Europe Trip: Italy > Rome! (feat. Roman Forum, Colosseum...03/06/07)

Monument of Vittorio Emanuele II, Piazza Venezia

The Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II (National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) or "Il Vittoriano" is a monument to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first king of a unified Italy. It occupies a site between the Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill. Walking down from Piazza Venezia to Roman Forum. On our way we passed by part of the Tarjan's Market.Piazza del Campidoglio, on the top of Capitoline Hill, with the façade of Palazzo Senatorio.The Capitoline Hill, between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the most famous and highest of the seven hills of Rome. The Capitoline contains relatively few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval palaces (now the Capitoline Museums) that surround a piazza. A significant portion of the architecture in this area were designed by Michelangelo.And finally...the Roman Forum!The arch was erected by Septimius Severus.

The Roman Forum, Forum Romanum, (although the Romans called it more often the Forum Magnum or just the Forum) was the central area around which ancient Rome developed, in which commerce and the administration of justice took place. The ruins within the forum clearly show how urban spaces were utilized during the Roman Age. The Roman Forum includes a modern statue of Julius Caesar and the major monuments, buildings, and ancient ruins.

On the foreground is the Temple of Saturn (Latin: Templum Saturni or Aedes Saturnus), a monument to the agricultural deity Saturn. It represents the oldest-surviving foundation in that area, having been established between 501 and 498 BC. This is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.

It is an ancient Roman temple, adapted to the church of San Lorenzo in Miranda. It lies in the Forum on the Via Sacra, opposite the Regia. The church of San Lorenzo in Miranda, built in the 17th century on the remains of the temple, still keeps the columned portico of the temple of Antoninus and Faustina.

Walking around in the Roman Forum is like walking back time, back into the history...reminding us how fast time can pass ya? *smile*
On the bottom right is The Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine (sometimes known as the Basilica Nova 'new basilica' or Basilica Maxentius) was the largest building in the Roman Forum.


The building consisted of a central nave covered by three groin vaults suspended 39 meters above the floor on four large piers, ending in an apse at the western end containing a colossal statue of Constantine (remnants of which are now in a courtyard of the Palazzo dei Conservatori of the Musei Capitolini). These remains may have been lying here over many centuries, but they still look as strong and majestic as they were just built...all thanks to the ancient Romans! :)One of my dream places that is fulfilled again -- the COLOSSEUM!!!The Colosseum or Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium, Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is also one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.

Upper right photo is the Arch of Constatine.Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use for nearly 500 years with the last recorded games being held there as late as the 6th century.As well as the traditional gladiatorial games, many other public spectacles were held there, such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical mythology.


The picture above shows the hypogeum (literally meaning "underground") was connected by underground tunnels to a number of points outside the Colosseum. Animals and performers were brought through the tunnel from nearby stables, with the gladiators' barracks at the Ludus Magnus to the east also being connected by tunnels. Separate tunnels were provided for the Emperor and the Vestal Virgins to permit them to enter and exit the Colosseum without needing to pass through the crowds.The building eventually ceased to be used for entertainment in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such varied purposes as housing, workshops, quarters for a religious order, a fortress, a quarry and a Christian shrine.

Coming to the second storey inside the Colosseum.

Although it is now in a ruined condition due to damage caused by earthquakes and stone-robbers, the Colosseum has long been seen as an iconic symbol of Imperial Rome.

Unlike the other museums, there are not many signboards around to tell you who build this pillar, what is the purpose of this remains in the past etc. I had rented an audio guide in order to understand the whole of Colosseum better.

The interior of Colosseum is pretty much similar to our own Kallang National Stadium, in which the audience stands are lined up neatly in rows and columns. Judging from the remains of Colosseum, it is the same here...except it appears even larger and holds a greater capacity. And remember this was built way back about 2,000 years ago???! *thumbs up and head bow to the ancient Romans!*

Can you see the cross at the far end?

Today, the Colosseum, not only is one of modern Rome's most popular tourist attractions, still has close connections with the Roman Catholic Church, as each Good Friday the Pope leads a torchlit "Way of the Cross" procession to the amphitheatre.

Yet, from another point of view of this photo, doesn't the remains of the walls of the tunnels below look like the massive tombs with the cross in the background, ensuring the deads are well rest in peace in the bottom of the Colosseum...?