Italy 2010

Andrea, Ed and Beth's trip to Italy. A week in Rome, a week in Sorrento and a week in Tuscany with lots of interesting side trips. One day of rain on the last day, but otherwise beautiful weather. The pictures in this group were taken mostly with Ed's camera (Nikon D200), Andrea's camera (Canon SD1000) and Beth's camera (Canon SD630)

Day 3 - Trastavere, Catacombs

On day three, we visited the Trastavere area of Rome, including the Villa Farnesina, and the Basilica de Santa Maria. After that, we visited the catacombs of St. sebastian, and a Basilica built over them.


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Day 2 - Morning walk, the Vatican, evening in Rome Day 2 - Morning walk, the Vatican, evening in Rome	On the third day, we visited the Trastavere neighborhood of Rome. This fountain is in the garden of the Villa Farnesina. We visited inside and saw beautiful frescoes by Raphael, but pictures were not allowed. Click here for a sample On the third day, we visited the Trastavere neighborhood of Rome. This fountain is in the garden of the Villa Farnesina. We visited inside and saw beautiful frescoes by Raphael, but pictures were not allowed. Click here for a sample	Typical Trastavere street. Typical Trastavere street.		Day 4 - Tours of Rome Day 4 - Tours of Rome
Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and possibly the first church in which Mass was celebrated openly. Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere, one of the oldest churches in Rome, and possibly the first church in which Mass was celebrated openly.	The first church on this site was founded in AD 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I. The first church on this site was founded in AD 220 by Pope Saint Callixtus I.	The Ionic Captals along the nave were taken from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla or the nearby Temple of Isis The Ionic Captals along the nave were taken from the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla or the nearby Temple of Isis	After restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries, the present church was re-erected 1140-43 under Pope Innocent II, who razed the original to get rid of the tomb of his rival Pope Anacletus II. After restorations in the fifth and eighth centuries, the present church was re-erected 1140-43 under Pope Innocent II, who razed the original to get rid of the tomb of his rival Pope Anacletus II.	Almost the first thing you notice is the amazing mozaic floor of the church. Almost the first thing you notice is the amazing mozaic floor of the church.
		Mosaic floor detail Mosaic floor detail
			Some mozaic detail Some mozaic detail
Detail of apse vault Detail of apse vault		Stained glass windows above the church entrance Stained glass windows above the church entrance
Caught on the drive to the catacombs. This is an ancient pay toilet (for men only, and it must have smelled bad) Caught on the drive to the catacombs. This is an ancient pay toilet (for men only, and it must have smelled bad)	catacombs of St sebatian catacombs of St sebatian	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastiano_fuori_le_mura http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastiano_fuori_le_mura	Old grafitti at the catacombs (?) Old grafitti at the catacombs (?)	San Sebastiano fuori le mura (Saint Sebastian outside the walls), or San Sebastiano ad Catacumbas (Saint Sebastian at the Catacombs), is a basilica in Rome, central Italy. Up to the Great Jubilee of 2000, San Sebastiano was one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, and many pilgrims still favor the traditional list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastiano_fuori_le_mura San Sebastiano fuori le mura (Saint Sebastian outside the walls), or San Sebastiano ad Catacumbas (Saint Sebastian at the Catacombs), is a basilica in Rome, central Italy. Up to the Great Jubilee of 2000, San Sebastiano was one of the Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome, and many pilgrims still favor the traditional list. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Sebastiano_fuori_le_mura
			Detail of the altar above St. Sebastian's tomb. Detail of the altar above St. Sebastian's tomb.	St. Sebastian's tomb, marked by a reclining statue by Bernini. St. Sebastian's tomb, marked by a reclining statue by Bernini.
	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caecilia_Metella_%28daughter_of_Metellus_Creticus%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caecilia_Metella_%28daughter_of_Metellus_Creticus%29	Part of the ruins on Palatine Hill. The site of the Circus Maximus is in the foreground. Part of the ruins on Palatine Hill. The site of the Circus Maximus is in the foreground.	Bell tower of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. A famous part of this church is la Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth,) an ancient sculpture thought to originally be a drain opening. As portrayed in the 1953 movie "Roman Holiday," legend has it that if you tell a lie with your hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it will be bitten off. Bell tower of the Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin. A famous part of this church is la Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth,) an ancient sculpture thought to originally be a drain opening. As portrayed in the 1953 movie "Roman Holiday," legend has it that if you tell a lie with your hand in the mouth of the sculpture, it will be bitten off.	Fountain near Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin Fountain near Basilica of Saint Mary in Cosmedin
Great Synagogue of Rome. Designed by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, the synagogue was built from 1901 to 1904 Great Synagogue of Rome. Designed by Vincenzo Costa and Osvaldo Armanni, the synagogue was built from 1901 to 1904	Castel Sant'Angelo Castel Sant'Angelo		The reason that the castle has its name is that legend says that an anCastel Sant'Angelogel, Saint Michael, appeared to Pope Gregory on top and sheathed his sword as a sign that the plague had ended in Rome. A stone statue was then built on top of the castle but was later replaced by a bronze one. The reason that the castle has its name is that legend says that an anCastel Sant'Angelogel, Saint Michael, appeared to Pope Gregory on top and sheathed his sword as a sign that the plague had ended in Rome. A stone statue was then built on top of the castle but was later replaced by a bronze one.
			Piazza della Repubblica with the Fontana Delle Naiadi (Fountain of the Naiads.) Building is Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti (National Council of Certified Accountants) Piazza della Repubblica with the Fontana Delle Naiadi (Fountain of the Naiads.) Building is Consiglio Nazionale dei Dottori Commercialisti (National Council of Certified Accountants)	Metro station Metro station
	The "Big Bad Palace" is the Palace of Justice. The "Big Bad Palace" is the Palace of Justice.
The Temple of Hercules Victor ('Hercules the Conqueror') (Italian: Tempio di Ercole.Vincitore) or Hercules Olivarius is an ancient edifice located in the Forum Boarium close to the Tiber in Rome. It is a monopteros, a round temple of Greek 'peripteral' design completely encircled by a colonnade. This layout caused it to be mistaken for a temple of Vesta until it was correctly identified by Napoleon's Prefect of Rome, Camille de Tournon.[1] Fontana dei Tritoni in foreground The Temple of Hercules Victor ('Hercules the Conqueror') (Italian: Tempio di Ercole.Vincitore) or Hercules Olivarius is an ancient edifice located in the Forum Boarium close to the Tiber in Rome. It is a monopteros, a round temple of Greek 'peripteral' design completely encircled by a colonnade. This layout caused it to be mistaken for a temple of Vesta until it was correctly identified by Napoleon's Prefect of Rome, Camille de Tournon.[1] Fontana dei Tritoni in foreground	Beth on the tour bus Beth on the tour bus		Angel statue at the end of Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II Angel statue at the end of Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II	Another statue seen when entering Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II Another statue seen when entering Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II

Crossing the Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II. Statues represent victory in war.

Out to dinner

Day 4 - Tours of Rome