Rome the Ancient city of Italy

On the 17th of May 2011 after a cup of coffee and a croissant at Travel Cafe...we walked along Via Marsala...with the intention of walking to the nearby sights. But then a red colour tour bus caught our eyes....yeah...City Sightseeing Roma....and yes we found a hop on hop off tour...and we boarded it. It was a two day pass and it perfectly fitted our schedule. We decided that we will sit on the top deck of the bus and see the sights first and then get down at the points of interest.

We first got off at the Santa Maria Maggiore Basillica and Church...According to tradition, the location of this basilica was chosen by the Blessed Virgin Mary through a miracle of snow falling on the original hill where the basilica is now erected and was built between 435 and 440. The profound architecture of the church is simply amazing and when we went inside...we only could thank God for blessing us with this visit. The serenity of the church and the building itself was marvellous....with the dome all sculptured and coloured. This church also houses the Crypt of The Nativity in the basement...where actual relics of Jesus's birthplace are kept. And we also got to go for an Italian mass and received communion which was really great. After spending some time in the church we decided to carry on with our tour after a quick lunch by the church.

Mel and me outside the Santa Maria Maggiore Church

The Crypt of The Nativity

The dome of the church

Inside the church

Then we went to see the iconic Colosseum...the Colosseum is probably the most impressive building of the Roman empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of the era....built between AD 72 and AD 80. What a monument....the excitement that ran through me was unexplainable..as usual always seeing it on postcard and adverts...and now seeing it for the first time. It was enormous...and filled with lots of tourists...and as you go around it you keep wondering...who fought in there...and who died there. And there were many 'actors' walking around dressed up like the Roman soldiers of yesteryear. We sat a while and admired it ...at the same time enjoying the cool breeze that was blowing.

The iconic Colosseum

'Julius Caesar' and his Roman soldiers

Then it was time to move on..and we saw the Piazza Venetia which is in the centre of Rome...The one landmark dominating Piazza Venezia is Il Vittoriano, a monument dedicated to king Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy. The construction of this immense white marble monument  is built on the side of Capitoline Hill. Another amazing monument....and it is said that the tomb of the unknown soldier is also here hence there was an eternal flame burning here.

The enormous Piazza Venetia

David in front of the eternal flame

Then from here we made our way on foot to the ever famous Trevi Fountain...Trevi Fountain is probably the most famous and the largest fountain in Rome and  was created by Nicola Salvi and was completed in 1762. The design is based on Bernini’s earlier project which was abandoned after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Trevi Fountain depicts Neptune, the sea god, in a chariot pulled by seahorses. Another dream come true as I earlier got a fridge magnet from a friend...and now the real thing. It was just too crowded to absorb the beauty of it...so we took some photos and moved on.





The iconic Trevi Fountain

We were making our way to The Spanish Steps when we passed by a beautiful church and we went in and were glad we did because this was the place where the Virgin Mary appeared to someone and it was called Santuario Basilica Madonna Del Miracalo otherwise also known as the Roman Lourdes. Another beautiful awesome church..so we spent awhile in prayer and lit candles.

Santuario Basilica Madonna Del Miracalo

Then we made our way to the Spanish Steps....The Piazza di Spagna or Spanish Square is connected to a French church (Trinità dei Monti) on top of the hill via a long staircase, known as the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti or Spanish Steps. The idea of connecting the church with the square below originates from the 17th century, when the French also planned a statue of King Louis XIV of France at the top of the staircase. And it was so crowded we could hardly move around but managed to take some photos.

The Spanish Steps

The fountain at the bottom of the Steps

Then we made our way back to get the tour bus...and we walked through Via Condotti...a road lined with designer shops on both sides...it was beautiful.

Via Condotti

And we ended our tour by getting some Mac Donalds at Roma Termini...we tried our best to see Rome in a day...but as David said it will take a lifetime to see and absorb the history and culture of this ancient city...and it is a must in one's life to see it and I am glad I saw and experienced part of Rome in a day.