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 5 - Tour of Ancient Rome

Day 5 included ancient Roman sites, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.


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Day 4 - Tours of Rome Day 4 - Tours of Rome	Largo di Torre Argentina is a square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey's Theater. It is located in the ancient Campus Martius. Largo di Torre Argentina is a square in Rome that hosts four Republican Roman temples, and the remains of Pompey's Theater. It is located in the ancient Campus Martius.	Theatre of Marcellus, named after Marcus Marcellus, Emporor Agustus's nephew. completed in 13 BC. The upper part is now apartments. Theatre of Marcellus, named after Marcus Marcellus, Emporor Agustus's nephew. completed in 13 BC. The upper part is now apartments.	Temple of Hercules the Conqueror, dating from the later 2nd century BC Temple of Hercules the Conqueror, dating from the later 2nd century BC	Day 6 - Rome to Sorrento Day 6 - Rome to Sorrento
		The Basilica of St. Peter in Chains The Basilica of St. Peter in Chains		Scheduled canonization at the Piazza of this church of Saint Stanislaw Kazimierczyk, a Polish priest who died in 1489. Scheduled canonization at the Piazza of this church of Saint Stanislaw Kazimierczyk, a Polish priest who died in 1489.
Paulo Paulo	Shot of the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains from the back entrance. Shot of the Basilica of St. Peter in Chains from the back entrance.	The ceiling fresco is "The Miracle of the Chains" by Giovanni Battista Parodi (1706) The cathedral was built to house the chains worn by St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. The ceiling fresco is "The Miracle of the Chains" by Giovanni Battista Parodi (1706) The cathedral was built to house the chains worn by St. Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem.		The apse of the basilica The apse of the basilica
The famous chains The famous chains		Marble inlay in the church. Marble inlay in the church.
An earlier version of the structure of the church can be seen through this opening in the ceiling. An earlier version of the structure of the church can be seen through this opening in the ceiling.		Michelangelo's Moses, commissioned by Pope Julius II for his tomb. Michelangelo's Moses, commissioned by Pope Julius II for his tomb.	The statue of Moses has horns because the Hebrew word for beams of light also means horns. The statue of Moses has horns because the Hebrew word for beams of light also means horns.
Beside Moses are Rachel (left) and Leah. The reclining figure above Moses is Pope Julius II, the owner of the tomb. Beside Moses are Rachel (left) and Leah. The reclining figure above Moses is Pope Julius II, the owner of the tomb.		Michelangelo's Rachel Michelangelo's Rachel	Michelangelo's Leah Michelangelo's Leah	Next door to the Basilica - University of Rome - Faculty of Engineering Next door to the Basilica - University of Rome - Faculty of Engineering
The Flavian Amphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum The Flavian Amphitheatre, also known as the Colosseum	An example of Roman graffiti. An example of Roman graffiti.		Ruins of the Temple of Venus and Rome Ruins of the Temple of Venus and Rome	The arch of Constantine The arch of Constantine
Colosseum with Constantine arch in the distance Colosseum with Constantine arch in the distance	Tower of Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana. Originally known as Santa Maria Nova, it was rededicated to Frances of Rome in the 16th century. Ruins of the Temple of Venus and Rome visible in the foreground. Tower of Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana. Originally known as Santa Maria Nova, it was rededicated to Frances of Rome in the 16th century. Ruins of the Temple of Venus and Rome visible in the foreground.		Paulo doing his thing. Paulo doing his thing.
Fun fact: Paulo does not like chocolate Fun fact: Paulo does not like chocolate		Detail of Constantine Arch. Detail of Constantine Arch.	Detail of a numbered entrance to the amphitheater. Ancient Romans were directed to specific entrances. Detail of a numbered entrance to the amphitheater. Ancient Romans were directed to specific entrances.
	Dedication of the colosseum to the Christian Martyrs. Dedication of the colosseum to the Christian Martyrs.		Time traveler from ancient Rome Time traveler from ancient Rome
	View from Colosseum. View from Colosseum.	Colosseum arch detail Colosseum arch detail
		The cross commemorates the Christians martyred here. The cross commemorates the Christians martyred here.
