through traffic, which I have witnessed firsthand! At a red-light, the mopeds often times will weave their ways through cars just so they can get to the front of the line. Sometimes they don't even wait for the light to change to green before they take off... they just make sure no one is in there way! The book also said that it is required by law to wear a helmet here while on a moped. I can honestly say that I have not noticed one person NOT wearing a helmet. It's probably because driving them here is so dangerous!! The picture that I posted is of a Roman on a moped whizzing by on the street that is below my window. You can tell he's wearing a helmet!!