20 July 2003

Here we are all five of us (well, technically, I am behind the camera) in Copenhagen airport on our way to old Rome, Italy.

Left to right: Mary, Benny, Maj-Britt and Birger (and if you look behind you then that's me.

20 July 2003

And now we have arrived in the ancient capital of Rome. Here we are waiting for our luggage.

20 July 2003

After a boring bus ride into town we have arrived at the hotel lobby. We are checking in and wait for our keys.

Downtown Rome

History span: A modern bus, a horsedrawn carriage from last century and and ancient building from centuries past in the rear.

Downtown Rome

Mary at the square in front of the parliamental building. Next photo shows what's behind the photographer.

Downtown Rome

The parliament building in front of Forum Romanum.

Downtown Rome

Statue of horse and rider.

Note the 'SPQR' inscription under the horse; it is the abbreviation of the old Roman phrase of 'Senatus PopulusQue Romanus (meaning the Senate and People of Rome).

Downtown Rome

Mary pausing for a photo in the midday heat.

Cola de Rienzi (1313 - 1354)

The statue of Cola de Rienzi who attempted to restore Rome to its former imperial powers.

He led a public revolt in Rome in May 1344, successfully ousting the nobles and taking control of the city.

But his glory quickly vaned and by September he fled the city and took shelter in Naples.

He returned to Rome in August 1354 as a senator of Rome, but unable to gain real control, he was killed in October the same year by a mob while trying to escape disguised in a plebeian garb.

Piazza Navona

Time for a little 'Rest and Recreation' on this famous tourist hang-out square.

Piazza Navona was constructed at the site of the Stadium of Domitian, which originally had a concave bottom that was artificually filled with water and used to stage entertaining naval games.

Piazza Navona

The architecture of the entire square is heavily influenced by Roman Baroque.

The three fountains portray various scenes with Neptune, the Roman God of the Sea.

Piazza Navona

Some of the tourists kept hanging around for a long time.

Piazza Minerva

Rome is gifted with total of 13 obelisks, the most famous one erected in the center of St. Peter's Square.

Pictured is the 5.5 meters high obelisk, adorned with Egyptian hieroglyphics, and supported by an elephant designed by Bernini (1598 - 1680), the famous Italian sculptor.

Pantheon temple can be seen in the rear between the two buildings.

Pantheon

The Pantheon is the best preserved building from the ancient Rome.

It was constructed by Marcus Agrippa (63 BC - 12 BC) in honor of Emperor Augustus, his father-in-law.

Pantheon is utterly complex building mixing various shapes (cylinder, square and sphere) with various styles (temples and baths).

The obelisk in front of Pantheon is aclled Macuteo, is a mere six meters high, but dates all the way back to Ramses II -or Ramses the Great (reigned 1279 BC to 1213 BC).

Pantheon

The only source of light is the nine meters wide circular opening in the center of the dome, which itself is 43 meters high.

Many famous artists and kings are buried here, e.g., Raphael.

Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps on the steep slope connecting Piazza de Spagna at the bottom with Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top.

This photo taken from the top looks straight down to Piazza de Spagna.

The narrow road stretching into the background is Via Condotti hosting many of Rome's best designer shops.

Spanish Steps

Looking up towards Piazza Trinità dei Monti with the church of the same name.

The Spanish Steps is the widest staircase in all Europe and boasts an amazing 138 steps.

Spanish Steps

The Baroque fountain called 'Fountain of the Old Boat', built in 1627-29 and dominating Piazza de Spagna at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.

Tired Tourists

Two tired tourists enjoying an early Italian dinner.

Tired Tourists

Two tired touristing brothers at dinner.

Retire

Time to retire. It's not much, but it's 'home'. Another great day awaiting us all tomorrow.