Soaring columns by night! and other Rome, Italy Local Custom Tips

A lovely thing about Rome is it is lovely by day AND night.

We did ALOT of walking here. We ate alot of pasta whilst here so that gave us alot of energy! haha

A personal favourite is old colums and pillars, and these were just stunning. They are just after the Pantheon piazza, on the way to the Trevi fountain.

Soaring and elegant.

Silently speaks volumes!

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Italy has a wealth of artisans, whose work is proudly displayed today throughout the country. Some of my favourites are:

~ Bernini, Gian Lorenzo (1598-1680)
~ Brunelleschi, Filippo (1377-1446)
~ Donatello (1386-1466)
~ Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
~ Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564)
~ Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)

If you'd like to fins out more re them, have a look at the website below.

An amazing testament of Italian genius! :)

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Website: http://www.italiansrus.com/resources/architectssculptors.htm

I photographed these inside the coliseum.

There is an ongoing (quite new) exhibition running there, with all kinds of artifacts, drawings, sculptures etc. that have been found in or near the coliseum.

It depicts what went on in the coliseum many years ago, showing 2 gladiators, with a large tiger.

Sad to see that the gladiators have a spear and a knife of sorts, so no doubting the outcome of this event :( Ironic that the symbol above the tiger depicts a target...

The Romans of the day loved the spectacle though.

I am really glad that this type of thing is frowned upon today!!! Anyone who subjects innocent animals to torture for the enjoyment of others is sick.

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This marble colum is also found at the same exhibition as the drawing in the tip above.

The Roman colums are something special too.

So much detail, effort and time goes into it, nowadays everything is so mechanised, with slight regard for intricate detail and the craftsman's own hand.

Can we say we have advanced as a civilisation? I am not sure we can.

We have lost far too much along the way.

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It's only when one hears how well organised and arranged this arena was, can one start to fully appreciate the huge amount of creative thought and design that went into it's creation.

It's real name is of course the Flavian Amphitheatre, as it was built by 3 Flavian emperors, Titus, Vespasian and Domitian. Iconic, Doric and Corinthian colums form part of the coliseum, which is in itself quite something.

Many of these can be seen in good order today still, most have been ravished by time and the weather.

This was a very cultural and rich part of an ancient Roman's life. It came to a halt when Rome became a Christian city.

It's rocks were then carted off to help build the walls of the city, and along with weathering and general ruin, we have what is left today.

Still beautiful though!

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One of the delightful things about Rome are the musicians.

They sit at the side of the road, and just play.

It isn't intrusive or blaring, and readily adds to the ambiance and charm of this ancient city.

It is important to let them know you appreciate their efforts and talent, and give them a couple of euros as appreciation :)

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No dodgy and cheap Council signage in Rome. No way!

Road and street signs are usually found on the 1st floor of the building at the end of the street. Most are in marble and are in Roman-style text....

When a 'U' is written as a 'V' etc.

Very characterful and just what one would expect in a city such as this! :)

I photographed quite a few of them!

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Rome is of course well renowned for it's painting and artistic prowess.

In the Piazza Navonna we saw so many artists selling their wares. I dont think they were all the ACTUAL artists though, as some of them had varying styles within the paintings they were selling.

So, although it sounds great - buying an original painting from the original painter... I highly doubt this is the case. It is quite commercialised.

Do the rounds when you see some artists, note which ones you like, and then get costings. Tell them you can get a painting for less at Stand X, and the chap you are talking to will give you a lower price.

If you buy more than one, ask for a discount. They are readily given, albeit amidst some grumbling haha

Having said that, we bought 4 lovely works of art, 2 obviously Roman, but the other 2 not.

We have had them framed and they sit proudly in our sitting room (along with the other artwork we have collected from other places we have visited).

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Now this was yummy! And huge... so we shared it. :)

I asked my Italian coleague about them and he said they were popular, as were easy to make and filled one up.

They look like a large doughnut, were stucky as had some suger on top.

Ours had no filling, it was plain.

You get them from stands on the side of the road. It cost us 2 euros.

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Typically Roman... not made for the wheel! haha

These types of pathways are dotted all over Rome, and one must bear in mind that when they were laid, there were no cars and buggys/prams!

There were chariots of course, so not sure how they managed though!

Other cobblestones, called 'sampietrini', are not ideal for walking but to maintain their heritage and for tourist appeal, the city officials have pledged to keep them intact.

The photo is a particularly bad example of a pathway, other pathways arent as bad.

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