When leaving for Rome on Monday the 21st after a late night from the soccer final, I wasn’t really in the traveling mood....how could I not be extremely excited to go to Rome?! I was tired and pretty traveled out I suppose. But all the same, I didn’t have to pay for or plan the trip, so I didn’t give it too much thought. When we got to Rome the first night we walked around the city, visited a couple smaller tourist sites, and ate supper with the whole group. The next morning we visited the major tourist sites, such as the historic cathedrals, the Colloseum, the Pantheon, and ruins of Roman villas and government buildings.
During our walk through the Roman ruins, our teacher provided detailed stories about the history of all the sites. These stories made it so much more meaningful. Recognizing that Peter stayed and preached at the church we visited, and that each of the ruins were 2,000 years old is stunning. The next morning we visited Pompeii and Mnt.Vesuvius, which is a 3 hour drive and saw a whole city that was destroyed by the mountain volcano in 79 AD, but yet preserved from the natural disaster. We climbed the volcano and were able to see crater. The city was so impressive, the ampitheater, temples, shops, houses, and roads were all so well preserved. Even the fresco paintings on the wall were preserved. It really gave an indication of how they lived during this time. Similar to the day before, we also had short stories and explanations of the tour.
On Thursday we visited the Vatican. We walked through St. Peter’s Catherdral, climbed to the top of the dome, and tour the Vatican museum and the Sixteen Chapel. This area was so beautiful! But also incredibly busy, because of the all catholics making a pilgrimage to the Vatican for the Pope becoming a saint. The view from the Dome of Saint Peter’s Cathedral was beautiful, you could see the entire city of Rome!
On Friday we visited catacombs and the Via Apia, the longest road in the Roman Empire. It was so neat to walk where Christians from 2,000 years ago walked and to see the signs that distinguished themselves on their gravestones. I wasn't feeling like being a tourist by Friday, so I didn't take any pictures myself...I'll add them later when I get them from other people. Currently, I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Barcelona. How crazy that I’ve been walking and seeing the sites of people 2,000 years ago. Learning about the culture and about the Christians of that time is unforgettable.
Trevi Fountain
Ruins of Nero's Villa
Colosseum
Panorama of the Colosseum
Ruins of a chariot racing area
Overlooking the city from the ancient villa
Roman Ruins
Temple of the Vestal Virgins
more ruins of the government sector
Prison where Peter and Paul were kept
Beautiful, but more modern building from 1800's.
Pantheon - complete structure about 2,000 years old
Inside of Pantheon - reconstructed.
During our walk through the Roman ruins, our teacher provided detailed stories about the history of all the sites. These stories made it so much more meaningful. Recognizing that Peter stayed and preached at the church we visited, and that each of the ruins were 2,000 years old is stunning. The next morning we visited Pompeii and Mnt.Vesuvius, which is a 3 hour drive and saw a whole city that was destroyed by the mountain volcano in 79 AD, but yet preserved from the natural disaster. We climbed the volcano and were able to see crater. The city was so impressive, the ampitheater, temples, shops, houses, and roads were all so well preserved. Even the fresco paintings on the wall were preserved. It really gave an indication of how they lived during this time. Similar to the day before, we also had short stories and explanations of the tour.
Crater from Mnt. Vesuvius
Streets in Pompeii
Vineyard from Pompeii
Wealthy house in Pompeii
Fresco painting preserved
Courtyard connecting houses in Pompeii
Area for worshipping idols
Temple for Roman gods
Amphitheater
Roman ruins in Pompeii
Pompeii ruins
On Thursday we visited the Vatican. We walked through St. Peter’s Catherdral, climbed to the top of the dome, and tour the Vatican museum and the Sixteen Chapel. This area was so beautiful! But also incredibly busy, because of the all catholics making a pilgrimage to the Vatican for the Pope becoming a saint. The view from the Dome of Saint Peter’s Cathedral was beautiful, you could see the entire city of Rome!
Saint Peter's Cathedral
Famous sculpture of Mary and Jesus
Saint Peter's from above
Dome of St. Peter's cathedral
Saint Peter's cathedral from above
beautiful views of the Vatican from the top of St. Peter's cathedral
Inside of St. Peter's
Ancient bath used by the wealthy Romans
Gardens in the Vatican
On Friday we visited catacombs and the Via Apia, the longest road in the Roman Empire. It was so neat to walk where Christians from 2,000 years ago walked and to see the signs that distinguished themselves on their gravestones. I wasn't feeling like being a tourist by Friday, so I didn't take any pictures myself...I'll add them later when I get them from other people. Currently, I’m sitting in the airport waiting for my flight to Barcelona. How crazy that I’ve been walking and seeing the sites of people 2,000 years ago. Learning about the culture and about the Christians of that time is unforgettable.
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