The Eternal City

We have so many photos of Rome. It is going to take time to sort them all out. Rome is an hour and half from the port of Civitavecchia and is the Capital of Italy. It has long been called "The Eternal City." There is legend that the city was founded by Romulus and his brother Remus: however archaeological evidence indicates the area was inhabited as early as 1000BC. The legend goes this way: the twin sons of the War God: Mars and Rhea were abandoned as babies and brought up by a She-Wolf. They grew up to lead a band of outlaws and adventurers before Romulus killed his brother andfounded Rome in 753 BC.

Rich in tradition and history, Rome has monuments dating back to all the periods, from Etruscan era to modern times. The 8 or 10 story building has something to do with Mussolini. In time I will sort it out.

One of the most popular places in Rome is the Trevi Fountain, centerpiece for the movie "Three Coins in a Fountain." Rumor is that a coin thrown in will ensure a return to Rome. Approximately 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day. The money is used to subsidize a supermarket for Rome's needy.

The Forum is now a jumble of ruins, was once the center for commercial and religious activities. Ancient Romans entered the Forum through a piazza that led from the Coliseum. The Coliseum was the largest structure of it kind, seating more than 50,000 spectators that turned out to see the games and gladiators. The Forum also had temples, public halls and monuments and statues.

Our Panoramic view took us from the Etruscan Countryside with views of the Tyrrenian Sea, into the Old Town.
We viewed from the coach the famous Villa Borghese and Piazza Venezia, the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine and the Circus Maximus. We spent probably an hour on our own in the St. Peters Basillica area.