This past friday, our group took a train to Rome for the day. We hit some of the main sites of Rome with our Italian History Professor and Native Italian, Marco. He can be pretty aggressive when it comes to tours, he doesn't stop for anything. With bags locked and protected we boarded the 6:55 am train to Rome and met Marco there at the station.
We first visted the Colosseum, we actually didn't walk through it but just viewed its exterior, as well as put Rome into context with the rest of the area. We walked by the Roman forum. The Roman forum was originally a swampy area that people disposed of remains. Later on the Romans turned the area into a market place for trade. Unforchunately, a busy street runs through the Forum and ruins effect. However, the ruins are impressive, even tho they are mere pieces to a once dominering facade. We visited Palatine Hill, the detailing was beautiful and the lighting enphasised the space. We got a history lesson of Rome on our walk and learned a bit about t
he familes that "founded" Rome. We later visited the Pantheon which was breath taking and followed by St. Peter's , or the Vatican Church. The detail was impressive. Chris and I climbed to the top of the dome of St. Peter's we paid 5 euro to climb 512 stairs. Half way up we cross a catwalk along the base of the dome, there you can see all the mosaic detailing. Reaching the top of the dome, required overcoming fear of heights and claustrophobia for the last 200 steps, but after a few heavy breaths, I got to enjoy the view. I hadnt realize that the Vatican, is its own state and has its own property surrounding the Church. After St. Peter's it started to rain so we called it a day and headed back for the trainstation.
As a whole, Rome is too busy even in Feruary for me to enjoy the city. There truely is so much architectualy history in Rome it is overwhelming in itself, but the congestedness of it just ruins the atmosphere. I imagine I will return to visit the last few important sites: Vatican Museum, Spanish Steps, and Sisten Chapel, and the Trevy Fountian. Otherwise, Rome is to crazy, much like New York City.
Well that is it for now, I am headed to Florence this friday and hope to love it a bit more than Rome.
Ciao!
Renae
We first visted the Colosseum, we actually didn't walk through it but just viewed its exterior, as well as put Rome into context with the rest of the area. We walked by the Roman forum. The Roman forum was originally a swampy area that people disposed of remains. Later on the Romans turned the area into a market place for trade. Unforchunately, a busy street runs through the Forum and ruins effect. However, the ruins are impressive, even tho they are mere pieces to a once dominering facade. We visited Palatine Hill, the detailing was beautiful and the lighting enphasised the space. We got a history lesson of Rome on our walk and learned a bit about t
he familes that "founded" Rome. We later visited the Pantheon which was breath taking and followed by St. Peter's , or the Vatican Church. The detail was impressive. Chris and I climbed to the top of the dome of St. Peter's we paid 5 euro to climb 512 stairs. Half way up we cross a catwalk along the base of the dome, there you can see all the mosaic detailing. Reaching the top of the dome, required overcoming fear of heights and claustrophobia for the last 200 steps, but after a few heavy breaths, I got to enjoy the view. I hadnt realize that the Vatican, is its own state and has its own property surrounding the Church. After St. Peter's it started to rain so we called it a day and headed back for the trainstation.As a whole, Rome is too busy even in Feruary for me to enjoy the city. There truely is so much architectualy history in Rome it is overwhelming in itself, but the congestedness of it just ruins the atmosphere. I imagine I will return to visit the last few important sites: Vatican Museum, Spanish Steps, and Sisten Chapel, and the Trevy Fountian. Otherwise, Rome is to crazy, much like New York City.
Well that is it for now, I am headed to Florence this friday and hope to love it a bit more than Rome.
Ciao!
Renae
Is it busy from locals or tourists?
ReplyDeleteits busy from both, there just seems to be alot of things going on all the time. I think there are tons of people living in Rome, probably similar to New York City but there were also some large asian tour groups. I hear it get way crazy come march through the entire summer.
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