spanish steps

Rome was packed full of all different kinds of experiences, and I could talk about it for hours if you let me probably.Firstly Rome was probably the best hostel/hotel I stayed in while in Italy. Super friendly staff and a great location. Our first stop when we got to Rome was the colosseum. This might have been because we went during off season for tourists, but alot of the outer shell was undergoing restoration, so it was all covered up, and it was really unfortunate. A lot of things were covered in scaffolding all over Rome while we were there, so we did miss some things – but this just gives me a reason to go back.

Trevi fountain

The trevi fountain was beyond incredible. Once you get around the hoards of people, the fountain is enormous. It takes up almost the whole piazza, and the entire front of the building. What I really enjoyed about the fountain was how it looked like the fountain had just sprung up from a natural rock formation, and how that formation melds with building behind it perfectly. It all looks so natural and flowing, yet still so artistic and beautiful. Keeping that balance can be difficult, and it truly makes the trevi fountain something to behold.

Pantheon

Inside coloseum

The colosseum was so big it was hard to take in in such a short period of time. I can only imagine it in Roman times in all of its glory – not just the bare bones it is today. Its a shame that structures like this were stripped so nothing i left of them but cement and bricks. To me places like the colloseum have a lot of historic signifigance. While walking through here, and the Roman forum and circus maximus all i could think of was all the great Romans who once stood where i am standing now. Some of histories most important political figures stood where i had. Romans cheered on gladiators in the colosseum stands, and the great empire of rome all began on the roman forum and the Palentine hill. Standing in these places was very moving to me, especially knowing the history behind a lot of it. Almost an epiphanic moment.

Colloseum

Street performer in Piazza Navona

Circus Maximus

Vatican city museums

Vatican city museums was an art students dream ( Then again most of Italy is ). So much significant art work is in there – you could spend days in there no problem. Its much different seeing the work in person as suppose to on a computer screen or in a textbook. Size and scale change, colours are more vibrant. Details become more noticible; and just the feeling of being so close to something you could touch it. Some of the greatest artists in history walked through these buildings, painted these walls and ceilings – im a sucker for sentimentality on people and places.

Caravaggio – ascension of Christ

The Pope!

St. Peters Basillica

St. Peters basillica was something off the bucket list. Bernini is one of my favourite artists ever, especially his sculptures and while in Rome I got to see a few of his sculptures and buildings he deigned – including the Baldachino in the basilica. Not only while i was there i got to admire the grandeur of the church, but i got to sit in on a service given by the pope himself and see him. Now, i am not a religious person but it is something to say at the end of your life that you saw the Pope. Coming to Italy it was one of the things i was hoping to do – to have irreplacable life experiences here that i would be able to tell my children and grand children. these are the kind of memories that stay with you.