Arch of Constantine Arch of Constantine			A glimpse of one end of the National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, or Altar of the Fatherland. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885 and completed in 1935. Victor Emmanuel II was the first king of a unified Italy. A glimpse of one end of the National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, or Altar of the Fatherland. It was designed by Giuseppe Sacconi in 1885 and completed in 1935. Victor Emmanuel II was the first king of a unified Italy.	Mussolini had a vision of a new Roman Empire, depicted by these reliefs. Mussolini had a vision of a new Roman Empire, depicted by these reliefs.
				Another look at the back of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Church in the foreground is the church of Saint Luke and Saint Martina (Santi Luca e Martina) Another look at the back of the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. Church in the foreground is the church of Saint Luke and Saint Martina (Santi Luca e Martina)
Walking up the Via Dei Fori Imperiali toward the Roman Forum Walking up the Via Dei Fori Imperiali toward the Roman Forum			Diocletian's Curia in the middle with part of the basilica of Aemelia to the left. Diocletian's Curia in the middle with part of the basilica of Aemelia to the left.	Pieces of columns in the Forum, maybe waiting to be put back where they belong Pieces of columns in the Forum, maybe waiting to be put back where they belong
Arch of Septimius Severus, erected in 203 AD. Dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Septimius Severus' accession the the throne with his sone Caracalla Arch of Septimius Severus, erected in 203 AD. Dedicated to the 10th anniversary of Septimius Severus' accession the the throne with his sone Caracalla	Site of Basilica aemilia with the Curia on the other side. Site of Basilica aemilia with the Curia on the other side.	Temple of Saturn (42 BC) behind the column of Foca (608 AD) Temple of Saturn (42 BC) behind the column of Foca (608 AD)	Remains of Basilica Aemilia Remains of Basilica Aemilia
		The portico with columns left of center is part of the Temple of Saturn, originally built 498 BC, but re-built 42 BC. Lone column next to it is the Column of Foca (608 AD.) 3 column structure in center is the Temple of Vespasian and Titus (85 AD) The portico with columns left of center is part of the Temple of Saturn, originally built 498 BC, but re-built 42 BC. Lone column next to it is the Column of Foca (608 AD.) 3 column structure in center is the Temple of Vespasian and Titus (85 AD)		Temple of Antonino and Faustina, San Lorenzo Church Temple of Antonino and Faustina, San Lorenzo Church
Shot toward the Temple of Ceasar (eroded structure behind the large blocks) with the temple of Castor and Pollux (three columns) behind. Palatine Hill to the left Shot toward the Temple of Ceasar (eroded structure behind the large blocks) with the temple of Castor and Pollux (three columns) behind. Palatine Hill to the left			Temple of Castor and Pollux, built 495 BC Temple of Castor and Pollux, built 495 BC
	Part of the Portico of Gaius and Lucius, Augustus' nephews. Part of the Portico of Gaius and Lucius, Augustus' nephews.
Hanging out in the Forum. Temple of Antonino & Faustina/San Lorenzo church in the background Hanging out in the Forum. Temple of Antonino & Faustina/San Lorenzo church in the background	Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, built starting 141 AD by Emperor Antoninus Pius and dedicated to his late deified wife, Faustina the Elder. Converted to a Roman Catholic church, San Lorenzo in Miranda after the 7th century AD Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, built starting 141 AD by Emperor Antoninus Pius and dedicated to his late deified wife, Faustina the Elder. Converted to a Roman Catholic church, San Lorenzo in Miranda after the 7th century AD	Another shot of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina. Another shot of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.		Ruins of Palatine Hill. Small temple to the left is the Temple of Vesta. Ruins of Palatine Hill. Small temple to the left is the Temple of Vesta.
