Excavations of Rome, Italy

On our visit to Rome we saw many areas, albeit many fenced off, of open excavations. It was exciting to see these remnants of an ancient civilization making one aware of how old the city of Rome is. But what we saw was a small fraction of the excavations that have been done.

There are many well-known ancient structures such as the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Pantheon but some of the recent excavations are:

- One of the particularly interesting excavations is the Tomb of Saint Peter and the Necropolis under the Vatican Basilica. Special permission is required to visit it. Only 120 visitors per day are allowed in groups of about twelve people. This is done in order to preserve the historical archaeological site and for this reason also, no one under fifteen years of age is allowed. Each group has a guide as further protection of the site.

- A quite new site that archaeologists have completed excavating is Hadrian's Hall and Roman art centre discovered under one of Rome's busiest roundabouts near a baroque church and the Vittoriano. It is believed to have been built in AD 123 with seating for nine hundred people. It is the biggest find since the Forum was discovered in the 1920's.

- Escavations have been ongoing for decades in the Roman Forum and on Palatine Hill. Halls and imperial residences with frescoes and stucco reliefs have been found. Palatine Hill is in one of the most ancient areas of the city. Excavations show that people lived there as long ago as 1,000 BC. Many buildings have been excavated on the Hill, each with their own history. Entrance to it is not far from the Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. The Palatine House is believed to be the birthplace of Rome's first emperor, Augustus.

- Some of the other excavations are: the House of Livia; the House of Gryphons, a residence of Republic Rome; the Temple of Romulus in the Roman Forum and, the Loggia Mattei, dating from the Renaissance. Excavations are continuing also in Piazza Santa Maria to reveal more of the Roman and medieval structures.

- Excavations are also taking place at the site of Prato Felici of a Roman Republic cistern structure.

- In 2009, a mini-colosseum was discovered beneath Rome's Fuimicino Airport. With the help of a ground penetrating radar, they uncovered luxuriously decorated rooms, a carved marble head believed to be that of Ulysses, a garden and a toilet.

Unfortunately, most of these excavations are not open to the public on a regular basis because of a shortage of guards. This is a result of significant cut-backs because of the financial difficulties much of Europe is having at this time. Those that are open do so only on certain days and with restricted hours.

It is a shame that these findings are not open to the public as some excavations are known only in academic circles. The importance of archaeological finds is the discovery of pre-modern day cultures, civilizations, ancient topography and how our world has changed over the centuries. And even more than from a purely historical reason, excavations emphasize the fact that we are not a new civilization - we go back thousands of years. Would we have known that were it not for archaeological excavations?

Attractions of Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the most awe-inspiring city in all of Italy with its history and ancient ruins. As one travels around, it seems unbelievable that there is so much antiquity in one place. For those interested in history and seeing the remnants of buildings from long ago, Rome is the place to go. Some of them are:

- The Colosseum - This is the most famous building of the Roman Empire. Having eighty entrances, it accommodated more than 55,000 spectators. Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. It was used for fights between gladiators and between gladiators and wild animals with each fighting to their death. The gladiators were usually prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Part of the Colosseum was damaged during an earthquake in 847; one can still see evidence of this damage. Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is quite a revelation when you realize how old it is and how much of it exists to this day.

- The Pantheon - This building was built in 118 AD. It has a 43 meter high dome with three rows of columns on the portico and a huge bronze door at the entrance. It was originally a temple for pagan gods but in 609 was converted into a church. The artist Raphael is entombed there.

- The Trevi Fountain - Completed in 1762, features Neptune, God of the Sea as the central figure riding a chariot shaped like a shell and pulled by two sea horses. Legend has it that you will return to Rome if, with your back to the fountain, you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water. Alas, we were unable to do this when we were there. The area was packed with so many tourists that we couldn't get very close to this amazingly beautiful fountain. Even to be able to take a picture was a challenge in itself. But the breathtaking perfection of this 18th century fountain is definitely worth a visit.

