I have always wanted to go Rome. The picture books my dad always brought back from his trips to Italy kept the fire going. And of course, having VCR tapes of both Ben Hur and Quo Vadis fed the itch. And Sunday school was never without a story of a Roman or the influence Rome had in Isreal. So Rome was definitely one of my travel destinations on my bucket list and I tell you, it was worth every minute.

Although words can describe aptly the effect Rome can have on a visitor, well, pictures are worth a thousand words and I spent all my time taking pictures of almost everything I could see.

I still haven’t gotten the camera if my dreams just yet. But hey, slowly but surely, I shall tick out all on my bucket list. I used a canon powershot A720 IS for the picutres. It is quite a handy camera, I must say.Please, allow me the pleasure of sharing some of them with you.

 

The Roma Senate erected this Arch to commemorate Constantine 1’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge on October 312. The Arch spans the Via Triumphalis, the way the Emperors entered the city in Triumph.

 

 

 

These are coins thrown by visitors afrom all over the world at the altar of Juslius Caesar’s Temple. The altar, however, is the only remains of the temple.

 

 

 

 

The Plaque reads:                                    

“Decius Marius Venantius Basilius, Senator of the rank of the most famous and illustrious, Prefect of Rome, ordinary Consul, restored the arena (Colosseum) and the podium which was destroyed by the violence of a terrible earthquake, at his own expense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the streets close to St. Peter’s Square. Many streets were quiet and peaceful, more like taking a rest from the throngs of tourists that trek the cobblestone roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A tribute to Pope John Paul II. This is a revised version of the statue as the first was not received warmly by the

public, saying it looked more Mussolini in 2011.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This amazing structure is much bigger than it looks. Trust me.

The Colosseum was the most important enterprise of the Flavain dynasty. It was inaugurated by Titus in AD 80. This structures stands at 50 metres and could hold up to 75,000 people in the days of the games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Arch of This was constructed in AD 82 by Roman Emperor Domitian, after

the death of his brother, Titus. This was to commemorate Titus’ victories including the Siege of Jerusalem in AD 70. In 1948, when Israel was formally declare a country, Roman Jews gathered at this Arch and in joyful celebration, walked backwards under the arch to symbolize the beginning of the long awaited redemption from the Roman Exile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The priestly order of Vestals dates back to Romulus between 8th-7th BC. Priestesses were chosen from aristocratic home by the Pontifex Maximum from the ages of 6-10. They served for 30 years and this made them wealthy as long as they observed the laws and their chastity. Many of these statues had plaques with the names of the priestesses still engraved in them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is also known as the National Monument

to Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy. It was completed in 1925. It is the largest monument.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just a few pictures of mine. I hope they give you a view of what I saw. I will definitely go back…someday…