It's our first full tour day! It started at the Capitoline, supposedly the world's oldest museum. We then had a quick trip through Rome's Jewish Ghetto to learn about its long and troubled history. At noon they turned us loose to explore on our own, although following Italian rules, we opted first for a short siesta.
Most of ancient Rome was "mined" for materials to build the Rome we see today. The Vatican is full of beautiful marble and other precious materials scavenged from the ancient city and reused for the newer buildings. The Capitoline museum contains a few remnants that escaped the onslaught of progress
Roman buildings, and even the Coliseum, were covered in beautiful reliefs like this one. Marble was painted, and this example still has some of the original paint remaining. Rome was not a city in white marble, but rather a city of mammoth structures and statuary in living color.
Bronze was precious to medieval Europe, and most of the Roman bronze works were melted down. This statue had a bronze head, hands and feet, but a wooden body. Of course it was fully dressed so that you never saw the wood.
We hiked to the top of Janiculum Hill for great views of the city. And a hike it was; just ask our feet. That is St. Peter's Basilica. Legend has it that St. Peter, the man, was crucified (upside down) on this hill.
Yesterday's word: Gabbiano or seagull
I have never seen seagulls as fearless of humans as those in Rome. This one made itself at home on the wonderful roof top patio of our hotel.
Today's word: Vicolo
Hint: You see this word (or two closely related words) at almost every corner you turn onto in Rome, and probably most other Italian cities as well.
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