- St. Peter's Basilica - This church is the largest in the world. Construction of the original church was completed by 349 AD. However, it fell into ruin by the middle of the 15th century. A new and much larger church than the original was completed and consecrated in 1626. St. Peter died there as a martyr and is entombed beneath the church.

- The Forum - At one time there were temples, arches and basilicas but many of them have fallen into ruin. However, it takes little imagination to see what it once was. Among some of the structures and partial remnants at the Forum are the Curica, built in 283 AD, the Sacellum of Venus Cloacina, the Arch of Actuim, the Regia, the Temple of Divus Julius and the Temple of Concord.

- Palatine Hill - According to mythology, this area was the original city of Rome. It is believed to have been founded in 800 BC by Romulus after he slay his twin brother Remus. Augustus, Cicero and Marc Antony are all believed to have had homes on the hill. Excavations have been done there since the mid 18th century with discoveries showing there are partial remnants of ruins going back to the first century.

- The Victor Emmanuel Monument (the Vittoriano) is the first historical building we saw when we arrived in Rome. It is a late addition to history as construction began in 1885. Made of white marble, it is decorated with statues, reliefs and murals. At the foot of the Statue of Victor Emmanuel is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

- The Vatican Museum - This museum is actually several museums displaying collections of art built up by the Catholic Church over the centuries and, of course, Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. The museum originated with a marble sculpture of Laocoon and his Sons, discovered in a vineyard in 1506. There are 54 galleries consisting of busts, statues, the Sala Rotonda which is shaped like a miniature Pantheon with ancient mosaics on the floor, a bronze statue of Hercules, numeous paintings, the red marble papal throne and works of Raphael. Although we were only able to spend a half day there, to really see everything, I'm sure it would take at least a couple of days. We spent only two days in this wonderous city and although I have mentioned several interesting attractions, with more time we would have liked to see so much more and enjoy this historical city of ancient ruins.

Rome, Italy and the Vatican City

The Vatican City is a walled city within the city of Rome, referred to as the smallest country in the world. This area is ruled by the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. Within this small area are the Vatican Museums, St. Peter's Basilica, Apostolic Palace, the Pope's residence and 57 acres of gardens, decorated with fountains and sculptures.

On our second day in Rome, we left early to go to the Vatican Museums hoping to avoid a long line-up. However, arriving an hour before they opened, we were far from the first people to arrive. But the line did move quickly once the doors were opened.

The museums were founded between 1775 and 1799. There are thirteen museums in the complex consisting of a huge collection of art amassed by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the years which includes classical sculptures and masterpieces of the Renaissance. It is believed that the sculpture of Laocoon, purchased five hundred years ago, was the beginning of the public opening of the Museums. Laocoon is the priest who, according to history, predicted Ulysses' use of the Trojan Horse. They celebrated their five hundred year anniversary in October, 2006.

Besides paintings, sculptures and antiquities, there is the red marble papal throne, tombstones, inscriptions, the Gallery of Maps and many, many frescoes. There is the Gregorian Egyptian with Egyptian statues and mummies from around 1,000 BC, the Vatican Pinacoteca, a newer museum, which wasn't opened until 1932, featuring paintings from the 12th to 19th centuries, the Chapel of Beato Angelico, the four rooms known as the Stanze of Raphael featuring works by that artist, the Borgia Apartment, the Collection of Modern Religious Art, the Christian, Profane and Missionary-Ethnological Museum, the Chariot Room, the Immaculate Conception and Sobieski Rooms, Etruscan Museum, Gallery of the Candelabra, Apartment of Pius, and other areas having collections of ancient Roman and Greek art with replicas of Greek statues. One museum contains mainly tapestries and mosaics and there are galleries of busts, amazing paintings and carved Roman baths as well as the Vatican Courtyards. Most of the ceilings are covered with paintings and decorated with marble and inlay is often on the floors. There are more than 70,000 pieces of art on exhibit with another 50,000 pieces preserved in vaults and storerooms.

The entire museum is an incredible stroll through history. But the highlight is, without a doubt, the Sistine Chapel with the ceiling painted by Michelangelo. Although he considered himself to be a sculptor and was not happy to paint the Sistine Chapel, it is considered one of his best works. He worked on it between 1508 and 1512. His painting of The Last Judgment on the alter wall was done while he was in his sixties.

