15 05 Rome


We woke up at the Hotel Esquilino and had a scrumptious breakfast of Italian croissants. We then headed off to the Colosseum with our new tour guide for the day. After seeing the amazing size of the Colosseum and where gladiators competed, we headed to the Imperial Palace that was just down the street. After passing through the palace, we ended up at the Roman Forum where all the political affairs of the Romans once took place, including the funeral proceedings of Julius Caesar. We followed Mussolini Street, passing by several bronze statues, including that of Julius Caesar. Our tour guide left us to explore the monument of Vittorio Emanuele II and the rest of Rome. After lunch and gelato (ice cream) in a side alley of a street, we went to the Pantheon where we took a picture of the group in front of a fountain outside. Next we went to the Trevi Fountain and then to the Piazza di Spagna. From here we rode the subway for the first time. It was only a very short distance to the Crypt of the Capuchins. This place contained several burials that were adorned with human bones. Then we went to the Church of San Luigi dei Francesi; there were many beautiful paintings inside including one by the famous artist Caravaggio which was the "Calling of St. Matthew." Next we visited another church by the name of Sant' Ignazio where we saw the illusionistic ceiling of frescoes by Andrea Pozzo. After that the group dispersed and headed to different areas to shop in Rome. Thus, concluding our first day in Rome!


Class outside the Roman Colosseo.



The white line above Lindsay's head shows where the level of ground used to be.



The stage used to cover these trap doors and cages which used to hold the wild animals and gladiators before their battle!



Shot from the Upper Deck (Partial Group).



The Arch of Constantine.



The Palatine hill. This is the hill where the mythological beginning of Rome started including the shewolf which is now the symbol of Rome.



The Imperial Palace. Horses used to race around the outside.



The Arch of Titus at the Foro Romano--Symbolized Roman victory...in the Roman Forum.



Shot of the Colosseum from down Mussolini Street...named after General Mussolini who made the street only for pedestrians.



An overview from the side of the Roman Forum which is now much in ruins.



The Senate building of the Roman Forum used to stand behind this statue of Julius Caesar. SPQR: Senatus Populus que Romanus, the Senate and People of Rome.



Our guide for this walking tour of Old Rome.



St. Peter's Basilica from the Roman Forum.



Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, who was the one to unify Italy. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located below the statue of Emanuele on a horse. (Front and Center).



The Oculus is the only light source within the Pantheon.



Bronze doors at the entrance of the Pantheon.



Obelisk from Egypt, which stands in front of the Pantheon.



Front facade of the Pantheon.



Class photo in front of the Pantheon.



Trevi Fountain. The water does exist below the photo, however there were thousands of people in the way.... stay tuned for a better picture.



The Spanish Steps near Spagna.



This 2D painting looks like a 3D dome--actually a false dome. Fra Andrea del Pozzo painted the false dome "Trompe l'oeil" which is 17 meters wide and at the top of the photo. The original intention was to build a dome but that was too expensive.



Sant' Ignazio's ceiling. On the ceiling, Pozzo attempted to make it look like you were ascending to heaven...painted in 1685.



The boys and their new 350K Lamborghini.


Math May Seminar, Pictures 2005