Our last full day in Rome

June 26th: Our last day in the Catholic capital of the world. Since we didn't have any pre-bought tickets we just wandered through the city to see things that were interesting and that we did :) 

Statue of Jesus right across the street from the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran

Archbasilica! This church is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome aka the Pope.

I loved St. Peter's Basilica however this church was magnificent. The architectual and artistic richness of the church was way more profound than the Basilica.  

Pantheon!

Inside of the Pantheon!

All over Rome there were these hidden squares almost like the city was made up of small cities each with their own town square. We stumbled upon this one after wandering around the Pantheon.

 Mom and Phil just wandering

And of course there is a church in the middle

The awesome fountain in the middle of the square!

Family time on a bridge!

So Phil is funny, I asked him to take my picture and he goes okay and takes a picture of himself lol goofball. :)

Here's the picture he ended up taking of me.

Found this circular center with some more churches and there was a stage getting set up. Apparently that night they were having a free concert there, Phil and I would've gone but by this time in the day we were exhausted and just wanted food and a bed.

Found two more churches, talk about a city with a church around every corner. 

This oblesque was supposed to be one of the top things to see in Rome however it was under construction, just like the Trevi Fountain. Just means we all have to come back :)

Statue with Mary on top

Another old fortress from the early centuries

With a random pyramid next to it

Ravioli for dinner! It looks better than it tasted lol 

The Colosseum and an Ancient Civilization

June 25th: 

Ta Da!! The Colosseum!! The day started off a bit rainy but it was cooling compared to the heat that there was the day before. I was surprised at the size of the building and how much of it still stands. It was built in 70 AD and was used for gladiator fights, mock boat fights, executions, etc. The movies makes the building still seem new because it is always polished, the sun is shining, and traffic is flowing at a quick pace. It was still busy with traffic and people everywhere but there were carvings in the walls of people's names and it was under reconstruction so not shiny and new. It was still impressive though. To be on a location that is this old was just mind blowing. 

Reconstruction of a library in Athens

Mom with library stuff again! Its the traveling librarian!!

Looking all cute posing next to the description of ancient public libraries :) 

You can no longer go down to the bottom of the Colosseum but they had it open to see.

So serious! lol I love taking photos when no one is looking. 

This used to be a covered walk way because the seats came across the top. The places that look flat were once stone benches as seats. 

The cross was here to symbolize the time when the Colosseum was used as an execution place for Christians.

We took a lot of family photos to prove we were there!

Closer view of the underground tunnels 

After the Colosseum, we went over to see the newest archeological find: Palatino and Roman Forum. Ancient Rome was spilt into 'hills' and this one was called Palatine Hill. It was where many government and influential members of society had their residency. There were archeologists there still digging stuff up when we visited so it really is an ongoing project. 

Someone's home

The Curia: where the senate meet 

overview of the space

lunch! aka dinner! we got an antipasto salad and garlic bread to start.

And then Italian pizza! Phil had a veggie, mine was the mushroom and ham and mom had sausage and peppers. It tasted good just wasn't exactly what we all expected but when in Rome do as the Romans!!