For the Love of History

Beside the Colosseum lays the ancient ruins of Rome (I had accidentally said is this the ruined ruins? Leading to "Roaming Rome"... LAME). Part of me now thinks that our conversation took up a little bit too much of my attention! I actually acutely remember singing Brooke Fraser's Lead Me to the Cross, but remember some of the sights that I have captured with my camera less clearly... Need to reflect on that a little, perhaps?

From the Colosseum

Walking from the entrance to the Forum

Photodump! Do you wonder what it used to look like?

Parts of the ruins had been ruined destroyed by the construction of the road that leads up to the Colosseum. 

The Terracotta Warriors was paying a visit in the Roman Ruins. Couldn't figure out why because it didn't say (in English anyway) what the purpose of the exhibit was. The whole exhibit was of ancient Chinese arts. There were a few small exhibits of Italian sculptures that had presumably stood in the ruins area.

From the ruins, we proceeded to the next attraction.

I had written about the Vatican City last week, this week it's about the Vatican Museum, which we had a little trouble finding... It was late by the time we got there, and it was quite a rushed tour through the building to see all the masterpieces that reside within the walls of this "country". One of the things we really wanted to see was the staircase that graces the page of the Rome Wikitravel page.

View from a window at the Vatican Museum, nearing sunset.

There this patio looking area that looks out to St. Peter's Basilica. Because of the gorgeous weather and the time of day we visited, this generally beautiful sight was coupled with the perfect lighting, creating one of the most picturesque scenes of this trip.

Thank goodness I brought my beloved camera with me.

Oh such grandeur! The exquisite craftsmanship cannot be matched today.

As we were admiring the artwork, a staff member of the museum warned us that the Sistine Chapel was only going to be open for another 30 minutes. At this point, we abandoned all the other less known pieces and ran to the Sistine Chapel (I was intent on visiting it). Unfortunately, no photos were allowed and I felt like abiding by the rules. It was somewhat noisy at times, with a guard periodically whispering "shhh" as loudly as he can manage. Would've appreciated a quieter atmosphere, alas, it's one of the most famous tourist attractions, so what can you do?

And the staircase! It looks better in natural light, but I had decided for us that the photo could wait for the end of our tour around the museum (sorry travel buddy!!). Plus, I don't have a good angle on it, so it looks kind of flattened. 

Only half a day of Rome left! Oh this visit was too short.

By fishii with 3 comments