Temple of Vesta, which was originally circular. Here, the Vestal Virgins served as guardians of the sacred flame. Temple of Vesta, which was originally circular. Here, the Vestal Virgins served as guardians of the sacred flame.	Shot from the forum toward the Arch of Titus. Temple of Vesta to the right. Shot from the forum toward the Arch of Titus. Temple of Vesta to the right.	Site of the cremation of Julius Ceasar (behind the wall.) This was a big deal because cremation inside the walls was illegal. Site of the cremation of Julius Ceasar (behind the wall.) This was a big deal because cremation inside the walls was illegal.	Temple of Castor and Pollux Temple of Castor and Pollux	Young Archaeologists Young Archaeologists
Curia - the house of the Roman Senate. This is Diocletian's building, built in 303 AD. The first building on this site was built by Tulius Hostilius and destroyed by fire in 80 BC Curia - the house of the Roman Senate. This is Diocletian's building, built in 303 AD. The first building on this site was built by Tulius Hostilius and destroyed by fire in 80 BC		Another shot of the Palentine hill ruins Another shot of the Palentine hill ruins	The Temple of Romulus, dedicated by Maxentius to his son Valerius Romulus, who died in 309. Now it is part of the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian The Temple of Romulus, dedicated by Maxentius to his son Valerius Romulus, who died in 309. Now it is part of the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and Damian	Detail of the doors of the basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano. Detail of the doors of the basilica of Santi Cosma e Damiano.
Detail of archaelogical work in the forum of peace. Detail of archaelogical work in the forum of peace.	Looking down Via Sacra toward the forum. Looking down Via Sacra toward the forum.	On the Via Sacra walking back toward the Coloseum. On the Via Sacra walking back toward the Coloseum.	Shot of the Forum from the Arch of Titus Shot of the Forum from the Arch of Titus	The Arch of Titus The Arch of Titus
Arch of Titus detail. The arch of Titus was dedicated 81 AD by Emperor Domitian to his brother Titus for victory in the war in Jerusalem, where the temple was destroyed. The sacred Menorah and silver trumpets are spoils of war brought back by Titus. Arch of Titus detail. The arch of Titus was dedicated 81 AD by Emperor Domitian to his brother Titus for victory in the war in Jerusalem, where the temple was destroyed. The sacred Menorah and silver trumpets are spoils of war brought back by Titus.	Titus riding his chariot in triumph with the winged Victory. Titus riding his chariot in triumph with the winged Victory.	Ceiling of the Arch of Titus Ceiling of the Arch of Titus	Ceiling of the arch of Titus. Titus carried by an eagle. Ceiling of the arch of Titus. Titus carried by an eagle.	Looking back on the arch of Titus and the Roman Forum Looking back on the arch of Titus and the Roman Forum
Tower of Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana Tower of Basilica of Santa Francesca Romana	Another view of the Coloseum. The pits in the facade are where iron reinforcing bars were removed in ancient times. Another view of the Coloseum. The pits in the facade are where iron reinforcing bars were removed in ancient times.	Side view of the Arch of Constantine Side view of the Arch of Constantine	Beth with the Arch of Constantine in the background Beth with the Arch of Constantine in the background	Ed with the Arch of Constantine in the background Ed with the Arch of Constantine in the background
After a long day in Ancient Rome, a modern necessity ... Gelato! After a long day in Ancient Rome, a modern necessity ... Gelato!		Our hotel in Rome. This will be our last night before heading south to the Amalfi Coast. Our hotel in Rome. This will be our last night before heading south to the Amalfi Coast.	San Pietrini ("little Saint Peters) basalt paving stones. Also called sampetrini pavement, Roman streets have been made this way since the time of Pope Sixtus V (16th century,) when St. Peter's Square was paved this way. San Pietrini ("little Saint Peters) basalt paving stones. Also called sampetrini pavement, Roman streets have been made this way since the time of Pope Sixtus V (16th century,) when St. Peter's Square was paved this way.	Dan demonstrates a nasone, or Roman drinking fountain. There are 2500 of these around the city. Dan demonstrates a nasone, or Roman drinking fountain. There are 2500 of these around the city.
Nasone means "big nose" in Italian. You can fill a cup or bottle from the main spout, or cover it and get a nice arch to drink from. Nasone means "big nose" in Italian. You can fill a cup or bottle from the main spout, or cover it and get a nice arch to drink from.	Lynn gives it a try. Nasoni first showed up in Rome in 1874. Thanks to Dan and Lynn Brown for sending me these photos. Lynn gives it a try. Nasoni first showed up in Rome in 1874. Thanks to Dan and Lynn Brown for sending me these photos.	Andrea and our Roman guide, Rosanna Andrea and our Roman guide, Rosanna	Rosanna checking up on things Rosanna checking up on things	Day 6 - Rome to Sorrento Day 6 - Rome to Sorrento