Easter Time at the Vatican and other Rome, Italy Things to Do Tips

under construction
photos show before and during Easter

Leave a Comment

Go to the top of the dome....
under construction
Be sure and look at the two photos on the right that show the dome, and then click on the other small photo below it to see a close up of tourists at the top. Once you see this, you won't want to miss this experience when you are in Rome.

Leave a Comment

Address: Vatican
Directions: take the elevator and stairs to the top
Don't forget the catacombs......

Visitors should bring a water bottle and a snack. The line can be long. There is a museum inside on the opposite side from the entrance. When I was there they had a terrific exhibit of gladiator tools. See the photos below.
I suggest to see the colisseum first and then walk across the street to the forum. There is no where to sit while standing in line, but at the forum you can sit down and rest if you need to rest.
Anything else I could add here you will be able to get out of a good guidebook, so just enjoy the photos.

Leave a Comment

Address: Right in the middle of Rome
Directions: Isn't it great that Rome has not allowed tall building to be built thus ruining the feeling of history?

Pictured are photos made from the colisseum which is directly across the street. You can visit this area easily in one day.
It is difficult to imagine what the forum looked like, and so you should have a guide book which has pictures and descriptions of the forum area.
This whole area was once a cow pasture for hundreds of years. :-)

Leave a Comment

Address: In the center of Rome

Bocca bites liars..under construction

Leave a Comment

Included are some shots of the Pantheon. This is a good place to visit in the afternoon on a hot day. It always seems to be cool inside, and there are plenty of outdoor cafes for people watching and cooling off.

Leave a Comment

This site was once called Hadrian's Tomb, after the Emporer who made his tomb here. This is the famous Hadrian who made the wall in England....
So much history in the once structure, but most tourists miss it because the tour bus doesn't stop here. Too bad.
Popes were known to take the tunnel trip from the Vatican to Castel Sant' Angelo when the barbarians were banging on the gates of Rome. They also escaped here when things got a little warm from the citizens threatening a riot over the Pope's behavior.
I didn't see any mention of the men who were locked up here while they were being investigated by the Pope for their Christian beliefs, but if you look into the history of this place you will find plenty of instances.
When you reach the top by circular stairs and more, you will look up and see a giant statue of an angel. This was dedicated to the end of the plague, when the citizens, rallied with the Pope marched through the streets. They looked up and saw the angel putting his sword away. The next day, no one was recorded dying. Then the statue was built and placed at the top of Castel San Angelo in memory of this moment.
The view of Rome is excellent all the way around this monument. Take 2 hours and see it. Look for cannon ball hits along the wall outside, there are lots of them that "dented" the structure.

Leave a Comment

Address: On the Tiber
Directions: Between the Vatican and Piazza Navona. If you are near the Tiber you will see it.
Highly recommended.
Entrance Fee is Nominal in comparison with other things in Rome.