It was so crowded when we were in the area of the Sistine Chapel that if someone fainted, they'd never hit the floor. Security people were everywhere ensuring that people were quiet. As you exit this area, you go down one of the world's most famous staircases, the Simonetti Staircase. Made of bronze, it is decorated with the papal coat of arms.

It is impossible to see everything in one day and I'm sure there were many areas we missed entirely. One reviewer said it could take two or even twenty visits to the museums to really see all there is to enjoy.

From the museums you can walk around the outside wall and go to St. Peter's Basilica. The original basilica fell into disrepair and a new one was built and consecrated by the pope in 1626. This church is enormous with 45 alters and is the most well-known work of Renaissance architecture. St. Peter's Basilica is incredibly opulent; its interior decorated with marble, sculptures, artwork and gilding. It holds the tombs of 91 popes, dignitaries and that of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the first Pope of Rome. St. Peter's tomb, according to legend, is buried beneath the high alter.

After leaving the Vatican City, we continued our stroll around Rome. It is a city that you want to keep exploring to see as much as you can. But eventually it was time to return to our accommodations. It had been another long and very interesting day.

On our third day in Rome, we planned to take an all-day tour to Pompeii so we would be seeing nothing more in this city where there is so much to see and enjoy. Rome has something for every taste with its art, culture and history.

Rome, Italy - The City of Culture and History

Rome, referred to by ancient poets as the Eternal City, is located on the Tiber River. It was founded in 753BC and, along with Florence, was considered one of the major centers of the Renaissance. Although the date for Rome's founding is considered to be much later, there is archeological evidence of human occupation from between 10,000 to 14,000 years ago. On our trip to Rome, we were impressed by the old buildings and partial structures, evidence of their long history.

On our first day there, we set out with a map, a vague idea where many of the attractions were and, of what we wanted to see. We saw partial structures, some appearing to be still in the excavating stages, old buildings, fountains, churches and statues. One was a statue of Julius Caesar in a pose one could imagine him being in when, on the Ides of March, he uttered his final words, 'Et tu, Brute?'

Arriving at the Colosseum, we were amazed at its size but shouldn't have been. It once accommodated more than 55,000 spectators who came to watch fights between gladiators and wild animals or sometimes between those who were prisoners. Construction was begun in 72AD and completed in 80AD. There were once eighty entrances, many still quite evident. The ruined portion, according to history, was damaged in an earthquake in 847. You can go inside the Colosseum, however we didn't. (It went on the ever-growing list for my next visit.) The beauty and resilience of these incredibly old structures and buildings continued to amaze me as we looked around. On the same grounds is the Arch of Consontine, built in 315AD, another work of art.

Further along in our explorations of Rome, we came to Palatine Hill. Surrounded by a high metal fence, archeologists are still excavating the ruins of what is believed to be the beginnings of the city. We were too late to go inside and unfortunately, the gates were closed for the evening. But we were able to see quite a lot through the fence. As early evening descended, we crossed the Tiber River, seeing the partial remnants of an old bridge. It seemed that everywhere we looked there were remnants and evidence of antiquity and Rome's continual determination to unearth its history.

Eventually, as our feet became weary, we boarded an open tour bus and travelled the city seeing many other sights. With the early evening upon us, we saw a different Rome through the glow of the city's lights. At one point we saw the Pantheon, built in 118AD. It was converted into a church in 609 and now holds the tombs of Raphael and several Italian kings. Amazingly, the marble floor is still the original. The last stop of the night was Trevi Fountain which was as far as the bus was going. This fountain, completed in 1762 is exquisite, a masterpiece of design. The statue of Neptune of the Sea riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, is pulled by two sea horses. It is the focal point of the fountain with other statues surrounding the display. Although it was getting late, it was crowded when we were there, which apparently is not unusual. As we walked back to the guest house, we realized it was too late for dinner so we stopped along the way to pick up some fruit and drinks. We were getting an early start the following morning for the Vatican City.