Rome Week: Editor’s Pics

Nope. That isn’t a typo.

Believe it or not, I was only in Rome three nights-in fact, my feet were on ancient Roman ground less than 72 full hours yet I somehow managed to take 316 pictures.

I kid you not.

Continuing with Rome Week, I present to you a pictorial tour of the Eternal City-with just a few words thrown in. Come on, now. I’m a writer-I can’t leave it all up to the pics, now can I?

My husband doesn’t like to hold a camera straight … this time, I think it worked.

The most notable symbol of the Roman Empire was built between 70-72 AD for gladiator games and public shows. With seating for up to 50,000 people, the Colosseum also housed mock sea battles, animal hunts and executions before being converted into housing, a workshop site, a fortress and a Christian shrine. It is estimated that 500,000 people and over a million wild animals lost their lives inside the Colosseum.

Where else in the world are you led to ruins … by ruins?

In ancient Roman times, the forum-taken from the Latin word, foras, meaning “a place out doors,”-was the central hub for the community and served as a place for public meetings, assemblies and community activities. The Roman Forum is particularly enticing since it is a living-albeit, crumbling-history book. I recommend hiring a tour guide, or at least purchasing an audio tour or descriptive guidebook for your visit.

The builders of this temple arrived in Rome via Magna Graecia in southern Italy

Located in the Roman Forum, the Temple of Castor and Pollux was constructed to honor the Dioscuri, for their battlefield assistance. According to legend, two unknown horsemen, presumed to be the twin brothers, Castor and Pollux helped the Roman soldiers to victory in the Battle of Lake Regillus. The temple was completed in 484 BC.

An eerily clear photo of Pope Benedict XVI during Sunday Mass in Saint Peter’s Square

Pope Benedict XVI was born Joseph Alois Ratzinger and is the world’s 265th Pope. He was the oldest person elected to the Papacy since 1730 and has strong, conservative Catholic views. He stirred controversy in the church when he restored the Traditional Latin Mass as an approved form of Catholic church services.

Neptune is riding a shell-shaped chariot in the center of the Trevi Fountain

If you haven’t seen the Trevi Fountain in person you really can’t grasp its magnitude. Standing 85 feet tall and 65 feet wide, the Baroque fountain is where one goes to toss a coin and ensure a return to Rome. Each day €3,000 are tossed into the fountain and are used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome’s needy families.

In case you missed earlier Rome Week posts, we’ve discussed

– A weekend in Rome: An Overview

– How NOT to get Robbed in Rome

– Eating Out in the Eternal City

Be sure to come back tomorrow for a recipe for one of my favorite Roman dishes!