Rome, Italy: Ruins and Ruins

We started the day at the ancient Pantheon, Rome's best-preserved ruin (even though it was built in the second century, it is still completely intact).  The dome with the morning sun coming through the occulus, pictured above, were spectacular.  Like everything in Rome, the Pantheon--originally a temple to the gods--was converted into a church.  Since it was Sunday, Mom and I were able to hear Mass in the Pantheon--definitely the oldest and neatest place either of us have ever been to Mass!

Our next stop was the Colosseum...need I say more?

After the Colosseum, we headed over to Palantine Hill and the Roman Forum (we saw the Imperial Forums on the way over).  These archaeological sites, originally ordered excavated by Mussolini, tell the story of Rome over the ages, from the huts of Romulus and Remus (BC times), to the original forums of Caesar Augustus (early first century), to the crazy Nero (mid-first century), to the rest of the emperors and the fall of Rome (until 400s AD), and beyond.  Each era is on a different level, and you can actually walk from the top of Palantine Hill (most current) to underground (most ancient), and get the whole story of Rome as you go.  Quite a long, tiring walk on a hot summer day, but very worth it.

We actually did this in the morning while we were waiting for Mass at the Pantheon--which I think is why we were able to get a picture with no other people in it--but our visit to the famed Trevi Fountain did not disappoint.  Mom and I even threw in a few coins over our shoulders for good luck :-)